For What It's Worth


Monday, March 5, 2012

Book Blogger Confessions #5

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Welcome to the Book Blogger Confessions meme that I co-host with my blogger BFF Tiger from All Consuming Media!

We're here to "confess" and vent about topics that are unique to book bloggers. Feel free to share, vent and offer solutions. Just keep it respectful - no bashing authors or other bloggers!

Check out the introductory post for more information.

If you want to participate just grab our button and include it in your post with a link to either here or on Tiger’s blog. Once your post is up add your link to the linky list below.

This week's question -

Let's talk about a positive aspect of blogging! How has blogging influenced your real life in a positive way? (not related to books or reading) Have you learned to be organized or are you more social now for example?

Blogging has completely transformed me.

Two years ago I was an incredibly shy, phobic, yet opinionated person. I still am to an extent; however, the very nature of putting your opinion out there for the world to see invites interaction and pushes your boundaries.

I'm just going to list everything in a bullet point list to minimize rambling….

* I really am not a people person. Yet, through blogging, I have met people from across the globe that I now consider friends. Sure I've never met most of them in person but I think they have come to know me better in some ways than a few of my long time friends. I'm not sure if that is one of those sad sort of facts but I feel like I have broadened my horizons, learned about different cultures (of which I was previously quite ignorant) and made a few lifelong friends

*I was afraid to fly but I forced myself to get on that plane so I could go to BEA and now I travel several times a year even for non bookish events. (I still make it a road trip whenever I can though….let's not get too crazy).

*I have an office supply addiction! I know blogging is not really a business but if you could see my "office" you would surely think it was. From packing supplies to highlighters, post it notes & about 100 planners that will organize my life - I've got it all. This should probably be considered a bad thing but it makes me deliriously happy so I'm putting it on the positive list.

*I was never a great student when I was in school, but writing a post that conveys my thoughts in a concise manner and is (mostly) free of spelling and gramatical errors has been a learning process; as is writing correspondence with authors and publishers that don't just say OMG OMG OMG (which I still do on occasion lol). I'm also more organized since blogging and that has spilled over into my real life as well.

*I used to either like or dislike something without much thought. I now find myself "reviewing" everything and justifying my reasoning. This form of critical thinking is always a good thing IMO.

*TWITTER!

I signed up to Twitter for the blog and thought it was the Dumbest. Thing. Ever. You can take away my TV, you can even take away my computer (for a few days….maybe) but don't EVER take away my Twitter!

There are a lot of downsides to blogging but the upsides outweigh them in more ways than I can count. It's about finding balance.

Everyday a new challenge comes up with blogging. I may want to pull my hair out at that particular moment but I always learn something from the experience and I think blogging has made me a better person. I hope that didn't sound too weird and that you know what I mean with that statement.

Blogging is scary for a shy person like myself. I have to fight the urge to retreat into my bubble constantly but it's just what I needed to push me out of my comfort zone to experience life more fully.

Next topic: March 19th: Everyone LOVES that book! Why don't I? How do you handle being the one reviewer who doesn't like a book that's taking the blogosphere by storm? Do you write a review? Pretend you didn't read the book?

27 comments:

  1. I definitely agree that viewing things with a more critical eye is a positive thing, ever since I started blogging I not only see books critically but movies and television shows too. I like being to tell myself WHY I liked or didn't like a particular movie or show or being able to say what could have been done to make it better.

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  2. As a shy person myself I have to agree that blogging has really forced me to step out of my comfort zone. I have been blogging since 2009 (but only book bloggin since last year). When I did my first 52 books in 52 weeks challenge I used to post my progress on my blog but was too afraid to post reviews - It was just too much to think I was putting that much of myself and my opinions out in the open.

    Excellent question this week! :)

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  3. Me too, Karen! I still consider myself a shy, awkward person, but blogging has helped me with that...somewhat. LOL

    And the traveling opportunities have been awesome. Thanks for a confession that I can relate to.

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    1. That's so funny. I don't consider you shy at all. Your blog is so fun and outgoing & that's just how I picture you.

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  4. I am so much like you! I was afraid to reach out to other bloggers, pubs, and authors, but now I just do it. If I get a response, great! If I don't, at least I tried.

    I am jealous that you were able to go to BEA. I have other commitments at the same time, so I can't go :(

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    1. I hope you get to go one of these times. It's so much fun.

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  5. As an introvert (not necessarily shy), it feels good to be able to be "out there" and talk to people. I don't have to experience the draining aspect as I would if I were to be around the person in person. Lol.

    Great question this week!

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    1. That's exactly how I feel. I can "talk" to people without having to make a pot of coffee and dessert lol

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  6. LOL we are a lot alike. I'm a complete introvert. Not very fond of flying. Total office supply addict!
    Are you going to BEA this year? I'm kind of scared of that too, but I think I'm going to do it!

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    1. I am going to BEA - 3rd time. You should definitely come!
      You meet so many other bloggers there and we're all terrified so it's ok!

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  7. I love having the opportunity to talk to so many people online too - and I can do it from my sofa wearing pajama's (like right now!). Fear of flying is a big thing to conquer so extra kudos for that ;-)

    And office supplies? Dude I've got three book journals on the go!

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    1. LOL I love that too! If I have insomnia one night - I can just hop on Twitter and bam! strike up a conversation while I'm still tucked under the covers.
      Let's have an office supply competition!!

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  8. I love the office supply obsession. I knew that you used some post-it notes and other things, but I didn't know the full extent of your organization! *is not organized at all*

    And isn't it wonderful that blogging makes us put ourselves 'out there'? I tend to just think about sharing my opinions on the open forum of the internet, but in many people's cases, it leads to flying or driving to book signings or other ways of actually getting out into the real world and getting social as a result of blogging.

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  9. I think you realise how shy I am: prior to blogging I did explain to you! I never realised you were so shy though; the entire time I've known you there has never been something important that you've ignored: you have something to say if you feel it needs saying! I guess that just shows how powerful blogging can be in affirming how everyone has a voice, if people just stop to listen.

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  10. I can't Imagine you being shy chick! You're all over the place with funny comments thoughts and ideas! I am glad you started blogging then because the blogosphere wouldn't be the same without ya :D

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    1. Thanks. It was hard at first but you just have to take the plunge lol
      Everyone is so incredibly nice so it has all worked out but it was scary!

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  11. Its amazing that blogging and this community changed you...I love that sharing is big part of it.

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  12. I definitely see how putting your opinion out there pushes boundaries. You have to have a certain amount of confidence to state what you think.

    I would never have pegged you for shy, I'm glad you came out of your shell enough to make this blog so I could get to know you!

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    1. I'm really shy! Super shy and really phobic lol
      I'm trying though!!

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  13. LOVE YOU, KAREN! I'm so glad I met you, and we became friends. *Sniff sniff* I'm just so happy right now.

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  14. What a great post, it really is amazing just how much blogging makes a difference. One of my reasons for not blogging was I believed I couldn't possibly make friends in this way - how wrong I was.

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    1. Me too. I originally didn't even want to use my name or even go public with the blog.
      It has enriched my life in ways I never expected.

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  15. I think I told once, but I still can't believe you are shy! I'm freakishly shy, but you are so nice and friendly.
    I don't have a blog, so I'm just being nosy but I have to say that all you guys -bloggers and no bloggers- has broadened my horizons too.
    First of all, I found all this great books and series that I would never know about if it werent for bloggers.
    And the most important part, getting to know the people behind the blogs, I like to call you guys friends, so I agree with your first point, completely.
    Sometimes it's easier and less intimidating start a conversation with you than it is with my friends IRL. There are things that I would never share or talk to them that I feel like I could talk to you. (They are so judgemental is so annoying, and maybe it's easier because I don't really know you in person haha).

    Anyway, I'll shut up now...but I'm the same with the office suplies addiction! My entire life I liked to collect things and I feel in paradise when I'm in Office Depot hahaha. Is not because I'm organized, I just like all that stuff. :P

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    1. See! We ARE twins - we even have an office supply addiction!! lol

      I was talking to a friend the other day and we were saying the same thing. If I have a bad day it's you guys that cheer me up and make everything all better - not my *real life* friends. Which I guess is horribly sad but I'm happy :-)

      xoxo

      PS I am SO SO shy!! I'm trying not to be though. It takes work.
      PPS and I'm really happy that you have gotten something out of blogging on the other side of it.

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    2. Yes we are! ;)))

      I know right? It's incredible but true. I thought the same, how sad and pathetic of me haha, not anymore!! I'm happy too.

      Yes it takes work, I'm still working really hard on it.
      And thank you!! :) <333

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