BBAW Day 5: Blogging

Three tried and true practices essential for every blogger? Hmmm! These are three four I firmly believe in...

1. Stay true to yourself. You know how your mom would always say, "Just be yourself." Well, the same holds true in blogging. Yes, you want to please your readers, but just like in real life, you can't (and shouldn't) change the way you are completely just to please someone else. If you start doing everything on your blog for everyone else and the way they think it should be, instead of doing things the way you want...well, that my friends is going to lead you down the path to blogger burn-out...and it's ugly, very ugly!

2. No judgement. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If some of your regulars stop dropping by or some of the blogs that you follow stop posting consistently, don't judge. If you visit a blog and you don't like something about it. Perhaps the background is too dark or the font is wanky...or whatever other thing that might annoy you. Don't judge. Take a moment and think how you would feel if someone was grumbling about your posting inconsistency, or your excessive meme participation, or your sidebars being cluttered, and then swallow your judgement and move on. Kindness and acceptance will get you a long way in blogging.

3. Have fun! Remember why you started book blogging in the first place. It was fun! Remember that you're not being paid and no one can fire you so if you #@%& up, own it and move on. When it stops being fun, you're headed down that ugly road again...you know the one. 

4. I'm adding a #4 because I think this is important too. Reciprocate. If you notice someone commenting frequently on your blog, head on over and comment on their blog. Build a relationship with those who take the time to visit. And when someone follows, again...reciprocate. I know it can get overwhelming, but the people who went out of their way to follow already have something in common with you because they liked your blog enough to follow. See, the relationship has already started! I have been remiss with this of late because I went on vacation for two weeks in August and I just can't seem to catch up. Bear with me, folks! I will get back to my old reciprocating self. =O)

I'm not sure if these are trends and tools, but I sure would like to adopt/implement them in the near future, and they are...

1. Write the review immediately after finishing the book. No more procrastinating. Now granted, I know sometimes there are constraints to doing this, like being at work or finishing a book while in bed (I'm not going to get out of the bed and write a review. LOL), but I'm talking about not waiting a week after finishing the book to write the review, not because I have so many other reviews to write, but because I'm too damn lazy to sit down and do it (incidentally, I don't do this with review books, just my own...which is probably a good thing). Any pointers?

2. Reading faster. Actually, this should read 'stop wasting time so I can read faster'. Any tips in this department? Yeah, I figured it was a lost cause. *sigh*

Awards

I am disastrously behind in accepting these awards and I hope that the good people that saw fit to give them to me will forgive me!

I received the Mermaid Splash Award from Missy at Missy's Book Nook.  Thanks Missy!

The rules are as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog/post.
2. Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom your received your Splash award.
6. Have F~U~N

Jennifer at Reading with Tequila
Marie at The Burton Review
Arleigh at historical-fiction.com
Wonders and Marvels

I received the Honest Scrap Award from CelticLady at Blog O' the Irish.  Thank you!

This Honest Scrap Award is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are:

Pass it on to 7 deserving bloggers and write 10 honest things about yourself.

1. Bard Girl at Melancholy Musings
2. Heather at Age 30+...A Lifetime of Books
3. Angie Muresan
4. A Buckeye Girl Reads
5. One Persons Journey through a world of books
6. J. Kaye's Book Blog
7. My Friend Amy

Ten Honest Things

1. My sons are the light of my life, but they drive me crazy at times!
2. My header says I'm a part-time procrastinator, but I think I'm actually a full-time procrastinator...LOL!
3. I think I've become a book hoarder (but I don't care)!
4. I moved to Nashville to be a singer. Wondering why you don't have any of my CDs?!
5. I still sing, but in the karaoke venue =O)
6. I was a cheerleader throughout high school.
7. I'm currently researching a novel. I've been "writing a novel" for 15 years!
8. I was unlucky enough to find a dead body once (I know, ewwww!)
9. I had a near death experience on a roller coaster.
10.I think I was a cat in a previous life.

The Who Loves You Baby award comes to me from Book Dragon's Lair.  Thanks so much!

The rules of this award is to pass it on to fellow bloggers who awarded you in the past.

I'm passing this on to:

Missy at Missy's Book Nook

I received the One Lovely Blog Award from A Buckeye Girl Reads.  Thanks Buckeye Girl!!!

The rules of this award are that I'm to pass the award onto 15 bloggers whose blog you've recently discovered.  I'm going to thwart the rules a bit and pass this on to a lesser amount, as I'm working under a time constraint (albeit self-imposed).

Here are the recipients:

Helen Loves Books
Book Dragon's Lair
Brizmus Blogs Books
Busy is Reading

I received the Happy 101 award from Helen at Helen Loves Books.  Thank you Helen!

Here are the rules:

List 10 things that make you happy and then give this award to 10 book blogs that brighten your day.

1. My sons
2. the rest of my family
3. Alis, my cat
4. books
5. used book sales
6. not working
7. watching movies (at home and at theater)
8. a good restaurant meal
9. good music
10. book bloggers!
The 10 lucky bloggers:

Ryan at Wordsmithonia
Melissa at My World
Deb at Bookmagic
Krista at Life or Something Like It
CelticLady at Blog O' the Irish
Lucy at Enchanted by Josephine
Angie Muresan
Psychotic State
Allie at Hist-Fic Chick
Lizzy J at Historically Obsessed

The Humane Award has been given me by my friend Ryan at Wordsmithonia.

This award is to honor certain bloggers that are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn't for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendship through the blog world.

Lisa at Lit and Life
Laurel-Rain Snow's Reflections
Michelle at Red-Headed Book Child
CelticLady at Blog O' the Irish
J.T. at Bibliofreak
Laura's Reviews

I received the Prolific Blogger award from One Person's Journey through a world of Books.  Thank you, thank you...I am so honored that you think I'm a prolific blogger!

A Prolific Blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content.

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to This Post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.

4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners. (Click here for the Mr. Linky page.)

The awardees:

1. Carolyn at Book Chick City
2. Kill them all, God will know his own
3. Molly at Book Reviews by Buuklvr81
4. Bookin' with Bingo
5. Passages to the Past
6. Ready When You Are, C.B.
7. Jules' Book Reviews

Thanks again for all the awards! Please be sure to visit each and every one of the bloggers I've listed.  They are great and should be visited often.

Dragon's Loyalty Award

One of my best friends online and in the blogging world, Ryan at Wordsmithonia, has given me this beautiful award! Thank you so much Ryan...I love fantasy and mythical creatures!

Ryan is a tremendously talented blogger...please be sure to drop by his blog and give him a shout.

The Dragon's Loyalty Award is an award for the loyal fan/commenter, whether the recipient is a fellow blogger or just a someone who follows and comments regularly.Here are the rules:* If you have a blog, post it on your blog with a link back to the site who gave it to you.* Leave them a comment on their site, email, etc. to let them know.* If you don't have a blog but have a website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or other type account, post there with a link back.*

I have a few certain someones that are my top commenters, but Ryan has already awarded this to them (and received himself) so I decided to bestow it upon a couple of loyal followers and a new follower twho always take the time to stop by and comment.  And they are:

Tasha at Heidenkind's Hideaway

Alexia at Alexia's Books and Such...

Laurel at Laurel-Rain Snow's Reflections

Please be sure to head over to their blogs and make friends...they have some great things to say!

Superior Scribbler Award: Part Deux

I received this for a second time from Christy at Christy's Book Blog.  Thank you so much Christy! Please be sure to stop by her blog and leave a comment.  She is great!

In keeping with the rules of the award, which are:

• Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
• Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
• Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
• Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
• Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Now, to continue the tradition and follow the rules, here are my 5 Award Winners:

• Bella at A Bibliophile's Bookshelf
• J.T. at Bibliofreak
• J. Kaye's Book Blog
• Sarah at Puss Reboots
• Jenny at Take Me Away

Take a moment to visit these great blogs and see the 'superior scribbling'
 of which I speak.

Happy Reading!

Awards Backlog!

I am seriously behind on accepting and passing on blog awards! I was so busy last week trying to keep up with all the BBAW festivities that I barely had time for anything else.  This is actually the second time I'm receiving this award...actually this will be the fourth time receiving it since I was given it this time by three wonderful bloggers.  And these are Ryan at Wordsmithonia, Krista at Life or something like it... and Rebecca at Lost in Books.  These three bloggers are exceptional and they have a true passion for the written word.  Please pay them a visit.

This award is designed with one purpose in mind...Pass this on to other bloggers who have awarded you in the past.  I am passing this along to the following bloggers.  Most of them have already received this award many times so they should not feel the need to pass it along (unless they want to).  I just want them to know that they are recognized and appreciated!

Melissa at My World

Deb at Bookmagic

Melissa at Scuffed slippers and wormy books....

Christine at booktumbling

Laura at Laura's Reviews

I am receiving this award for the fourth time from one of my newer blog friends, Christine at booktumbling.  She has a great blog and I have so enjoyed interacting with her.  Be sure to stop by and visit her blog.

“The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken– excellence, grace, and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all.”

I'm passing this on to...

Celticlady's Ramblings about books and other things

Only The Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Michelle at red headed book child

Jules at Jules' Book Reviews

Dani at Reading is like breathing...it must be done

This award was given to me by Deb at Bookmagic.  She has a wonderful blog and is also a good friend.  Make sure you check out her blog soon!

I will bestow this award upon...

Rebecca at Lost in Books

Angie Muresan

Bard Girl at Melancholy Musings

And last, but not least... I received this wonderful award from my dear friend Ryan at Wordsmithonia.  You simply must head over and check out the blog of the man that inspired me to start my own "serious" book blog!

I will pass this on to these five bloggers...Ryan and at least a few of the others have already received this award, but if you look to the right on my sidebar, you will see that they are my top commenters and therefore must be recognized! (They should not feel obligated to pass it on, if they have done so many times in the past)

Melissa at My World

Krista at Life or something like it...

Ryan at Wordsmithonia

Deb at Bookmagic

Lisa at Lit and Life

Please be sure to visit all the blogs I have awarded today in this monstrous awards post.  I promise that you will not be disappointed!

Whew...so I believe I have caught up on my awards! It's about time, I know.  I have decided to immediately acknowledge awards from now on, instead of putting it off.  As a procrastinator, we'll see if I stick to it!