Ever had a brain that decides to go walkabout at just the moment you want it firing? Please say yes!
When it became clear the noggin was on holidays, I did what every woman does when they are stuck ~ sent an SOS to a dear friend. That’s what you get when a friend sends a text at the exact moment I was about to bang my head against a wall hoping to shake loose an inspired thought!
Said friend is the gorgeous Dorothy Adamek, fellow book blogger and fabulous writer. You can visit her lovely blog, Ink Dots, for her intriguing 52 Author Dates series, along with fabulous author interviews and giveaways.
So here’s our online conversation:
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Me: I’m trying to think up an interesting bookish question of the week….. (see, I’m subtle. Didn’t ask outright but threw out the bait to see if she would bite!)
Dotti: I’ll pray for you, sister. (Totally didn’t take the bait but blessed me with prayer)
Me: So….maybe I was kind of thinking you were going to just serve it to me on a platter! (Getting desperate…)
Dotti: How about this question…. How many blogs do you visit per week and how many of them influence you as a reader? (Knew Dotti would come through – she’s the best!)
Me: That’s not a bad idea, my friend. (That’s the Australian way – always go for the understated approach. I was really thinking. “Yay, fantastic question!)
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So, I’ve been book blogging for 8 years now, beginning with just book reviews. Over the years the blog has developed into something more with giveaways, characters spotlights, author interviews, cover art previews, bookish discussions, and more. There are times where I wonder what influence this blog is having – it’s hard to know when you are so close to it. There’s a lot of talk about whether book bloggers make a difference to an author or book. I really hope they do. Book bloggers are a passionate lot – if they are anything like me, they hope to connect readers with great fiction and its writers, and they spend a lot of their free time investing in their blogs, way in excess of the value of a free review book! Blogging five days a week doesn’t leave me with a lot of time to visit other blogs – certainly not like I would love to do. I would love to know your blogging habits, likes, and dislikes. So, over to you and Dotti’s question….
How many blogs do you visit per week and how many of them influence you as a reader?
October 20, 2014 at 10:02 pm
Ha, ha!! This is amazing!
So blessed to lend a helping hand, dear friend.
Rel’z Reviews is THE BEST book stop. I come here for all the latest and greatest in Inspirational Fiction.
Thanks for all your promotion of wonderful authors and their books, dear Rel. I rely on your stellar recommendations. 🙂
October 21, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Dorothy Adamek » You make me blush! This post never would have happened without you, Dotti!! xo xo
October 21, 2014 at 2:55 am
Well, I check in with about 10-14 different blogs in a week, mainly because…I have to admit…I like free books. However there are only a few that I interact with on a daily basis because I really enjoy reading their posts…such as “Bookish Questions”. It’s because of interacting with bloggers that I took the plunge and purchased/read all of the Waterfall series by Lisa T. Bergren and discovered wonderful new authors, such as Beth Vogt, Kate Breslin and Jessica Dotta. It’s also because of blogs that I read my first Laura Frantz novel this year (although I have had several on my kindle for years) and have just started my second. Also, I just recently discovered Ink Dots, and it’s one I really enjoy following : )
October 21, 2014 at 6:02 pm
Rebecca D » So glad you have discovered Ink Dots, Rebecca 🙂 Giveaways are an attraction, for sure. I’m delighted to hear you have discovered new authors via bloggers’ recommendations. That is exactly why we do what we do, I think!
October 21, 2014 at 4:48 am
How many blogs I visit per week differs depending on how often those I follow and interact with publish new material. There are probably anywhere from 5-10 bloggers and/or authors (including you, Rel!) who I visit no matter what because they have great material and these are the bloggers I’ve developed more of a friendship with as opposed to just a passing visit to their blog or website. There are some days when it seems like many of my favorite bloggers post, so on those days, I visit MANY blogs.
I guess it all comes down to how blessed and humbled some of my readers have made me feel with their thoughts, comments, emails or their phenomenal support and I’ve felt so welcomed in this community that I want to, at a very minimum return the favor and support those who have shown me what kind of an awesome blogging/book community this is. I’m always grateful for that and am grateful for the bloggers who I’ve gotten to know – many of them have so much to share and teach. 🙂
As for influencing me as a reader: yes, I think I can say those I trust have been a deciding factor in whether or not I read a book – especially if they are bloggers who tend to know my tastes in books. For example, Rachel just let me know on Twitter about one of her recent favorites and if she hadn’t, I may have not taken the notice I should have of this book.
Great post!
October 21, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Rissi » Always appreciate your thoughts on all things fiction, Rissi! You are such an encouraging soul – thanks for you lovely words about the book blogging community. It’s great you make the time to support your blogging buddies.
October 21, 2014 at 6:31 pm
It varies. I have a few blogs I visit regularly and like seekerville an do buy there books. I have others I am subscribed to and will read the email often without going to the blog to comment. (yours is one) Yours has influenced me to buy books. Currently I read more than I comment. I also am not reading much due to health issues so don’t buy as many books.
October 22, 2014 at 1:10 am
I visit 5 or 6 blogs each week on a regular basis and a few that I just run across. This is one I visit all the time whether I comment or not. And I have been influenced to try new authors by reading about them and their books here.
October 22, 2014 at 9:00 am
I only consistently visit two blogs per week–my agency’s and yours. Your’s is my go-to for book reviews and recommendations. Keep up the good work, Rel!
October 22, 2014 at 11:49 am
I actually rarely visit a blog. I follow about 6, but I generally just read the email that has a copy of the blog post. I usually don’t bother loading the website. I probably should, because then y’all would get higher ratings and reader numbers. I’ll have to remember to do that.
October 23, 2014 at 4:07 am
I visit six blogs daily. Four are authors (Julie Lessman, MaryLu Tyndall, Laura Frantz and Ronie Kendig). The other two are this one and Christian Bookshelf review. I would say they all influence me as a reader especially this one. I see upcoming books from author’s I already know and love and am introduced to new authors and books based upon your recommendations and reviews. You do a fantastic job and I rely strongly on your suggestions for great reads.
October 24, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Up until this summer, I had about seven to ten blogs I’d visit each week, with few posting daily. This is the main blog where I get my info on what’s coming out. Love that it’s all fiction, all the time. Thanks so much for all you do, Rel, and I felt this long before you supported KEPT. It’s wonderful to have a fiction blog with similar tastes. Thanks for years of good reads. 🙂
November 25, 2014 at 11:47 pm
I will visit 3 to 10 blogs a day depending on what email notifications I get. I love the giveaways particularly, but being an indie author I am also interested in new authors that the blogs introduce me to. I also like learning more about my favorite authors and their upcoming projects.
November 26, 2014 at 2:47 am
Hmm, I followed the email about book gifts and got this older blog from October. And when I hunt, I can’t find the blog post from the email?
November 26, 2014 at 7:28 am
Sparksofember » That is totally weird – the entire post has disappeared and I can’t find it anywhere 🙁 Sorry!
November 26, 2014 at 7:59 am
I thought maybe it was a future post that accidentally emailed out early. Sorry to hear it disappeared! (I can forward the email if that would help?)