I've been contemplating this whole blogging world this week and decided to share a few of my thoughts and concerns.
After reading the comments to a certain post this week I really felt let down by some of the criteria used in judging during BBAW (For example you lost points if you did not use Twitter, facebook, and vlogs.) And although I left a comment and it was responded to by Amy (and I really like Amy), I decided that I'm perhaps not BBAW material (especially since I also had some other concerns). I am not planning to ever use Twitter, facebook, or vlogs in connection with my blog, She Treads Softly. Not going to happen. Wendy's Sunday Salon post today at Caribousmom really expresses my feelings much more eloquently than I ever could. Sorry, but I don't think rapid social connections are going to enhance my life. I have a hard enough time just keeping up with the blogs I want to read all on my own. I don't subscribe or follow at this point but may have to reconsider that as more demands are placed on my time. What I do is read through a long list of favorite blogs when I have time.
Well, starting this week my available free time is going to become a more rare and precious commodity.
I also was feeling some guilt about not regularly commenting on blogs I read especially after reading Ti's Confessions of a Reader: Comment Etiquette post. I guess I figured that I read your blogs when I had time and that the time to comment was a luxury. Now my time to read blogs is going to be limited, let alone commenting on them. Please forgive me. If some of you stop reading here because I don't comment often, then I'm sorry. Just be aware that when someone from the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS area is reading your blog, it's likely me. I'm faithful at reading but not so much at commenting.
After reading the comments to a certain post this week I really felt let down by some of the criteria used in judging during BBAW (For example you lost points if you did not use Twitter, facebook, and vlogs.) And although I left a comment and it was responded to by Amy (and I really like Amy), I decided that I'm perhaps not BBAW material (especially since I also had some other concerns). I am not planning to ever use Twitter, facebook, or vlogs in connection with my blog, She Treads Softly. Not going to happen. Wendy's Sunday Salon post today at Caribousmom really expresses my feelings much more eloquently than I ever could. Sorry, but I don't think rapid social connections are going to enhance my life. I have a hard enough time just keeping up with the blogs I want to read all on my own. I don't subscribe or follow at this point but may have to reconsider that as more demands are placed on my time. What I do is read through a long list of favorite blogs when I have time.
Well, starting this week my available free time is going to become a more rare and precious commodity.
I also was feeling some guilt about not regularly commenting on blogs I read especially after reading Ti's Confessions of a Reader: Comment Etiquette post. I guess I figured that I read your blogs when I had time and that the time to comment was a luxury. Now my time to read blogs is going to be limited, let alone commenting on them. Please forgive me. If some of you stop reading here because I don't comment often, then I'm sorry. Just be aware that when someone from the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS area is reading your blog, it's likely me. I'm faithful at reading but not so much at commenting.
There is simply not time enough in my day to do it all.
14 comments:
Lori, I think you said this VERY well. I was a judge for BBAW and the use of Twitter, VLOGs etc... did not really take many points away (if it had, I doubt my blog would have shortlisted as I do NONE of these things there!). I don't like the recent emphasis on Twitter - it is all I seem to hear these days. Some people have the opinion it is now the only way to really develop relationships with publishers and publicists. I don't agree. I don't think ANY relationship building really happens there...it is all rapid fire blurbs and links to posts. Maybe it helps advertise. I don't really know. But I completely support those of us who want to say "no" to these types of social networks. I am also in agreement with you re: blog reading. I can never keep up; and I don't always comment (if I commented on every post I read I'd never leave the computer). You have nothing to feel guilty about. I have been reading your blog for a long, long time and will keep doing so. Perhaps we need a social club for those of us not into the multitudes of social networks *laughs*
Thank you, Wendy! Your understanding comment brought tears to my eyes. I may have to write something for my profile explaining that while I am a voracious reader of books and book blogs, I'm not a great commenter on blogs. And I'm not planning to tweet anyone or share a facebook page.
Lori, I'm glad my comment made you feel better - it was very sincere. Hang in there...sounds like your life is as busy as mine is these days. We don't have to do it all (a common misperception, especially by women!). *hugs*
I'm going to have to agree with you on this one. I don't Twitter and while I have nothing against it, I just don't need one more thing tying me up and keeping me away from more important things like my kids and reading :) I'm not the greatest at commenting either but I do make the effort once in awhile when I have some free time. It is rare though especially as my hours at work continue to grow and grow. Thanks for sharing your feelings in this post!
Amen! Anybody who has a life will get this.
I'll keep reading your blog!
I have been trying to figure out what the difference is between how I blog and what makes a good BBAW blog. Because, like you, when I saw the criteria I realized all the time I spent worrying about which 5 blogs to submit was for nought. I am not looking to be so very accessible - I don't want my email posted on my blog, I dont' worry about how many people subscribe - any are bonus. I dont' need publishers to find me - I get enough books from the library and the second hand store. I never got into the whole ARC world at all (other than Librarything where I suck at getting picked, and 1 Canadian publisher who will send me review copies)
I like my old fashioned way of blogging - reading on Google reader, getting to know some bloggers by the books they read and review, posting things I enjoy. Ha, "old-fashioned", I've been blogging for 2 years! But I have noticed a change in the last year or so of how people blog, and talk about blogging. I dont' really like to talk about blogging, I'd rather do what is fun for me in my little corner of the blogosphere. If any one reads, bonus.
We're supposed to... comment?? ;) I obviously am not in the inner goings on of this competition, but know that your blog is a winner for me ALL the time.
Thank you all for commenting and understanding!
(Obviously I have things going on in my real life and have been busy after my first response to Wendy.) It's always nice to know that other bloggers do understand that sometimes commenting is a luxury. I especially love Stephanie's, "Anybody who has a life will get this."
Yes, I did feel the same way, Raidergirl, that my time spent deciding what 5 posts to turn in to the BBAW was really a waste of my time. I didn't meet their criteria for a good blog in so many other ways. They should have just told me "Yeah, you were nominated, but don't bother with the 5 post. You really aren't what we're looking for." I don't do all the social interaction stuff. I don't give links to numerous other things or have several pages. I don't do a whole lot of weekly events (OK, none.)
I enjoy blogging about the books I'm reading, sometimes about movies, sometimes I tell stories, and sometimes I'll do a meme. That's it. And you know, I like my blog for my own selfish reasons. I'm not sure more accessibility to me through twitter or extra ways to interact with me socially actually matters. I do have a gmail address if someone desperately needs to contact me, but my response time may not always be immediate because I do have a life beyond blogging.
I guess for me it really boils down to this: I can either keep on blogging as I am for my own enjoyment, or I can change, become a more social blogger, and never have time to read or do anything else.
Lori....great post. You're doing it right, and I look forward to continue reading your blog, as time permits.
Like you, I detest Facebook, although I have an account just to post pictures for the rest of the family; I don't and won't ever Twitter, or do any of that other super drain your time chatter.
I'd rather spend my time reading books, and the blogs I've put in my feeder as ones I want to follow.
I'm also good at weeding out the ones that looked good, but then don't hold my interest.
Keep it up, and don't feel like you have to answer this one. Just go spend your time on what's most important to you.
I totally understand not getting Twitter. I've been on Twitter for a few months now, and I try, I really do, but it doesn't work for me. I spend a really long time working on my posts and I guess I just can't hack a 160 tweet and be witting and informative. So I understand! I also know that I'm in graduate school and commenting is something I do if something really strikes my fancy, because otherwise, how would I read all the books AND all the blogs I want to? I simply couldn't. And that's the truth.
I understand why BBAW (of which I was a volunteer person) put some emphasis on community building etc, but I've put in my two cents for next year about how I think we should alter some of the judging criteria. I don't think that using Twitter or how pretty your blog is says anything about the kind of reviews you write. So I agree wholeheartedly and don't think you should have to answer to that, but I also don't think that's what BBAW was about, or was supposed to be about. It's about community and how book bloggers are awesome, and I hope that comes through more next year. I'm glad I've found your blog through Chasing Ray!
I can't say I have heard of vlogs :) I am on twitter but has been months since I have logged on, found myself to be bombarded by stuff I don't want to know. and while I am on facebook daily it is only to play games. All things bookish are on my blogs - that is where I spend most of my time. I have a lot of blogs which I follow in my reader - I only comment when I have something to say.
My blog is really for my own benefit, but I am happy for people to come visit - but is not the end of the world if no one comes (well maybe one or two so I am not a complete Nigel - LOL). Your blog is one of the ones I keep track of - but I am sure you aren't offended if I don't comment - and do not expect you to follow me in return.
In facebook and twitter I am not sure I even mention book reviews - so if you are strange for not social networking then I am too so you (and I) are in fine company:)
Thank you for your support!
Tina summed up everything quite well with , "I'd rather spend my time reading books..." Amen!
This is what I'm trying to make sure I have time to do with my new schedule. :-)
Regularrumination's "...commenting is something I do if something really strikes my fancy, because otherwise, how would I read all the books AND all the blogs I want to? I simply couldn't. And that's the truth." summed up my feelings perfectly. I guess if the new blog etiquette is to make sure you comment on blogs you regularly read, then I'm the bad girl of the book blogging community - which makes me laugh.
Sally, your blog, along with Wendy's Caribousmom, was one of the first blogs I started reading on a regular basis, back when I first started blogging (maybe before) and we were still living in Reno, NV. I don't even know if I've ever commented on your blog, LOL, but I have always read it on a regular basis. (A vlog is a video blog.)
You know my opinion about BBAW!
I do Twitter, but I can't hardly keep up and feel like I'm missing what it takes to be "popular" on there too. I certainly don't see how Twitter should have been a qualification. It's not BBCAW (Book blogger community ...) it's about the Blog. I thought.
I have subscribed to way too many blogs in reader. I tend to let each blog build up to 6 or 8 or 10 posts and then skim them all at once. I can comment on the ones that got my attention all at once. This works really well for me, but it does mean I hit the tail end of good conversations. Like this one.
After a week of my new schedule I can say that even keeping caught up reading the blogs in my favorites has been severely hampered. It's all back to not time enough to do it all. (Even the idea of me keeping up with Tweets/Twitter, Lisa, is totally out...)
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