Showing posts with label Armchair BEA. Show all posts

May 29, 2013

Armchair BEA 2013 Day 2: Blogger Development

So today's topics are blogger development and genre fiction!

Blogger Development

So I guess I wanna start with the things I've kinda expanded my horizons on. So when I first started out I didnt really know anything about html or coding or anything remotely revolving around that. So I have really expanded my horizons on that and I'm still learning more (theres still html related things I wanna learn to do). Like how to make a blog roll (you know, one of those things with pictures that moves). Ya that thing! I still cant figure it out!!!! Lol

Now lets see. Have I branched out into my community?? If you mean like am I a part of a book club or something. No. Have I reached out to other awesome people that love books and talked to them about them? Yes. I've made a few new friends lately in my church that love books (and YA books at that)! So I'm slowly reaching out to others who I previously wouldn't have before so that counts for something right? I have recently decided I wanna partner with some other bloggers to do some fun things. Like maybe a read-a-thon or something. That would be just so much fun to plan!!!

So I've been blogging for almost 2 years, so I feel like I can consider myself starting to be a long-term blogger (cuz I don't plan on giving up the blogging any time soon!) so I definitely wanna talk about how my online personality has developed. I used to be really shy when I first started blogging. I've really grown with that. I love getting involved in conversations now. I love commenting and I love chatting with people on Twitter (especially during Twitter Chats!!). I've just really got over my shyness with the blogging community just because everyone is so nice and easy to talk to! You all rock you know that? I've also really developed my review style. I used to only do maybe a 2 paragraph review before. But as I've been blogging longer and longer I've come to figure out that with the way I like to talk about certain things and aspects of a book I end up writing a really good 3-4 paragraph review. And I'm ok with that. Its how I like to write them and explain what I loved or didn't love about a book. But I've really grown in how I do that now. So I'm really happy with that as well. But I also know I'll still continue to grow.

Genre Fiction

I love love love Dystopians! So I have a serious soft spot for them! I cant just not read a dystopian if I get one. I love the worlds created in them! I love the unique circumstances in them. I love how the characters adapt to those circumstances and grow with them. I just love a good dystopian!

I also love Contemporary books! Especially the ones that deal with real life issues, like suicide, depression and other mental illnesses. Those books really bring light to issues that people are usually ashamed to even mention. Those books show those people that its ok to have a problem as long as you deal with it in the right way and not a deadly bad way. I'll admit it. I suffer from depression. And it really makes me happy to see an author tackle a subject like that. Its a hard one to deal with but those authors that write about it really brings it to light and when I read books with characters dealing with like depression I can really relate to those issue those characters are dealing with. And it also shows other readers what symptoms of that illness are, or how something they could have done or not done has affected someone in a positive or negative way in regards to their illness. I just have so much respect for the authors that aren't afraid to tackle a serious issue. Though don't get me wrong. I do love a fluffy light and fun contemporary as well.

Last but not least. My absolute weakness. I love me some Zombie books!!!!! I cant resist them. I hear the word Zombie and its like "I MUST HAVE THIS BOOK!" I just love me a great Zombie novel.

May 28, 2013

Armchair BEA 2013: Introduction Post

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

I'm Brittani. I've been blogging for almost 2 years now (it'll be 2 years in July). I got into blogging because I wanted a place to share my love of books with others. And also cuz I kinda needed a hobby besides you know... Doing nothing.

2. Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures.

I am blogging from overheated, sunny Arizona! Lol. I'd add a picture but I think we all know what Cactus and Desert looks like! LOL!

3. Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s).

So I love a whole ton of blogs and their fellow bloggers, but it would literally take me forever to write all of them down for you all. So I'll give you three of my faves!

Babbling of a Bookaholic - Kylee is seriously one of the sweetest bloggers ever! She is just a ton of fun to hang out with (I met her in March!) And she writes really fantastic reviews!

Reading Angels - I love Angela! She is just full of awesome! And not to mention her new co-blogger Loretta is pretty awesome too!!!!! This has just always been one of my absolute favorite blogs! These girls always have such awesome content and fantastic reviews!!!

Refracted Light Reviews - I love Dani and Heather! These girls are awesome to talk! They also have really awesome content on their blog as well!!!

I love all of you!!!! :D

4. What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

I think I've made this quite obvious over the past almost 2 years I've been blogging, but Paris!!!! I love Paris! Its so much fun to read about and its just so pretty when you think about it! And I've seriously got like an epic list of places that I wanna go not only in Paris but all around France (Thanks books!) LOL!

5. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?

I love how friendly it is! I have made so many friends through book blogging! And I love how supportive everyone is. I've been dealing with some personal problems throughout the past year and I have got nothing but a huge amount of support from everyone. And that means so much to me! That's my favorite part of the blogging community! The friendship and support from all of you! You all are amazing! :)

June 08, 2012

Armchair BEA: Ask The Experts

Today's topic is Ask The Experts! Today we're talking about what we've learned that has made blogging easier etc.. or what we still wanna know about blogging.

So I've been blogging almost a year (July 7 will be an official year). So I'm gonna talk about what I've learned over the past year that has made blogging easier for me! And I'm also gonna share tips for new bloggers out there!

Twitter: I can't even begin to describe how much easier Twitter has made my blogging life! First of all, it's one of the easiest ways to share links to your blog posts! And plus I have some followers on Twitter who haven't followed my actual blog yet so it gets your blog out to other people besides just the followers on your blog! Second, it's also one of the easiest ways to talk to other bloggers! Tweeting other bloggers is the easiest way to talk to us most of the time (especially if you wanna get to know that blogger as a potential friend), or even if you just have a question. We are really friendly! We love to help new bloggers out and give them advice as well as just talk! Don't be afraid to reach out to us! And to the newbies out there who are scared to reach out to those of us with hundreds or thousands of followers, DON'T BE! Yes we may have built up a following but that doesn't mean we'll blow you off because you have only 20 or 50 followers. Get out there and reach out to us, that blogger that you were scared to reach out to might end up being one of your best blogger friends. You just have to talk to us, even if it might scare you a little.

Comment On Other Blogs: No one is going to know your blog is out there if you don't get it out there! Comment on other blogs! You'll probably get some comments back! You just have to get you and your blog out there!!!

Now onto a few things I've learned! Scheduling posts... I didn't really know much about this when I started blogging but once I figured it out and how much easier it makes things, I'm definitely using it to its full potential! Also, create your review archive pages, challenge pages etc right from the start even if they are empty for a little bit. They will fill up faster than you think and it will be ten times easier to just update them than to just create them out of the blue and have a ton of stuff to put on them!

I've also learned like so many other bloggers have that not every author/publishers etc will read your review policy. But along with that, at least with me, the authors/publishers have started figuring out that if it's obvious you haven't read my review policy then your probably not going to get a respond from me. The way I see it is if you wont take the time to read my review policy then I don't have to have the time to read your request. Plain and simple. I thank those who do read it and most of the time if I reply to you if I'm interested! I also thank you for being professional! You'd be surprised how many unprofessional requests we can get! It means a lot to us bloggers if your requests are professional, not essay long (sorry we get a good amount of requests so when you make your requests professional and to the point it really helps), and obvious that you have read our review policy! If I get requests that are like that I will make time to read them!

I do have a question though that I still haven't figured out! How do you make those blog rolls? You know those scrolly things with the blog buttons??? I'm sure its something easy but I cant figure it out. Lol.

June 07, 2012

Armchair BEA: Beyond The Blog

Blogging hasn't really opened up many new opportunities to me yet, but it has helped me decide a few things abut my life outside my blog.

When I first graduated high school over a year ago (Class of 2011!!) I had n idea what so ever what I really wanted to focus on and study in college. I was all over the place with my ideas of what to study. So I decided to take a year off from school to try and figure out exactly what is it I wanted to do. After getting into blogging and everything it really started to hit me. I love to write and I'd love to become an author. And I also love the idea of trying to get a job at a publishing company! So blogging has helped me finally figure out what I want to study in college! I've decided on studying Communications and Writing! So while blogging hasn't opened up opportunities for me yet, it has helped me realize what I'd like to have as my career!

June 06, 2012

Armchair BEA: Networking In Real Life

So todays topic is networking. We all know I'm great about it online! Lol! In real life well... That's a different story! But it's not for my lack of trying!

So the farthest my local networking goes is me going to the library on a weekly basis!... With my best friend... Or shopping at my local indie store... Again with my best friend(s)! Lol. I do donate books to the library sometimes and I love what my Indie store does! You bring books down there and they look through them to see what they can use and you get trade credit for them, which you can use for other books! Beyond that though.. my networking is online. I know a few book bloggers live here in Arizona like me... but the problem with it is I'm in Tucson. Most of the people I know live in Northern Arizona and I live in Southern Arizona! And I never have to gas money to travel even around Tucson half the time let alone to go to Northern AZ! Being broke sucks! I also know a ton of bloggers who live in Cali and I'd love to travel there and meet and hang out with you guys since its only a 6-8 hour drive for me to most places in Cali from where I am but I'm broke!!! AHHHH!!!!!!

Though, if anyone lives in San Diego (I know one blogger who does) I am going on a road trip in a few weeks there with some friends and I'd love to meet up if you want! I'll be there probably on the 20th or the 21st. The 21st for sure but I think the plan is to get there sometime midday on the 20th. But plans are being worked out still so if anyone wants to hang while I'm there I'll keep you in the loop! (And since I know people are wondering how it's being paid for since I'm talking about how I don't have the money to go anywhere, a good part of it is being paid for through my besties graduation gifts(Congrats on Graduating Bestie), the trip is kind of her big graduation gift from multiple people (me included, since we're taking my car, Lol.))

Oh, and another problem with living in Tucson... Authors I know of and like rarely come here! It sucks! I've missed out on some awesome signings and what not because they were all in different cities in AZ and I cant afford driving to other cities yet! ARGH! (I really need a good paying job, Lol) Dear Authors, would you mind coming to Tucson more for signings and events?!?!?!, I'd love you forever (not that I don't already) if you did! :D

But I don't think its bad even if you can only network online most of the time. Because I've had a blast getting to know you guys through tweeting, comments, Facebook... I have made some friends in you guys that I wouldn't give up for anything (even if it takes years to finally meet some of you in person!) Lol! (Oh, and if some of you guys that I talk to a lot wanna add me on Facebook as a friend (and not just like the blogs page) tell me and I'll definitely make it happen! I already chat with a few of you on Facebook and I'd love to talk to more of you! :)

So ya.. Thats my thoughts on Networking (In Real Life) and Online! Lol!

June 05, 2012

Armchair BEA: Best of 2012

I have a bunch of books that I've read this your that are already among the best I've read so this is a breeze for me!

Books I've Already Read This Year

1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - I loved this book twice as much as I loved Divergent!

2. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - Another book I loved twice as much as the first!

3. A Million Suns by Beth Revis - I loved this like ten times more than the first! I didn't see a lot of the things happening that happened and that made the book way better than I expected!

4. The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - This is the cutest, fastest contemporary I've read all year so far and I just absolutely adore it!!!

5. Pure by Julianna Baggott - I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did! I wasn't expecting some of the more gritty parts either but it made the book better overall even if a few part were harder to read than others! This is a fantastic dystopian!

6. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton - This book took the intensity of this series up a notch and I loved it! And the ending killed me!!! I need the 3rd book!

7. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa - This is one of the best vampire novels I've read in a while! Like no joke! Definitely one of the best books I've read this year!

8. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne - I just read this yesterday and I fell in love with it! First of all, this is told from a males POV! I haven't read many dystopians from a males POV so it was really nice to have the change. Second, I just love the story! I thought it was fantastic and I was so shocked by a few things at the end!

Books I Hope Will Be Considered Some of The Best By The End Of The Year

9. Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh - I'm beyond excited for this and I really hope it turns out to be one of my best of 2012

10. Hidden by Sophie Jordan - I love this series so much and I'm dying to see how things turn out in this book! I really hope I'll love it as much as I love the first 2!

June 04, 2012

Armchair BEA: Introduction Interview

So since I don't have to money to go to BEA I decided to participate in Armchair BEA! It's a way for those of us who can't actually go to New York to still participate! I look forward to meeting you all!

So today we are doing interviews! So let me tell you a little bit more about me!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

My name is Brittani! I'm 18, gonna be turning 19 in September (only a few more months away!) I'm hoping to start college in the Fall. I took a year off to decide what I wanted to do and I've finally decided on studying Communications and Writing! I'm an aspiring writer (why I wanna studying Writing) and if that fails I'd love to get a job in the Publishing Industry (why I wanna study Communications).
I've been blogging almost a year now. In a month (and a few days), July 7, I'll be celebrating my year blogoversary. I originally got into blogging for two reasons, one being that I absolutely love reading and I really wanted a place to share my thoughts on books! The second being that I had just gone through a break-up and I needed something to keep my mind off it, and since I was using reading as a way to preoccupy myself I thought a place to talk about what I was reading was a great way to do it!

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I am currently reading Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne and A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink!
My favorite book I've read in 2012 so far would have to be Insurgent by Veronica Roth (which I make really obvious) so, if you want something besides the obvious I'd have to go with The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith! That story was absolutely adorable!

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

Do we have to keep it at one? Cuz I'd love to share a little more than one thing about myself! Lets see my favorite bands are Escape The Fate and Bullet For My Valentine. I love to bake (brownies, cakes, cookies, you name it). And I was a choir girl in high school! Unless people have visited my personal blog nobody in the blogging world knows that. I was an Alto and really good one at that though I have to range to do Soprano also. :D

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

My favorite part of the book blogging community is the people!!! Ever since I started blogging I have made so many friends in other bloggers and it has made my life so much better! I never expected to meet so many amazing people throughout the world through my blog. Right off the top of my head there isn't anything I can think of that I'd like to see change but if I think of anything I'll come add it

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

They have. I used to only read specific kinds of books even within Young Adult. But since starting my blog my tastes in books have really opened up (like I read all types of genre's in YA) and I've also got into Adult books as well!

Hope, Faith & Books