Blogger Confidential: Keeping it Fun

Have you ever been faced with an issue while reading or blogging and thought: I wonder what other bloggers think about this? No matter what genre or audience you blog for, we all face the same problems. Are you a publisher or author wondering what goes on in a blogger's (and by extension a reader's) head?

Blogger confidential is a series of 10 questions asked to 13 bloggers about the nitty gritty details of blogging. Everything from what prompts a blogger to pick up a book, to what happens when a book doesn't live up to its hype. This series was inspired by Wastepaper Prose's Author Insight series. Learn more about the Blogger Confidential series on its main page.

Blogging is a labor of love but drama and stress can sometimes take the fun out of it. How do you remind yourself that blogging is a passion, not a chore?

"Just jump on twitter and talk to my buddies, its fun and they perk me up. Drama was never one to overtake me unless it is in my face on a day-to-day basis. Luckily with blogging all you have to do is turn your computer off, ok and the iPhone…" Rachel from Parajunkee

"If I notice myself hitting burnout on blogging, I immediately take a step back. To me, blogging ceases to be fun when I force myself to do it, and the last thing I need in my life is yet another responsibility that bores me or stresses me out. If things get too chaotic or stressful, I give myself the time to take a break and come back to the game refreshed!" Natalie from Mindful Musings

"I’ve said this before and I have a feeling I’ll keep on saying it: my blog is my happy place. Both reading and blogging are ways for me to relax and unwind. I try to stay away from all the drama because I don’t want to get stressed about my blog. I don’t want blogging to feel like work and I’m afraid that will happen if I get involved in drama. When there are aspects of blogging that get me down, I remind myself of the reasons why I started – to talk about the books that I read, rave about the ones that I love and be part of a wonderful community of readers." Chachic from Chachic's Book Nook

"Usually, I don't have to remind myself, because a great book does it for me. Every time I read a story that amazes me, or I meet an author that just blows me out of the water, I can't wait to get on our site and tell the world about it. It's an honor and a privilege to introduce new readers to folks like John Green and Sarah Dessen, and every time I get a comment back from someone, thanking me for blogging about a specific book, I feel like the luckiest girl on the internet." Sarah from Forever Young Adult

"When we get stressed out, we take a break, de-stress, and remind ourselves that this IS a hobby, not a chore or a job. Luckily, when we start to feel those Blogger Blues, we have each other and some really great bloggy pals who are there to remind us to not worry so much and just to have fun with it :)" Vanessa and Isalys from Book Soulmates

"For me it's sticking to the basics. It's falling in love with new characters and new places and sharing my thoughts on the books I'm reading with my blog's readers. It's talking to authors and having them on the blog for interviews and chats. It's talking about the TMI and MI world with fans and helping readers find new books and talking about the books I love, and even the ones I don't. For me I've come to realize that I lose my passion for what I'm doing the moment I start to worry about what everyone else is doing on their blogs or get caught up with the books they're getting. You can't do that. You have to enjoy what you're doing no matter. At the heart of what I'm doing is my love for reading, and  that's what keeps my passion for blogging going." Katie from Mundie Moms

"This goes back to the first question. I think of how how 'many great books and friends and opportunities I've encountered because of blogging, or that I love to read the comments on my reviews, or how awesome it is that people actually care what I think and it makes it ALL worth it.'" Sabrina at YA Bliss

"The most helpful thing for me was taking a break when I needed it. Instead of pushing myself to post every single time I had planned, I decided it was okay to skip a day here and there. This eventually turned into a hiatus where I skipped about a month of posts, but it was what I needed. Posting on a schedule can be very helpful, but remembering that you have the freedom to skip a day or two (or a few weeks if you really need to) keeps it from becoming a chore." Penelope from The Reading Fever

"In my opinion the second I have to start reminding myself that blogging isn't a chore is the second that blogging becomes a chore. When rationalizing comes in the act has lost its zing. I try to stay out of blogging drama but I may end up with an opinion or two to share. Another plus of blogging in a bubble. You don't really get touched by that stuff unless you want to. Unless you get plagiarized. Then you're dragged into it kicking and screaming. That's the only thing that'll make me want to inflict harm on small woodland creatures. I've had two reviews and one of my few and known-for features ripped off and so help me if it happens again I will absolutely lose my shit. That's the only time that drama really affects me because it's personal. Everything else? It's a pissing match and I'm not a fan of golden showers." Donna from Bites

"Pretty much like we said earlier. We don't put too much pressure on ourselves because it IS a fun pastime!" Sash and Em from Sash and Em a Tale of Two Bookies