memes « Medieval Bookworm

BBAW: Blogging tips

Today Amy asks us:

What is one thing you wish you knew about blogging when you started or what advice would you give a newbie blogger?

What is your best blogging tip?

Well, I started reviewing books on this blog in 2007 and no one was reading. I didn’t really understand why. I had only used LiveJournal before and without the friend system, I found myself adrift in a world of blogs, not sure what to do. So I gave up that first time because I wasn’t sure how to get myself involved. I was very intimidated.

Then, some threads were posted on the Early Reviewers group suggesting how to get ARCs in exchange for book reviews on blogs. I thought, well, I have a blog, even if I don’t use it, I’ll give that a shot. More importantly, I discovered a whole lot of book bloggers that I had already somewhat known, and it was easy to collect their blogs on Google Reader and start commenting and getting involved.

So, what I wish I had known: start networking! Start somewhere, comment on every blog you see that interests you. Get involved on book blogging sites, register your blog there, join weekly memes, link to other blogs, post new content every chance you get, and just keep on commenting. I’m still not up there with the big bloggers and I might never be, but that’s okay, because now I have blogging friends, a network, and I’m having fun. That’s the most important – when it feels like work, it’s not worth it, because we’re not getting paid. Read books, make friends and have fun. That’s why I’m here.

Six Quirky Things About Me

Trish over at Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’? tagged me for the Six Quirky Things about Me Meme. If you haven’t checked out her blog yet, you should, I love reading it. Anyway, I don’t think I’m THAT abnormal, and my main quirkiness is my obsession with history and books, which all of you know about since you’re here, reading my blog. Regardless, I guess I have some oddities, and here they are!

I must have all stickers off of books in my possession. If there is a sticker, I will pick at it until it comes off, no matter how old or sticky it is. I even do this to books I got when I was younger when I find them – obviously, I didn’t care that much then, but I sure do now!
If any of my primary career choices fail, and I have a lot of primary career choices, number one being historian, I think I’d be a good makeup artist. I’m good with colors and it’s fun to teach people how to do makeup properly, so that it enhances their natural beauty instead of making them look silly.
I also wouldn’t mind being a race car driver. I have a need for speed (perhaps because I am only five feet tall). Sometimes I actually change lanes to get behind slower drivers so that I don’t go too fast without noticing.
I like cheese, I like burgers, but I don’t like cheeseburgers. My fiance says that this is strange, but then he also thinks that I have too many unread books!
On the same vein, when I was little I ate ketchup out of the packet in fast food restaurants. Not on anything, just the ketchup. Rest assured, I no longer do this.
I really like statistics. I don’t like math of any kind, but I like to look at my graph of books read in certain years and the visitors to my blog way too much.

That’s about all that I can think of, for now – nothing too exciting on the list! I’m going to refrain from tagging anyone else as this meme went out awhile ago (I’m sorry, Trish!) and I don’t want to re-tag anyone. Regardless, if you weren’t tagged and you have six quirky things about you, consider yourself tagged! Then come back here with a link so I can see your answers.

Inside the Reader’s Studio

Nari at The Novel World tagged me for this fun meme that’s been going around today.

What is your favorite word?

I really have no idea. I’ve got a fairly extensive vocabulary, although you’d never know from reading this blog! So, in theory, I should have many to choose from. I think I’d choose archaic, though, mainly because it sounds cool and old.

What is your least favorite word?

Any derogatory, negative word. Mainly the words that I sometimes get in spam comments and emails that have to do with sexual activities.

What turns you on (creatively, spiritually or emotionally)?

The soft sound of rain, it’s inspiring all by itself. A rainy evening is conducive to so much more intellectually than a sunny one. I’m also going to go with intelligent conversation, people who are knowledgeable about the same things as I am.
What turns you off (creatively, spiritually or emotionally)?

Ignorance, and no desire to improve upon that ignorance. This is also known as being close-minded.

What sound or noise do you love?

My fiance’s voice wins this contest by a mile. I also love the hum of an air conditioner, for whatever reason.

What sound or noise do you hate?

Shouting, rap music, loud dogs, fireworks when I’m not interested in them.

What is your favorite curse word?

Bastard. I love the word bastard. Mainly because in my head it’s not really a swear word, it means illegitimate child, so I enjoy these dual meanings. It’s also just fun to say. I don’t swear much otherwise and I make a point of never using the f word.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

As I am still a student, I will have to list theoretical professions. My number one is becoming an academic and inspiring people to love medieval history, while being able to continue research on it myself for my entire life. I wouldn’t mind working in a museum; I loved my internship last semester and I’m planning on looking for a job in a museum while I’m at York. I’d also like to be a professional book reviewer or work somewhere else in publishing.

What profession would you not like to do?

I will never work in food service ever again.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Similar to Nari’s – I’d like him to say, “Here is your brother” and take me to him.

Now, to tag!

– Ruth at Bookish Ruth
– Kathleen at Kathleen’s Book Reviews
– The Kool-Aid Mom at In the Shadow of Mt. TBR

Apologies if I tagged anyone a second time – I tried not to, but my google reader search is rejecting me so I can’t be entirely certain!

Book Buzz

This meme looks fun – which books eventually end up being our favorites? Jen at Devourer of Books tagged me, but the meme was started by Amy at My Friend Amy. I also got tagged by Shana at Literarily and Kathleen at Kathleen’s Book Reviews, but Jen was first, so I’ve gone with her answers.

I am going to list three categories of books. 3 MUST Read Books, 3 Keep Your Eyes on These, and 3 Look For These Soon. Keeping with the theme, I am going to tag at least 3 bloggers. They should put these same lists on their blog but SUBTRACT one book from each list and ADD one of their own. Then they should tag at least 3 more bloggers. It will be fun to see how the lists change as it goes around the blogosphere. Please come back to this post and leave a comment so I can see how the lists are changing as they go around the blogosphere. Since this is Book Buzz…please keep your lists to titles released in 2007-2009.

Stars next to my additions …

3 MUST Read Books:
*When We Were Romans by Matthew Kneale (I just read and LOVED this one)
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
One More Year: Stories by Sana Krasikov

3 Keep Your Eyes on These:
*Sweetsmoke by David Fuller
My Father’s Paradise by Ariel Sabar
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson (I think I’d agree with Jen that this is a must read as well)

3 Look For These Soon:
The Dracula Dossier by James Reese
*Feather Man by Rhyll McMaster
Aberrations by Penelope Przekop

Now, who to tag?

– Dawn at She Is Too Fond of Books
– Wisteria at A Bookworm’s Dinner
– Nari at The Novel World