To begin a blog
I have probably already welcomed you, but then I will just do it again: I am so thrilled that you have decided to drop by my blog and I hope you like it!
the beginning
I want to share with you some of the thoughts, fears and victories I have had while creating this book blog. Mostly because I at first thought, that having a blog was something that demanded I possessed some magical skills. Well, maybe not magical, but I was very much star struck by any other book blogger I would come across on the Internet, and thought that what they did, I could never do. I certainly thought that without an education within the field of literature, information science or the likes, I was not cut out to be a book blogger, and even if I tried I would crash and burn.
I say this, because there may be some of my site’s visitors, who secretly want to start a blog as well. It doesn’t have to be books, it could be anything, and I want you to know, that it can be done!
In October 2016 I actually started this blog. I bought a domain and began writing about the books I had read in several word documents, but it never seemed right. I never came up with something I actually wanted to share. At the same time I also started a bookstagram account on Instagram, which was a much better experience for me. Being online was never something I cared much about, and I guess, that that was what prevented me from truly starting the blog back in October. So I eased into it with Instagram.
Instagram was fun. I remember hitting 17 followers and being full of joy that so many people actually cared about what I did (or at least cared enough to follow me). I remember hitting 56 followers and being all ecstatic over the number. From there it suddenly moved fast and I still cannot quite fathom that I have surpassed 300 followers. 300 people, who are interested in knowing what I put up! Of course some of those are of the “141” mentality (follow for follow), and they might not care at all what I put up, but I believe that most are genuinely interested. I know I am, whenever I choose to follow someone.
After a few months, I had gotten more used to being online and actively sharing thoughts and opinions, and thus I decided to begin working on my blog again. I was (and am) still scared that I might crash and burn: That I will realise that running a blog is too much work – too time consuming, or maybe even too boring. But I also know, that right now I really want to do this! I want to share my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences with you, and that’s what really matters.
the blog
I am, and always have been, technologically challenged. You can almost say, that I repel technology. Buying the domain was easy enough. Finding and installing a theme was harder. Making the theme fit what I had envisioned was problematic and I could not have done so without help. Luckily opposites attract, and it just so happens that my boyfriend works with multimedia. He could then help guide me through plugins and widgets and all those things I never knew existed. And so now, I am no longer scared of ruining something when I log in without him sitting next to me.
My goal was to create a blog that wasn’t too girly, but still didn’t look all minimalist, white and sterile. I am a colourful person, and I wanted the site to show that site of me. I am also a very disorganised person, and I really didn’t want the site to show that site of me. Cue, my very organised boyfriend to the rescue. I probably could have done this all by myself, but the result would not have been as pleasing as this.
I am not saying you need to know some multimedia specialist if you want to start your own blog. What I am saying is: A little help can go a long way.
Support
As I mentioned earlier, I was afraid to crash and burn with this project, and so I didn’t share my dreams with many friends or family. Looking back, I am not sure I would recommend doing that. It made me feel safe and comfortable, because if I failed, only a few would know. However, I think that their support and talents are something worth appreciating and can be put to good use. I used my boyfriend a lot. “Does this look good?”, “Would another colour work better here?”, “How do I create a new blog page?”, “I don’t like this feature – can it be removed?” and most importantly: “Will you please read this and tell me if I should correct anything.”
cherryblossomreads
To all of you, who made it down this far in the post: This is me. This is my blog. Shaped and censored to fit the online community, yet very honest and personal. It is my hope to some day be more personal. To share myself. Completely. Okay, not completely – I was just inspired by a quote from Fight Club. Words will do that to you. Creep under your skin. Live there and take control. And we often love that feeling. That feeling is what creates the worst, most prominent book hangovers. It is almost addictive. That feeling is the reason I read.
Wish me luck. Or don’t. I am beyond excited to finally be doing this! And that is what truly matters.