Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Book Blogger New Year's Challenge Day 1

Day 1: My Blogger Resolutions

I'm joining in on the New Year's Challenge, which is being hosted over at Parajunkee! Each day, we'll have a new post. Today is all about our 2014 blogger resolutions!

1. Create a Feature (or Two)

I've had an idea for a feature that I've wanted to run on my blog for quite some time now, but I never seem to get myself coordinated enough to actually put it together. This year it's happening! I'd like to do something along the lines of "My Bookworthy Life" and compare some of the events in my young adult life to the YA books we all read - you know, things like first crush, first kiss, first real boyfriend, etc. I love thinking about what type of book heroine I would have been and whether or not parts of my real life would have been "bookworthy". What do you guys think? Sound fun or just weird?

2. Promote My Editing

This is only partially related to blogging, but I'm putting it here anyway. I started editing this year, but really haven't promoted my services much. I LOVE editing (I'm one of those strange people who read The Copyeditor's Handbook from cover to cover and loved every minute of it), so I definitely want to do more! Gotta get myself out there!

3. Ease Up on Review Tour Spots

I love doing book tours, but I'm finding that I don't have time to read all of the other books that I really want to read because I overbook myself a bit. So, I'm going to try really hard not to book so many review tour spots. (I'm already finding this hard, though - I keep seeing books that look really good, so I can't help myself and I sign up for the tours!)

4. Learn More About HTML and Design

I really want to get better at the design (and HTML) aspect of my blog. Not that I want to change my overall blog design (which I love), but I want my individual posts to look prettier. I've learned a lot in this past year, but I need to know MORE!

Hope 2014 is good to everyone!!

Comments (22)

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aliciatheawesome 46p · 584 weeks ago

Oh my goodness, I've immersed myself so much in HTML ever since starting my blog- I've learned more than I ever thought even existed. I designed my blog entirely from scratch using it.
I started with help from Small Review- she's got a lot of helpful posts on this page: http://smallreview.blogspot.com/p/how-to.html
And started my own feature, Blogosphere Travels, where I share some of my own discoveries: http://www.awesomebookassessment.com/search/label...
So if you didn't know anything on those pages, I hope I've helped!
Good luck on your resolutions!

Alicia
My recent post Happy New Year! 2014

3 replies · active 584 weeks ago

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

Oooh! Thanks so much for the advice!!! I just went over to your Blogosphere Travels and the very first entry is something I've been wanting to do for ages - I will definitely be spending some time on your site!

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

P.S. I love your blog design! I'm so impressed!!

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aliciatheawesome 46p · 584 weeks ago

Thanks, I spent ages working on it! So glad I could help!

Alicia

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Kristen · 584 weeks ago

Lots of great goals! I hope you have a great new year!

My Blogging Resolutions

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katetowery 25p · 584 weeks ago

I am in awe of your html and design goals, because I am such a know-nothing when it comes to those aspects of blogging. I think it's such a great skill to have though, and you certainly seem up for the challenge!

Happy New Year and good luck!!

1 reply · active 584 weeks ago

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

I've been figuring things out as I go along, but it's really been a trial and error kind of process. I need to actually learn some HTML instead of just bungling my way through all the time. :-)

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erlessard 36p · 584 weeks ago

The feature sounds fun. I'm looking forward to checking it out. :)

I need to learn CSS. I know a decent amount of HTML, but CSS has eluded me. I'm so scared of playing with my blog and breaking something, LOL.

1 reply · active 584 weeks ago

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

Well, I don't even know what CSS is, so... :-)

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Roberta R. · 584 weeks ago

Features are probably the best way to attract people to blogs/get them to comment - and to stand out. I need to work on them myself.

BTW, great layout, so colourful but there's nothing that clashes.

Good luck on your goals and happy 2014!
My recent post Book Blogger New Year's Challenge Day 1: Your Blogger Resolutions

1 reply · active 584 weeks ago

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

Thanks for the compliments on my design! I wish I could take credit, but it's actually a free layout that I found - the designer seems to have stepped out of the design business and her designs are kind of an older format, so I had to do some playing to make it work, but I think it was worth it since I get so many compliments on the header!

I think you're right that features are the way to go to catch people's interest. I'm hoping that it will work that way, at least! :-)

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mrsvanquish 15p · 584 weeks ago

Love your idea for a Feature!! Go for it, it sounds like tons of fun :))
My recent post Novella Review: Dangerous Dream by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

1 reply · active 584 weeks ago

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

I think I will!! Can't hurt to try it out, right?

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Chelsea · 584 weeks ago

Excellent resolutions - I've been working myself up to start a regular feature too. I think part of why I haven't is in line with your third resolution - overcommitting to reviews. There's too many interesting-looking books out there! Good luck sticking to your resolutions this year!
My recent post A Study in Ashes by Emma Jane Holloway

1 reply · active 584 weeks ago

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

Yes, that's the problem - I get sucked in because all of these books sound so good!!

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annettesbookspot 42p · 584 weeks ago

I agree about the book tours. I'm always tempted, but I find they really cramp my style! Good luck and thanks for visiting!

1 reply · active 584 weeks ago

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

I actually love tours sometimes, but too many of them just bog me down!

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alisbooks 28p · 584 weeks ago

I am so with you on learning more with the HTML and graphics! The feature idea sounds great! You should go for it!
My recent post Book Blogger New Year’s Challenge 2014 ~ #2

2 replies · active 584 weeks ago

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nmhewitt 98p · 584 weeks ago

I think I will do this feature! I just have to go for it!

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alisbooks 28p · 584 weeks ago

I can remember being too intimidated to even start my blog, but then I finally got the courage and took the time to do it. I think so many worthwhile things are that way. Good luck with it & I'll be watching for it!
My recent post Book Blogger New Year’s Challenge 2014 ~ #2

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Bregje · 583 weeks ago

Those are great goals! I'm also trying to learn a little about HTML and CSS. I don't really know how serious you are about it, maybe you just want to be able to change up some simple things, but I personally find this website very helpful: <a href:'http://www.codecademy.com'>Codecademy. It takes you along all the steps you need to build a website. Eventhough you're not planning on building an entire website, it might be useful.

1 reply · active 583 weeks ago

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Bregje · 583 weeks ago

And then I totally mess up when it comes to coding, haha. ;) Let me try that again:<a href:'http://www.codecademy.com'>Codecademy
My recent post Cinder by Marissa Meyer

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