Busting the Newbie Blues

This meme is hosted by Small Review

And is designed to:

•  Put new YA book bloggers on the map
• Increase blogger interaction
• Start a discussion by sharing our experiences as a new bloggers
• Learn about what it was like for all those impressive established bloggers when they were newbies

I'm  looking forward to taking part and catching up with other bloggers to see what their answers are :)

When did you start your blog? 

Clover Hill Book Reviews is still fairly wet behind the ears, having only been up since the end of October 2010.

Why did you start your blog?

I've got another blog which we use as a family to share educational and everyday things which we review and recommend, and I had posted a few book reviews on there.  I came across  Daisy Chain Book Reviews  and decided that book blogging was something I really wanted to do.  I've come across books before that I've got halfway through and had a sense of deja-vue...having read it a few years before.  Not only does book blogging help me keep track of what I've read, it has opened up a new world for me.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

I haven't completely got my head round blogger yet, so it's an ongoing learning curve for me, although I am very computer literate normally.  One of my other passions is crafting, and I've used Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro to create by own craft line before.  I really should spend time on jazzing up my blog...but it's so easy to loose yourself online for a while.

My biggest challenge has been getting the word out.  I'm getting there though, as I love networking.  Twitter was something new to me through book blogging, and another learning curve.

What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

The lack of information out there...or at least when you're new, trying to find it. (eg,..such as how to set the blog up and, to be honest, to know what the 'best practice' is and  book blogger etiquette).  Trying to take part in a book blog tour and author blog tour I've found challenging as well as my blog is fairly new and therefore doesn't qualify a lot of the time.  I'd love to take part in more author blog tours and guest posts.

What do you find most encouraging?

The community :)  I've met some lovely bloggers on my blog travels, and had conversations with some really kind, funny and inspiring authors.  Through my book blog journey, my life has changed...I'm now doing a job I love, and enjoying every second of it, all because I took the step to do something I enjoy doing :)

What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog? 

I love the diversity.  There's so many out there, and we've all got different opinions of the same books, as well as how we communicate our reviews.

I like how most of the bloggers I've come across add the photo of the book, and the synopsis.  Covers do it for me most of the time...I know they shouldn't, but they help. I also like blogs that have a variety of author interviews.  I'm averaging about one author interview a week at the moment and am trying to include both self published/indie authors and published authors. 

What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this? 

Personally, I don't like too much detail of the storyline to be in a review.  I like to know what the reviewer thought of the book as they were reading it, and a brief overview of the book (say, slightly more than Amazon gives).  I try not to give too much away about the books I've read.  I prefer to read books with fresh eyes, rather than with a full in depth look of someone's review in the back of my mind....but that's just me :)  In depth reviews do help if it's a book I'm not sure I'd read.

Any advice for other new bloggers?

Keep blogging!  The more you do it, the smoother it becomes, and it builds up a memento by itself. Join in a couple of memes to get into a routine of posting on a regular basis, and to blog hop with others.

Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your blog?

I'm open to suggestions on presentation/future spotlights and feedback on my blog and what's on (or not on) it. How would readers feel about my front page being business related?  My business adviser has checked over my blog and feels that I should have my Editor and Proof Reading services as the main front page, with reviews as a separate page.  I'm not sure how to do this on blogger....but I want to here what readers have to say first before any changes happen.

Thank you Small Reviews for this meme!