One Year Blogiversary Q&A | LET’S CELEBRATE AND GET SENTIMENTAL

I know you can’t see me, as is the nature of a blog, but I am throwing confetti at you.

Well, in my mind at least because, hey, IT’S MY ONE YEAR BLOGIVERSARY BABY!

It’s really difficult for me to believe that it’s been a whole year. This time last year, I was freaking out and reading re-reading my first blog post before it went live. I was so nervous that no one would ever read it. That no one would ever read anything I ever wrote.

I don’t even have the words to thank everyone that has ever read one of my posts. Even if you didn’t get past the first sentence, you clicked on it, for some reason, and I am grateful.

A couple of posts ago, I asked you guys to ask me questions, and also tweeted it. And can I just say? You guys ask the best questions a bibliophile could ask for. ALSO feel free to jump around because the post is a bit lengthy.

(I’ll give credit to everyone that asked a question so that you can see their twitters/blogs! I also got a couple duplicates/super similar questions, so those are noted!)

@GrangerLiv: How has your blog changed since you first started?

Surprisingly? Not much. Although, I do write more discussion posts than I ever thought I would because I just love writing about my opinions on things because narcissism for the win.

Lauren: What’s been something about blogging that you didn’t expect when you started a year ago?

That I would get really, truly, tired of it at times. Obviously I adore blogging, or I wouldn’t be here a year later, but I think every blogger has those days, weeks, or even months when they just don’t feel like doing it. I thought I would want to write posts all day, every day, but it didn’t turn out quite like that.

Is there a genre you don’t usually read but want to try more of?

Magical realism. Little known fact about me: I am not a fan of magical realism. I don’t like the whole is this real or not real? thing. But, I am open to maybe picking up some books from the genre and possibly changing my opinion.

Lauren and @Younicornreads: Some things you love besides reading?

Procrastinating, writing, wasting hours refreshing Twitter, The Office, politics, and Christmas.

@Younicornreads: Have you ever read a book where you felt represented? Which book?

I adore this question because as of this year, I have – The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Now, I know you guys are tired of me talking about this book but honestly? It’s the first one I read where I actually saw myself. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and basketball games with my dad, and fitting in as a black girl in a white school.

It touched me in ways I never thought a book could. I didn’t even know I could feel so connected to a character until I read that beautiful, stunning novel. So please, go read it.

What’s your advice for new bloggers?

Super random, but a huge pet peeve of mine, please utilize the Read More/Continue Reading button on your posts. Otherwise, when I’m on your blog, I have to do a lot of scrolling to see all of your posts. USE THE BUTTON.

Also – don’t be afraid to make your blog unique and change it whenever you want. Don’t feel like it has to look like everyone else’s, or that once you choose a layout there isn’t wiggle room. There is always wiggle room.

@Laceliterary and @Younicornreads: Why did you start blogging/how did you first get involved in it? Do you think you’ll stop someday?

I started blogging because I wanted to talk more about books than just my bookstagram captions! I really love writing and wanted another outlet for that. I also enjoy web design.

And… as depressing as this does sound… I do think I’ll stop one day. I don’t think this is something I’ll want to do forever. But, that day is very, very, far from now!

@Laceliterary: Do you have a direction you want your blog to go in? Are you already there?

Yes I do, and no I’m not. While I want this to be a book blog, I’ve always wanted to do little writing updates. I just really love writing, and talking about my WIP (because, again, narcissism for the win) but I’m always so nervous to share anything I’ve written!

I’m also interested in offering beta or sensitivity reading services in the future!

Breeny and @Laceliterary: How do you balance life and blogging?

I don’t. Well, I don’t do it well. Usually when school gets crazy, the blog suffers, but I’m going to try to be better about that when the school year starts again.

For those times when I do manage, I find the best strategy is to write a surplus of posts when I have the time and then spread them out. Don’t post six reviews in eight days then go ghost for three months.

@Courtofunicorns: What’s your favorite genre to write?

YA CONTEMPORARY ALL THE WAY. I don’t know how you fantasy writers do it, but trying to build an entire world makes my head spin. BUT! I’ve always wanted to work on my sci-fi writing skills.

What are some fun facts about your current WIP?

My current WIP (for those of you who don’t know, that’s “Work in Progress” – so basically what I’m currently writing) is very new to me and I’m honestly still figuring it out but:

• It’s a YA contemporary.
• There are lots of books in it.
• I think I’m gonna go with the hate-to-love trope?
• It involves U.S. law a bunch.
• It’s about a high school book club.

Is that vague to you? Yeah. It’s pretty blurry to me too. NONETHELESS, I am excited.

Jessica and @Courtofunicorns: What are your favorite 3 book series?

The Selection (which is the book series that made me love reading), The Lunar Chronicles (who isn’t in love with this quartet #LunarFever) and the Doon quartet (which is highly underrated, mind you.)

Anna: Favorite ice cream flavor? Are you a Hamilton fan? Favorite memes? Author or editor?

I despise ice cream. I listen to Hamilton #Non-STOP (hahahaha). Author for sure. I love me some memes, no matter how outdated they are, so this is my current fave:

@Kat_Impossible: How long does it take you to write a blog post? Do you have a schedule for them?

The time obviously depends on the length. But, if I really sit down and work, I can get pretty much any blog post done in under an hour, even a discussion post. That hour includes drafting, editing, revising, creating a feature image, and sharing. I’m a bit of a perfectionist.

In terms of a schedule, yes and no. I have a rough schedule of when I want to post something, which I don’t always fall to a tee, but it helps to guide me.

Do you have certain bloggers that inspire you?

Thank you so much for this question, not only because it brings nostalgia, but also because all the links in this post will drive my views through the roof! (haha, just kidding… mostly).

These are bloggers that not only inspire me with their posts, but some have been here for so long and stuck with me throughout this year, reading and commenting, and I am eternally in their debt: Mia, Lauren, Steph, Yarravy, Kayla, icebreaker694, Marie, and so many more.

Jeannie: What are your favorite types of posts to read and write?

Discussion posts, forever and always. I love talking to people in the comments and writing down my own take on something. They come so much easier to me than reviews.

@HisWraith: How often do you read? Do you prefer thick or thin books? Are you interested in writing poetry or just stories?

I read pretty much every day – in the morning when I wake up, on the way to school, under my desk during class, in the shower (okay, maybe not that last one).

Unlike most bookworms out there, I’m a thin books type of girl. I can appreciate them all, but I like that feeling of finishing off something quick, and the plot is hardly ever dragged on.

@LHauser27: What is your favorite thing about blogging?

The knowledge that I always have somewhere to go to express myself and my ideas. If regular life is getting insane, my blog can always be a safe haven.

Icebreaker694: Do you have any favorite GIFs you want to share?

*sigh* The most challenging question yet. I’m a GIF maniac, if you didn’t know, and yes, I do have a favorite that ranks above all…

I just love it, okay??? It works in almost any situation and is just so darn entertaining.

And that was the last question! *melts into a puddle of exhaustion*. Great interrogation session, I think.

Like I said, there are absolutely no words to describe my emotions right now. I don’t think I could even show in GIFs, believe it or not. Grateful, doesn’t begin to cover it.

I am so incredibly thankful that I get to share my thoughts on this platform and have other people read it. It makes my heart warm every, single day. It’s hard to believe that there are over 200 of you out there that cared enough, no matter how little it was, to click that follow button.

In honor of an entire year of blogging, I’ve decided to start a new mini series called… BLOGGER MUSTS OR BUSTS. So stay tuned.

I hope I can continue to keep you interested in what this little teenaged bibliophile from Florida thinks.

Thank you, so, so, so much.

Stay bookish,

Jordyn

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