Tell Me Something Tuesday: How has your blog changed over time? (AKA: Where Karen gives a long-ass answer to a simple question)

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: How long have you been blogging? And has your blog changed over time?

Answer: I started blogging on December 15, 2009. It was my dog, Indy's, birthday lol I didn't tell a living soul about it - even Kevin for months - and it was just a way or me to catalogue what I watched/listened to/and read - although I barely read back then. I mostly made lists of favorite songs, books, movies before realizing book reviews were a thing and shifted to books only.

I truly thought no one would see it and it appears, looking back, that it took until about March of 2010 for me to get my first regulars commenters  None of who are blogging anymore :-(

Those were the golden days of blogging. Everyone was happy, it was drama free and totally supportive. You could easily gain 40 new (google) followers per weekend. 

I hosted giveaways, author guest posts, cover reveals - joined many memes like Waiting on Wednesday, Teaser Tuesday, Follow Friday, posted two reviews per week. I even co-hosted my own weekly TMST-like feature called Book Blogger Confessions and a month long blogger celebration with guest posts and giveaways by and for bloggers. I held several book auctions to raise money for charity. I blogged seven days a week and I LOVED it. 

Then the competition and drama started sneaking in. I blame this mostly on arc's and book conferences. Where we first were so excited for each other to get books or be able to go to BEA etc - the jealousy over who was and was not getting arc's creeped in. The competitiveness over follower #'s (again to be eligible for those coveted arc's) led to a lot of *How to blog* posts, plagiarism and more.

I had taken on a lot of arc's and reviews - trying to say yes to every author and publisher.

The whole thing was draining of my time and mental energy. I hated reading and blogging.

All to say that my blog has gone through, many, many changes. In style and content as I tried to decide where I fit in (or if I did at all) to the changing landscape. 

After almost calling it quits a few years ago, I decided I loved the interaction too much to give up but I was DONE with the self imposed pressure of reading and blogging or doing it a certain way. I gave up the arc chase, scheduling and just blog when I want (hence this Tuesday post going up on a Friday lol), read what I want and blog about whatever interest me. 

One week might be all books, the next streaming shows I've watched, the next my dogs or nothing at all for a few weeks. And I am blissfully ok with that.

My blog design changes totally on whim - usually when I'm feeling bored with blogging and it gets me excited to come back. I think that's the one thing that surprises me. I change it SO often that I'm surprised anyone knows that it's MY blog (although the most recent dog/cat design is a dead giveaway lol) and that it doesn't annoy people into leaving.

There have been a lot of bad turns but I think, other than the early days, this is my favorite time in blogging. Most of us have been through it all and are back to doing it for fun and our blogs reflect our personality - rather than trying to fit into a box. The followers are fewer but more genuine. 

So that's my two cents on that!