Why I won’t stop blogging

It breaks my heart when book-blogging suddenly becomes negative.

Over recent months, there’s been the debate about tagging authors. Others seem to be under the assumption there’s a monetary value in reviewing books, or that our thoughts aren’t valid just because we’re bloggers.

This is not the first time that I’ve had overwhelming doubts about whether I should stay with it. I work hard to keep to a schedule, planning what to read and when, sometimes at the risk of losing my enjoyment of the actual reading.

It was almost too much this time. I’d lose my blog as a whole if I stopped reviewing. While wallowing in self-doubt though, I suddenly started thinking about why I do this…

Photo by Ella Jardim on Unsplash

For the author..?

In some ways, yes. If I’ve found an author whose work I enjoy, nothing gives me greater pleasure than shouting about it. It’s the biggest thrill when a reader comments they will try the book after your recommendation.

As a budding writer myself, I want to support and promote my favourite writers as much as I can. For the most part, I’ve always found them a joy to work with.

But what if I don’t enjoy the book?

For the publisher..?

Again, in a small way, yes, especially when I’ve been granted an ARC. I’ve been given the opportunity to read a book that I may not have come across before. In order to thank them, what better way than to post my feelings and hope it encourages others to try out not only this title, but backlist titles from the publisher as well?

Even in this day and age of self-publishing, we would be a lot shorter on books if the publishers weren’t able to run their business.

Again… what if I don’t enjoy the book?

For the reader..?

This does make up a vast proportion of why I do this. Connecting with like-minded individuals, sharing my thoughts and feelings on a novel and being able to hear what others think of the book is one of the best feelings.

I hope people can find books they love. I hope people give books a go that they might not have come across. I’m a happy girl when I can spread the book love as far as I can, and that wouldn’t be possible without the support of everyone who stops by.

For…myself?

Dare I admit it? Dare I say it out loud?

I blog for myself.

I review for myself.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what storms kick off. I do this for one simple reason: I enjoy it.

I love the whole experience of finishing a book, ordering my thoughts and putting down into words what I thought.

Everything I’ve mentioned above is why I blog; why I put those thoughts out in the wild. But the actual process of doing it – that’s all for me. I won’t apologise for that, and while that is my driving motivation, I won’t stop either.

What’s your motivation to keep going? Any tips you’d share?

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Bloglovin’