'Bout this Blogger

Notebook Sisters is rebranding as Paper Fury and came up with this fun little survey to help get the word out about their new site (and ourselves, since that why we blog... good old self-promotion). It's a slow Friday night over here (I'm literally laying on the ground, watching Sawyer roll around). So, here we go:

1. Why did you start blogging?

Honestly, I started the summer I received my first pink slip (several years ago California threatened to lay off teachers for a few years). I knew that I needed something to distract me and a project to focus on, so that I could maybe obsesses slightly less about potentially being unemployed. I was luckily rehired and didn't have any real lapse in employment, but did lean that I really enjoyed blogging. Choosing to have a book theme was a given.

2. What's the story behind your blog's name?

I just thought of it. I know, super interesting.

3. How many designs have you been through since you started blogging?

This is my second- I update maybe a year and a half or two years ago. The first one was a Blogger template, while this is one I paid to have customized for me (worth every penny). This one is much cleaner, sleeker, and more "me."

4. Have you ever switched blog platforms?

I have not, I've always been through Blogger. I say this with some embarrassment, honestly. I know it's the newbie platform, so I feel lazy. I tried Wordpress when I first started and quit after approximately twenty minutes. Someday I'd like to flip over, but for now I'm good. 

5. How long does it take you to write a post? What is your process like?

It depends on the post and how many times I'm interrupted! For Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts (play along with us Wednesday night) I keep a running list of things to add all week, so that one is less than an hour. I'd say most take between thirty minutes and an hour and a half. Part of the problem is finding, uploading, and crediting pictures. For posts that are a little more technical, sensitive, or involved, I may take longer.

6. Have you ever been super nervous about a post?

I wrote one once defending "the smart kids" and initially linked it to my personal Facebook page and then took it down two minutes later because I didn't want to offend any of my fellow teachers (including ones that teach special ed). Long story short, I get frustrated that the kids that are motivated or naturally gifted often get pushed aside, in terms of money, time, and other important resources.

7. Do you have a blogging schedule?

Not really. I try to post three or four times a week. One post is always Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts, another has been my Diary of an Unmotivated Writer, and then I do a few more other ones. With the baby it just comes down to doing it when I have time.

8. Do you tell people in-real-life about your blog? What are their reactions?

I used to link posts on occasion to my personal Facebook page but have stopped doing that (maybe once every two months). I figure those that want to read do so anyway. Plus I've befriended more and more colleagues lately and I'm not in a huge rush for them to become readers. I despise talking about the blog with people, even if they know. And now some of my students know, which I'm less than thrilled about. But, it is the Internet. Nothing is sacred. 

Reactions range from positive to not caring. I don't think my mother has ever read it, while my younger brother surprised the hell out of me once by talking about some posts I had written. My husband doesn't read (so he says, anyway), but many friends do. My philosophy is basically that I won't post anything I wouldn't talk about in my classroom or the dinner table with family. 

9. Top ten blogs you read/comment on the most:

Run Eat Repeat/Caffeinated Life/Fourth Street Review/Dog Lick Baby World/Running of the Reeses/How Sweet Eats/Brittany, Herself/A Cup of Jo/Shutterbean/Smitten Kitchen/Books are My Favourite and Best

10. If you could change/improve things about your blog, what would they be?

Where do I begin? I'd blog more consistently, with more posts of sustenance. I'd interact with the blogging community more. I'd respond to comments. I'd learn Wordpress. I'd take better/more pictures. I'd collaborate with other bloggers (I'd like to do guest posts on other sites!). I'd like to put on my big girl pants and do some vlogs (I'd be more likely if I didn't know any of my readers in real life). And this just scratching the surface.