Dear Diva #002: The Lazy Guide To Blogging

In the second edition of Dear Diva, this week I'm taking a look at the lazy bloggers guide. We're all short on time, life gets in the way, people want to communicate with you against your wishes. The list is endless. Often our blogs are the ones left to suffer in silence. So how do we make the most of our time online and maintain a blog without needing to devote hours? Two bloggers this week ask how.

Blogging: The Lazy Guide


As a reader of your fabulous blog I'm always inspired by your content and fresh look. Lately I struggle to read, write or blog anything. Not only do you appear on top of your review titles, but there's never a dull moment on your blog. Your content is frequent and fun. Any suggestions for a unmotivated and lazy blogger like myself?
Thanks Sunny, and I know exactly how you feel. We all go through slumps, whether it's due to a few reads we haven't clicked with, or not being able to find the time to write the next review. I follow some blogs that update daily and I'm at a loss as to how they can devote the time, where others may post once a week. Personally, I find blogs that only review once or twice per week overall have incredible content. You don't need to post daily to keep your audience, but pick a day weekly where your audience knows you've routinely posted. 

Every few months I go through the same blogging slump. I'm still reading, but when it comes to making sense of my thoughts? I couldn't be buggered. Before I know it, I have half a dozen books that I've read and haven't bothered to review. Every few months I break out a copy of Alice in Wonderland, but yet I've never reviewed it. Some books are simply pleasure reads, and don't feel that you need to review each and every one. When you find yourself heading towards that book funk, pick up one you've been eager to read, a classic or a favourite. It really does help you back on that read and review path. 

When it comes to review titles, I don't request as many as other bloggers. Perhaps one or two every few weeks on average with most of my review copies are unsolicited. Each Saturday, I label any new copies I've received with the date on the spine using a sharpie and sticky tab note. That way I can grab a new read without having to go online. Once I head online, it's almost impossible to log out.

I'm a little behind on my review copies as well, with October releases still to read. I've started to mix up review copies with my own purchased books, and it really makes a difference. But the surefire solution to pull me out of a blogging slump? Redesign. I've been blogging two years come January, and I can't remember how many times I've redesigned my blog, pretty sure it could be five or six times and have only just tweaked it again yesterday. A change is as good as a holiday, and you'll be amazed how you'll feel about blogging again with a new look.

But when you find yourself wondering whether or not blogging is worth it, head to Twitter. Immerse yourself with the book loving community and go back to basics. Remember why it was that brought you to blogging, engage in group or buddy reads. Try mini reviews, reading novellas and ease yourself back into it.

I need to manage my time more efficiently and don't want to review every book I read straight away. How do I remember what each book was about?
Josie
I'm guilty of this one too Josie, and I think if you ask most reviewers they would tend to agree as well. When you just want to read and not have to write down your thoughts, I usually have two options in which I try to take a few notes. If I'm reading an eBook, my Kindle Fire HD had an option to touch and drag passages to highlight. The highlights are all kept under a notes section within the book and it also allows you the option to add little notes. Through mine you'll often find, 'who the hell is this person', or 'this makes no sense'. It's a handy little tool to use. Check your phone or eReader as I believe most should also have some form of the highlight option. 

For paperback copies, I use sticky tabs. Little plastic note holders that are only as long and wide as your index finger. I pop one in when I reach a pivotal point in the storyline, to remember a name, a location or a quote to use when reviewing. They're the same tabs I use to label the spines of my review copies as well. I don't recommend defacing your books with a highlighter or writing in the margins though, The library doesn't look too kindly on it, even if you have drawn boobies on an illustration that looks incredibly funny.

Thanks to everyone who's submitted your questions this week and supporting Dear Diva. Remember you can submit your questions by filling out the form here. It's completely anonymous, even I can't see who you are.

Now it's your turn. Are you a lazy blogger?
Hit up this week's submissions with your time efficient tips.

33 comments

  1. I love ebooks because it's just so easy to take notes. AND KELLY, WE ARE THE SAME PERSON. I take my notes in the same manner as you do with the whole "this makes no sense" thing (alright, so sometimes mine have a tad more profanities in them but...) I used to mark certain scenes to stimulate my memory in physical books as well but now I'm just lazy! I tend to just reach for my phone and photograph the certain line now hahaha

    (Keep up the fantastic work, Kelly. I ADORE these Dear Diva features! <33)

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    1. THAT, is a brilliant idea. I'd never thought to use my phone and that's handy for when you run out of sticky notes as well. I buy mine from Kmart, they're super small and plastic rather than the paper ones and unfortunately they don't always have them in stock.

      Thanks Jess. I'm starting In The Afterlight tonight and going to try the photo method and check to see if it works in the morning.

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  2. Sometimes it's not simply about being a lazy blogger ;). I really don't have time for more than a post a week (also because I spend an awful lot of time formatting...darn Blogger LOL), and I've always firmly believed that posting every single day wasn't required. So I'm glad you agree with me ;). Seriously, thank you for not endorsing the myth that one has to produce a post a day or die trying!

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    1. It's meant more as a tongue in cheek comment. As like yourself, finding the time to post even once a week can be difficult can't it. I read and love lots of blogs who only update weekly, one is only a handful of times per month. You definitely don't need to post everyday, I certainly couldn't either. The less time we use in posting, the more time we have to interact with other book lovers as well, which is my favourite part of blogging.

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  3. Whenever I'm in the mood to blog I tend to write quite a few and schedule them (especially if I have a few ideas lined up) so I know that I at least have one a week!
    When it comes to reviewing I write down notes in my little book review book (yes its an actual thing) it actually makes me think about certain areas of a book e.g. plot, characters etc but I am quite lazy when it comes to blogging xD

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    1. You may very well be the envy of most bloggers. Even when I have a few ideas, by the time I find the time to put them into words, I've lost my train of thought and back at square one again. Lately I've only been reading two books per week, as the weather warms up in Australia, you'll find me missing a little and spending more time outside in the garden.

      I'd really rather be reading though.

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  4. I love Dear Diva! These suggestions are great. Right now I do six posts a week (although five coming up because of NaNoWriMo) and it can get exhausting sometimes to think up new posts - that's why Top Ten Tuesday and Stacking the Shelves is always good. But we all have those slumps, I think :)

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    1. We totally do. It's hard to find the time to not only think of new content, but to post it up as well. I actually find memes like Top Ten Tuesday and Stacking The Shelves more time consuming than reviewing. You have to find covers, links, and format all your content. Review is just typing an opinion. Much easier in my opinion, the most time consuming part is reading, and we all love doing that anyway.

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  5. Great advice Kelly! I'm exactly the same with the sticky notes and highlighting passages/annotating on my ereader when it comes to those review copies - it really helps to trigger your memory when it comes down to writing the review. Your blog design always looks fantastic every time you tweak it :) This is a fantastic feature, can't wait to read the next edition!

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    1. Thanks poppet. It seems we're all pretty similar when it comes to our methods of reviewing. I noticed that when I review eCopies though, i tend to be a little too free and easy highlighting passages. Thank goodness on the Kindle you have a choice of a few different colours to highlight with. Pink is for names and places. Blue is for pivotal points in the storyline and orange I use to save quotes.

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  6. I'm SO lazy I'm filling up this month's blog posts with mostly guest review posts (>_<)

    Sometimes I'm much more motivated to blog, and during those (rare) times I would write up reviews/discussion posts/opinion pieces, etc. and just draft it.. saving it "for a rainy day" so to speak.

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    1. I can probably count on one hand the number of times that I've had a build up of posts scheduled Manda, it's mostly waiting on release dates so I'm not posting too early. What motivates you to get posting? I think I need some too.

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  7. I'm not really a lazy blogger, but I have to say that I am a lazy reader! Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to read, but I'm usually in the mood to write a review. The problem is, is that I usually don't have enough books to write about because I haven't read them yet!

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    1. I go through stints like that too though, I'm pretty sure most readers would agree. When you're feeling under the weather, or just too tired to bother.

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  8. Am I a lazy blogger? hahaha

    Yes? No? Uhm... right now its not really a choice, I've been having a hard time to write reviews due to my lack of time, but at the same time, there are a lot of moments that I just wanted to read, to relieve stress and not review at all. So for now I don't know what state I'm in, I just review when I want to. I didn't want to stress myself in posting a new post everyday, I couldn't handle it. Haha, great post Kelly! Its a great advice for bloggers, newbie or not :D

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    1. That's the brilliant freedom with blogging though, you can post whenever you want. Daily, weekly or even yearly. I've seen bloggers take a year away, then pick back up once they've finished school or want to get back into reading again. Whenever you're posting, we'll always be around to come visit. It's not just a readership, it's blogger friends who'll offer support when you need it too.

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  9. I love this feature, Kelly! :D I like how you give advice to other people - it's really helpful! I kinda agree with Sunny. You post regularly and sometimes I struggle with updating my blog and thinking up of fun posts to attract more readers. But I like what you said over heading to Twitter and immersing yourself back to the community of booklovers. I should try that whenever I feel unmotivated!

    Thanks Kelly <3

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    1. It depends if you catch me on a good week though. Being older, I have a little more time to blog some days, other days I barely have time to scratch myself. Like last week, I actually only posted one review and a cover reveal. As we're heading towards the warmer weather, I'll be posting less too. But I figure at least one post a week will keep me trucking along.

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  10. I am probably not a lazy blogger...just because my brain is like KAA CHING all the time. Sheesh. I'm a hyperactive blogger. I take blogging breaks because I'm sure my readers are sick of me. BUT I do have a lot of time to blog, and I know most people don't so there's that. >.> This is still awesome advice! Regular posting is key, I reckon. Keeping tabs while one read? Wooooow, what a good idea! I always end up googling "what was the character in Such and Such book". Gah they all blend, I tell you. I read about 3 books one week with characters named variations of Eve. -_-

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    1. I used to do that too. I'm terrible with names and locations, especially when reading fantasy novels with weird names. Thank goodness for sticky tabs. They make reviewing so much easier.

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  11. Hi Kelly! It's me the "original Ella"(according to you :P) haha! Sad to say, I am a big lazy blogger. Especially after school started my blog was suddenly like in a trance state or something. I still read sometimes, but I can't organize my thoughts when I'm about to review a book. My mind gets tangled with ideas regarding my thesis and the book I just read. Believe it or not, I have this one unpublished review that will forever stay in my drafts because it sounds like a book review turned character analysis report. There are even times when, unconsciously, I tend to treat fictional characters like patients lol. I can't wait for the end of the semester.

    Ella @ The Filipina Booknote

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    1. That's not lazy, that's putting your studies first which everyone should be doing. It's a good thing that blogging wasn't common back when I was at school, I'm so easily distracted that I don't think I would have even finished school. Just between us, I have a few drafts that will never see the light of day either. Books I've read and reviewed while incredibly tired and not only do I not remember most of the storyline (they were books I didn't enjoy), but the review I attempted to write is horrid. All over the place, rambling and cursing. What the hell was I thinking!

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  12. I used to be a really active blogger, posting almost 2-4 times a week (you know of this, Kelly!!) but after I got my kidney infection I kinda toned it down a bit and my site is almost... dead...ish. Okay, not really, as I'm going to revive it with awesomeness soon but yeah, I'm kinda lazy now compared to before. I really just don't care about stats and stuff anymore and just try to do my own thing at my own pace. I read what books I want to read, and just request what I REALLY want to read, which is... like... one book every 2 weeks or something (I haven't requested for a while though).

    You give awesome advice, Kelly. When I have a question, I'll turn to you ;)

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Thanks Faye and we're pretty much the same in that regard. I only request books that I would generally buy myself and mix those up with my own purchased books as well. If I can't post in a few days, so be it. Blogging is a fun and rewarding outlet, but like you falling ill, it's not be be all and end all. There really is more important aspects in life, like an education, and your health. You'll be back blogging regularly soon, I have no doubt.

      Glad to see you feeling better too Faye.

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  13. Fantastic advice this week Kelly, I really admire your persistence and how you organised you are with reviewing and everything. That's fantastic advice to read books that you read for YOU as well, so you don't pull down in a slump having to review every single book you read. I also use the highlighting function and sticky tabs so you don't need to take notes but can refer back to it.

    These are really helpful, a redesign is a great idea to make things more fresh! It took ages for me to get to the point of where my blog is now, but perhaps I'll be able to do that someday.

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  14. This definitely came at a time where I'm feeling sooo lazy. If it wasn't for Sci-Fi week, I would've just stayed in bed. And Twitter has been my best friend since Day 1. I love how you mentioned commenting on other blogs, because it really is a great way to connect with like minded awesome people as yourself. I believe that's where we "met" Lol, sounds kinda creepy.

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    1. We totally did Ana, and I've loved your blog ever since. The last fortnight, I've been the same. I'm still reading, but have felt really run down and only been reading for a half an hour each night, then falling asleep. But have a few reviews coming up next week that have been scheduled, so I'll be able to hop back on that blogging horse.

      Honestly, I use the worst analogies. Ever.
      Hopefully you hop back on that horse soon too Ana.

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  15. Great advice, Kelly! I've requested a few too many review copies lately and find myself only having time to read them when I usually like to balance it out with reading my own books. I've got all the books I will be reading in November and December planned and it takes the fun of spontaneity out of it, which is why I won't be requesting anything for the rest of the year. I'm going to make January a month of reading books only for me.

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    1. It does Rochelle and a few months ago I was feeling the same way. I only request books every now and again, and purchase the rest myself. It gives me the freedom to read what I want when I want and not have the added stress of having too many review copies piled up. At the moment I only have eleven review copies on my shelves, which I consider quite a few The most I usually have is seven or eight at any one time. But there's been so many incredible books lately and I've received quite a few unsolicited copies.

      When I found my to read list a bit overwhelming, I would have themed reading months. One month I would read all the contemporaries on my shelves, then fantasy and so on. It made it easier to set a goal of what I wanted to read per month as well.

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  16. omg i need this!! i have no system whatsoever when it comes to writing reviews. bad decision i must say. most of the time after i finish a book, my eyes are tired and my emotions are drained, and umm what?? i still need to write a review that makes sense of my thoughts?? nooooooo *sinks into lazy slump*

    my reviews aren't scene-specific, just general opinions on the book but these fade over time as well. especially since i'm not VERY BEHIND my review schedule... *awkward laugh* might be good to start marking out key pages in the book! but i have this thing against stickies because they graze the palms of my hand while i read and idk i find it distracting =P KINDLE YES KINDLE i don't use it enough omg. thank you so much for this series, will remind myself of the note function more LOL :D

    alicia @ noverly things

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    1. That note function is such a time saver Alicia, I don't know if I'd be without it.

      For paperbacks, I'm thinking of trying the suggestion of taking photos, rather than using sticky notes. Might try that with my next novella though, rather than risk it with a full length book to review. Knowing my luck, all the photos snapped on my phone would be illegible.

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  17. It can take me a while to get to actually typing up my review, but I always make a point of grabbing a post-it note and writing down the main points that I want to include in the review. That is usually enough to jog my memory when I get to writing the full review up, though I still always try to write a review within a week of finishing a book since I start forgetting main character names past that point >.>

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  18. I've actually only just seen this now but thank you for your wonderful advice, I'll definitely be taking it on. I never thought of sticking one of those little post it notes or sticky tabs in whilst I'm reading, but I think that would help tremendously. A re-design also sounds like it would help someone like me a lot, I'm lucky I have some super lovely blogger doing a re-design for me :P

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