Come January 2021 I will have been seriously blogging for five years – the same amount of time that I’ve been retired. Fictionophile has come a long way in that time and I’m grateful to everyone who has ever commented, liked, or shared any of my posts.
I know that lately (since the pandemic), I’ve been seriously getting carried away with the amount of review commitments I’ve been taking on. Crazy really because I have over 200 commitments already. In 2021 I must restrain myself DO BETTER. For the past week or so I’ve hit a reading slump that threatens to derail all my good intentions. I’ve begun to question how I handle things on the blog, and, more importantly, if my commitment to reading and reviewing is strong enough to satisfy my followers as well as my own personal satisfaction of delivering blog posts that are welcome and/or interesting to my readers.
Many of the posts I’ve been producing are very time intensive. Also, some parts of the way I format my reviews take longer than one might think. This makes me wonder if those aspects of the posts are valued by readers, or if they are just a waste of my time.
To find out what YOU think about Fictionophile, I’ve created a few little polls that I would love for you all to take part in. The more who take a few minutes to answer these few questions, the more I’ll get an accurate portrayal of what you would like.
Please fell free to click all options that you agree with.
Regarding frequency of Fictionophile’s posts in general:
Regarding what type of posts you prefer:
THANKS SO MUCH for taking some of your valuable reading time to answer my polls. Your support and feedback is invaluable to me.
And, since it’s been awhile since I’ve shared a photo of my little grandson, I thought I’d include this little gem:
Fictionophile 
I’d be interested in a post about what you’ve learned about blogging and writing over the past 5 years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Evelyn. I’ll certainly give it some thought.
LikeLike
I can’t find your polls, so maybe they are closed. Ooo, I am such a bad blog reader!
Love the baby and the hat. Did you knit it? Or, hmmm, it might be crocheted.
I have just the cure for an over-committed blogger who’s in a reading slump … another commitment! Seriously, I would love it if you’d review my book The Long Guest. But only if you want to. Drop me an e-mail with your mailing address, and I’ll send you a hard copy. No gifs necessary for this review.
LikeLike
Hi Jennifer. The polls are still open but apparently they are only visible on certain devices. (not phones). Thanks for your offer of your book for review. I cannot find it on Goodreads…
LikeLike
Just for future reference I was unable to see your polls when I was on my phone but it worked on my laptop. I like a mixture of different types of posts. I tend to skip review posts because I’m terrified of being spoiled for books that I haven’t read. I will however read reviews of books that I have read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting Misty. I too like to read reviews of books I’ve already read to see if the reader has similar tastes and opinions to my own. I will also read reviews of books I’ve not yet read, but only if I trust the blogger in question to NOT include spoilers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I know the blogger writes non spoiler reviews then I will read them but for the most part I only know for sure a couple of people who don’t spoil the books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you know that I made a vow to never include spoilers. I’d hate to ruin the reading experience for anyone else. That being said, I’ve known some book blurbs to include spoilers – and I always include the blurb in my reviews.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know now so now I can read your reviews. I actually always skip over the synopsis when people include them in their reviews.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, Lynne, it’s OK to take a couple months off till sometime after the new year then reassess everything then. That could give you new fresh perspective that is hard to conjure up right now. During the hiatus you could turn your attention to other personal loves and ambitions and see how all of those things make you feel. Surprisingly fulfilled perhaps?
LikeLiked by 1 person
♥
LikeLike
Lynne, as I am not a blogger and enjoy graphics (but do not know how you add them to your site) I am very uneducated with what you all do! That said I have always known you put in tons of work to make your blog (what I would call) cozy!!! The pictures, the quotes, all the lists, not to mention the reading, I have often wondered how you find the time and energy to do all this. I know your love for books and Fictionophile bring you great pleasure and it shows but, wouldn’t it be nice, to read a book just for you!? You gave birth to Fictionophile and you should do or change what you want. We will still love coming here because you are here!!🙂
LikeLike
How sweet Gaye. Thanks so much for your caring support of my blog (and me). I have ridiculously overextended myself and I have no one to blame but myself.
LikeLike
I love the photo.
About your blog…I always enjoy reading it. There are times when I have gotten great book ideas from you and others when I enjoyed seeing how we each review the same title. Of course,you should do what works for you, but I would miss your blog if you stopped writing.
LikeLike
Thanks Joyce. Your support means a lot. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Afternoon, Lynne. I think that many people reevaluate the way they approach their blogs, or any other creative outlet. I’ve done that. I publish fewer pieces than I used to, but still regularly enough to keep me satisfied. I wouldn’t begin to suggest to you what you should do, except to suggest that you follow your instincts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wise words Neil. Thank-you. 👍💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
First off, I personally love all of the graphics you add to your posts Lynne–and the super sweet pics of your adorable grandson. I realize, however, that this very time consuming for you so would understand if you decide to maybe cut down a little on that front. The dedication (and time) you put into your blog is AMAZING and should be applauded. I honestly do not know how you find the time (even with being retired) and think you should not berate yourself for one nano-second. I could say more, but I’ve run out of time (am on a tea break at work).
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
Dorothy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dorothy. It is heart-warming to know that I’ll always have your support. ❤😍
LikeLike
Aww what a perfect photo of your little guy 😍 I enjoy all of your posts, Lynne. I recognise the huge amount of time you put into each and every one of them and I don’t WANT fewer graphics or links or whatever, but I don’t NEED them either and I’m sure I’ll enjoy your posts either way. I didn’t vote for one particular type of post since I enjoy them all, and I love that you have so many different kinds.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Kelly. Your opinion means a lot to me and I appreciate your supportive comments. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe your blog is the best. That it is in a slump is probably that people do not have much time to read, but I am simply guessing. Hopefully the polls will help you understand the situation better to act accordingly. I have taken the polls. I wish you all the best and positive results!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for taking part in my polls and for your encouraging words. Your words are invaluable. 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
LikeLike
Might not be a good time to start changing things… with so much change going on out in the world, I will stick to the tried and tested for now…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your voice of sanity. If it’s not broken then don’t fix it. 👍📚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Works for me!
LikeLike
That’s good to hear. Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your blogs and am especially impressed with the detail you add. When you reviewed Scared to Breathe I was astounded to see a picture of the old Cotswold house I had conjured up in my imagination and the bunch of keys with Black Hollow Hall on the label. This was far and away my favourite review ever. I do think you take on too many books before reading the ones you’ve committed to though. I’ve waited with bated breath for your review of Who’s There? as it’s on your reader’s challenge for 2020 but I sadly can’t see it happening now with all your new acquisitions. Don’t give up blogging. You make such a difference to us authors and the readers. I’ve bought and read several of your recommendations and have found a calibration between your tastes and mine.
Kerena Swan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Kerry. I admit to being a real ‘greedy-guts’ when it comes to getting arcs for review. My problem is that I read a lot of other book blogs which constantly tempt me with books they’ve reviewed. I’m so weak.
I’m determined to complete my 2020 reading challenges so rest assured that I will read “Who’s There?” before the end of the year.
I’m delighted to learn that you’ve read some of my recommendations and that our reading tastes are similar. 😍
LikeLike
We take on way too many tasks here too. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s so nice to find someone who writes a breath of fresh air that speaks our same truth. We somehow got overwhelmed in what we love. But, that’s okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank-you so very much for your comments. Perhaps I’m just over-thinking the issue. Thanks too for reminding me about why I began blogging in the first place. 📚
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a gorgeous photo of your grandson Lynne! As for your voting questions, I’ve not answered any of them because I think what you have in your blog is entirely up to you. I do love your blog but I also know how time consuming blogging can be. At the end of the day I think you do what you feel is right for you xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Yvonne. Your level-headed encouragement is much appreciated. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea to do the polls Lynne. Thought you might like to know I tried to take part using the reader on my device, but they didn’t show up so have done it on my PC instead. Love the photo of your grandson, so cute! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Nicki. I’m disappointed that the polls are not usable for some devices. I used the ones in the WordPress templates so assumed that everyone would be able to use them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good is it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a cute photo of your grandson. All the best with your blogging plans x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank-you Diana. Your comments are appreciated. 📚💕
LikeLike
Oh Lynne, he is absolutely adorable. I love your blog, everything. I love the way your do your reviews. I will be honest, I sometimes skim reviews, but not yours. I read them all the way through, but I am sure they are time consuming for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks SO much Carla. Your words are music to my ears. 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great way to get a handle on what is working and what isn’t, Lynne. I find many of my posts way too time consuming as well and though I’ve tried to streamline them, or create a template, it seems I still spend the same amount of time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Virginia. Perversely, it is often the more time intensive posts that are the most enjoyable to create. I’m just wondering if things like purchase links etc. are valuable to readers of reviews or whether the publishers appreciate that I’ve added them to my posts. I’m full of self doubt lately…
LikeLike
May I just say that because of time commitments I have whittled my blog reading down to one blog only, and that one is yours. The variety of things you present is just outstanding, often so unique, and brings a lot of joy to me. Many times you probably don’t know I’ve been here as Word Press often throws a moneywrench into my attempts to sign in to comment, but I am indeed here for almost every post..Perhaps you need to cut back the frequency of the posts in order to keep yourself fresh and that would be fine, but I really hope you don’t have to totally retire the blog. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Christine! I am completely blown away by your kind words. You’ll never know just how much your comment means to me to have my efforts appreciated. ❤📚
LikeLike
I can’t see any of your polls for some reason (I’m on my phone) but for me I have to say that I almost only read book reviews. I tend to skip over book haul posts and most meme posts (like first line Fridays, what I’m reading Wednesdays, etc). I’m here for book reviews, not all the other stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting… Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 📚😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
By the way, I didn’t mean I skip your posts like that specifically, but across the board. It’s a time issue for me. I want to read the book reviews and there simply isn’t time for me to read any of the others types of posts like book hauls, etc. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
No worries. I completely understand. Time is precious and for most of us personal time is at a premium. Thanks again 👍😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope your poll results are helpful for you. I DO notice ALL the work you put into each blog post with graphics, extra visual content, formatting, etc. and yes each little thing we do takes time which adds up! Congrats on 5 years! Blogging is my retirement baby, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Carol. I’m just wondering if the extra effort is worthwhile… I’m in a complete blogging/reading slump.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Time to change things up! This happened to me during my first years of teaching….I went above and beyond with all kinds of extras…..they made me happy but I was exhausted! One thing was a fish tank for the classroom that I had to maintain! Over the years I eliminated some of those things. I was still just as happy but less stressed! My students didn’t know the difference. When I retired, I certainly was a more streamlined version of myself! Anyway….. the effort you are putting into your blog is admirable and some of us 🙋♀️ notice it! What would happen if you streamlined those efforts? You have wonderful content always…but maybe not invest so much effort into the bells and whistles??? At least for a bit??? I think it’s good to think proactively about this before the slump becomes more. Also, maybe cutting back on commitments for a while and doing more mood reading?? I know when I feel myself getting burned out, I turn to middle grade books! During weeks I feel a bit bogged down with blogging, I give myself permission to cut back the number of posts that week. If things are dire, you could take a 2 week vacation! That’s the thing about blogging…it’s relentless! I’m sure you’ve considered everything I’ve mentioned! I’m just worried about you! Courage, Dear Heart. 😘
LikeLike
Carol I really appreciate your concern, your encouragement and your unrelenting support. Yes, some of the things that take the most time are things that I initially enjoyed. I DO think it is probably the ‘end of the year’ stress of taking on too many review commitments that has put me in this funk. Thanks so much. ♥
LikeLike
You’re welcome! Yes…the end of the year takes its toll. Changing up format, too, is an idea….. discussion post, bullet list review, etc. I’ve used that strategy a few times! On a positive note, I’m soooo glad I’ve had blogging and reading to get lost in during the pandemic and our stressful election season!
LikeLike
I agree Carol. Blogging has been a welcome diversion from life’s more serious concerns. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person