Thursday, July 12, 2012

Feature and Follow Friday (5)



Feature and Follow is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read every Friday. Complete Rules and Instructions are here: Feature and Follow

This week's question:

Q: What drove you to start book blogging in the first place?

I started blogging in May, 2012. My grandfather died a few years back. Also five years ago in April my mother died after battling cancer; a few years later my niece killed herself in April. April is not a good month and I've been finding myself becoming depressed every April. My mother always used to tell me the best way out of depression is doing something positive. So, starting a book blog was always something I talked about, but never quite managed to do. But this year I felt inspired to do it because I can do it, because I'm still alive and here. This is the year I pull out of my funk and actually start doing all the things I've been meaning to do, but putting off. Waiting for a better time. I'm also going to do NaNoWriMo this year because I've been "meaning to" write down all of the stories I made up for my kids when they were young. 

While you're here, you can enter my 100 Followers Giveaway. One of the prizes is open internationally.

 100 Followers Giveaway Ends on 7/17/12 @ 12:01 AM EST

Follow Me on Twitter and I will follow back within 24 hours. https://twitter.com/365Books_A_Year

31 comments:

  1. That is a great answer, and your mom was right. Good luck with Nano!

    Follower

    My FF

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    1. I'm going to need luck with Nano. I'm still trying to figure out how to outline a story. It shouldn't be this hard- it's a story I've sort of told over and over for years. I'm heading over to your blog to check out your answer.

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  2. Wow,Great answer!I'm glad that blogging was a great outlet for you and has helped so much with getting through difficult times.
    Old follower :D

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    1. My mom was right- aren't moms always right? You can't let yourself wallow in things too long. Mine was just getting smacked every year for a while. It was hard, but doing something positive or creative is a good cure for depression. I mean, right after my mom got diagnosed with cancer she started making plans to go on a trip once she was cancer free.

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  3. Wow! That's a really interesting and candid answer! Mine pales in comparison :s
    Thanks for stopping by My FF!
    Happy Hopping!

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  4. That was a really great answer! I'm glad you started the blog! :) New Follower!

    My Follow Friday: http://shatterbooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/tgif-4-follow-friday-3.html

    Lisa @ Shatterbooks

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    1. Thanks, I'm following you through GFC. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. This is a really bittersweet story, and I'm impressed that you shared it here. I'm too 'shy' (read: a coward) when it comes to things like that, so.. Well, it's admirable that you shared it and that you actually did something about your depression. (Is it shallow to instantly follow someone for this reason?)

    I'm also very sorry for your loss. This phrase is probably getting old (and that one, too), but it felt weird not to acknowledge it.

    Patricia // My Hop

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    1. Thanks for following me. I'm following you through RSS and Linky. At the end, when my mom knew she was dying, she told me not to let it destroy me. That it was okay to be sad and that I was going to be sad off and on for the rest of my life. But eventually I needed to be able to remember and smile at the memories.

      My son had a girlfriend that he met online. She had lied about herself- she was a few years older than him. We had a talk about the whole internet persona thing- that it's easy to lie and create another identity. Pretend to be someone else. I told him to consider this, that within certain limits (like not giving your full name and address out to everyone), the internet can also be an opportunity for complete honesty. (In what you are willing to share) Because anonymity works both ways- the freedom to be someone else or the freedom to be truly yourself. Even my husband stays off my blog because he says I need space of my own.

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    2. That is just really sad. I think your mom was an incredible person for telling you these things, and you are incredible for trying your best, but it's just really sad.

      Yes, I understand that, but I tend to be too honest. I mean, honest to the point where it's just hurting myself, so I try to keep certain parts of my life somewhere else. I would talk about them if I was asked (actually, just a few days ago I was asked to talk a little about that in an interview) but I don't know if I'd have the courage to share that sort of pain in another situation.

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    3. Oh, yeah, that's why the internet is great- it's sort of the equivalent of talking to someone on an airplane. Before she died, my mother said something like this: The living have an obligation to live for the dead. That can be something simple, like what I just did by sharing my story- hoping that people would be inspired to try something new this year or giving your kids an extra hug today. My kids are going to have to pick up the whole trying to live life for their cousin thing. That I'm too old for.

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  6. So sorry to hear about all your losses. I understand because after my mother passed away a few years a go, I had no one to share my love of books with. It it great being able to share what I read with people who have the same passion.

    Here's my reason for blogging.

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  7. Good thing the blogging community is such a strong one! And we all share the love for books and great reads :) I'm glad you started something positive and that you're sharing the books you love with us.

    I'm an 'old' follower. Here's my FF post if you want to find out why I started to blog.

    have a great weekend!

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  8. Wow, a very heart-felt answer. I am sorry for your loses. I am happy to have you in the community.

    New follower.

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  9. So sorry for your loss :( That must've been so tough...
    However, I'm really glad you went through with this positive deed, and it really shows how strong you are inside, so good for you! <3

    New Linky follower! Thank you for dropping by, and have a great weekend!

    Vivian @ Vivaciously, Vivian

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  10. Thanks for stopping by - new follower (GFC & Linky).

    Wow, that is a brutally honest answer. Good for you, taking control of things like that. Hopefully it continues to work for you.

    Bob @ Beauty in Ruins

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  11. Thanks for visiting & following my blog and leaving a really awesome comment, (which I had a lot of fun replying to). I am now following your blog as well through GFC.

    Have a great day!
    -Sarah
    http://laceandlavenderhints.blogspot.ca

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  12. Sorry about your losses, glad that you found a positive way with your blog.

    http://thecharacterconnection.blogspot.com/2012/07/feature-follow.html

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  13. I should have mentioned my grandfather in my post but I had already dedicated a teaser tuesday to his book so I didn't want to push it. =/ He was my inspiration for all things literary. Reading, writing, the whole nine. He passed away in March of 2009. Since then it has been hard to pick up a book and it's been impossible to write. This is the year that things will change. He wouldn't want me to sit around and waste what he considered talent, so in honor of him, I will move forward with my writing and reading.

    I have never heard of Nano, so I want to thank you for introducing me to the website. :) Good luck with everything in November. I will be rooting for you.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier! New follower.

    Have a nice weekend!

    Melissa @Spews of My Views

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    1. So sorry to hear about your grandfather. Even though my grandpa was 90 when he died, we were surprised. It felt like he would be around forever- plus I'm from a family where 100 year old people commonly happen. No matter how old someone is, we always think we have another day or month or year.

      Are you going to do NaNo too?

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  14. I'm sorry about your losses, but hope your blog has been something positive for you!

    New follower :)
    My FF Post

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  15. I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope blogging helps you along the way! The blogging community is vast and totally friendly! I've made so many blogger buddies over the years it's incredible!

    Thanks for visiting and following my blog! I follow you now too!

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  16. What an inspiration! I am super impressed. I am a new Linky follower, thanks for the follow!

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  17. Hi, I have nominated you for the versatile blog award. For more info, visit http://finithajose.blogspot.in/2012/07/versatile-blogger-award.html
    Congrats!

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  18. I am very happy you have found a positive thing to help with your losses. Your mother was so correct.

    Thanks for stopping by A Bookish Co-op. You very much get a follow from us. :D

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  19. I'm sorry for your losses, and I'm glad that you are still able to think positively through it all. :)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and following. I'm following via GFC and twitter. :)

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  20. I like the name of your blog. How apt.
    Thanks for stopping by.
    Following back.

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  21. Good on you for trying to do something positive. Welcome to the blogging world. Hope your enjoying it!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Good luck with NaNoWriMo, I've done it twice now and 'won' both times. It's hard but definitely worth it.
    Feel free to 'add' me on the NaNo site, my user name is 'Barmy_Bex'
    Have a fab weekend!

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  22. Wow - what a story. I'm so sorry to hear that.

    Thanks for stopping by. I followed you back via GFC and Linky!

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  23. Wow , I'm very sorry to hear that. :/ So many losses, in such a short time. I'm really happy to see that you're staying positive! And I'm very proud to say I'm a new follower of yours. (:
    Here is my FF :
    http://cheerfulreviews.blogspot.com/2012/07/feature-follow.html

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  24. So this blog is like a tribute to them a little. I always felt like I could get lost in a book and that's what I always do when I feel down so starting a blog about reading is a great thing for that! Old follower. I always enjoy reading your blog :)

    Thanks for stopping by my post.

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