I’m participating in the Armchair BEA again this year because, as much as I wanted to, I just wasn’t able to swing passes to the actual BEA. I participated last year, but I was still pretty new to the whole scene, so I kind of spent more time lurking in the shadows than actually interacted. I think I’ve come a long way in the last year and I’m not nearly as shy, so this time I’m going all in.
Today is “Interview Yourself” day, and it’s a great way to get to know each other. I’m thrilled that the questions are already laid out for me, I’m not the best at interviews. So here’s the deal: we all got to pick which five questions we wanted to answer off a list of ten. Just five. No more, no less. Pretty doable, right? Without further rambling, here are mine:
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
I suppose I should answer this one, although I’m horrible with the “about me” stuff. Just check out my About page to get an idea of how much I stink at talking about who I am. Hi, my name is Nicole (or Nikki, I’ll answer to either), and I’m a blogger. We definitely need a support group, right? Although it would never be anonymous, since we’re far from anonymous online! In fact, we do pretty much everything we can to get our names out there! I’ve been blogging seriously for about 1.5 years, although I did start blogging a bit back in 2009. I got into it because it seemed like something to do. I like writing for myself because I spend a lot of time freelance writing for others. It’s my place to be me.
2. What is your favorite feature on your blog?
As far as book blogging goes, I love hosting author guest posts. While I really enjoy writing reviews, I absolutely love having authors featured in their own voices. I’m extremely easy-going when it comes to author posts, so if you’re a writer, feel free to drop me an email (use the contact form on my About page) and let me know you want to write a guest post for me.
3.Where do you see your blog in five years?
Hopefully making it big time, earning me enough money to live on so I can continue to focus on my own writing. I’ll still write for select clients that I adore, but it would be nice to spend most of my time just writing for me. Plus, not being totally broke all the time would definitely be a plus! I’m not in it for the money, but let’s face it, we all need the green stuff to survive and I’d rather make it doing something I truly love.
4. What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?
Anyone who has met me or talked to me for five minutes already knows this answer to this. Hands down, Wonderland. Why? Because it’s Wonderland, people! Talking caterpillars, cats that tell you you’re mad before vanishing, a white rabbit in waistcoats. What’s not to love? I think I can take that pesky Queen of Hearts! I’ve taken on much worse people and still remained standing.
5. Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?
I read a lot more indie authors now than ever before. Part of the reason is that I have a Kindle now. The other part is that there are so many talented indie authors who really deserve the exposure, and they’re such a huge pleasure to work with.
Wonderland DOES sound like a fun place to visit! I have also found that I read more self published authors now. I think I just never really knew about their books before. Having a kindle might have something to do with that too.
Agree with you on the indie authors! I didn’t read any before I started blogging, but they’re great!
It would be nice to be able to live off of blogging! I’m still really far from that goal, but a gal can dream, right?
Pleased to meet you, and thanks for stopping by my Armchair BEA Intro Post.
I love Alice in Wonderland, I hope to visit the place and meet the mad hatter 😀 but I think I wanna go to Narnia too and meet Aslan and Prince Caspian!!! <3 I hope what you want for your blog will come true in the next five years 🙂
My Introduction post here
–Jay
We Fancy Books
I understand that you love author guest posts, they can be very fascinating and entertaining.
Have a great week.
I definitely think there are some great indie authors out there. I love finding new reads that are so amazing and getting the chance to share my finds. Great meeting you!
Wonderland is awesome! I saw someone else say in their intro post that wonderland is actually our world seen through the eyes of a child. I thought that was so cool! Nice to meet you 🙂
I think Wonderland kinda scares me! I skipped that question because I couldn’t pick one place.
I’ve also found more indie authors through blogging. I admit, I had a negative opinion of self-published authors until recently, not realizing that many solicit editing services, professional cover design and marketing teams. They aren’t all just uploading a story to Smashwords. I know an indie author who has been a great resource for me on story structure and book promotions (if I ever get that far!). Also, her book was better than a few of the major publishing house releases in the same genre I’d read.
Thanks for introducing yourself!
Hi, Nikki! Nice to meet you. Love that you also have Wonderland as your answer too. It sounds fantastical!
Wonderland is such a great answer!!! 🙂
Mickey @ imabookshark
PS – Come visit my introduction? Thanks!
A talking caterpillar would be pretty awesome – gotta admit. 🙂
It was so nice to meet you! Armchair BEA @ the Brunette Librarian
Visiting Wonderland would be awesome!
Hey Nicole,
Yay Wonderland! I’d like to go there, no green stuff needed, well, maybe if you need to get big or small, but hey there’s other things for that!
Also, sending you something, have a good one!
I would be too scared of the Cheshire Cat to go to Wonderland, but I hope you send a postcard.
Yes, Wonderland! It’d be SO awesome to visit that. o: Cool! Although I remember it was a bit scary as a child 😉 I’m with you on the indie as well!
Thanks for stopping by!
I agree on Wonderland!!! I’d love to go have a tea party, to walk around the world and explore…just everything! I’ve always been a fan of the story.
Thanks for stopping by mine!
Hi Nikki, nice to meet you! Ooo, Wonderland would be such a unique place to visit it! Fun and maybe a bit scary at times, haha. Also, I think it’s great you’ve started reading more books by indie authors, and working with them. Book blogging really does open you up to new experiences!
Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂 Have a great week!
Great choice with Wonderland! 🙂