When I started Typing Tiara I knew without a bit of doubt that I wanted it to be a YA book review blog, there was just nothing else that I could see myself doing. I fell in love with the book blogging community, felt as if I could belong there and set out to make it happen.
But what I didn't realize is that not only would joining this community help to free my inner bibliophile but all of the little nerdy parts of me. The girl who flips through the back issues in the drawers at the comic book store just on the off chance something new has popped up, that admires every single issue until she finds something new she might be interested in, and just generally scoures the store for anything and everything pertaining to Harley Quinn. And the girl who plays fighting games until her fingers and wrists are cramping to the point where she can't move them, the girl who has a Chun Li controller for her PS2 and a candy pink one for her xbox 360. The girl who loves to read YA also loves to game and to be a comic book nerd, the kind that dreams of cosplaying at Comicon.
I love my YA books, I always have and always will but sometimes I want more. I want to share more on Typing Tiara. Not a lot, just a post here or there or maybe even a nerdy meme [Adventures in the Nerddom is the meme idea I have been toying with] to get the other things out. But it feels wrong. I feel like its a betrayal to those who have come to me, who have followed me as a YA Book Review Blog and would be getting something different.
Everything has its place, Typing Tiara is for book reviews and my various other nerddoms go where exactly? Another blog? I can barely keep up with the demands of one. So those get locked away. Sometimes that little niche I found myself doesn't feel so cozy...sometimes it gets darn right cramped.
So how do you guys deal with it? Did you pick a niche and stick with it? Do you find ways of getting around being a so-and-so blog? How do you share yourself with your readers without spreading yourself too thin? How do you say everything you need/want to say without losing sight of where you started?
Interesting question....I originally set out to be a book blog, it just so happens that I read mainly YA, so it's kinda a YA blog by default. I did notice my occasional adult reviews got a lot less comments and traffic, so mainly stopped posting them at all. I don't mind the niche, but sometimes I think it'd be nice to bring more of myself into the blog, more personal posts. I think you should go ahead and try it. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out!
ReplyDeleteCait x
I don't usually mind the niche either as its my big time passion, I love YA. But sometimes, like you said, I would really like to bring more of myself into the blog. I like the idea of trying it out, seeing how it goes over and going from there. Thanks for the idea! :]
ReplyDeleteGirl, you need to go for this. I am already seriously loving the idea of it, and would whole-heartedly support you and comment like crazy! Even if your blog is a YA book blog, guess what? It's YOUR blog. You started this blog because of your love of reading, so you can do whatever you want with it! It's not like you're completly changing your blog to a comic blog. You're only starting a weekly feature, which I think is super unique and would definitely inspire me to branch out a little with my reading.
ReplyDeleteAsh- you need to do this. Seriously. Go for it.
-Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life
Really? I have the biggest smile on my face right now from reading your comment. I feel like have the biggest supporter ever in you. No matter what craziness I have proposed you have been all for it.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right. Typing Tiara is a YA book blog but it is also mine too.
I'll put a little bit more thinking into it as well as designing (a new feature would merit a button of its own!) and I guess we'll see what happens.
Thank you for that, Aneeqah! Thank you so very much. <3
I am totally supporting you in your decision! I think it's totally going to make your blog stand out, because face it, how many YA blog are out there? Like, a bajillion. Seriously. So you're going to be apart from the crowd, which is exactly what you want to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that I could make you happy, Ash. After all, what are friends for? <3
-Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life
PS: I could make you a button, if you wanted! Just let me know what you're looking for. ;)
You make a good point, I hadn't really thought of it as something that would make Typing Tiara stand out. And its not like I'm taking anything away, I'll be people all of the other normal posts and there would still be TONS of YA because it is the heart of Typing Tiara. And you're right, I do want to stand out a little. There are a lot of blogs out there doing the same thing.
ReplyDeleteBeing amazing. That is exactly what friends are for. <3
I'll let you know about the button, thank you so much for the offer! :D
I think doing different things brings in new readers. Some of my most popular posts are TV/movie related even though I'm a book blogger. I think people like stuff that is different. I'm currently planning to do a great Roswell re-watch and connecting it to YA books & TV.
ReplyDeleteI occasionally post other things. Normally mainly photos of vacations or my garden. I try to space them out and not do them ALL the time, at most once a month (sometimes my vacation photos take multiple posts though) normally every few months.
I was considering that possibility as well but I was afraid that it would possibly alienate my other readers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your advice, Cassi! Definitely going to take it into consideration since you make so many good points. :]