This post is part of BBAW and is also being posted at My Friend Amy.
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Rowena
Have you ever wanted to jump in your car and drive hours to someone’s house to strangle them over a simple email? Have you ever wanted to scream out in frustration because someone didn’t like your idea and you thought it was genius? Have you ever thought someone was cracked out and on drugs because they thought it would be great idea to throw a contest that you absolutely hated and had no money to fund? (Holly: You have no idea!)
If you said yes to any of the above questions then you have been or are part of a group blog.
Group blogging is not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure (H: No joke). Having to work together with other people who’s personalities will clash, and will not always see things as you do, can be a lot to take on. Some might argue that branching off and doing your own thing, having your own blog, is the easier route to take. That way you don’t have to answer to anyone. But for me, team blogging works.
There are a lot of down sides to group blogging but for me, the up sides of group blogging is what truly matters. It’s what makes blogging worth the work.
Through our sweat, blood and tears….Book Binge has turned out pretty damn terrific. Holly and myself fight at least once a month (H: She’s being generous – it’s more like once a week) but that doesn’t stop us from calling each other to brainstorm over ideas for our next writing adventure. That doesn’t stop us from loving the heck out of our book blog and each other and being so hot damn proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. Sometimes I think Casee (the calm and collected one in our blog) (H: What? Calm and collected? Casee??) thinks we’re both pretty nuts but that’s okay because she loves us anyway. Nobody works as hard together for Book Binge as the three of us do.
The beauty of having blogging teammates is that real life gets in the way sometimes and having a group of bloggers there to have your back, to pick up the slack when you can’t be there, is always a bonus. A lot more can be accomplished with help. Running a book blog, a successful book blog, is truly a huge undertaking and it requires a lot of work, reading and more work. We couldn’t have done what we do all alone and I’m glad that we don’t have to because I love my blogging buddies. I love our little book blog family and am really blessed to have the both of them to rejoice in our successes and snap at when I’m annoyed. (H: Aww, you wanna hug it out?)
Because really, you can’t have one without the other. ;P
Casee:
The calm and collected one? Me? I can honestly say that no one has ever called me calm and collected. (H: That’s because you aren’t calm and collected. I think Rowena is on crack) Thanks, Rowena. LOL
I love reviews. Years ago, I was reading reviews on Amazon.com to find new authors. It wasn’t long before I was writing them on Amazon. The reason I did this was simple…I wanted to help readers find new authors to try. I didn’t even know that book blogs existed until Holly and Rowena started their first blog. Then I became addicted. Addicted to book blogs.
It took me awhile to get enough courage to start my own, but I eventually did. My reviews were strictly for readers, with no punches pulled. I believe there was a lot of cursing. After a few months, Holly asked me if I wanted to join BB. She wanted me for my reviews, but she got so much more. *evil cackle* (H:Boy do I regret that)
Before joining BB, I had no idea the time and effort that goes into maintaining a group blog. There is drama, there are fights, and there is fun. Beneath all that is books, which all three of us love. It’s that love of books that keeps the three of us and this blog going.
Holly
Seriously, Casee is not calm and collected. She’s just less vocal about being un-calm and collected than Rowena and I are. Trust me, I know these things.
The truth is, running a group blog is a lot of work, but it’s also very rewarding. We inspire each other, support each other, cover for each other and yes, fight with each other. But in the end, it’s all about the love…and the books. Ok, so mostly it’s about the books.
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Leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered to win 5 ARCs (advance reader copy) of upcoming novels from Sourcebooks Casablanca.
Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force
Dating da Vinci by Malena Lott
Dark Highland Fire by Kendra Leigh Castle
Warrior by Cheryl Brooks
The Wild Sight by Loucinda McGray
Well, you guys rock–and it’s funny how much stays behind the scenes (where it belongs, by the way :wink:)
Here’s raising my coffee to you, ladies!
You’re blog is absolutely awesome. Love it. I love the theme of this post, because it’s so very true.
I love your blog and it’s great to see a glimpse of what happens behinds the scenes. I’ve wondered myself a couple of times how it would be to write a group blog.
I can imagine doing a group blog is hard work but you guys have made it work out and it’s a great blog.
Great post. I love your blog. I come here every day.
Yo uguys are awesome. This is my favorite group blog. You ladies crack me up and have great reviews, what is not to love 🙂
Book Binge is a kickass blog and you ladies do a great job. 🙂
blogs are great your is very good.
kh
Aw, I loved this post!
Never would have thought you all had it out behind the scenes. I guess it’s inevitable though when dealing with different personalities. What counts is that it never reaches the pages of this blog. That is commendable and shows how much you three really respect and care about each other and your readers.
This blog is the reason why I know anything about book blogs. I am riding in on Casee’s entry since I read her reviews, and then she moved, and I came with her. That sounds a lot more stalkerish than it really is, especially since I’ve met Casee once LOL.
I think you all do a great job w/reviews and I try to check in at least once a week.
Yes, just call me Saint Casee. I think it fits.
Gaby,
Stalk me anytime, sweetie. 😉
Recently discovered your blog, now I have it bookmarked and try to visit daily!
Hey, compared to me and you, Holly…she should be up for Sainthood! LOL.
And thanks everyone, we’re really grateful that there are actual people who like to read our ramblings! haha.
Congrats to you ladies on a fantastic blog.
Even though you may not agree with each other (and occasionally fight)the respect you all have for each others opinions shines through.
Keep up the good work.
~Lilly
You Ladies have done a wonderful job!! I thoroughly enjoy stopping in here to see what you have to say & to find new book ideas. Keep up the good work. You don’t want to agree on everything that would get dull & boring.
Thank you,
Susan B.
sbussey AT windstream.net
I’m a newbie here at BB and although I haven’t quite gotten to know each of you ladies here, I can tell you put much effort and time into the reviews you post. For that I’m very grateful because I’m a voracious reader and spending money on books that are not good (for lack of a better word) is really frustrating and wasteful. Not only does BB provide helpful and quality reviews on books for me, I am also entertained by your writings. I am now enjoying checking out new authors that I would otherwise not have taken a chance on, thankyouverymuch. Needless to say, BB is one of the few blogs that I check out first thing in the morning at work (sssh, haha). Now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that your blog won’t be blocked at work as a few others have recently been……
Hi Ladies, that was soooo interesting, a behind the scenes look at the blood, sweat, tears & tantrums of running a blog! Who knew?
Great work, ladies!
Just found your blog and I’m loving it.