Wednesday, September 17, 2008

BBAW Guest: Book Binge: It's All About the Books

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.


_________________
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

(Amy here: don't you love them? I've actually read their blog for months, but have only recently made their acquaintance)

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

That post has me intrigued. I'm definitely heading over to check out this blog. If it's as good as this post, I'm sure I'll be hooked.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I ever considered group blogging. Not that I don't like working with people, but it just never occured to me. Besides, all my friends tend to be non-bloggers. haha. So it wouldn't work out anyways. But it sounds like a great idea if I find someone to work with one day. =)

I would love a change to win those ARCs. I love the idea of continuing one of those classics. =)
- Carmen T
carmenalexistsang[at]gmail[dot]com

Ruth Schaller said...

I have never considered group blogging. I have enough trouble blogging on my own... LOL. But I loved what you had to say here!

Also, I would enter anything where I can get free books! That's all I seem to be doing lately, is reading, reading, reading. Count me in for this one!

Tracee said...

I've never really thought of group blogging and even though it sounds like it could be a little extra work it might be fun! Love the idea:)

novelnoise(at)live(dot)com

Alessandra said...

I've never considered group blogging before, but this post really cracked me up! I'll make sure to check out your blog.

cindysloveofbooks said...

Group blogging sounds really good. I am sure it must be time consuming. It might be something I would be interested in later on but not right now as I am having problems with my 5 year old not wanting to go to school.

Please count me in for the draw please. Love reading.

cindysloveofbooksarcATgmailDOTcom

Anonymous said...

That's a hilarious post! And the books don't sound too bad, either! :)

hannah.free AT gmail.com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Group blogging sounds like a lot of fun. I am definitely inspired to ask a friend to join up with me!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Majgie said...

Group blogging sounds fun.. though probably not for me unless I found someone over the internet that I clicked with well enough to try it. You guys are hilarious.. I am headed over to check out your blog after this post!

And please, include me in your drawing.

raynedancergirl AT gmail DOT com

Madeleine said...

Group blogging is something I would like to do, I think I would enjoy it.
Great post. I once had such a fight over a book via e-mail, the problem is she lived accross the Atlantic, so we became stuck in this fight...sigh

Anonymous said...

That was a fantastic post ladies. I haven't checked out Book Binge yet, but the three of you are so entertaining that I'm going to go on and head over there now.

Holly said...

Majgie,
Actually, the three of us met online (on an author message board) and eventually started blogging together. It still seems strange to me, but really worth it. ;)

Amy,
Thanks so much for having us today!

CrystalGB said...

I visit Book Binge every day. I love their blog.

Anonymous said...

You guys are awesome, Holly's aparts are hilarious. I love the Book Binge, read it every sinlge day.

You say it's hard to run a group blog, but I couldn't imagine how it would be to do it all on my own. I heart Thea.

(don't need to enter me in the contest)

Carolyn Crane said...

I heart book binge!!

Anonymous said...

Now that was fun to read! I am going to have to spend some time at Book Binge now to see all the antics that go on.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

This is a great post! I confess I've thought about blogging with another person, but after reading your post I'm not sure I'd dare! (Fights? Eek!) Definitely going to check out your site though!

Ronnica said...

You all are funny! I'm going to check out your group blog!

Anonymous said...

Every time I check back in on BBAW, I get a new book blog to read. Thanks to Amy and the other book bloggers for guest posts and interviews, introducing me to the many BBAW participants.
And yes, I'd love to take a crack at the ARCs.
I am, as ever:
ewillseATgmail
elizabethwillse.wordpress.com

Julie P. said...

I think group blogging would take the community aspect of blogging to an entirely new level! How funny!

Unknown said...

Fun post! Sounds like the good outweighs the bad (at least most of the time)!

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

What a great post, very funny too. It seems these three have the perfect chemistry for a great group blog. I will check out Book Binge for sure!

Dev said...

Oh look! It's some of my favorite people :-) Glad to see you featured today!!!

Mari said...

What a fun post! I am heading over to Book Binge Now!

Anonymous said...

Group blogging certainly sounds interesting! *Thanks* for sharing your viewpoints and experience with us :)

ols[dot]moonmaiden[at]gmail[dot]com

Rowena said...

Thanks everyone for your kind words and the good far outweigh the bad, especially since me and Holly act more like spoiled sisters than anything so I'm sure other group blogs aren't as dysfunctional as we are, LOL.

But I love my blogging buddies!

Kathleen said...

Thanks for some insight into group blogging! The post was funny to read too.

Icedream said...

I certainly can see the benefits of a group blog, the more I read and thought about it, the better it's sounding to me. :D I enjoy blogging but it sure eats up so much time that I get so behind. I love Book Binge and if I were capable of paying attention I would have made the name connections before today!

Kris said...

These ladies are awesome, if you have not checked them out, you should :)

Rebekah (monkeygirlsmama) said...

Aww, you guys are awesome. One day when I start my own site I'd be honored to have 1/2 as much love, tenacity, strength, and sass as you three have together. What a great blog!

RebekahC
littleminx@cox.net

Anna said...

I love Book Binge! It was interesting that this post came about when it did, as a friend and I are getting ready to launch a blog together.

--Anna (Diary of an Eccentric)

Cindy W said...

We have a challenge blog that has several authors http://readersofromance.blogspot.com

I just love to read it and it gets updated often!

April said...

LOL - what an awesome post!! Great info and great fun.

Dina said...

I actually have my very own copy of Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force :), but the others looks like great reads too.

I've only had my blog since May, but it doesn't get mant visitors, that's the hard part.

photoquest said...

I just had to go over and check out Book Binge what a neat site. I think the Group Blogging sounds like a lot of fun. I have really enjoyed this week going to all the different blog sites!
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Jen Forbus said...

I'm doing my best just to get a guest blogger...:)

Lenore Appelhans said...

I've thought about getting one of my friends to join my blog and talk about Some German books...

Casee said...

What Holly forgot to add is that even though we met online, we stalk each other in real life now. LOL

Wendy said...

I visit The Book Binge all the time, it's one of my favorite book blogs. :)

Rowena said...

Hey Dina,

I'll be over to your blog in a little bit to check things out, I see that you're a romance reader so I may have to start blog stalking you now. =)

And Jen,

If you need a guest blogger, Holly would love to write one up for you! ;P But if she doesn't, I'll guest blog for you!

Casee said...

Yeah, Holly is so creative that she almost has too much to say. I've never known anyone who loves guest blogging as much as she does.

Rowena said...

My thoughts exactly Casee!

Beatrice said...

I just read an article in Writer's Digest that suggests group blogs. I've done co-modding of a Yahoo group, and that resulted in drama, so I can imagine a blog would too. Keep up the good work, guys!

darbyscloset said...

I think "group blogging" is a great idea, especially since you mentioned "life getting in the way".....sveral times I have thought about having my own blog yet I'm araid "life" would not allow me the time it requires.
So doing it as a group is a very good suggestion....something for me to bring up at our next book club meeting!!!
Thanks!!
Darby
darbyscloset (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

You ladies are so fun. I love your blog too!
Tracy Bookroomreviews@hotmail.com

Amanda said...

That was a hilarious post. I think group blogging is a great idea. You get a lot of different ideas, opinions, split up the work and it makes it a lot of fun. Maybe someday I'll convince someone to do one with me once I get my blog running a bit more smoothly. Would love to win these books. Thanks

awalworth19(at)gmail(dot)com.

Anonymous said...

That's hilarious!! Group blogging looks like it's a blast!

Unknown said...

I definitely enjoy group blogging! I'd love to win the ARC because I love being introduced to new books and authors.

Tarasview said...

I love reading group blogs!

Anonymous said...

I love this interview. So much fun. I love all the personalities that are out.

Anonymous said...

what a fun post! I'm definitely going to check out their blog now. :)

Anonymous said...

I think group blogging is great. I have never seen blogs get together like this. I think it's great.

Anita Yancey said...

I loved your write up about running a book blog. Some of it made me laugh. But all in all it sounds like a lot of work. You do it well. Thanks!
ayancey@dishmail.net

Jackie B. said...

Loved this post. The ladies are so funny. I will have to check out their blog and bookmark it. I would also like a shot at the 5 ARCs.

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