Let's Talk: Book Blogging Goals

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: What are your top book blogging goals?

This is a question I pose to myself a lot, actually. I've been at this for two and a half years now. I know. Crazy, right? It started as a hobby, but I began to take pride in it, and I began to really enjoy what I was writing. Yes, it's still a hobby, but I put more effort in it now, and I really want to make something of myself as a blogger. What exactly that is...don't ask me. I'm still working on it. Regardless, I set goals for myself each year (sometimes each month), and posting them online helps me with accountability, and plus it really helps build familiarity with those bloggers I follow and admire, as well. So, without further ado...my blogging goals:

1. Transition my blog from Blogger to Wordpress. I've been grappling with this one for a long time. I think I've wanted to do it since late 2010 but, frankly, I'm too dang scared. I know that Wordpress is far superior in terms of SEO. I also know that there's something to be said for owning my own material, rather than having that constant lurking fear that Google actually owns me. So, this one will happen. Courage, self!

2. Comment more. This one stings a little bit. I was SO good at commenting last year. I really was. Then, a lot of personal stuff happened, I got a new job, I moved and everything was thrown up in the air. I still blogged, but I found myself extremely burned out. Now I'm just trying to find that balance again and really interact more again. It will happen. Soon.

3. Do more author interviews. This one is a complete and utter failure on my behalf. It's not that I don't want to do interviews, it's that I hate having repetitive questions and when I don't, I feel like my questions are too lofty and pretentious. This one is sheer lunacy on my part, and I really need to get better at it, especially because I love all the authors out there!

4. Be a better mentor. I've been in this game a while now, kiddos. I know the ropes fairly well, though I'll admit things are constantly changing. I think it's important to help the novice bloggers that really want to succeed though. There is a right and wrong way of doing things, and we've all seen what can happen if one falls into the wrong category here. The point is that I just want to lend what little expertise I have and share that wealth.

5. Build on this discussion feature. It took me a long time to actually decide to make Let's Talk a feature. I did a few posts at random every now and again, but it wasn't anything because I was too worried it would fail. I think I need to own my ideas and just back them with confidence.

6. Be confident. Regardless of the successes I've head here on le blog, I lack confidence a lot of the time. Jenny can vouch for that, as I usually pour my endless woes to her via text, twitter, email...and just about every other medium possible. I want to be in a place where I know I'm being the best I can be, really hone my skills and just go with my gut because, let's be honest, that's what makes us all unique.

I could probably list a dozen or so more, but the bottom line is that I need to own what I have here at my blog. And when I say I need to own it, I mean I need to OWN it and be proud. Same goes for all of you. Take pride in what you do, and above all else - have fun!