As part of the blog tour for Tonight the Streets Are Ours, I’m answering some questions today that Leila put together ask bloggers (since a blogger plays a pretty big role in the story). I’m also giving away a copy of Tonight The Streets Are Ours thanks to Macmillan!
What’s one thing you wish all your readers knew?
Generally speaking, I hope all of my readers know how much it means to me when they take time to read my blog. More specifically, I wish more people knew how much work goes into being a blogger. I think sometimes just looking at a blog post or seeing tweets, it’s easy to think that it’s all chatting and reading good books. But it’s also networking and minor coding. Writing a review can take hours or even days. Some thematic lists can take me a month to put together. I know other bloggers get it, but I would like for everyone to realize that this is really a labor of love.
What’s the hardest part about being a blogger?
Definitely having to live in the future. I often get the opportunity to read books months before they publish. But then I have to wait until they’re out to start recommending them and talking about them. It’s so hard sometimes when I just want everyone to read my latest amazing find so we can all talk about it!
In TONIGHT THE STREETS ARE OURS Peter purposefully keeps his blog a secret from his friends and family so he can write whatever he wants about them. What do your friends and family think about your blog? Do they read it and comment on it?
My family never comments on my blog. I do have an aunt and cousin who I *think* read it (maybe even this post?) and my mom checks it sometimes. Any friends I have who read it are probably other bloggers who comment occasionally. I think most people are impressed by my blog and the fact that I’ve kept it going for so long (eight years and counting) and also some of the things it’s led to (like my interview with Gabrielle Zevin being featured in the paperbacks of All These Things I’ve Done and Because It Is My Blood). I’m a librarian so my blog has also become a big part of my professional identity which is an interesting thing (a new coworker told me in his first month here that he had been reading my blog for some time). Unlike Peter, I tend to assume everyone I know can find my blog and will read it. It’s a good way to keep myself honest–but not too honest!
What’s your favorite comment you’ve ever gotten?
I love every comment I get, but this one from Sydney on my interview with Claire Legrand about her book Winterspell is a recent favorite:
“I REALLY want to read this book now! Before all I knew was that it was a Nutcracker retelling-not-quite-retelling, and while that intrigued me I still wasn’t sure. But reading Legrand’s answers to these questions has definitely piqued my interest. I love that Clara ends up in a land that is ruled by women and grows to learn that she herself is a powerful woman. I definitely want more stories like that on my shelves. :P Great interview, Emma!”
Maybe it’s the librarian in me but I really love when I know one of my posts inspired someone to pick up a book I love!
Have you ever written a blog post that you later regretted?
I was hesitant to share either of these because I don’t like remembering the incidents involved, BUT I also am always in favor of full disclosure when possible, so here we go:
I have one critical review that reminded me that blogging is often a dialog–both with readers/bloggers and sometimes with authors. This review, in particular, became important because the author emailed me about it. That is never something I want to see an author doing (especially since I didn’t tag them or anything) but it was a really good reminder that authors can and will read my reviews whether I like them or not. I still have the response saved in my email and I think about it often to remember that even if I really, really didn’t like a book it doesn’t always mean that no one will.
In a less “teachable moment” vein I also tried when I first started this blog to keep it anonymous and often shared funny things coworkers would say (all using nicknames of course). I only had friends and people I told directly reading the blog at that point. You can, therefore, imagine my surprise when–in the middle of a discussion–a coworker blurted something along the lines of, “You’re going to put this on your blog now, aren’t you?” It wasn’t a great moment for me but it was a really good reminder that anyone (and everyone) can find your blog online.
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So those are my answers to Laila’s questions for the blog tour. Now, onto a fun thing that’s in the works:
If you’re getting excited about Tonight the Streets Are Ours (and seriously, why wouldn’t you be excited?!) you might also want to check out a little something Leila and Macmillan have put together for September 19:
Tonight we adventure.
Tonight we make dreams come true.
Tonight this town belongs to us.
#TonightTheStreetsAreOurs.
On Saturday, September 19, starting at sundown and going as late as you want, do something fun, make a record of it, and share it with the world. Using the hashtag #TonightTheStreetsAreOurs, instagram or tweet whatever happens in your night. If you’re going to a party, aimlessly driving around with friends, or watching a movie alone in your PJs, we want to hear about it.
Here’s why: We’re celebrating the launch of Leila Sales’s novel TONIGHT THE STREETS ARE OURS, the story of a 17-year-old girl who goes on an epic all-night road trip to NYC with her best friend in pursuit of her favorite blogger. It’s the sort of night where anything can happen, and almost everything does.
Now it’s your turn. Whatever you’re doing with your night, wherever you live, however old you are: you’re invited. Leila will be livestreaming her own nighttime adventures so you can join her remotely (link to be posted here). Or just do your own thing and post it online. We are all in this together. #TonightTheStreetsAreOurs.
As we gear up for the big night, invite your friends, and leave a comment below with a story about some amazing night when the streets were yours. One lucky commenter on this page and three people who participate in the event on September 19 will win signed copies of the book.
Together, we will own this night.
I’m also giving away a copy of Tonight The Streets Are Ours thanks to Macmillan!
Miss Print 