A Look Back over 2020 and Considering the Year Ahead

What I’ve Learned with One Year of Blogging:

January 1 completes my one year journey into blogging. It has been hard, and challenging at times, but also lots of fun. I enjoy learning new things, and there is always something new to learn with a blog. It’s amazing all the work that goes into creating a webspace. Obviously, writing, but there are so many different skills I didn’t realize I would need. The process of finding a web host, figuring out WordPress, learning basic coding, learning about Search Engine Optimization (SEO), social media engagement, etc. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the process as well and what I like and don’t like.

What I’ve Learned

Coding vs. Writing

I’ve learned that I enjoy website design and SEO more than I like writing. I like sharing book recommendations, but the process of translating from my brain to the computer in a meaningful way can be a grind.

Research

I love doing research, I could do research all day! Reading as a job requirement? Yes, please! I love going to the library and bookstores and browsing online and reading literary journals and other blogs. Publishers Weekly is my current favorite.

Design

I enjoy the art aspect of blogging. Designing a web page and deciding where to put the text and the pictures is fun but I also have no clue what I’m doing. Luckily a friend was able to help out with the logo and color scheme.

I use Canva to design Pinterest pins and blog post covers. It’s free and easy for newbies to learn. Learning about graphic design has been fun, and my husband has been a great help. He has a bachelor of arts in graphic design, and is also a professional photographer so that helps with my photography skills!

Articles

I’ve learned what posts do well; articles about Caldecott awards are very popular, as are quotes. Listings of “best of” type posts are more popular than posts reviewing a single book. Original pictures are so much more popular than stock photography. Google tends to rank unique pictures better, and readers enjoy ‘real’ pictures more.

The Children’s Book Industry

I’ve learned a lot about children’s book creators and how they do what they do. I’m learning what it takes to become one and the challenges children’s authors and illustrators face. I’m much more critical of children’s books too. Since lots of kids’ books are so simple, it’s easy to think that the process of writing one would be easy too. But the more you read, the more you can tell what is a good story and what is twaddle, and what pictures draw in the readers and tell their own story. Some of our favorite books don’t even have words, they are told through illustrations only.

Looking Forward

I’m excited to explore new avenues of communication such as YouTube and podcasts. The YouTube videos of people reading a book look like fun. I think of web posting as sort of the Wild West – it’s new and unexplored territory. It’s constantly changing and you have to stay on your toes to keep up! Even the ‘science’ of SEO can change. Google is always updating its algorithms to become increasingly smarter, and one small change could lead to losing half your audience overnight.

I am so lucky to have two wonderful children to help me with my book reviews. Having Ava and searching for good books to read together is what motivated me to start this blog. She is also a great children’s book critic and will not mince words about sharing what she does or does not like. Getting a child’s perspective is so important with children’s book reviews!

I’m also so lucky to have my mom and husband contribute to the blog with some amazing guest posts. I love getting different perspectives and book recommendations!

I’m proud that I managed to keep this blog afloat for one year, and I’m eager to keep it going for many years to come. All in all, this has been a fun adventure and I’m excited to see what the future brings. Thanks to everyone who stumbled across this and decided to keep reading!