In today’s Blogger Spotlight, we’re shining a light on Monika Reads. Monika Reads reviews a wide array of books but also puts personal content on there including their love for books and poetry and short stories.
What made you get into blogging?
I’ve always loved reading and writing. When I joined Twitter, I noticed that a lot of people had their blogs and for years I wanted to do the same, but I never had the courage. Part of it stems from the fact that English is my second language, I was born in Poland but moved to the UK in 2008, and even though I speak, read, and write fluent English, there was that nagging doubt at the back of my mind that I might never be good enough. It also stems from my own anxieties and being diagnosed with endometriosis.
However, this year I decided that I can no longer hide and I’m going to try and do it. My purpose is to share my book experiences, my love for books, but with a twist: from time to time, I publish my poetry and my short stories. I feel bashful about my own writing, but I want to get it out there. It’s very personal, as it’s either involves unreciprocated love (I’m happily married now, but we’ve all experienced unreciprocated love at some stage in our lives), or my struggles with chronic pain. I hope there is something on my blog for everyone.
What’s your most successful post?
My blog is relatively new, and my most successful post was a book review of ‘Black Drop’ by Leonora Nattrass. I reviewed it as part of a #BlackDropBlogTour organised by Viper Books, it was my first book blog tour, and I enjoyed it immensely.
What’s been your biggest uphill battle with blogging?
It’s finding time to sit down and blog – I love it, but my life is so busy with work (I’m a primary school teacher) and my two children. I’ve been posting quite a lot recently but it’s only because we are on October break. When schools go back, I will have to become very organised as I am taking part in four book blog tours, and I am reviewing two crime thrillers for another publisher. It’s all very exciting, but I will have to make sure I have time for myself too, as mental health is very important.
What are you most proud of about your blog?
I am proud of the fact that my blog is out there, I thought I’d never have the courage to even write one post. I am proud that I am building interactions with authors and publishers and meeting new bloggers each day. I’m also proud that I offer my own writing in hope that it will inspire someone to start their own blogging journey.
What one tip would you give to people looking to start a blog?
Please don’t hesitate and do it. However, please do it for the right reasons – you’re not going to have a huge audience from day one, you will have to take it very slowly. One step at a time. Once you get started, you won’t regret it.
Where you can find Monika Reads:
- Blog: http://monikareads.wordpress.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cissova
