Thursday, February 18, 2016

BBAW: Staying connected


(Blogger is refusing to insert pictures this morning - or to center this one.)

Today's theme for BBAW is "Community connection." As the organizers point out, "We all know that the book blogging community is BIG, and it’s growing every day. It’s really easy to feel overwhelmed or totally lost. We want to know how you feel connected."

My first introduction to on-line book discussions - lord, going on twenty years ago now - was through listservs. I joined a Georgette Heyer group first, which led me to a Jane Austen group, and first to reading and then obsessing over discussing Dorothy Dunnett (and from there to so many other authors and books). Talking about books through emails and listserv posts became the norm for me, particularly when I had few readers around me in real life. Eventually I got to meet some on-line group members in person, when the book talk can move faster and more freely than our fingers can type. (Our Houston Heyer group is meeting for tea over the weekend, and several of us are also members of the local chapter of the Jane Austen society.)

When I started my blog, it was in part to talk about what I was reading outside of the group discussions. I had already begun following some blogs, and commenting on the posts - very nervously, because unlike the familiar listserv discussions, I wasn't sure about blog etiquette. On blogs like Shelf Love and Stuck in a Book, I could see a back-and-forth conversation about the books, which was really what I wanted (craved). I began to recognize bloggers in their comments on other people's posts, and I began to see connections in the community.

For me, those conversations, primarily through comments, are still the main way that I feel connected to the community. When I discover a new-to-me blog, it can feel a little intimidating to post a comment, particularly in a lively discussion where everyone obviously knows each other. I've found that bloggers are generally welcoming, and those I follow regularly make an effort to respond to comments and keep the conversation going - I do on mine. If a blogger never responds, or doesn't respond to my comments, after a while it starts to feel like I'm intruding on a conversation, and I usually stop commenting.

I don't use a lot of social media, but I joined Twitter, first to follow bloggers and book-related accounts (though I'm easily distracted). I've joined in some book discussions there, like last year's #6Barsets read of Trollope's Barchester series. The character limit does require creativity!  And I use Library Thing, but while I have found bloggers through it and now have "friends," I haven't really figured out that side of it yet.

I have yet to meet any bloggers in person, though I would love to. There's talk of a meet-up at the national Jane Austen society meeting in Washington later this year. And I have a standing invitation for anyone visiting the Houston area, for coffee/tea/adult beverages and a bookstore crawl.

18 comments:

  1. It is so hard to start participating in a new community -- you don't know what any of the norms are! I was so glad to have people like Ana and Andi when I was a new baby blogger, who were obviously well-liked and intelligent, and I just tried to imitate whatever they were doing. :p

    I didn't know you were in Houston! We aren't even that far away! If I go visit family there one time this year, I will be sure to drop a line to you so we can get a drink and some books.

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    1. I think I imprinted on Jenny & Teresa first, and then Simon - all excellent role models! and I followed links or comments on their blogs to discover still more. I'm pretty sure I found you through Shelf Love.

      It would be lovely to meet up! Since you know Houston, you already know the good bookstores. I've been dying to try my ranking of the Half Price Books out on a visitor :)

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  2. Make your way over to England, Lisa and I'll be sure to take you round Stratford and show you all the Shakespeare home.

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    1. I will take you up on the offer, Alex, on my next visit. Might I get to meet the Bears as well?

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    2. But of course! The Bears are very sociable and love meeting fellow bloggers. If you are very favoured they might even let you sit on their sofa and make you a plate of marmalade sandwiches.

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  3. I definitely get the fear of intruding on what feels like cliques, but more often than not it seems like everyone wants to extend their social circles! Meeting book bloggers irl is the actual best. I've only done it twice, but I'm looking forward to going to BEA and meeting more!

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    1. I would love to go to BEA. There's so much energy, when book people get together IRL.

      I think I've gotten more confident in blogging as well, so it's easier to comment even on new-to-me blogs.

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  4. I remember listservs and threads. Wow. I'm a commenter too, from way back. It's my best way to connect. And you're in Houseton - well, I'm just north of Austin. I'm waving!

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    1. Waving back from the Gulf Coast :) I've just been visiting your blog, and I see we have some similar taste in books!

      I'm still a member of several listservs, but less likely these days to read along with them.

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  5. Are you planning to go to the AGM in Washington? I am. It would be great to see you there! And if you ever happen to visit Nova Scotia, I hope you'll come to a JASNA NS meeting.

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    1. I am hoping to! I've never been to an AGM, and I'm still kicking myself for missing the Fort Worth meeting. I could have driven there!

      I have family in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but I've never visited Nova Scotia, and I'd love to one day.

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    2. I too was sad to miss the meeting in Forth Worth. I've been to several AGMs over the years and I've loved every single one of them. Please do let me know if you're going so we can be sure to meet in Washington. (My email address is on the contact page of my website, or you could message me on Twitter.) Or maybe I'll see you in Nova Scotia sometime!

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    3. Absolutely! I will make a note of your email address. This is a "milestone" birthday year for me, and I'm thinking more & more that the JASNA meeting will be my present to myself :)

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  6. How I wish I could snap my fingers and be over in Houston for coffee! I've only met a couple of bloggers. Evee is from the Scottish Borders so we've met up a few times in various places and then Peggy came all the way from near Pittsburg and we all went up to the Highlands. Blogging is a great way to meet like-minded people, even if it's only virtual.

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    1. It surely is, and it's lovely to feel the connections. If you and Jack ever decide on a US tour, I will be lobbying for a Texas stop :)

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  7. Thanks for the mention! It would be so lovely to meet when you're next in the UK - meeting bloggers in real life has always felt so surprisingly natural; it's like we've all known each other for years.

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    1. It does seem that way, from the reports - and I've had that experience meeting reading-group friends as well. I'd love to meet up, when I'm lucky enough to visit the UK again - and maybe even visit a bookstore or two :)

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Thank you for taking the time to read, and to comment. I always enjoy hearing different points of view about the books I am reading, even if we disagree!