So last Friday, I was in a rush to finish Altered (so that I could mail it out to the next person on the ARC) tour, and one of my friends approached and said, "What're you reading? Oh, psh, you're reading for fun? I don't have the time to do that."
And I was this close to snapping at her.
From a lot of strangers or family members, I get the occasional, "Oh, you do this for fun? / I don't have time to read / Is this why your GPA isn't as high as it could be?" etc. etc. My friends, though, a good amount of them know I blog. They respect it, or I used to think that they did. When they ask me about my blog, I get both nervous and excited. Nervous, because it's something I keep close to my heart, because people can and will mostly certainly judge me for it; excited, because of the former reason.
So I couldn't believe this girl had said that. That she had implied that my reading was only a hobby, that it wasn't hard work to keep up with school, blogging, and writing. Oh, maybe she didn't realize that I would take it in this way--true, but it's not the first time that's happened nor do I think it's the last it will happen.
There's enough drama revolving the role of bloggers in the publishing world--do we really need our friends to be questioning our efficacy too? Or rather, the importance we place in blogging in our daily lives?
Surely if they are real friends, they wouldn't judge you in the first place? Clearly, they're not worth talking to in the first place!
ReplyDeleteYou do a fabulous job of blogging, Christina and don't anyone tell you any different!
:)
I read a lot too, and my friends totally accept that and even aim to read more, but I do get the occasional comment of "You read for fun?", like they can't believe it. Of course I read for fun! Reading is awesome! I'm a writer as well, so more often I get the comment of "you'll never make a career/money out of writing", which really is annoying. I usually just ignore those people, because if they can't support you, then maybe you don't want to be friends with them!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you're a wonderful blogger! I love your posts, especially since I love the genres and authors you blog about!
I read a lot too, and my friends totally accept that and even aim to read more, but I do get the occasional comment of "You read for fun?", like they can't believe it. Of course I read for fun! Reading is awesome! I'm a writer as well, so more often I get the comment of "you'll never make a career/money out of writing", which really is annoying. I usually just ignore those people, because if they can't support you, then maybe you don't want to be friends with them!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you're a wonderful blogger! I love your posts, especially since I love the genres and authors you blog about!
I read a lot and I'm the only one over here. All my friends hate reading, my father never even touches a book, my boyfriend find other things more fun - the same for my sister - and my mother only reads during the vacation.
ReplyDeleteThey never judge me for it. They don't get why I love it so much, but I also don't get why they DON'T love it so much :p Just.. Don't spoil the fun for someone.
It's so strange that someone would say such a thing to you!
I don't tell most of the people that I blog. It's very important for me that I have a place to put all my thoughts; to talk with people who appreciate books as much as I do.
You are doing a great job! Just let them talk. They are missing some wonderful worlds and friends :)
No you don't need those questions. I also read for fun, but since high school HAVE been reading less. An hour or 20 pages, but soon I'll figure it out too.
ReplyDeleteReading "for fun" - no, not really. I read to relax, I read to learn about new topics, I read to my child, I read to expand my mind - Yes, it can be fun, but it is so much more. I may not have time for more than 10 minutes before bed some days, but I always fit it in!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a blogger so I am awed & impressed by the amount of time and effort those who blog put into it! You have to read, review, and write all the time! As a reader, I appreciate blogger reviews and posts to know about new books and whether or not books are worth reading! So keep up the great work and don't let other people's comments make you feel bad!
ReplyDeleteThank you :). That is one of the most encouraging comments anyone has ever given me.
ReplyDelete