Friday, January 8, 2010

Bloggiesta!


I started this blog last summer with no real direction, purpose, or sense of community. I had no idea how connected kidlit bloggers are or how much fun (and work!) blogging could really be. So, I confess that I've been lurking in the shadows - reading a handful of kidlit blogs religiously, browsing tons of others, and secretly updating my own blog every once in awhile.

I must say that this is a big step for me - participating in the Bloggiesta, graciously hosted by Natasha at Maw Books. This means exposure! Other bloggers may actually stumble upon This Purple Crayon, leave a comment, or secretly lurk me like I've been lurking them. Oh, the horror! Truly, it's a scary experience, but I hope that it will help me feel more a part of this wonderful community and push me to do more with this blog. To make it my own, to have a distinct voice, and to give back just a little.

Here is my list of things I would like to accomplish during the Bloggiesta:
  • Participate in the Comment Challenge over at MotherReader.
  • Add more sidebars - visit other blogs for inspiration
  • Make myself an avatar - I've always wanted to do this but never found one I liked. Well, it's not a cartoon me, but I like the old photo feel to it. Created at BeFunky.com.
  • Create a review style. Read past reviews to look for common elements.
  • Library spotlight? Find a way to promote libraries and their use.
  • Signatures seem to be popular. Maybe make one of my own.
  • Clean up my Bloglines. Add new blogs. Or should I switch to Google Reader?
  • Brainstorm ideas for blog posts - thanks Jenn for this mini-challenge!
  • Sign up to be a mentee at The Bloggie Cult for this mini-challenge. I need help!
  • Spruce up my profile. It's a little sparse.
  • Add meta tags
Phew, this seems like a lot for the weekend! Here goes...

12 comments:

Meg Shea said...

Meg from Bloggiesta commenting here! I browsed through your year-end and still-to-read lists and we have a lot of the same titles in common! Plus, the fairy & fairytale retelling titles you recently reviewed really caught my eye - am thinking of revisiting my 2010 Genre Challenge :-)

NatalieSap said...

Thanks for stopping by, Meg! I love the concept of your blog - can't wait to see more. :)

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Have fun with the Bloggiesta - I am really looking forward to having more time with it tomorrow. Today just seemed to busy to get as much done as I had hoped.

NatalieSap said...

You too - It's nice to know that others are working on improving their blogs too.

Abby said...

I love your blog design, Natalie! And, officially, welcome to the KidLitosphere! I'm not doing Bloggiesta (because what I really need to do this weekend is read, read, read), but I think it sounds like a great activity with a lot of awesome bloggers.

NatalieSap said...

Thanks, Abby! I'm struggling to find some time to read - I think I'll be sleeping a lot less this weekend. :x

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Good luck with your blog goals! Happy 2010!

Suey said...

Cute blog! Good luck with all your plans. You've got some fun things listed.

Maw Books said...

Welcome to the Bloggiesta and stepping out of your comfort zone! It's great to meet you!

Carol H Rasco said...

You have a great blog! I was drawn first to your title as I love Harold and his purple crayon. I give that book and a purple pen or pencil or crayon to departing employees to "draw their dreams" as most are going back to graduate school or up a career ladder elsewhere. I appreciate very much your allegiance to libraries...and of course I see you like Pinkney's Lion story and art as well! I'll be back to visit again....

NatalieSap said...

Thanks everyone! :D

Kristi(e) said...

Hello fellow fan of purple! I just added you to my reader and look forward to hearing(?) what you have to say.

SPEAKING OF READERS* I felt it very necessary to inform you that I sat there one day debating the same exact question about whether or not I should leave Bloglines and hit up Google or stay loyal to the BL. After this extensive brain storming session I concluded I simply must move and went to Google Reader and never looked back. Why I did this, I don't know, but I know that I did it. (What you thought this would be a helpful comment with persuasive arguments in favor of Google Reader? False.)

* While all caps is screaming in internet lingo, I use it here to signify a change of tone. Imagine that I said this the same way someone would say a drawn out AAAANYWAY when they try to change the topic but less in a changing topic tone and more of a segue way. Segue way. hehe

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