I'm Leaving the Blogosphere?

    Hey guys...so I kinda have an announcement to make. Many of you know that last April I started a blog. (Obviously.) And it was awesome. Not only that, but it really was one of the most exciting days for me when I had that irreplaceable feeling of anticipation as I pushed the "Publish Blog" button. (Or maybe it was anxiety since I would be having my wisdom teeth removed an hour later. Yes, I was very smart back then to do something so big on a day where I would be intoxicated with anesthetics for hours on end afterward. BUT EITHER WAY.) It was one of the biggest accomplishments I felt like I had ever done...besides being a finalist in musical chairs That One Time.

    However, a year has passed. (Okay, really just nine months.) And I have found that blogging is HARD. It takes so much time and creativity and commitment to grow a platform and get your name out there in the blogosphere. I knew it wouldn't be easy when I started. But...I didn't know that it would be this difficult. Especially regarding how time consuming it is. If you look back, you'll probably find that I was posting about four or more times a month when I started, but recently? Yeah, let's just say that's not the same case. And it's not like the day is gonna get a few more hours so I can fit everything in (blogging related or not). It's just a fact that life for me has gotten MUCH busier since last April and, looking ahead towards some new life changing things that are going to possibly happen this upcoming year, it's more than likely just gonna get busier. So, I can tell that adding this amazing blog on top of that growing list of Life is just gonna make things much more stressful for me. That said...today, I will be saying goodbye to the blogosphere.     

    Don't worry, I will still be sticking around your blogs because I've created so many awesome friendships and would hate to lose touch with y'all. You guys have NO idea how much joy it has brought me over the past couple of years getting to know each and every one of you as well as accompanying you on your blogging journeys. Even more so it inspired me and my novice journey. My journey that encloses Judge filled book reviews, chapters recounting my time filled adventures, and even a few blog filled tours. (Yes, I had to include another "filled" in there to balance it out.) But, as the wise J.R.R Tolkien stated in his book, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, "They were at the end of their journey" and such is the case for me. 

    I hope y'all understand and I also hope you know that I am being called to other things in life besides blogging. Thank you all for your support with what I have done here in the past several months and I wish you well with your own blogging!

That said, so long. Farewell. And for the last time, Tally-Ho. 

Okay, okay this time it's a for real tally-ho. Maybe I'll go with a less dramatic GIF to lift your spirits afterwards...and mine. Don't judge, this hurts me too.

Or maybe I'll do a GIF that'll prove all of this was a prank.

    YES. ThIs wAs a PrAnK. *cackles maniacally* (Well kind of...I'll elaborate in a second.) XD But was anyone fooled?! (Probably not, I've been told I'm a very bad liar.) Is anyone wondering why I'd even do such a post like this? (Probably so, especially since it isn't April Fool's hehehe.) 

    Simple Answer: 1) I have many blogging changes that will be announced in this post and I figured peeps would read it if I gave this post an intriguing name! (Yeah I'm sneaky like that) 😜 and 2) If you're reading this Issabelle, call it retaliation for your own *coughs* lil' stunt last year. Yes I will never forget that day, thanks. XD

    

    Well, gee Victoria, thinks You, what a nasty joke to pull. You ought to be ashamed for yourself! Plus, people could get upset over this kind of thing.

    Hey, you can't be ashamed of a few sly hacks to increase your traffic. And as for upsetting people?

    BUT, I did say this was more like a partial prank. So, in a way, I kind of am leaving the blogosphere for a little bit. I'm not taking a hiatus, but I am going to be making a few scheduling changes for the new year. Let me explain...

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Changes to Soli Deo Gloria

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    First and foremost, I will typically be posting only twice a month. I actually wasn't kidding about life being ultra busy and getting a weekly post done isn't very easy anymore (mainly because I got behind on creating posts a few weeks in advance to their publishing and found myself trying to pound one out the day before). For special events, however, (like book tours and other things) I'll probably most more than twice, but that's obviously just on certain occasions. But don't worry, this is only temporary! I'm not sure how long I'm only going to be posting twice a month, but I'm hoping to return with more frequency by the time April rolls around (yes I know, that feels like months away but it will be here before we know it)! 😉 So, besides being busy in general, Why am I making this change? *cue dramatic music*

1. To plan and catch up on creating future blog posts. As I said, I got behind on making them in advance so, since I won't be bogged down with suddenly making them as they come out, I can take my time with investing in more and better content that will be prepared way before their deadlines. (Now, knowing myself, this may end up flopping but I am certainly going to try!)

2. To work on my website. I've kinda hinted at this to a few people already okay, I've really shouted it out to the world already which is probably why some of y'all weren't fooled, but I'm actually going to try revamping my blog and possibly even switch over to Wordpress. I'm still considering a few things about the Wordpress idea, but it's definitely more of a reality instead of just "up in the air". I've really liked using Blogger and it's a good base platform to learn the ropes of blogging, but after some research I've done, I think I will end up enjoying a more "professional" space to work with.

3. To write more. As I did Know the Novel and participated in Crazy Writing Week (a writing competition held by Young Writers Workshop) and made so much time to work on my WIP, I found that I really need to be more consistent and motivated if I want to finish it. Because I spent so much time last year writing blog posts, I didn't really get to work that much on my stories. But now I know that my WIP is something I want to make a priority in life. So, during these next few months, I will be working really hard to making writing a daily habit for me and by the time I start posting on my blog more often, I should hopefully have better grips on knowing how to balance both my blog and my novel.

4. To read more! Yes. I am ashamed to say that I think I only read between 30-40 "fun" books last year. (Again, because I was so focused on my blog.) But I am determined to get more books read over these next 12 months because, not only do I have way too many books on my TBR, but reading also really inspires and grows writing!

5. Most of all spend more time with God. *sweats* Yeah, let's just say I was down on my game the last few months with making an effort to have my quiet time with Him. I don't really know how it happened, but besides doing my Bible credit assignments for school, going to church, etc. I kinda just...stopped having my daily devotional time. I could make excuses about being "busy", but with this in particular I shouldn't have to make excuses. Growing in my walk with God is and should be the TOP priority in my life. So, I'm definitely gonna use the time I cut back on blogging to start up my daily quiet time with Him again (especially since I started a Bible reading plan to read the whole Bible in one year...never tried something like that before but I'm excited to see how I do on it!) 😉

    So those are some of the changes that I will be making on the blog this year! The main goal of all of these changes however, is to become more serious with my blogging and even use my blog for more writing purposes. But, of course, the only way to become more serious is to take a small, temporary step back and reflect, evaluate, and plan new things! Plus, even though I won't be as active over the next few months, I will be sharing a lot of new content soon and I have some pretty exciting posts planned! If I do say so myself... 

    Therefore, there is no reason to worry my good friend. I shall not be permanently leaving the blogosphere ANY time soon! Besides, as the wise J.R.R. Tolkien stated, "They were at the end of their journey, but as far as ever, it seemed, from the end of their quest." And, seeing how my blogging journey is only nine months old, my blogging quest has really just begun. 😉

Tally-Ho! (Not for the last time)

Yeeeahhh, not sure what to say here. XD Feel free to scream, laugh, or cry at me with whatever emotions (good or bad) this post gave to you. I am curious though, are there any new changes that you (as an audience) would like to see? For example, is there anything that would make this blog better? Is there a certain type of content you would like to see more of? Shout it out below if you have any ideas!