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March 6, 2011

SUNDAY'S SHINING STAR

WELCOME!!!
I would like to explain how this came to fruition. Hubby and I were having a discussion about the old days, (for the young'ens reading this..a little history lesson) but before the dark age. When Sundays were special and had traditions and rituals. Sunday mornings Church, come home to a big gravy (sauce) cooking on the stove, a big Sunday dinner, then either off to visit relatives/friends or wait for relatives/friends to drop by. We would spend the afternoon sitting around the table, talking, catching up, having coffee, pizza, calzones, etc etc, dessert. And now, how sad, all those traditions are gone. And then I got to thinking, why not have something similar here on my blog. This past year, I have met so many amazing and wonderful people (some I now call friends) through blogging, and how I am in awe of what they do and accomplish. How much respect I have for them, for their honesty, integrity, credibility and so enjoy when a bit of their personality shines through. So every Sunday, here at my place, the coffee will be on, the dessert is on the table and friends will be stopping by. And I will be rolling out the red carpet for my Sunday Shining Star Blogger guest.
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I was told when I first found this community of book blogging that "book bloggers were the nicest bloggers there are" and I have never forgotten those words.  And over the past year, I have truly met the nicest people.  I also believe, even though we live behind a screen, a bit of our personality shines through.  That is one of the reasons I am having so much fun with this weekly event, and hoping you are too, because we are getting to know those "nicest bloggers" around and about bloggyland a little bit better. 

I am sure that most of you already know today's guest, be it her morning cup of coffee, her weekly meme, her fun 2011 challenge, her great author interviews, etc  etc.. and I hope that today's treat is that we will get to know her a little bit better.  I stumbled upon her blog when I first found this great community, and to be quite honest, thought she was quite an established blogger.  And was so surprised, you could even say flabbergasted when she announced, not to long ago, her 1 year anniversary.  So grab your mug of coffee, cup of tea, glass of soda and lets have a nice visit with today's guest, SHEILA from BOOK JOURNEY (formerly known as One Person's Journey Through A World Of Books)


*When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging in early 2009 for me... more like a book journal to record my readings. It wasn't until June 2009 that I discovered other book bloggers and really started getting into it.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
I didn't really give it much thought because it was really just for me in the beginning. It was originally called One Persons Journey Through A World Of Books and boy do I regret that now! WAY TOO LONG! SO last April I dropped it to become Book Journey, yet I see that many bloggers still refer to it as the old name.

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
I mainly do book reviews but I also do book discussions, giveaways, author chats and of course the Morning Meanderings that bring in a lot of readers.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
That's tough as I am really a prolific reader. I enjoy many genres such as mysteries, literature, non fiction, YA, mysteries, dystopia, fantasy, Christian fiction... (see how hard this is for me...LOL)

*How often do you post?
Pretty much daily.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
Community. I love to chat with other readers!

*What are some of the negatives?
Hmmm.... it is a commitment. That isn't really a negative - just a fact. Blogging, commenting, improving, updating... all takes time.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
1. Morning meanderings: Morning post s which are pretty much just me unplugged. They can be about funny life happenings, work outs, weekend plans, whatever.... I try to keep them fun.

2. Author Chats: I do "chats" with authors once I have read their books. We discuss the book, their own love of books, how they take their coffee, whats next, etc...

3. The WHERE are you reading map. Every time I review a book I link it to a world map so you can see where I have read this year. I run this as a challenge and encourage others to join me....


*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
Ask questions! If you see something you like on someones blog ask them how they did it. I asked a ton of questions when I first started and everyone was so kind to help me out. Be careful what you start.... really be sure you will be able to follow through. I started a few memes in the beginning that fizzled fast.... I would advise you to really watch the bloggers you admire and see how they do things. Don't get too crazy on all the sidebar stuff.... too much, too busy - is a distraction from what you are really trying to do.

*What draws you to follow someone's blog?
Interesting posts, informative but not overdone. I also like funny. If they kid around and make you feel like they are chatting with you - I will be back. I like keeping it real.

*Do you have any "pet peeves" that other bloggers do?
The comment or follow exchanges - emailing and asking people to comment or follow their blog and they will do the same for you. This isn't high school.... (ok, I take that back - for some it may be) but really - make your blog your own.... you will attract like minded readers.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the "real" you!!
*Any other info you would like to share.
1. I am an avid bike rider and do long distance bike rides Spring - late fall

2. I live in Central Minnesota

3. I have been to Honduras 9 times and work on teams their with street kids

4. I absolutely love to read and listen to audio

5. One of my all time favorite books is Summerhouse by Jude Deveroux - there are many reasons I would love to be one of the female characters in that book

6. If I could figure out a way to make chocolate healthy I would be a rich woman.

7. With a little luck - I will have written my first book by the end of 2011.

First and foremost I want to thank Sheila for being my guest today and sharing herself with us.  I really enjoyed reading all her answers and learned quite a bit.  On a personal note, Sheila amazes me!!!  I get a visual of a very energetic, kind, caring, personable, genuine, honest, fun and family oriented person.  Not only if she could make chocolate healthy, but if she could bottle her energy, she definitely would be a rich woman.  And with a little luck, and begging lol, she will let us all read and review her 1st novel.  Good Luck in your writing career, Sheila.  I think I can speak for a lot of us bloggers, that we wish you the best of luck with your writing career.  I am now anxious to know more about it, the genre, a little synopsis, etc, etc.  We just might have to have a Sunday's Shining Star sequel to find out these answers!!!!!  I think you will all agree with me,  Sheila is most definitely a SHINING STAR!!

15 comments:

Carol said...

Great to find out more about you, Sheila,
already a follower and regular participant in It's Monday meme.

Thanks Cheryl for another Shining Star.

carol

Gigi Ann said...

It was great getting to know more about Sheila today. I have enjoyed her blog for a few months, don't remember how I came upon it. I agree: She truly is a Shining Star.

bermudaonion said...

I love Sheila and her blog and was lucky enough to meet her in person last year! She is just as sweet and down to earth in real life as you think she is.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Sheila is truly a shining star. I love to visit her blog and get recs for new books. I also appreciate the online book club Word Shakers that she hosts.
Now I'm off to check out The Summerhouse :)

Julie P said...

I do love Sheila's blog! Her personality shines through in her posts....

dollycas aka Lori said...

To say I love Sheila and her blog is an understatement. Her It's Monday! What Are You Reading? lays out my goal for the whole week, plus we travel around to visit other blogs and I love that! Then her Where Are You Reading Challenge, that I joined this year has taken over part of my life. I actually get disappointed when I start reading a book and I have already read one from that state, lol. I can't wait to see how many states/countries I travel to through books this year. She is helpful and friendly.

Sheila, it is a privilege to know and learn from you!!! I am also glad to call you my friend!! Congrats, you truly are one of the brightest Shining Stars!!!!

Misha said...

I discovered Sheila's blog recently and I love it! I have added so many books to my TBR because of her.

Teacher/Learner said...

Wonderful interview! I love Sheila's Monday meme--it's how I jumpstart my week, usually to get my rear in gear :D

XmasDolly said...

Nice to meet you. Very interesting and good luck with your new book. I hope you put up an insert of it somewhere so we can all see what's it about. Have a great day!

Nise' said...

WHAT!! Chocolate is not healthy! Well my day is runined! LOL I love Shelia too.

Marce said...

I do love Sheila's blog, mainly because it is her, you get a feel for who she is which makes you love her and all that she brings on her blog.

I like her Spoiler button discussions also.

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Oh I just got home and what a treat to see this post. Thanks Cheryl for your kind words and featuring me - and thanks everyone for the sweet comments. :)

Bingo said...

Another Sunday Shining Star to read about! Thanks Cheryl for letting us all meet Sheila and know her better. Each week I pick up some wonderful hints on things to do to improve my blog as well as seeing others share some of my same feelings and concerns...love these posts!

Julie said...

I love visiting Sheila's blog; she has such a variety of things going on, and, like me, she is an eclectic reader, so I generally find a book (or two or three) to add to my wishlist. She is so right about this being a time commitment; you can't just post and go, really ... you want to visit other bloggers, take some time to look around and really read the posts, and give thoughtful comments. That "Great blog! I'm following you, so follow me back" kind of comment just turns me off. I am one of those who don't mind people having links to their own blogs in their comments, however, mainly because my commenting system doesn't always give me their links, and I like to visit back.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Thanks for this wonderful post, Cheryl and Sheila. I first "met" Sheila around June 2009, on Book Bloggers, and at the time, she was finishing her first Bloggiesta.

I started a blog on Word Press, because I really liked the potential...and because I liked what Sheila had done with hers. And believe me, she did answer many questions for me over the following weeks and months.

I'm a subscriber of her blog and love the Morning Meanderings the best, I think; except I also love the reviews and author chats...and well, everything, I guess! LOL