Wednesday 13 February 2013

A little bit of rambling!


Can an uneducated person enjoy and blog about books that they love?

Well this is something that has been on my mind a lot recently! I wasn't going to publicly talk about it but I was attacked on Facebook recently for using seen instead of saw, so I thought I would do a little post!

Don't get me wrong I had every opportunity at a brilliant education, but being an unruly teenager I just dropped out of everything as I wasn't interested! I didn't even sit my GCSE's - that's how far back my wild behaviour went!

Do I regret my actions?

YES, everyday!  

Do I want better for my children?

YES, of course!

But, what I want to know is:

Should I be reviewing books? 

I am VERY passionate about books and to be honest my life wouldn't be the same if I didn't have them in it! But do people even appreciate my messy work?

Should I still be getting review copies of books if I can't write an adequate review? Are my reviews that terrible? 

I put all my energy and thought into writing my reviews but I do struggle in the grammar and structure department - hands up I will admit that!

I have 2 children, but some day soon I hope to further my education! I have a thirst for knowledge now, which I didn't have as a teenager! I want to learn and improve, of course I do. We're not all perfect though!

1 piece of advice for teenagers out there:

Study hard, stick with it and try your best! Because lets face it the length of time we're in school is really only a drop in the ocean compared to our bigger pictures!

2 big questions for me remain:

Should I STOP reviewing and blogging about books?

To be honest, I don't know but I can tell you, I am very disheartened!

Should I stop writing my own book right now? Because lets face it nobody is going to want to look at the jumbled mess!

Anyway, thanks for reading this and I can only apologise for rambling on! I think I'm entitled to at least 1 ramble in my 18 months of blogging! Lol!

And as always, feel free to be honest!

Carly :)

12 comments:

  1. i'm actually really sick of people making comments about the correct way to spell ! it seems to be the thing lately. i feel that as long as the word/words can be read then what does it matter if a letter is missing or there are too many of them ! obviously it matters if a book is being read and the words are spelt wrong but with reviewing a book just so otheres can see if it's worth a read from someone who has read it then i don't think it matters .people are getting picky and taking things a bit to serious . i mean it's a review not a bloody essay !keep blogging and get that book wrote/written (whatever one fits ) lol ♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your blog, Carly. EVERYONE makes grammar mistakes from time to time. Nobody is perfect. Please keep writing your blog and your book! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think it's horrible that anyone would attack you for something like this. Even the best writers are awful at grammar, spelling, etc. That's what editors are for ;) But that is not what this blog is about. It's about the feelings a book evokes in you. That's what people should be taking from your blog. Do not stop doing what you love. Don't let others ruin your dreams. Write that book! You deserve a chance to do whatever you set out to accomplish. People will always try to knock you down. Don't let them get the best of you. You have a lot of fans :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Carly, I hate that you were attacked over a small grammar mistake. I make them all the time, and the last think I want is someone correcting something I already know is wrong. And no! Don't stop reviewing books! I always love hearing what you have to say and have never thought of your work as 'messy'. It isn't! Don't let what happened get you down. Know that there are so many others out there, myself included, who appreciate everything you do over here. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh Carly, don't listen to whoever said these things. And no, no, no! Don't stop reviewing books. What matters is that you're passionate about them which you can tell by only reading your reviews. There are so many people out there who are not good at grammar or spelling and we all make mistakes - but that's not what matters here. Don't let anyone discourage you and stop you from doing what you love. <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is my first time here in your blog and I just love everything you posted. Thank you for sharing and keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carly, just have to put my two cents in here...I agree with the others above. One because yes, I am biased and enjoy your blog! Your passion shows, not just in your reviews, but also in the way you set up and run your blog. But also because I think it's ridiculous for anyone to attack someone over incorrect grammar or missed spelling on a personal blog. It's so trivial. You shouldn't have to apologize for lacking higher education. Not everyone is privileged enough to receive it, and for some it's not their cup of tea. You are clearly literate. You read and write articulate reviews, you get your points across and communicate well. That's the important thing. It is not as if you are getting paid to write a newspaper column. This is your hobby, your passion, and anyone who feels the need to criticize you for your educational background or mistakes in your review writing should get off their high horse.

    Thank you for all you do. If it weren't for bloggers like you, the reading and writing community wouldn't be what it is.

    Much love,
    Rachael
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Carly,
    there are some crazy people out there. Laugh it off, keep on doing what you're doing. You are amazing at what you do, and I'm willing to bet a whole lot smarter than the one who dared criticize.
    It is so easy to point fingers and complain, criticize or belittle. Stand fast. This will be but noise that fades into the background.
    Personally, I love your dedication to your blog and your readers. Don't think any less of yourself for having chosen your path. Not everyone learns on a school bench. Some people open to the world, and learn so much more.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  9. Who gives a $#*& I am a grammar snob but I would never ever attack anyone even in a review when I read a indie book that has grammar errors I don't point it out because frankly that is just being bitchy. I just finished a book last night that was edited and there were several grammar errors but I will not mention that in my review because it is tactless. By no means should you ever stop doing what you love because some a hole decided to point out a grammatical error on FB. They need to get a life and realize that by pointing out your mistake they are just admitting they are a shallow person. Life is too short to be petty. By no means should you quit blogging. I would miss you for one... I could list a ton of other reasons but I think the first one is the most important! Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  10. Don't quit blogging! Grammar mistakes are easy to make, so don't let them get you down!

    And about spelling... well, I have had people criticise my spelling not knowing that I use British spelling (while they obviously use American). So unless it's a huge mistake that impacts the meaning of the sentence, they shouldn't say anything at all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Carly, don't let other people get you down. People are jerks and if they're picking on you for grammar and spelling, they clearly need to find something better to do with themselves.

    We love your blog! :) And you absolutely should keep writing your book. That's what editors are for. Spelling and grammar are skills just like anything else. I'm good at spelling and grammar, but I am sure I would find it impossible to write a novel! Keep reading, keep writing, and keep blogging!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You know, I'm not English, so I actually don't care if someone makes a mistake! It's not just about perfect writing. It's about expressing your feelings. You should not stop because someone was so frustrated they thought it would be okay to assault you with such a minor mistake. Don't let people get you down :)

    ReplyDelete

Talk to me lovely people! :)