For the first session last Saturday at KidlitCon, MotherReader took us through a series of introspective questions about blogging and our fundamental purpose. I thought it’d be interesting to share the questions, as well as some of my thoughts (from my jotted notes) on them.

1. Why are you blogging? Initially — and it’s still my main purpose — I started blogging as a way to keep track of what I read. But, in the (nearly) five years since I started, some of my reasons why have changed. This is what I wrote down: because I love the community and the friendships; because — honestly — I like free books (well, I do); because I like to write about books; because it’s fun!; because I want to share my love of books, and spread the word about books I love; and because I love it when there’s a good discussion, a give and take of ideas.

2. What do you have to share in your blogging that is unique to you? I had a harder time with this one; I really don’t see much of what I do as “unique”: there are other bloggers out there doing exactly what I do, and are much better (and more “popular”) at it. But, I realized over the course of the weekend that I need to just embrace my unique traits — that I’m a mom of four girls and that I live in Kansas! — even if they’re not what I would have chosen for myself. The other things I think I have to offer are my honesty, and just being a fan of what everyone else does.

3. Who are you blogging for; who is your audience? I’m selfish: I am bloggging for ME, first and foremost. After myself, I am blogging for other readers, whether or not they are parents looking for books for their kids, or other lovers of whatever it is I love. And then, I’m just looking to spread the word about the fabulous writing in middle grade and YA books out there, to whomever will listen.

4. Where do you see your blog among the other blogs? Again, I had a hard time with this one. From the start, I’ve never quite fit in a particular “category”. Mine is a review blog, definitely. But of what? I read too much adult fiction to be truly kidlit, and I read too much kidlit to be a truly adult blogger. I’m too eclectic to fit in anywhere, and while that’s frustrating sometimes, I don’t think I’d have it any other way.

5. When are you going to revisit your mission? Um, it would actually help, I think, if I had a mission. I do seem to revisit why I blog about once a year or so, when I catch the blogging “flu”. I have been seriously rethinking things (it’s a work in process), including the idea of quitting altogether, as I’ve approached my 5-year anniversary. Bear with me as I try to figure things out. MotherReader did stress that it’s important to keep in mind not only why you’re blogging, but to revisit that regularly, to make sure that it’s still a fitting reason, and to see if you’re achieving what you’ve set out to do.

6. How are you going to change or support your blogging mission? Again, I think what I need to do here is perhaps come up with something specific. I don’t know. I am going to go through and refine my blogging policies and procedures (something that’s not only a side effect of the conference, but of the FTC guidelines) — as soon as my life settles down! I do need to be more specific about what books I am willing to accept from publishers/blog tours/authors, for sure. Other than that, I’m still thinking.

So, any general thoughts? What would your answers be to these questions?