Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Scene of the Blog Featuring Courtney of Stiletto Storytime!



This week's featured blogger illustrates the power of Twitter. As any blogger who hosts a weekly feature can tell you, it's not always easy. I run into a roadblock from time to time, and had done so a month ago. I broadcast my woes on Twitter, my cries for help were re-tweeted by friends, and within minutes I had enough volunteers for six weeks' worth of posts. Hallelujah!

Courtney of Stiletto Storytime is one of the book bloggers who came to my aid, bless 'er! To be honest, I wasn't familiar with her blog, so you know I had to take a look immediately. I was impressed. Although stilettos are synonymous with death traps for me, I had to admit that the blog name is catchy. The hook became more firmly embedded when I read this on her About Me page:

Why Stiletto Storytime? Well a colleague of mine joked about my shoes when I first started as a librarian and it kind of stuck. Needless to say I am the kind of librarian who feels that you don’t have to wear clogs, Birkenstocks with socks or old lady flats to fit the job description. I can do storytime in heels….and with style!


When I began reading her content, I was a convert. Her writing style, her enthusiasm, and what she has to say makes Stiletto Storytime worth coming back to again and again. If you've never visited Courtney's blog, please stop by and say hello!

Now it's time to hear from Courtney and see where she does her blogging. Don't forget that you can click on each photo to view it full size!



To be honest there have been many “scenes of the blog” since I started in late 2007. It all began at a public library reference desk where I worked as a children’s librarian and then moved home with me after the birth of my son in 2009. Currently about 75% of my blogging is done at my desk. Which is pretty simple, cheerful, personalized with photos of my family and has everything I need. Most of the time this includes a one year old hanging off my leg as well. I share an office with my husband but we both have recognized the need for separate spaces, desks and computers. Makes for a good marriage, I highly recommend it.




I try to stay very organized since I review not only for my site Stiletto Storytime but also for the New York Journal of Books. I keep separate shelves for all received ARCs as well as a calendar for release dates, upcoming features, interviews and posts. This keeps me generally on track. I also keep an excel sheet for all books that I have requested, received or reviewed. Like I said I like to stay organized.




I am also never without my trusty book journal. I am in love with my Moleskine and use it to keep pretty detailed records on everything I read. I write down quotes I enjoy, notes on the writing, when I post about it and where. I also rate the book in my journal however I do not use a rating system on my blog. I am about to be on my second journal for the year but I really enjoy keeping track of the books I read and how they make me feel. I’m not real big on writing in books for the most part (must be a librarian thing).

Now for my secret confession: the other 25% of the time, I am a bed blogger. That’s right you heard me. In fact I am writing this from my bed right now! Of course my current book and trusty book journal have come along with the laptop and me. We are quite snuggled in for a long read and a bit of blogging. I have no shame! I am proud to be a bed blogger. I also blog in my jammies too! When you have a one year old creating daily havoc often right before bed is the only time you get to do much of anything. And so off to bed…and blog! Thanks for visiting the “scene of my blog”.


“Remember just like stilettos, reading is always in style.”


Where to begin, where to begin? Courtney and I both prefer being organized down to our shelves and journals. Her desk is next to a window for light and view, and I want that Jane Austen action figure! Each of her creative spaces looks so calm and serene... so conducive to thought and inspiration. Never in a gazillion years would I dream that this woman has a one-year-old in the house!

Thank you so very much for this glimpse into your creative spaces, Courtney. We really appreciate it!

Who will be the next guest on Scene of the Blog? Stop by next Wednesday to see!




18 comments:

  1. How very organized! I have recently become a Moleskin addict and bought journals, diaries and notebooks as presents for my family.
    Perhaps they will become as tidy as Courtney and her one year old!

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  2. Very organized, and what a pretty desk and desk area. I also blog from bed :)

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  3. I love meeting secret bed bloggers :D

    Really fine scene of the blog this week.

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  4. Wow, I'm impressed that Courtney does so much and is so organized with a one year old! She only lives a few hours from me, so I hope we'll get to meet one day.

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  5. Her environment is so warm and inviting! I love the bright colors and family photos that surround her desk space; I always adore shelves filled with books; ;and the bed looks so comfortably snuggly :)

    I have eyed the moleskin Book review journal for months now. After seeing this photo, I think I need to put it on my Christmas list.

    Thanks for introducing me to another great book blogger, Cathy!

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  6. I'm impressed with your organization, Courtney! I've eyed that book journal a few times. I may have to break down and buy it now that I've seen it in action!

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  7. Thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments! I highly recommend the Moleskin book journal..in fact I am about to be on my second for the year! It's so nice to be able to jot down quotes, ideas, dates of blog posts...I am in love with it! It is key to my organization of late...which is also very important with a one year old roaming the house!

    Thanks again everyone and to Cathy for having me on "Scene of the Blog".

    Courtney

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  8. Love that I'm not the only bed blogger! Love it!

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  9. I'm so impressed with all Courtney is able to do. I see she is in bed but does she ever sleep!?! I like her methods of organization. I picked up a couple of tips.

    This is a new blog for me so I'm off to visit Stiletto Storytime.

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  10. Thanks Margot! Hope you enjoy your visit to Stiletto Storytime...I do sleep but it is not as much as I would like I have to admit. But it's worth it!

    Courtney

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  11. I recently discovered her blog and it's great.

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  12. Very nice post! This is my absolute favorite feature on your blog....

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  13. Great post! I love the book journal! I agree - they are just the handiest!

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  15. Norm-- Do you really think that? ;)

    Kathy-- I spent two weeks in Columbia many moons ago. I would imagine that it's changed a bit!

    Molly-- You're very welcome! :)

    Courtney-- The pleasure has been all mine. Thank you so much for participating!

    Julie-- I'm so glad you like it!

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  16. If I had a laptop, I bet I would blog from bed too! I love how organized you are too. And heels..gotta love 'em. I work on pc's and while everyone where's flat shoes, I wear heels. I admit to keeping a pair of retired running shoes in my drawer though, sometimes it's best not to carry around a pc while in heels (especially not when accident prone like I am).

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  17. I could just repeat what Jenn of Jenn's Bookshelves said --

    I need someone to come organize me! I am great at keeping my business organized but when it comes to my house and books... sigh.

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  18. I love bblogging from bed too (in fact, I am catching up on my google reader from bed as we speak)! Drives my husband crazy!!

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