Introducing the Return of Get Up Offa That Slump: A Blogging Extravaganza

Almost a year ago I introduced Get Up Offa That Slump: A Blogging Extravaganza, a blog-a-thon to help reinspire people to blog, incite creative, and show how versatile a blog can be. And I think it went well, so much so (and enough) that I decided to bring it back this year. I hope you'll participate and get into the blogging groove!

What is it?

Get Up Offa That Slump: A Blogging Extravaganza is a blogging "challenge" of sorts. There's really only one goal: to just post something. And the idea isn't for this to be some outline and pattern of memes and reviews and that's it. It's to show you all the things (just a few of the things) you can post on your blog and still keep it bookish. (Because we're all here for books, right?) And, in short, the focus is on having fun, because if we're not having fun blogging feels like a job or homework and, well, that's no fun, right?

This year GUOTS will last two weeks (more on the actual scheduling is below) with three posts a week, and each day will have two post options for you to choose from. I'll also be participating, and each of my posts will include a Linky so everyone can check out all the posts. Feel free to use the banner, but please also link back to this post so people can see what this is all about and join in if they want to. Also: #bloggerextravaganza, if you fancy hashtags.

Who does it?

YOU. ANYONE. It's doesn't matter where you blog or how often you blog or how long you've been blogging. This is for everyone. This is for you.

Where is it?

On your blog! It can be a Blogger blog or a WordPress blog, Instagram, Tumblr, or YouTube. It's all blogging.

When is it?

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning Monday, February 6 and ending Friday, February 17. (Full schedule below.) I'm going to try my best to have my posts up by 12:00 EST every day so everyone can link up!

Why?

I don't know about everyone else, but sometimes I think I get stuck with blogging. I feel like it's easier to get stuck on just reviews and memes, and I'd personally like my blog to be more than that. Plus posting the same things over and over gets monotonous and repetitive. But blogging doesn't have to be uniform and it does't have to be just reviews and memes. I've always wanted my blog to be more original, and GUOTS can help show that, I think. (I know the first round was a big help for me.)

I don't always really feel like a blogger; I feel like it's work, and that sucks the fun out of everything. I struggle a bit to get posts up, but I don't want to quit blogging. I've talked a little with some friends and I've seen things around Twitter, and the world isn't too fluffy right now, and I think it's easy to fall into various slumps. Then this idea popped into my head last year--this Blogging Extravaganza--and a lot of people said they wanted to do it! It got me really excited, and, well, the rest isn't history, but there is this post. (And the return of it!)

Get Up Offa That Slump: A Blogging Extravaganza isn't just to help bloggers get back into posting. It's to help inspire and rejuvenate imagination, drink some of that creative juice, and make book blogging more. It's about making blogging less like a job or schoolwork and making it fun again and reminding us why we started doing this in the first place. And we're doing this together because we're a community and I think it's much more fun if we do this shindig together. (*Cue High School Musical song and dance here.*)

The Schedule

As I mentioned above, posts will be up by midnight PST at the latest, and each will include a Linky for sharing. I shortened it this year (from three weeks to two) because I noticed that participation seriously waned toward the end of the three weeks, so keep the mojo going it's going shorter! I'm doing three posts a week because I don't want to bombard you with posts and make you feel like you have to post something every damn day. That's not easing you back into blogging; that's throwing you into a marathon without any training or stretching first. Also, maybe you like to post memes and reviews and all that fun stuff. Maybe you can't choose between the two options for the day and you want to do both so bad but how? Posting three days a week with this gives you four other days to post whatever the hell you want (but you can totally double post), so voila! I'll also be utilizing random holidays and observances--that's a gold mine for post ideas.

Monday, February 6

An Interview With Yourself

I know what you're thinking: Umm, Rachel...what the hell? But trust me on this. I did this a couple years ago (you can see my post here) and for last year's Extravaganza (here), and it's actually really, really fun! I also think it's a fantastic way to kick this giant blogging party off and show off your voice. People will get to know the person behind the blog, and you'll have an entertaining new post.

A Vlog

Another aspect of GUOTS is to challenge yourself a bit and maybe push a little outside your comfort zone. And a great way to do that? Through a video! It shows the person behind the blog, but also really shows you and gives people a chance to get to know you. (And it's not that scary, I promise!)

Wednesday, February 8

Boy Scout Day

Today is, apparently, Boy Scout Day. To honor the Scouts, I'd recommend compiling a list of fictional boys who would be Boy Scouts. Maybe say what they'd badge in, who'd be really good and who'd be the naughty one of the group, and so on and so forth.

The Book Bonanza

Let's tie in to badges and winning things by creating book awards, or something of the like. This can go one two ways: first, creating actual awards--like an award show--but bookish. Or, create book badges, perhaps to fill up a reader's tote as they accomplish all the bookish things.

Friday, February 10

Umbrella Day

It is, in fact, Umbrella Day. (Don't ask me who comes up with these things.) And what does an umbrella do? Shield you from rain--and tears. So today is all about sad books, the ones that made you cry, eat a bowl of chocolate-drenched ice cream, and watch all the fluffy movies. Or you can interpret it another way! I just figured umbrellas equal rain equals sad books. Just be careful of spoilers!

Turn That Frown Upside Down

Maybe you don't want to focus on sad books that put you down in the dumps. (And honestly, I don't blame you.) So we're going to switch gears toward comedy. Books that are hilarious, or the funniest characters in fiction. Or you can double the topics up: After you read this sad book, turn your frown upside down with this!

Monday, February 13

Get A Different Name Day

Have you ever wanted a different name? Maybe something along the lines of Princess Consuela Banana Hammock? Well then, today is just for you! Create a list of characters who'd names you'd very much like to steal. Piece of cake!

Blind Book Dates

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, so let's fill the blog up with some blind dates--with books! I think most of us have heard of blind dates with books by now? Just list the attributes of a book in a few lines, then people can decide which one they'd like to read.

Wednesday, February 15

Singles Awareness Day

I, personally, love my books to be filled with romance--but not everyone does! And I'll admit: I can't think of that many books that don't have any romance, or what it's at least just barely touched upon. So today talk about those books: the ones that are about more than love and kissing and shipping (as much as we love all that).

Kittens + Books

Last year I did Puppies + Books and oh my gosh, it was so fun. I loved it so much that I'm bringing it back, but with kittens! All you have to do is match book covers with kittens! (I recommend using Pinterest, or something of the like. I'd scroll around until I found a picture that reminded me of a book cover, then pair the two together.)

Friday, February 17

Random Acts of Kindness Day

What a fitting day for the last day of GUOTS. Talk about the kindness you've seen in the blogging world, the positives and the things that are uplifting. Talk about the good, and the good that can be done, too.

Blogging: It's Worth It

This is basically the same as the above, but to wrap everything up maybe get a little sentimental and talk about why blogging is worth it. Why do you do it? Why do you persist through all the hard parts of it?


I hope you're as excited about this as I am! I know it's not some thing that's ending with a big giveaway or whatever, but I absotively, posilutely promise you that there is something in this for you: you're blogging. You blogged. You posted at least three times a week for two weeks in a row once this is over. That, my friends, is an accomplishment. And it's better than nothing.

Will you be joining in on the festivities? (If so, please leave a link to your blog! No introduction post necessary!)