Kerrie Smith runs the Mysteries in Paradise weblog, and mysteries are what she reads. But you'll also find her posting about her parents' wedding anniversary dinner, and anything else that seems to fit. She lives in Adelaide and started her weblog in January 2008.
1. How would you describe your weblog to someone who wasn't at all sure what this blogging business is about?
I began my blog as the result of a New Year's resolution. I had been writing a blog for my work place for over eighteen months and had been thinking of creating one where I could post my book reviews. So that's what MYSTERIES IN PARADISE basically aims to do. It talks about crime fiction, books that I've read, and snippets of information I come across. I see my blog as a chance to share with others my opinions about what I read, but also as the beginning of a conversation with the wider world about crime fiction. Blogging also gives me a chance to clarify my ideas about what I've read.
2. Have there been any major changes in your weblog's direction, theme or subject since you started?
I've stuck pretty well to the original purpose of my blog. I've played around a lot with various gadgets, tried to make sure it loads pretty quickly, and that people find lots to interest them. I have joined one or two "challenges" such as Pattinase's Friday's Forgotten Books and the Sunday Salon. I'm never really at a loss for things to write, and would even go as far as to say that writing every day has become almost an addiction.
3. Do you have more books in your house than you can possibly read? If so, why?
I can't be trusted in a bookshop or a library. Homeless books simply leap off the shelves and beg to be taken away. And then there are book sales, where perfectly good titles can be bought for 50 cents each. How can I resist? I also review books for Random House Australia, and then there are the authors and agents who also send me books to review. And I think I'm slowing down as a reader. I manage about 2 books a week, but there must be another hundred vying for my attention. I think the only solution is a desert island for a year!
4. If there were three things you'd like to include in your weblog if you had more time/money, what would they be?
It is probably good that I don't have more time at my disposal. I'd just write more posts. I can't think of anything I'd spend my money on. All the things I use on my blog are free-to-use. I would like to be able give more books away, but at present postal rates are a prohibitive, so that's probably something I'd be happy to spend money on. Sorry, I just realised you said 3 things. I've read somewhere that you should get your own domain name. Perhaps that would be something I could spend money on. But I'm not convinced.
5. How would you eat an elephant?
Perhaps the only way to eat an elephant is as a birthday cake. The real thing would really be as tough as old boots, and rather too large for those of us who watch our weight.
