My first post on the pretty new pink blog J I love it!
Thinking about what to write today was tough, though. I mean, it’s the beginning of the year. I should be witty, right? At least for a month or two. But the thing is, I’m not going to entertain certain topics, no matter how strong the provocation. Reacting to reader reviews? Not going there. Balancing promo so you don’t look like a self-serving douche? Well…that one I might touch.
I’m kind of surprised by how much of my social media “streams” feel like a constant commercial break. It makes me wonder how many authors who are so worried about their Amazon rankings, who troll the net for five star reviews and beg for more “likes” on their Facebook pages are really still enjoying the most important part of all this…the writing.
I know that I have a hard time getting any writing done when I have to do a lot of promo for a newly-released book. Sure, it’s important to a certain extent but at the same time, who am I really blogging for? I like to think that readers follow me online, but the majority of those people are other authors and I think that’s true for most of us. That’s not a bad thing, necessarily, because writers are readers too. But if I focus too much of my energies on the online stuff my writing suffers and I cheat the others, the ones who are just looking for the next good book to read and who don’t care that I blogged about how my cat likes to sit on my lap while I’m on the computer. (He does, by the way, it’s very awkward.)
I realize this is not a popular opinion. As authors, we’re supposed to be completely available, friendly, and also very prolific. But I have a family and a full time day job and the writing is something I do just because I love it so much. Something’s gotta give…and if it has to be some of my family time, I’d rather it be because I’m writing, not promo-ing my ass off into the massive black hole that is the internet.
Wow, happy new year, eh? :)
4 comments:
Just focus on the writing! I know how hard this can be--especially with so many things going on at once. But I think you do what you want to do. I don't know who said this, but I think it's very true that the best type of promo for your work is your actual work and writing.
But now I want to know who would star in a J.K. Coi commercial? The Rock? ;)
J.K. I agree with Ely! The best promo is writing the best book you can possibly write. Don't worry about the rest of it.
You know, I have flickering internet access right now while we're renting our Florida condo, and it's a blessing. Sure, I can check my email on my phone & get info if I absolutely must, but my computer is being used mostly for writing not websurfing. I'm pretty sick of promo stuff for me personally, and I really don't think it does much good. I'm going to try to kill myself a little less with Master of Sin, but don't tell my editor or agent, LOL. Famous last words.
I must as a reader I enjoy knowing personal likes of the author because it gives me a better insight to their books. I have to be honest that it's your books that keep me coming back for more.
As a reader it's interesting to hear how you develope your characters and your stories. It also makes me more intrested in buying and reading your book to find out about your storyline.
At the same time if your not writing I have to wait longer for your next release! As a reader I think that your primarily focus should be first your family and then your writing! After all if you don't write it than I can't read it!
So yes it's fun to find out more about the characters and story and makes me more interested in buying your next book or current release but first and most important is for you to not only have the time to write it but be centered on the story your want to write!
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