Maybe it's just an offshoot of the Februaries, but I feel like my social networking bone is broken. Maybe I never had one to begin with.
I've joined a half-dozen message boards/forums, but don't comment on any of them. I try to read and comment on a number of blogs. Twitter? I still haven't figured out how to be an all-star twit. I have a Facebook page, but I usually let it languish.
This blog is my most successful, consistent bit of "social networking". Does it even count?
So I'm asking you, dear readers, how do you stay connected to other writers and expand your audience? Which forums do you find the most lively and engaging? Should I even worry about this?
As for my real WIP...I've added precious few words to the new YA book, so I'm keeping those secret (not really; they just suck). But I did write a drabble that involved a vegetable peeler and the line "roses are red". I'll let you fill in the blanks.
*hint: blood was involved*
17 comments:
Social networking is, to me anyway, for the fun of it. If you don't enjoy it don't waste your time. I have one or two forums I post on, I keep up with old chums on facebook and write occasionally in my blog. At best I skim through twitter feeds and pick up articles to read that interest me. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. You are doing fine with what you have done.
Oh god, don't ask me. Expand my audience? Ha! I post old SNL clips and stuff about cheese. And Twitter? Don't get me started, cuz I get all grumpy and old fartish. Blah, those twits!
I admit to being a dinosaur in the social networking word, neither owning a cell phone or Twittering. I have a Facebook account, but find myself going to it less as time goes on. My blog and commenting on the blogs of others takes enough of my spare time. I think the blog, at the moment, is the most reliable means of social networking as it allows me to post flash fiction, communicate with friends and get myself "out there" without paying for a web page or sifting through the idle banter on Facebook. I spend the most time reading blogs that interest me the most.
I like twitter because it's a nice little break during long writing sessions, and it keeps me updated on what some of my Usual Suspects are doing. But other than that, it's mostly just for the hell of it. I follow the Smithsonian, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and PBS's Masterpiece Theater kind of things just as often. Ha!
I'm not real good at it either, I mean to say. But I think the blog is an important way to connect with people-- readers and writers alike-- so I don't know that you should worry. It has much more personality than a facebook page!
Don't get me started on social networking. I joined myspace and was active for a while. Now, the only time I log on is to play with one app and occasionally update my status. I haven't been on Facebook in months due to its more apps than networking. I joined The Haunt which is suppose to be all about Horror but rarely ever go back. I'm sort of on the Twitter bandwagon now but I'm sure I'll grow tired of that sooner or later.
There are only three forums I visit with any frequency: Absolute Write, Authors by Design and Critique Circle. My two blogs are the only constant I've had for several years.
I visit several forums, but often worry that I don't have anything interesting to say. Twitter is the easiest, and I heart blogger.
I don't know if I'd class my blog as 'social networking', but for me, it's my most important presence on the internet. Facebook, I hate and never use. Twitter, I love and use for fun. I do think its a good social networking tool, but if you don't enjoy it, you're wasting your time. I fall in and out of love with forums. At the moment I'm haunting the Shock Totem forum the most with an occasional visit over to Graveside Tales.
I've always been jealous of frequent forum posters, but like Natalie, I worry about not having anything interesting to say. It sort of works the same way with Twitter, but my nothing to say is much shorter.
I'm a compulsive commenter . . . under various aliases, and mostly to political or humor sites. Not much for social networking, still can't believe I have a blog, but am (after FINALLY relenting) enjoying the hell out of Twitter.
I just don't think I have the chops just yet to post as myself to Shocklines or some of the other sites where, you know, REAL writers hang out. But I know one thing for sure. You do, Aaron.
I'm giving up social networking. I don't twitter. I do have a Facebook site but rarely go there. I'm commenting less on the blog but will probably continue to have spurts of news to convey when writing stuff of note happens.
My networking is going to be made mostly of the odd comment on other people's blogs.
The rest of the time I'm going to be writing or doing something specifically writing related (like reading or editing).
I'm slow in comparison with most other writers in regards to churning out stuff. I can do without the distraction of forums or unnecessary time sinks. I have a core group of writing friends - I'm happy with that. Now I want a book deal.
I'm not a huge networker, I quite often feel that I have nothing witty or of any importance to contribute. I'm on Myspace (was on there all the time when I first joined but rarely go there now), Facebook (was on there all the time when I first joined and still visit fairly regularly). I don't do forums or Twitter and I have my blog. I'm happy with the blog and I love checking out other writers blogs.
Brendan - Yeah, a lot of "real" writers hang at Shocklines, but a fair number of nutcases do, too. I've read a few threads, but kept my distance. I know if I post anywhere, it'll be as me. ;)
BT - I totally respect that POV. You're more than welcome here anytime.
Danielle - I don't know why the blog has stuck with me, but I tend to drift away from other networks (like you suggested with Myspace). The blog is just right, somehow.
I kind of resent facebook as I've seen a lot of my LJ and Blogger friends lost to it. I don't get its popularity, tbh. Crappy little games and useless updates like "X commented on Y's post". When you have a 100+ 'friends' on there it gets ridiculous.
Stone's Law states: "More networking sites leads to less networking due to social dispsersal."
Personally, I am failing miserably. Even my blog has suffered. Ever since I took on the 9-5 job, my Twittering, blogging and commenting on the blogs of others has taken a hit. Coincidentally, in that same frame of time, my blog hits have gone down. It stinks.
Michael - Facebook strikes me as a major time sink, too. When something happens (e.g., a coversation) on blogger or LJ, I feel like it's a positive use of time. Stone's law is solid.
Barry - It's a scary cause-effect, isn't it? Does it lead to book sales? Wider readership? I don't know.
Ugh, I hate Facebook. I don't know why anyone likes it. I only have an account because a friend of mine pressured me into it, but I hardly ever log in.
I used to be active on a couple of forums, but I hardly ever post anywhere now. I do read the Bewares & Background Checks over at Absolute Write, and occasionally post, but not like I used to. Then again, I'm not much of a social butterfly online or offline.
I feel bad lately because I've even been neglecting my blog and blogging friends. Lately it just seems like I don't have much to say.
I love it all but I often get burnt out from having so many places to keep up with, and then go into hiding. The only problem with that is people can easily forget about you if you aren't active. I've fallen off the blogging wagon the past few weeks and am seeing the effects of that in my hits already.
I try to limit my time because then my writing suffers but even when it seems like I'm MIA, I am lurking to keep up with what everyone is up to. Because without my writing peeps, what fun is any of it?!
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