by mfmakichen on February 5, 2010
Fiction writers working towards publication often get this advice–create an online presence and author platform. This suggestion seems to pop-up everywhere and is usually in all those “top five” lists for aspiring writers.
I’m going to break with tradition here and say that I strongly disagree with this advice.
An online presence usually consists of one or all of the following: Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, personal or group blog. What does each of these have in common? They take up time that aspiring writers could use for well. . .you know. . .writing.
If you want to be on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with writing friends, see what other authors are doing, or stay up on the latest industry developments, that’s great. Just don’t feel obligated to do so because you think you need a social media presence. After you sell a book it generally takes a year for it to be published. For the sake of argument let’s say your book only takes six months to get sold and published. That’s still plenty of time to attend conferences, start a blog, and hit Twitter and Facebook every day if that’s what you want to do.
I think it’s really important to think about what your motivation is for having a presence online. What happens if your first or second book doesn’t snag an agent or sell? Will you still be willing to keep your blog going? Are you still going to want to spend as much time online?
I firmly believe that published authors benefit from including social media in their overall marketing plan. I don’t think writers working towards publication need to be concerned about marketing a product they don’t currently have to sell.
If you love to blog or enjoy Twitter I say go for it. However, don’t buy into the idea that you “have to” do it in order to create an online presence for a book you haven’t sold yet. Time is a precious commodity and the best thing you can do as a fiction writer is to write fiction.
At least that’s what I think.
Photo Credit JMT-29
by mfmakichen on February 3, 2010
Yes folks it’s been many, many, many months since I last posted here. Probably no one but me has wondered what the hell I’ve been doing. Well, if you’re reading this then maybe you do have some passing interest in what I’ve been up to and for that I thank you.
Well, a couple of things happened to create a kind of “perfect storm” in my life. We moved from Bellingham, WA to Portland OR. In our case that meant selling and buying houses. Getting a house ready to sell takes a lot of time and effort so most of my attention went to that project. Once the house sold we had a very short amount of time to find a new home in Portland. There were some tense moments but everything worked out just fine. I’m loving Portland despite the rain and grey.
Meanwhile, a great debate was brewing in my soul. After really putting my heart into writing two novels, getting an agent with one of them, and then having it all just disappear, I just couldn’t bring myself to start again. I tried. I started two books in fact but I just couldn’t stick with it. At the same time I also realized that I REALLY can’t count on writing fiction as a way to bring in money to the household. So I’m re-focusing on my current career options.
In addition, I’m in a new town and would like to meet new people, make some friends, and become part of this great community. All this takes time away from writing.
I thought long and hard about whether to fold up this blog, stop writing and slink quietly into the sunset. After all, a blog that isn’t updated regularly isn’t really going to have much of a readership.
Doing that just didn’t feel right. Not writing didn’t feel right. So here I am again, starting over. I’ve started working on a new book and I’ll let you know how that goes.
One thing that has become painfully clear through all this–I have to write what I want to write. Before I tried more to take in what’s popular right now and offer my version of it. Does that make sense? Previously I listened to what editors supposedly were looking for and tried to incorporate that into my story. This time I’m just going to let the story I have in mind unfold without trying to emulate what’s popular or what editors are possibly looking for right now.
I know what you’re thinking, “You can’t just write whatever you want. You have to at least try to write a book that is marketable. Where’s your business sense?!? Writing is a business after all!”
Well, maybe you weren’t thinking that but that’s what I heard in my head. Been there done that and it didn’t work so I need to try something else. I’ve decided to write a book that I want to write. Maybe it will get published eventually and maybe it won’t. . .oh well. I have to keep writing so that I can try to become a better writer. I actually do believe that if I write a great book it will get published in one format or another. Still, it’s hard not to feel defeated before I start. When I think of all the successful, published authors I’m privileged to know I feel like a loser. I’m fighting against that kind of thinking because it paralyzes me. One thing I know for sure is that if I stop trying I absolutely won’t get published.
So, I hope to offer you some more regular posts in the future and I’ll keep you apprised of my fiction writing progress. It’s all about baby steps for me right now.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Your time is valuable and I appreciate you sharing it with me.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyww/ / CC BY 2.0
by mfmakichen on August 12, 2009
I can clearly pinpoint the moment I felt like a “real” writer—it was when I signed with my agent. At that moment I felt it in my bones. Why yes Virginia there’s a Santa Claus and I’m a writer for real. It didn’t seem to matter that my nonfiction articles had already been published in national magazines. Somehow that didn’t count as “real” writing.
In that moment of feeling legitimized I caught myself thinking wow how sad. You’re the same person you were before the agent wanted to sign you, the book is the same, and yet somehow now you’re a “real” writer. Hmmm that’s some screwy thinking.
The thing is the book didn’t sell and I have no idea whether or not I still have an agent. None of that matters. I’ve figured out what makes someone a “legitimate, real, yes you can call yourself one” writer. Drum roll please. . .you’re a writer if you write. That’s it. I’m going to leave out any discussion of whether the writing itself is good or bad since all writers are constantly learning and hopefully perfecting their craft.
In my book, if you write, you’re a writer.
That’s why, right now, I’m not a writer. I’m kind of a writer-in-waiting. There’s been some major changes going on in my life. I’m in the middle of trying to sell our house and move to Portland, OR. That in itself takes up a lot of time. Then comes the little issue of being completely devastated when my book didn’t sell. That threw me for a big, long, in the bell jar, ugly loop. It also made me realize I needed another day job to support things while I try to break into writing.
In truth my whole attitude about writing has changed. For awhile there I wasn’t sure if I was even going to continue with it. Lately though I’ve started writing things in my head while I’m on the treadmill or in the shower. Thoughts about the two books I started have begun to slip into my mind. And finally I’ve come back to this blog and am writing a post again.
I think somehow I needed to hit the reset button and reboot. It’s taken me longer than I would have liked but writing is teaching me patience.
So to all your writers out there–keep writing, write well, have fun with it.
Photo Credit: byrdiegyrl
by mfmakichen on June 22, 2009
Let’s be frank. A discussion of religion and/or politics between strangers, and even friends, can be a minefield. Unless of course everyone agrees on all the same issues–then feelings of validation abound. Everyone should have the right to publicly state their political and religious beliefs without any fear of reprisal. I believe this absolutely and support everyone’s right to do so.
Yet I find myself torn about this issue when it comes to fiction writers. There are those writers who flat out will not explicitly discuss politics or religion. They’ve made a conscious decision not to do so. Some writers take this stance because they fear the affect their personal opinions may have on the sales of their books. Others simply believe that it’s best to separate their personal opinions from their professional life. On the other side are the authors who let it all hang out. They are outspoken about their beliefs—-not belligerent or arrogant—-just vocal.
I’ve watched both types of authors in action. Do I think a writer’s personal politics should affect whether or not you read their books–absolutely not. If an author writes your favorite thrillers or romances what differences does it make who they vote for, right?
Well, here’s the truth for me—-it actually does. I don’t want it to but it does. There’s an author I like a lot but his/her politics are very different than mine. Every time this author comments on their blog or Facebook about politics I cringe. I literally cringe and think, “Oh, I don’t want to know this about you. Please stop.” This may not be an enlightened response but it’s truly my honest response.
Will it affect whether or not I buy his/her books–probably not but I’m not sure. Unfortunately, then I get into the whole do I want to support someone who holds those political beliefs argument with myself. Believe me, I don’t want to go there when it comes to reading fiction. Publishing is a hard business and I want to support the writers I like to read.
I think it’s important as writers to decide which approach you want to take and stick with it. A reader may never tell you that they cringed over what you said on Facebook about politics. Still, I think authors have to acknowledge that all their written words have an affect on others.
I’m not saying either pathway is better than the other. Ultimately each writer must choose the right path for themselves when it comes to handling religion and politics. I respect whichever choice a writer makes. I suspect that the authors who are outspoken about their beliefs know they run the risk of alienating some readers and have accepted that fact.
What do you think? Are you affected by an author’s politics even if they write fiction? I’d like to hear about your take on this subject.
Photo Credit: ktylerconk
by mfmakichen on June 3, 2009
A week ago I finished reading Book A. I blithely reported on twitter that I liked the book. To which a fellow twitterati replied something along the lines of, “Argh I couldn’t stand that book it made me crazy.” We then proceeded to go back and forth about the book. My fellow twitterer very efficiently outlined all the problems with Book A’s plot, characterization etc. The truth is she was absolutely right.
This week I finished Book B. It has gotten some nice online buzz. The plot was sound, the characters stayed true to the world the author created, and I couldn’t have cared less. I just wanted it to be over. I knew exactly where the book was going and I didn’t care.
I enjoyed reading Book A much more than Book B.
In the course of the original discussion on twitter we talked about analyzing a book versus turning off that part of your brain off and just reading. Yes, if I need to I can certainly analyze a book–the plot, pace, chracterization etc. However, I am the kind of reader that just wants to be entertained. Like that old commercial, “Calgon take me away.” I want to be whisked away into another world.
In comparing both books I became alarmed that I’m some kind of slovenly reader who doesn’t care how well a book is plotted or written. I just don’t think that’s true. There are other things involved in how we preceive a book including the author’s voice. Reading is a highly personal activity. We bring to it all our own experiences. So, I might just relate to Book A’s characters more than Book B. Maybe I prefer one author’s voice over the other. Perhaps, it was just the mood I was in.
All I know is that it’s damn difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes me like one book over another. Ultimately, I think it’s like friends and lovers–there’s a natural chemistry that comes into play. The truth is it doesn’t matter. What’s most important to me is the reading itself becuase I love to read. That plus great discussions with other readers!
Have you ever liked a book that all your fellow readers dissed? I’d love to hear about it!
by mfmakichen on May 21, 2009
There is something inside of me urging me to write this post. I’ve tried to back away from it a couple of times or figure out just the right way to say it. Instead, I’m just going to let what’s been on my mind spill out. It is by no means earth-shattering.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how we affect other people. As humans it’s nearly impossible for us not to see things through own filter of reality. I think most people want to feel “right” or “justified” in how they act or react–that’s pretty normal.
I’ve been looking at the idea of how our actions create who we are in other people’s minds. To a certain degree our actions are our legacy. The question is what kind of legacy do you want to leave people with? Here’s some of what I think is important:
- Kindness—-Of course you can be kind and helpful as a strategy to get something you want. However, isn’t it better just to be kind to people because they appreciate it and it’s how you want to be treated as well?
- Give ‘Em A Break—-You don’t always know the stress or hardship someone is facing. So maybe someone is rude or or short with you. How about giving them a break a time or two and then see what happens.
- Loyalty––It’s easy to be a loyal friend when things are smooth and easy. Can you be loyal when the rough winds are blowing? I think loyalty is so important.
- You Can Do It—-It’s so much more pleaseant to be around people with a positive attitude. Life throws us enough detours and closed roads that we don’t need negativity coming from our friends.
- Boundaries—-Knowing your boundaries and adjusting them as needed helps those around you find their boundaries too. Sometimes saying no is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others.
- Forgiveness/Compassion—-For ourselves and others. No one’s perfect. Our feelings and sensibilites get hurt. Forgiving ourselves and others so we can move forward is a big one.
- Interest in Others—-Life can’t just be about us. It’s so much more fun to take an interest in other people, what’s going on in their lives and what they’re doing.
So do I always embody these attributes that I think are important—-nah definitely not. Still, I can continue to strive for them. I do believe that we’re all doing the best we can given who we are in the moment. The miraculous thing is that in every moment we can learn, change, and expand who we are.
The legacy I want to leave behind is one of kindness, enthusiasm, fun and imperfection. I know I’ve go the imperfection part down already!
What about you? What kind of legacy do you want to create for the people in your life?
Photo Credit: docentjoyce
