Today’s blog will be short and sweet as I have a book to write! Yes. Thorne: Rose’s Dark Secret is more than halfway complete and I am loving that feeling again, that feeling and place I go when I write, the feeling of immersion in writing, getting lost in my characters, and taking their journey to wherever they lead me, surprising me often, unrehearsed, unplanned. The mind is an enigma at times. I’ll never fully understand it, but when it’s happening and when it’s working, there’s almost no other place I’d rather be. But outside of the mind and writing, where should we writers be spending our time? A friend shared this article with me today—Books without Readers: A Discoverability Problem. It was an interesting read. And I challenge you to give it a read. https://medium.com/@AdamKolczynski/books-without-readers-a-discoverability-problem-fc85ce059803#.jstam1lu3 It argues that the social media outlets are almost always a waste of time, especially the automated kind. If there is no engagement, the readers are not connecting with the authors, and according to this, that is a big no-no. I do not disagree, but let’s face it, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day for most of us. Because our books aren’t being discovered the way we would like, most of us have full-time jobs (and luckily, for those of you who know me, I happen to love mine and wouldn’t give it up anyway. As I just stated—my mind is an enigma. I don’t ever think I’d like to get lost in it for an eternity. I've written an earlier post about that. See here: http://rbobrien.weebly.com/blog-posts/the-story-must-end). At the other end of the spectrum, the article argues that engaging on social media also does nothing to sell books. He writes: Posts are transient, with a half-life of several hours in the case of Facebook, to several minutes in the case of Twitter. The result? Valuable writing time is spent topping up live feeds. If Facebook’s algorithms display a post to around 16% of fans, paying to reach the other 84% becomes an unsustainable necessity. More insidious, perhaps, is the way generalised (sic) social networks fail to target actual book buyers. Page-views don’t buy books; engaged readers do. So what is the answer? He gives a few (that truthfully didn’t make a whole lot of sense to someone “un-tech savvy”). I have so much to learn! So I ask you—what do you think is effective? Where should we be spending our time? Will this blog help me? Does my website? Instagram? Pinterest? What? Just what should I be doing? Here’s the rub (yup another Shakespeare). I happen to enjoy the time I spend on some social media outlets, especially with the network of friends I’ve built. We have a good time occasionally, writing together, like sixwords or romancelines, and we share our moods, we ask questions, and more than anything, we support each other. I guess what I’m saying is—maybe writing isn’t always about how many book sales we make. Maybe it’s just about being a human being first. And with that, I guess all we’re trying to do is grow and discover ourselves. It makes me happy. Writing makes me happy. If a sell a good deal of books that makes me happy too. But what I am realizing is that’s not why I write. And I have accepted that. So friends, I guess, for the time being, you’re stuck with me. Because: “I like this place and willingly...waste my time in it.” ~Shakespeare
28 Comments
Tori Dean
5/22/2016 10:17:11
Good question. I always ask myself. I would like more time hanging with friends and talking but work and real life take over. Yes I write a bit as I can but if you can't enjoy the things you do, what is left?
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:03:13
And your best is marvelous, my friend. Keep it up!
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David lee
5/22/2016 10:19:18
I believe that you should do what makes you happy. Well over the past few days i have noticed that you are very passionate about your writing. Blocking the outside world away from your heaven or writing cave. I have a awesome feeling this book is going to be awesome. I am feeling all this. You are a very beautiful writer outstanding work. .See you later
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:03:57
Oh, David. I hope so. Thank you for your support. It's done! Now to hit publish.
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christina gallo
5/22/2016 10:49:53
Awesome article. I've often asked myself the same questions. Where does one go to promote his/her work? It's not easy being an author with a small following. But the thought of giving up writing is never an option. I love it.
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:04:57
Exactly! Even when I say -- I need a break -- I find myself right back at my laptop. Compulsion? Addiction? Maybe. But it is what gives me air.
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Hunter
5/22/2016 11:04:26
Great question. I guess everyone should do what they want. Plus, I'm always skeptical when an "expert" says something. It makes me want to do the opposite. :)
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:05:34
LOL. You rebel, you!
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Aiden Darke
5/22/2016 11:04:27
Being an author is not a profitable enough occupation to do it for anything other than the love of writing. Authors want readers though, or it can seem not worth the effort. Book sales and reviews to us are the equivalent of a good appraisal at work! But finding sales is challenging, and I think the article raises interesting questions.
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:06:04
Amen, Aiden!
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:06:34
Some days I just wish there were more hours in the day, you know?
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5/22/2016 13:20:22
I say, if you enjoy social media and engaging with people on there, then do it! I have a lot of fun doing it, myself. Isn't that the point of social media - to be social?? :)
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:07:27
Yes! I suppose you're right...but having a pen name makes the hours in the day simply not enough to do it all!
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5/22/2016 14:05:24
For me, sales never equated to driver of why I write or a measure of satisfaction. Doing what I love, creating something tangible from my daydreaming, to which I was scolded for when I was younger, is my idea of successful. Keep doing what you enjoy in this life...you only get one crack at it.
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:08:09
Were you really scolded for daydreaming? Ha! And a writer was born. Lucky us.
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It's a tough call on where to draw the line with social media and deciding what is worthwhile vs a hugely detrimental timesuck. While social media doesn't usually sell your books, it can lead to potential fans discovering who the author is behind the curtain, and if they like that person they might buy your work and they might even like it and write a review and tell others. I'm to the point where I ignore 99.9% of book ads and the only ones of mine that people seem to consider are the ones woth the word 'free' in them, so the material that i do provide for free has purpose and intent: hook the reader in with a quality sample of your work, make them sign up to my mailing list for that pleasure and keep them cumming back for more.
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:09:20
And it's all trial and error...but you seem to have hit upon something that works!
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Dee See
5/22/2016 19:09:22
Not being a real"author" I shouldn't say anything - but, avenues for marketing your work are as varied as blades of grass. The number of writers wanting and dreaming of finding the ideal connection number equal to the number of stars (well, maybe a few less) but the point is you make choices, some work and some don't, just like the stories you write. As your stories and your effort changes, those that want that style that genre, want that content will have changed too. Since none of us really control our path, why create additional anxieties by getting hung up on the question. If it works great, if not, find another avenue. But be happy with what you write and the rest will come.
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:10:11
Well said, Dee! And you ARE a real author. Remember that.
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5/22/2016 19:15:36
I don't know the answer. I write for the love of it. Couldn't stop if I wanted to. Great post.
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:10:56
Me too! And trust me, I've tried. LOL>
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5/23/2016 02:46:03
Great post. I love to write. Though I have a full time job that I love also, writing is my first passion. Of course I would love to have more readers, fame, fortune and all that jazz. But even if that never comes, writing makes me happy and I can't picture a life without words, books and my small group of readers. :)
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:11:49
I agree with you on every single point. I guess we are lucky! And I need to remember that whenever I start to doubt.
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A Gentleman
5/24/2016 13:30:40
Beautiful soul RB Obrien.
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R.B.
6/2/2016 09:12:21
Awwwww. Thank you for that. :)
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Lucas Black
12/18/2016 11:45:10
I'm not a huge fan of Twitter, but I confess I've found Facebook to be a highly skilled and creative clocksucker. It's slipped in and sucked my clock dry many times.
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I LOVE to write and read. I particularly enjoy reading erotic romance that has tons of emotion in it. I hope you will ask me questions and share your favorite authors and novels. I welcome all feedback.
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