I've been talking this week about my goals for 2010. One of those goals is to develop and maintain strong friendships among the writing community. I've already met and gotten to know so many fantastic people through blogging, and I hope to get to know many more.
Some call it social networking. Some call it marketing. And some just call it fun. I think it's all of the above, but even more. Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, My Space, etc. are all excellent communities for writers. I'm so thankful that I decided to blog last year and for all the people I've grown close to through the process. This year, I want to do more.
First of all, I want to get back on top of blogging. I got a little lazy during the last couple of months in this regard and have failed to keep up with new followers and comments and all the other stuff that comes along with a blog. I apologize, and I promise to do better in the coming months.
Second, I want to start another Facebook account devoted to my writing. I have a personal one, but I started it as a means to keep up with friends from high school. This new one will be started as a means to keep up with fellow writers and industry professionals.
Third, I want to figure out Twitter. I opened an account. Got on there once. Couldn't figure it out. Never went back again. This year, I will take some time to learn the ins and outs and use the service to my advantage.
The friendships I've made through social networking are very important to me, and I want to be sure to cultivate those friendships throughout the coming year.
If you are reading this, I assume you blog. Do you Twitter? Do you Facebook? Any advice?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Friendship Is A Wonderful Thing
I've been talking this week about my goals for 2010. One of those goals is to develop and maintain strong friendships among the writing community. I've already met and gotten to know so many fantastic people through blogging, and I hope to get to know many more.
Some call it social networking. Some call it marketing. And some just call it fun. I think it's all of the above, but even more. Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, My Space, etc. are all excellent communities for writers. I'm so thankful that I decided to blog last year and for all the people I've grown close to through the process. This year, I want to do more.
First of all, I want to get back on top of blogging. I got a little lazy during the last couple of months in this regard and have failed to keep up with new followers and comments and all the other stuff that comes along with a blog. I apologize, and I promise to do better in the coming months.
Second, I want to start another Facebook account devoted to my writing. I have a personal one, but I started it as a means to keep up with friends from high school. This new one will be started as a means to keep up with fellow writers and industry professionals.
Third, I want to figure out Twitter. I opened an account. Got on there once. Couldn't figure it out. Never went back again. This year, I will take some time to learn the ins and outs and use the service to my advantage.
The friendships I've made through social networking are very important to me, and I want to be sure to cultivate those friendships throughout the coming year.
If you are reading this, I assume you blog. Do you Twitter? Do you Facebook? Any advice?
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57 comments:
I tweet, I FB - I love it all :) great goals
I'm not sure how Twitter works either. I heard on the weather channel the other day that they were "Tweeted" info...I agree totally that social networking is really a way to get to know people. Blogging has opened up so many doors for me. It's a great source!! =)
Love that picture of the multi-colored shoes.
Twitter can be nice. I created a list of fellow bloggers and writers so I can check their updates without seeing everyone else's. Also, it's fun to meet different writers by searching hashtags such as #amwriting, #writegoal. Click on the writers who come up after doing a quick search and you'll be able to follow them.
Good luck!
I blog, and I facebook in my personal life. Heaven help me though, I don't plan on twittering ever. I don't know if I'd ever get anything done if I had that time vampire in my life. I'm sure it's a great way to meet people, great and interesting people, but I don't think I could pull it off.
Susan you are a wonderful part of this blogging community! I enjoy blogging more than I ever imagined I would.
I've promised myself a reward this year, when I finish my first draft that I will sign up for Twitter! I've wanted to do so since last year, but I was afraid to add another distraction to my writing.
I resisted Twitter for a long time, but I love it. I don't use it much and I don't use it for everything it's good for, but I'm getting there.
With Facebook, I've thought about setting up a fan page or something, but that just seems a little weird to me. For now, I just have my blog networked and I set it up so that my posts are automatically linked on Facebook. This doesn't get strangers visiting, but it does let my friends and family know what I'm writing about.
(Which also means I have to be careful what I say, because I never know who's reading!)
I haven't looked at Twitter yet and I think I'll hold off for a while. So far I only use Facebook to link with family. Keep us posted when you venture out of the blogisphere!
I have an account on Twitter and Facebook, but don't keep up with either. I have difficulty keeping up with blogging. I don't know how people do it, so, sorry, I have no advice.
I just started a twitter account and am still trying to figure it out, but I will...some day. I also want to start my own writing facebook thing. I have one for personal stuff, but it would be smart to have an author one too. =)
My favorite site now, next to blogging, is twitter. If you download tweetdeck, it's so much funnier and easier to twitter.
I'm on Twitter and Facebook. Just be warned that those things eat writing time for breakfast.
Still, I'll friend ya, if you want. :)
Agree with Jody re: Tweetdeck. Lots of fun once you get that and get your columns set up. EMail me if I can help.
I facebook, but only when I have time. I keep in touch with lots of people there when possible.
I was new to blogging in 2009, as well, and it's the best thing I've done for my writing career. The friends I've made, the writing practice I've received, and the things I've learned from other bloggers has been invaluable.
I agree with Heather, blogging has been the best thing that happened last year. I signed up for twitter and tried using it for a while, but just don't understand all of the nuiances. I've been looking at setting up another facebook page as well.
I've been avoiding twitter like the plague. I DO have a FB page, but it is still very personal. I have some "friends" who are writers, and I'm considering opening a separate account for them. I'm very hesitant to open my FB to people who aren't really friends.
Blogging is my first love, and I spend a lot of time doing that. Commenting and reading take most of the time I have slotted for writing activities. I facebook, and everything is rolled into one account. How I keep track: make lists. I made one for family. I can click on it and see what they're up to. Click, comment, like, done.
I made one for industry pros (agents, editors, famous authors). Then I can stalk in the background. :)
I made one for high school friends. I check it periodically, but not every day.
And then the rest of my status updates are writerly people. I can click through them pretty fast.
As for twitter, I really like it to lurk. I read a lot and comment a little. I just joined my first litchat last night, though, and wow. Now I see why people like it so much.
Yes! Find me on Facebook please!!! :0) I have two as well--my writing one is under "Kristen Torres-Toro Author". Let's be Facebook friends too! :0)
I love this cyber writing community and am so thankful for the friendships I've found!
Well, you know I blog since you're one of my regular commenters :) I use Twitter too, although I'm only ever on there a few times a day. I don't think I'm using it to its greatest potential so perhaps I need to try a little harder. I'd like to take part in the little "chats" that they have every so often (if I can find one that's interesting enough) but I've yet to really try.
I'm a huge Facebook junkie :P I've been on there since shortly after it started, back when it was a college networking site. I love it--for me it's the best way to keep up with people.
I have both a Twitter and a Facebook account, but I don't use either. I just don't have time. I figure it's best for me to pick one thing I can devote the time to and that's going to be blogging. I have a feeling I might have to Twitter in the future, but I'm kind of dreading it.
I've decided that I'll have to start Twittering-- Tweeting?-- soon. Maybe I should make that a belated resolution for this year.
I'll get started in November. ;)
I'll get there. I just started to blog in December. And so far it's been a blast. Right now, b/c I love writing. (and I'm deep in the trenches of revising) And because I'm slowly starting to meet other writers. Someday, I'll tweet. Not yet. But eventually.
I'm relatively new at blogging, but for sure see the benefits of being a part of a writing community on-line. I too, really enjoy all my new friends!
And like you, I can't figure out Twitter. Maybe it works better if you have a blackberry or iphone, something you can do on the go. Time really is an issue and I spend all my 'social networking' time on blogging, I don't have computer time left for more. Especially if I want to write!
Great post. btw, I left you something at my blog. :)
I blog, facebook, and tweet. I just started using twitter consistently. I agree with Jody, downloading Tweetdeck has made all the difference because I linked both my FB and Twitter account to it, so I can update and work with both all in the same screen. ANd it gives me pop up updates.
I didn't "get" Twitter until the last few weeks when I learned how to reply to people and such. It's a lot of fun.
ANd I just recently linked my personal FB account to my blog. Like someone mentioned above, I feel weird starting a fan page, so for now I just use my personal one and only accept friend invitations from bloggers I've developed relationships with.
I love the friends I have made blogging! My advice, be sincere in your friendship and comments. Have fun. And comment on a lot of blogs. Make somebody's day, each and every day.
I use Twitter, Facebook and sometimes Myspace (though this one has fallen by the wayside).
I love it all just as you do! So many advantages, but yet so much fun.
I think of us a penpals without the inky blotches ;0
I twitter, but do it about x3 week as it can take up my time. I have found some great info via other writers. It is a bit like texting. I have a facebook account for my writing only, both buttons are on my blog sidebar.
Have fun in 2010 with your new goals!
I agree totally that social networking is really a way to get to know people.
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I do have facebook and twitter accounts but sadly don't use them much. I find keeping up with blogging (which has been poorly done of late for me, too) takes more time than I really have to give. If you figure out how to manage all in a timely fashion would love to hear your tips, Susan!
Susan - best of luck. I know you can do it. You stay so on top of your blog. For me, I can't keep up with that, writing #2 and trying to get #1 published (not to mention feeding my kids). I run from FB! And, my husband had to explain Twitter to me about 15 times before I began to understand.
I'm on Facebook regularly and I'm also on Twitter, but I don't have the time to keep up with it. I have very few hours of writing time a day and I can't get on social sites at work, so I'm limited.
Yes, I need to get with the times and update my phone...
:)
I'm a twit(terer), but haven't really had time to take tweeting to the next level (er, or any kind of level...). I've got so many demands on my time as it is, but I do what I can to try and keep in touch with the many wonderful people out there.
I don't twitter. I'm one of the few, but okay I'll declare myself ready to figure and side-by-side we can take the plunge together!
I need a Twitter account so I can enter the Kidlit contest by Jan. 30th - that's my motivator.
Yes to all three. Twitter remains an enormous mystery. Enormous because there are so many people on there saying nothing. Mysterious because I don't know how to unravel the spam posts from the ones from people I actually want to hear from. I find it creative and humorous to see what people twitter. It's a distraction and a smile-maker for me. Facebook is great!!! Mass or personal communication, you've got both. I'm there, and I have two accounts, also. The one on my blog is the writer one and also the friend one. The other one is for the day job.
Oh, and I am so glad we met last year, too! Great minds thinking alike and all that!
Hi Susan,
I need to get better at blogging! Oh and you're just fine at blogging - seriously :o)
I'm on twitter and I can tell you that is the single best network for me... I found my Crit partner and a group of night owls that I've befriended. I'll be happy to answer any questions about Twitter, as I'm sure anyone else is :o) There is a wonderful community of writers on there.
Good Luck with your resolutions!
Hi Er! ;-)
Susan, I'm a fairly new reader here (Erica sent me!), and I love what I see even if I don't always have time to comment. I look forward to reading more regularly this year.
I blog, FB and Twitter - my blogs get a pretty large chunk of my time, I'm generally checking facebook (and playing games, ack!) in the early evening. I adore Twitter - peek in from work during the day, and post mostly at night. Great writing community there...it's just fabulous. I'll look forward to seeing you there...
Yes, come on Twitter! It's such fun. I have a FB account but 99.9% of my friends have no idea that I write and I hardly go on there any more. I've been thinkingabout starting a new one too.
I'm on MySpace and Facebook(along with blogging). They're okay, but I prefer blogging.
That's a good idea... to have two Facebook accounts. My plan was to use Facebook for old friends and Twitter for writing pals, but it hasn't seemed to work out. (Writing pals"friend' me and then I feel I have to accept.) So, your plan is much better!
I agree with Kathy above on preferring blogging to Facebook and Twitter. I think because I like to express myself with more detail. Also, maybe it's because I really don't understand Twitter...even though I have an account.
I do Tweet on Twitter, and I have a Facebook which I initially created to keep any eye on my daughter but have ended up using to seek out other writers.
Honestly though, between my blog, Twitter and FB, I struggle with finding the time to balance it all. You appear to be an expert blog balancer. I'll be most interested to see how you incorporate the other social networking stuff into your day.
Just be careful, or you'll find your whole day is gone and you never accomplished what you set out to accomplish! Good luck achieving your 2010 goals!
I've just stuck to blogging lately, and don't even have the time to do that as much as I would like! I decided to stay away from twitter for awhile, and maybe I'll look into it if I ever get an agent and sell a book, lol. :D Good luck with it all. ;)
Hey, Julie at Midlife Jobhunter referred me over here, and I've been perusing your posts. You have a great blog here.
I was happy to see Donald Maass's comment too. What a cool thing that was, eh? I'm hoping to attend his next week-long intensive in Oregon. It's on my MUST-DO this year list.
About Facebook and Twitter . . . what a waste of energy. I could spend way too much time on that stuff and never get any real writing done. My blog is the only thing I let myself do other than writing my novel and memoir vignettes. Besides, I think over time, FB and Twitter will be considered what NOT to do.
(Don't tell anyone I said that, in case I later look like a raging fool, eh?)
I've never bothered with FaceBook or Twitter! I just keep to my Blogging and e-mails, and to be honest, that's about as much as I can handle in one day! Even now, it's still about 6:00 a.m. when I can finally get to my bed!
I really should keep up more this year too, if only there were more hours in the day!
Twitter is good--in an all consuming sort of way. Watch out, though. It's almost as addictive as blogging. : )
I don't twitter, it's too much for me. I can barely keep up with what i'm doing. writing a book is top priority and my time is so limited these days.
sounds like you have great plans.
much love
Popular post! I guess we all like to talk about our social networking habits.
I twitter a little. I facebook rather obsessively. I have my blog linked in the "info" section on my fb, but rarely mention it in status updates as I quasi-try to hide my blog from my husband and my parents.
Yeah, I'm super mature.
I want to start another facebook page for my writing self as well... How are you going to go about doing it? Any tips??
I only blog. I don't Twitter or Facebook, because, really, you gotta spend time writing a book if you want to publish a book, right? So I'm gonna write the book first and worry about the mktg stuff later.
You know I blog. My recent accomplishment was to get on Twitter. I use it regularly. But I haven't taken the leap to Tweetdeck. I guess that's my next step.
I've struggled with finding time to visit all my online friends this fall. Life happens.
Know what I mean?
You are such a sweet blogging friend Susan. I'm seriously impressed by how much you comment and reply to comments. I'd love to hear how you get so much done! I'm getting a little overwhelmed as my bloglist keeps getting longer.
I really like Twitter now though I'm not super great at it. I check in a couple times a day and chat with people I know well. It's really laid back and it doesn't take nearly as much time as blogging. You'll have to let us know your username.
Well, I have really been educated reading all gthe comments about Twitter and Facebook. I have only begun to blog and I find it to be very rewarding. I love to read about all the different people and where they live and how they live. In fact, I do read more than I comment which I know isn't good, but I get so interested I don't take time to write. And sometimes I don't know what to write because the post is ongoing about a previous things.
It is a feel good activity. One appreciates if someone enjoys her post and it is fun to write one and wait to hear what people will say about it. So I try to comment on all I can.
I don't think I would like to get into Twitter or FaceBook as yet. I love blogging so far.
Yup, I Facebook AND Twitter. It's fun. When I post a new blog, I mention it on Twitter.
Look me up on facebook. I rarely use my MySpace acct anymore. I did tweet briefly... Seems like a lot of prostitutes wanted to follow me somewhere??? I got tired of the spam followers and deleted my acct. Maybe someday.
In the new year, I vow to be a worse blogger. I've got to be more disciplined if I'm ever going to finish.
I blog. As you know :) and thanks for being such a wonderful comment leaver :) I am also on face book- every now and then. But I don't twitter. I don't get what is so great about twittering. Maybe I'll cave in later on.
Did you change the days you post or am I in some kinda dimensional black hole? :-)
I tweet but not as much as I should. A lot of spammers on there that follow you. I love facebook. They don't take up too much time if you don't let them. You have to watch it though or you'll say, "dang! Where did the day go? I've been facebooking all afternoon." I shall follow you when you do get your writing facebook up and running.
Have a great weekend Susan. : )
Blogging has opened up so many doors for me. It's a great source!!
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