Facebook, Twitter, OMG

I think it must have been easier to be a writer in Hemingway’s or Faulkner’s time. Not that inspiration came more easily. I’m sure they sat and stared at the same blank page the same as we do today, waiting for the right words to flow. No, I think it was easier because they didn’t have the internet and all the social networking that came with it.

It’s not enough today for a writer to just write. Now we have to write about writing. Before we do that we have to set up a website, or a blog (maybe both), sign on to Facebook, then find friends, go on to Twitter, or….. well, you know the rest. Let me assure you that I’m not down on social networking. I’ve met some wonderful people, and have garnered book reviews and interviews using the internet. Authors are generous in helping each other and I’ve returned the favor whenever I could. Unfortunately there are still only 24 hours in a day. Blogging, tweeting, and whatever else you’re into, take up time, time you could use to actually be writing that book or article you’re telling everyone about.

The social network sites we choose to be on (and as writers we’re obligated to choose something) are like little pets that have to be cared for and fed. So, instead of writing a few pages for my current novel, I’m trying to think of something profound to blog about, or tweet. As I’ve gathered followers, I’ve also chosen people to follow, so I feel it necessary to check their blogs, etc. as well, and make comments. When someone comments on one of my blog posts, I think it’s courteous to respond to them. More writing, more time spent. If you don’t post on a regular basis, your followers will lose interest in what you have to say. It’s a never-ending cycle. How does everyone do it?

I work best with a plan so I’m trying to come up with one which maximizes my time spent tending to my various sites and still allows the necessary hours to actually write. So far I haven’t been successful. It's still a work in progress.