People might think that “all” an author has to do is think of a story and then sit down and write it. Simple, right?
First of all, as I posted previously, even if that was all there was to it, it’s not as easy as it sounds. (see previous post!) Second of all, that isn’t all there is to it!!!
The world is full of wonderfully talented, creative writers. (I should know – I’m friends with many of them!!) Once a writer finds a publisher for their work the hard part really begins: getting people to read it. Until your readership is so well established that people line up to buy your next book — no matter what you write — you have to think up clever ways to get your name in front of people and make them curious enough to pick up your book and read it.
I feel like I spend more time on promotion these days than on my actual writing. Every day I check my emails and then cruise the various author / reader groups I belong to to see what everyone is up to. I post my own messages and announcements and just random thoughts. I update my webpage regularly. I do live chats. I post to my blog. If I don’t put my name out there, who will?
I try to do this stuff on days when my creative juices are at low tide but it’s a balancing act. There is only so much time in a day and writing is only one part of my life. But if I don’t promote then no one will read my books. If I don’t write then there will be no books to read! You can see the problem.
‘Nuff said. Time to practice some BICHOK.
Hi sweetie,
I don’t know if the blogster will let me post as myself–it seems to insist I use my “other name.” LOL
At any rate, I wanted to say, Yay you! You’re a bloggin’ woman now. I a bad blogger. But yours is lookin’ good!
by Ashlyn Chase February 6th, 2007 at 6:04 pmJenyfer,
I agree with you. It’s hard to get yourself out there but I think you’re doing a pretty good job of it! You’ve got a great MySpace page and your website is interesting and wonderfully attractive. Great job!!
by Nina Nash February 9th, 2007 at 10:52 am