When I created this blog, I intended for it to be a place where I could broadcast news about my books. Around the same time that I was making my first few posts, I also re-activated a dormant Twitter account and created a Facebook fan page. For the first couple of weeks, I used all three of these social media tools exactly as I had planned.
But then something unexpected happened.
I discovered I liked social media. A lot. And that's not something I saw coming. I had imagined I would have to force myself to use these social media tools simply because, as an indie author, they were the best way for me to get the word out about my books. But it turns out that using these tools isn't a chore, and I like using them. Wait, that's not exactly right. It's not the social media tools that I like. Rather, it's the people I've met as a result of my use of these tools.
When I first started seriously writing back in the early nineties, there wasn't a huge support network for writers. In fact, all I remember is the NC Writers' Network, and I don't remember really getting to know anyone in that network.
But now...
I have friends on Twitter and on Facebook that I love hearing from, and that I love communicating with. I have amazing followers of this blog that I really feel like I'm starting to get to know. And I'm following more Bloggers and Twitterers than I can count, and almost every day one or more of them will say something that helps me with my writing.
One thing I've realized I have to be careful of going forward is the addiction factor. There are a thousand things that can distract a person from writing. Tweeting, Blogging, and Facebooking can consume huge amounts of time if you let them. And all three are addictive, especially when you truly enjoy them. I think I've got a good handle on things, though, and I've started to settle into a schedule that allows time for social media and time for my writing. Plus all of these social media tools involve some form of writing anyway, so that counts as writing time too! :-)
Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for making my first couple of months online so amazing. I'm enjoying getting to know you all, and look forward to getting to know you all even better in the future!
