BY SARAH HUNTER HYATT
Twitter and Facebook and Blogging… Oh my!
Since I have taken on the, dare I say, challenge, of accepting that I am a writer, I have found that keeping up with that all entails can be quite a harrowing task! First of all, I’m not solely a writer; I’m a wife and mother first. I have three children that keep me busy from the moment I’m awake until they go to bed!
Once the house is quiet and all are in a peaceful slumber, the artist in me can take over and I become the writer. The problem is that so much of the social outlets I belong to happen throughout the day. So how can I juggle it all?
One thing I try to remember is that all of these outlets: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr (to which I’m not a member yet), blogging, etc. are for us to reach out to more people. I can get my “voice” heard further by using the blessed little thing called the Internet. However, I was troubled recently when I read a post that said how these social sites don’t really boost sales of books and promote authors as much as one would think. Could that be true?
I tried to think how I would get the word out about my upcoming book release without social sites. If I still had the Internet, the only thing I could do would be to email my friends and family and maybe create a website, hoping others would find it. But since I don’t have to be limited, I now have a Facebook Author page, my own blog and Twitter account to help others find me and my book. I think it has certainly helped me to meet new people and connect with other authors, editors and agents. That’s certainly a good thing!
But that can also cause a problem. These sites are called “social” for a reason! There are times when I log on for a purpose and find myself looking at a friend’s photos from a trip they took two months ago or watching a video of my niece learning to walk, over and over. Pretty soon, I’m so distracted, I have no idea why I even logged on. I know this happens to others too.
One author I know (who will remain anonymous) recently posted “Wait, why did I come on the computer? Darn you facebook! You distract me so easily!” So it happens!
While on Facebook today, I saw this quote “Being a good writer is 3% talent and 97% not being distracted by the Internet.” Although funny (and ironic), I don’t agree it’s only 3% talent—writing is hard work. However, it brings up a good point. How many times have I designated a block of time for writing and then half way through, realize I’ve spent it on Internet “stuff?”
I have myself planted firmly in the chair, a cup of warm tea and a silent house, so how did I easily get off course? One problem is that I step off the path using the words “Internet research.” My heart is in the right place, but as soon and I leave that document and jump over to the blue “e,” I’m a gonner.
But wait, you may be saying, “didn’t you just say that the social sites helped you promote?” Yes, yes they do, so I will clarify. Social sites are good to help you get out there; people want to know who you are and what you write.
All sites are a way to express yourself. I think it’s essential to having a good Internet presence. I only caution that you make sure not to let it take all of your time.
Just as we may set blocks of time for writing, set blocks of time for social networking. Keep a good balance and don’t allow yourself to jump over for a quick peak on Facebook when a notification beeps on your phone. When you’re writing, keep writing.
Whe Sarah’s not chasing toddlers, being Super Mom and abandoning the arid desert of Arizona for the rain-soaked mountains of Washington, she writes young adult adventures. Her short story, “Stunner”, appears in A Dash of Madness: a Thriller Anthology.
