Hello, Fire Enthusiasts. Hopefully, fire is not the operative word where you live now that it is blazing hot in most places and, more importantly, fire season. The only thing that I want burning are my poor characters…in a manner of speaking.
Today, I thought I would go over some of my networking responsibilities. I use that word because I feel a desire to assist others since I like it very much when you all assist me. I have mentioned many times that it isn’t easy with the crazy schedule that I am keeping, mostly due to my 11 hour day job. I may be selling a few books now, especially now that I am doing author events; however, I don’t feel that it should relieve me of any duties to my buddies out there in the blogosphere.
I write one to two blog posts (such as this one) a week for myself, an article or two a month for Kings River Life Magazine and once in a while I write a post for Something Wicked This Way Comes. If I do not have any pressing deadlines, then I typically focus on catching up with comments that are left for me on anyone of several of the social networks: Facebook, Twitter, GetFanged, etc. If I have read anything of late, then I update Goodreads, Shelfari and Amazon with the information/review. Beyond that, I try to promote my novel a bit.
With the time that I have left, I usually focus on Twitter first, by re-tweeting particularly interesting or noteworthy tweets of others. On Wednesday and Friday I do my best to participate with Writer Wednesday (#WW) and Follow Friday (#FF), by listing the links of my friends, mates, buddies and secret crushes (just checking to see whether I still had your attention… Or was I?).
With Facebook, I try to “like” the pages of others as well as comments of note. I especially enjoy dropping people a line on their birthdays. This past year on my birthday, it was such a thrill, having so many people reach out to me. It was better than any gift I could have received.
Lastly, as time permits, I try and visit the blogs. I hate to simply say “hello” and vanish. If the post attracts my attention, I like to leave a quick note of some merit.
That’s basically where I’m at for the moment. How do you guys do it? Do you feel the way I do about blogging and networking with/for others? How do you guys manage your blogosphere day?
Notice that I didn’t mention anything about writing fiction? Soon the edits will arrive in my e-mail for Dance on Fire: FlashPoint. When they do, I'm going to need to make time for those. Then I need to begin working on the next WIP. *sigh*
I guess that I really shouldn't complain, should I? After all, I am living the dream.
Aren't I?
Oh, and Happy 4th of July, America.
We'll talk soon.
Posts
Right now I'm blogging about five days a week and working on revisions in the meantime. For the writers who live closer to me I am trying to get around visiting, but right now the best networking I can do with other writers is on the web, specifically Facebook, Twitter, and of course the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteI really struggle to return comments on blog posts, even. I even cut down the number of days per week that I blog, simply because I found I was spending waaaay too much time on my blog that I could have spent writing and editing. I find it tough to do, and I don't get out to visit people's blog as often as I like, but I'm trying!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as you, James. The blogging takes too much time. You might want to pick up John Locke's book for writers. It helped me to clarify and re-focus my efforts with blogging and such.
ReplyDeleteToodles! Hope you have a great fourth!
C.J.
I feel blogging pays off the most, so I give it time. I'll spend about an hour a day commenting & visiting. As a result, the only other socializing I pay much attention to is Twitter, because it's fast. I've met a lot of great people on twitter and blogger.
ReplyDeleteHi James! Great to hear from you today on my blog and Happy 4th to you too!
ReplyDeleteYou are way more organized about your social media stuff than me. I try not to overdo it because (1) That's when it starts to feel too tedious and (2) I've got too many book projects. That said, I probably enjoy blogging and Twitter the most.
Good to meet you James, thanks for stopping by my blog to say hello! Hope you enjoyed your 4th of July! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling a bit overwhelmed these days, must admit. It's not so much the blogging as it is trying to keep up with reading/ reviewing books by blog buds (yours included!). So many people have helped me and I feel badly that I haven't got around to everyone yet.
ReplyDeleteI get in my daily dose of writing-at least 1000 words, usually 2000 to 7000- catch up on emails(I average 600 a day), visit my friends' blogs, write my blogs, and visit FB. I'm about ready to start Twitter, author page on FB and one for Angelic Knight Press, and get cracking on marketing stuff. Of course, my job is writing. That makes it easier.
ReplyDeleteBlaze
Thanks so much for all of your notes, my friends. I apologize for not having replied until now, but I spent most of yesterday at my dad's house, and then the evening at a neighbor's.
ReplyDeleteYou're buddy,
-Jimmy
I think you do an amazing job of staying connected! Even if you pop in to say hello, that's more than enough.
ReplyDelete*bows* Thank you, Julie. I really appreciate that. It really does bother me when I find out some big news too late to properly celebrate with a buddy, or when someone's life just changed dramatically and I wasn't around to offer support. Still think I can do better without giving myself too much added stress.
ReplyDeleteTalk to you soon.
-Jimmy
Wow! Deirdra. Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete-Jimmy
Sounds like you are a busy boy! I'm not on Facebook a lot these days, but I try to check in once a week. Blogs and Twitter are my main sources of staying connected. Maybe after work slows down a bit, I'll step everything up a notch, but for now I do what I can.
ReplyDeleteWell when you say it like that it's no wonder I'm EXHAUSTED. :D Seriously though, I love blogging and twitter! Mainly because the writing community is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Lisa, and for the Twitter follow. That's why I'm trying this new tactic, I just missed the interaction so much. If this week is any indication, I have made the right choice.
ReplyDelete-Jimmy
I am just recently trying to muster up the courage to delve into Twitter and Facebook. If you can do it with an eleven hour work day, I have no excuse.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky I have some time off because between crits, WIP, blogging, and social media... I'm putting in 8 hour days! :) But you're right - living the dream! Plus my horoscope said that my projects would have fantastic results! hehe
ReplyDeleteHa! Thanks, Coral. It's been very cool meeting you. Thanks for the follow.
ReplyDelete-Jimmy