My Little Experiment OR How To Manage an Online Presence as an Author

My experiment? Yup, you probably already guessed it. Do I get more traffic just by putting up pics of hot, shirtless vampires? Well, I'll let you know the results in a week or so. ;) But that does tie in to what I want to talk about today. Platform building for writers. I know, it's been discussed, but let's summarize what I've learned:

1. Is an online presence helpful to a yet-to-be-published author?

I've heard both sides of the argument, and what I take away is this - and I speak from experience folks! I've been blogging for nearly a year now. If you HATE it. I mean have to force yourself to blog or tweet like taking a spoonful of castor oil. Then you shouldn't invest the time it takes. On the other hand, if you like it (and let's face it, most of us writers do because it's another outlet for our creative side), go for it!! You build contacts, yes. But most importantly you connect with your peers. And you will find that those peers are an invaluable resource of support, friendship, and information. And when that book finally comes out? You have a place to market it. A place that is more likely to be visited by the young audience you may be targeting, and a place you are now comfortable navigating.

2. Which platforms are the most useful?

Well, I have personal experience with the "big three." Those being Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging.

Let's start with FB. I find it a little more difficult to use for marketing myself, though some people love it. I think it's a personal choice, but I'll show you why I prefer Twitter and blogging.

Twitter is not only fun and addictive, it's easy to participate. Especially with free programs like Tweetdeck to help keep you organized and up to date. You don't have to spend forever on there, you just check in say a few times a day or go for an online conference like #kidlitchat, #yalitchat, or #scribechat.

Blogging is a great outlet for your muse as a writer. I've used three major platforms. Blogger (obviously), Wordpress (undead poet's society and Scribechat), and Livejournal (Enchanted Inkpot). They all have ups and downs. Personally, I find Blogger the most user friendly, followed by Wordpress. I also like how blogger keeps me connected with so many other's that use Google.

3. What do I say?

Keep your personal life private. That's my biggest advice. Do I mention my kids occasionally? Yes. But you notice I don't give specific names and locals. Nor do you want to hear it. YOU as my guest want something of value in return for visiting with me. And I want you to say, I like that Lisa Gail Green chick! She's funny, uplifting, a little quirky, and I learn things by talking to her. So aim for those things - whatever you want someone to come away with - and give it to them! On Twitter I tweet links of use, tidbits, and (hopefully) funny anecdotes. I also converse with friends, and offer/receive encouragement.

The biggest thing to remember is that you are interacting with real people who are in much the same boat you are. Yes we want to hear about good news and share in disappointments with you, but overall, this is a give and take. Comment on others blogs! I love hearing from you!! I really mean that. I answer just about every time. And I try to reciprocate by going to your blog as well. I love the people I've met here! I enjoy doing this! And apparently I also enjoy exclamation points!

What did I leave out? Tell me what you find helpful online.

photo credit for Damon/photo credit for Stephen

Monday Madness - Jamie Manning

Please give a warm welcome to fellow writer Jamie Manning, who blogs at Writers Write, Right? Go check him out, I'll wait. Okay, back? Now look at what Jamie had to say about himself:

So, a little about me. Hmmm...awkward! Well, I'm 33 years old, soon to be 34 (in a month) and up until about a year ago, I've never really thought about trying to write a book. I mean, I thought about it when I was younger - I even tried it a couple times - but no /serious/ thoughts...until I read Twilight (I love any and all things vampire).
Now I know what most people are going to say. Twilight?! What?! But that book really turned me on to the writing world again. It isn't the greatest piece of fiction, but it lit a fire under me!
Since then, I've discovered this wonderful world of blogging and I haven't looked back. I've enjoyed discovering blogs and authors and tips on the craft of writing, all of which have given me some much-needed self-confidence (I honestly didn't have much before).
I'm a HUGE animal lover...if I had a dime for all the turtles I've helped cross the road I'd be rich! I have 3 awesome dogs that are the most important things in my life. No matter my day, I know they're anxiously waiting for me to get home so they can jump in my arms and lick my face and that knowledge brightens my mood every time.
I don't have children, but I do have a slew of nieces and nephews that I adore and don't get to see often enough. I'm a confessed TV junkie (seriously. I watch many many hours a week!) and movie nerd (horror movies, of course, are my favorite) who gives up waaay too much of my precious free time to mindless entertainment.

The term "accident-prone" had to have been created for me. When it comes to freaky, out-of-the ordinary accidents, I've had them all. I've been knocked unconscious after falling from a garbage truck, dragged across a highway by a car, driven my car through a bedroom wall... yeah. Weird.
But I've survived it all, and I'm hoping it's so I can share the stories in my head with the world! (cue cheesy music).

Hmm. Let's see. Jamie clearly has a suppressed death wish. I mean, he's not only frighteningly accident prone, and has had more real life adventures than most heros in a book, he's also drawn to vampires. He loves animals, and kids. And he's just a plain ole nice guy! It comes right through the computer. So what is he?

An Elf.

Hear me out. Elves (light elves of course) are good, peace loving folk, who adore nature (thus the animal/kid love). They are easily led astray (thus the vampire attraction), and are prone to adventure. So is it true, Jamie? Are you one of the "Fair Folk?"

Is Santa a Gnome?

So here I sit, wracking my overused brain to find a topic for this post - something of such unbelievable value to everyone that it becomes a permanent bookmark on your browser - when it hits me.

My gnome looks a lot like Santa.

I know what you're thinking. Genius! Right? I mean he has the red hat, white beard, and is admittedly pretty round. Plus who's to say Santa doesn't change his clothes specially for the holiday?

In all seriousness (and this is where I tie it all in to writing and offer you free stuff, so watch the brilliance unfold). We don't normally connect garden gnomes with Santa Claus, but that's where our creativity as writers comes in to play. We see connections between things that are unique. We can look at a picture of a house and suddenly our mind is making up a story about the mysterious widow that lives there waiting for the ghost of her murdered lover to return. Okay, maybe you didn't think of that, but you get the idea.

So I don't want to hear any complaints about not having any good ideas. Got it? Pick up a random object off your own desk or shelf and make something up about it. Something not obvious to the rest of us. Then convince me. No really. Go do that and email it to me at paranormalpov at gmail dot com with "contest" in the subject line. I'll take the most creative one and post it right here on my blog, linking back to you. Then, if you are in the U.S. I'll give you a prize to boot! You can choose between a book (either Clockwork Angel, Personal Demons, or Beautiful Creatures, or anything of a comparable value) or a critique of up to ten pages. Go ahead, impress me! In two hundred words or less of course, since I anticipate the entire blogosphere participating. Why yes, I have been told I'm an optimist! How did you know?

You have until December 31st - 3 weeks from tomorrow. So get to work! Yes, I am aware that's New Years Eve, think of it like a resolution you can keep now. Not letting your creative juices sit on the back burner while keeping up with the holidays.

*Please note that I am changing the rules slightly. My contest after all. He he he. I'm extending the word limit to no more than 1000. That should give you some more wiggle room. But if your piece is shorter, that's fine. This is an exercise in creativity not length.

Celebrity Monday Madness

photo credit
1. Bristol Palin - come on folks! You know I had to go there. I'm going with Mind Controlling Alien on this one. She gave it an admirable go on Dancing with the Stars, but finals? REALLY? Those susceptible to her mind rays must have felt an undeniable compulsion to call in votes until their fingers bled.

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2. Adam Sandler - if I say he's a demi-god, do I get added to his holiday party guest list for next year? Cuz, it's not beneath me...

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3. Taylor Swift - She'sjust so darn adorable, and talented to boot! I have to go with Fairy on this one. She has that grace and charm that mesmerize the simple human folk.

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4.Robert Downey Jr.

- Hmm. He's a great actor. He's versatile. He's a hotty. But we also know he isn't exactly perfect. Werewolf is where this is headed. Hot and unpredictable. Yeah.

Hush Hush Review

With me today I have Damian. Damian is a Fallen Angel, and I've asked him to review the book Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick for us.

Me: So, Damian, what did you think of the book?

Damian: It sucked.

Me: Excuse me?

Damian: You heard me. People who read that book might end up having feelings for Fallen Angels. We don't want you to have feelings for us. We enjoy being hated and feared. I hate it when authors make you like the bad guy. What self-respecting Fallen Angel wouldn't?

Me: So what you're actually saying is that the author does a great job sending the reader on an emotional rollercoaster. Making us actual hope that the "bad" guy isn't really bad?

Damian: Stop twisting my words. Wait. You know, you'd make a great Fallen Angel. Interested in a career change?

Me: Um no, I like writing, thank you very much.

Well, if you want my opinion, I thought the book was AMAZING. I rushed right out and bought the sequel CRESCENDO. Which was good as well, but HUSH HUSH was a truly gripping page turner. I honestly wasn't sure what was going to happen - meaning who was going to be "good" and "bad" until the end. Don't worry. I'm not going to tell you. But I sure had an emotional investment in how it turned out. I actually found it scary as well. Which I can't say happens very often for me, even in books labeled horror. So yeah, I recommend it. Oh and if I haven't convinced you yet - those steamy scenes with Patch and Nora? Whoa. Can you say sexual tension? Wow.

Resources For Writers

I thought I might take a moment to link you all to some super resources I've used on the net for writing purposes. Some of them are exclusive to Paranormal. Some are more generic, so you should be able to find something helpful. I hope.

1. For naming my characters. Well sometimes I just KNOW. And the creepiest thing is that when I look up the meaning it generally works a little too well. But for those other characters, I use this site. I like it because you can search by letter, year of popularity, meaning, origin, etc. Just about anything.

2. For paranormal and fantasy research. When I'm looking for inspiration or just doing a little research, I like to use Monstropedia. I find it a great resource for both well known and not so well known creatures.

3. For tips on craft. I know you probably all know this one. But If you don't - where have you been?? Marissa and Martina have the most fabulous blog for writers on this planet. You'll find Adventures in Children's Publishing here. Now go visit.

4. Need Support? Have Questions? If you aren't a member of Verla Kay's Blueboards, you should be. Warning though, you can get lost over there, because there's so much to explore.

5. Obvious but imperative. Google. Okay, I know, right? But SERIOUSLY. If anything pops in my head. ANYTHING. I go to Google to search for it. Researching the geography of a town you've never been in? Google maps. Looking for visual inspiration? Google images.

6. If you write for children - teens. Then you must be a member of SCBWI. If you aren't, you are short changing yourself. And while you are there, make sure to take advantage of all of their resources because they are plentiful. That's where I learned everything about the business side of things when I started out. That's where I found my critique group. That's where I became active on the message boards and soaked up unbelievably useful information and other resources like a sponge. That's where I found the first conference I went to. That's where I took the workshop that taught me how to do this. Okay I'll stop. You get the idea.

So there are some of my favorites. How about you? What sites do you have to pass along?

Thankful for all of YOU

To my dear followers and fellow bloggers,

Today is Thanksgiving, and though it doesn't quite mesh with my paranormal roots, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you ALL.

1. For the time you devote to not only visiting mine and other blogs, but for the extra effort I know that takes because we all have so much in our lives. By doing this you receive in exchange friendship, support, knowledge (particularly of craft), and humor.

2. For the comments you leave so that we can communicate and learn about one another.

MOST OF ALL

3. For collectively being the absolute most AMAZING community of like minded people I've ever encountered. Yes I love writing. Yes I would continue to do so no matter what because I cannot stop. But it is this community that keeps me sane and grounded, and so very uplifted.

SO THANK YOU ALL!!! YOU ARE APPRECIATED.