Anyone who’s tried their hand at writing knows that time designated for that purpose often seeps away without fulfilling its promise. This is especially true if you write at home. Distractions are numerous and constant. When I look back at when I started my first book, I marvel at how I managed to complete it in one year, despite running a mortgage company and battling a ruthless illness. So, why am I not producing books faster now that I no longer work outside the home and have beat the Lyme monster back into its hole?
I think part of my angst comes from taking more time to enjoy life now. If I were to lay out the hours spent on writing before I quit the mortgage biz to the amount of time I now spend bashing my brains against the keyboard, they might be pretty much equal. Which enforces the notion that I’ve become a slacker.
But today’s author wears several hats. Unless you are one of the literary biggies, time must be devoted to reaching and growing your audience. This means blogging, posting interesting material on social media, and connecting with the public. And before you know it, the day…week…month is gone.
I’ll admit it: social media used to intimidate me. Until a few months ago, I had never even been on Twitter, and I had no plans to change that. Facebook was challenging enough for me. But then I was contacted by a fellow writer who had also written a book about her mom and Alzheimer’s. Jean Lee explained how she and three other writers had united to create an Alzheimer’s blog that showcased books of various genres relating to the disease. She graciously invited me to join their group, AlzAuthors, and I accepted.
Once I became part of this courageous, empathetic group of writers, Jean strongly suggested I get on Twitter. She held my hand and walked me through the basics. Weirdly for me, I didn’t hate it. In fact, I actually got how interacting with others in that forum could be a benefit. I dove in and found that I really enjoy the fast-paced exchange of thoughts and images. And the best part has been connecting with other authors.
Before I was a writer, I was an enthusiastic reader. I still am, and being on Twitter has opened me up to a vast new world of writers. In the four months since I joined, I have read books by authors I’ve connected with on Twitter. I’ve been exposed to an array of genres I wouldn’t have found on my own.
Below is the list to the 11 books I’ve read or am currently reading. They cover a lot of different categories. That’s the beauty of Twitter: you can find almost anything. It’s all out there, just waiting to be discovered.
Happy Summer and Happy Reading to all!
Until next time…
Cynthia
The Twitter-Trove of literary gems I’ve discovered:
Have read and recommend
“Alzheimer’s Daughter” by Jean Lee
“Murder on the Mind” by L.L. Bartlett
“The Accidental Detective” by Michael R.N. Jones
“The Good Spy Dies Twice” by Mark Hosack
“Each Day I Wake” by Seb Kirby
“The Yuba Trouble” by John Rose Putnam
“The 20’s girl, the ghost, and all that jazz” by June Kearns
“Unclaimed Baggage” by Marcee Corn
Currently reading
“Odyssey in a Teacup” by Paula Houseman
“The Dragons of Alsace Farm” by Laurie L.C. Lewis
“Innocence Taken: Prey He Kills You Quickly” by Victoria M. Patton