Monday, September 26, 2011

A SPECIAL THANKS ...

Hello all,

I would first like to thank all of my blogger friends who have entertained us with wonderful stories and pictures of their summer vacation.

The variety of everyone's summer really was remarkable. If any of you would still like to keep summer going just a bit longer than feel free to scroll down and read the many fun adventures of our blogger friends.

I would also like to welcome my new followers, Reinhardt, Carrie, Ciara, Rebecca, Magnoliabebe, J, Mel, and RJR. Thank you all for joining my blogging family.

As you all can see I am only 45 friends away from 500. As I have mentioned before, that at the end of next month is my one year blogoversary which I am SO excited about. I will be doing something special so I hope to see you all. Here's hoping I make 500 by then.

I appreciate all of you caring enough to stop by whenever you can. So here's to all of you. This has been a most memorable year and I have you to thank for it.

You all might find this bit of information interesting. This past Saturday I went to a local SBCWI mini seminar on how to find the best agent for you.

The speaker was a published author and was quite knowledgeable on the different avenues of research available to us and how to use it to our full advantage to nab that coveted agent.

But a question was asked and the answer surprised me. The question was about social media. How active should an author be in twitter, blogging, etc.?

She said that she WASN'T that involved and her agent and publisher were more interested in her writing books.

I raised a brow and totally disagreed. BLOGGING is necessary especially for any novice writer. This year I have learned SO much and met THE most amazing people. I don't know what I would've done without it and all of you. So keep blogging, keep tweeting, stay connected. This community is too important to ever let slip away.


Have a wonderful day everyone.

17 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I wasn't involved in social media when I signed with my publisher - but I was told to get my butt online right away.
You'll hit that follower mark I'm sure!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Thanks for your comments, Michael. It's always good to hear conflicting opinions. Makes us think and reevaluate. I do, however, agree with you about the need for an online presence.

Johanna Garth said...

Huh!?! That's such an intersting comment. My experience was the same as Alex's. I wasn't involved until my book was picked up and then I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I needed to develop an online presence.

Sarah Tokeley said...

I wonder if it makes a difference as to when the author you were listening to signed with their agent? I can't say how long the importance of social media has been being stressed for, but maybe s/he's an 'older' author - and I mean in terms of being agented, not age :-)

Unknown said...

Well said dear bro, and I can not wait to see what you have planned for the one year and 500 mark!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I have seen blogging and Twittering consume some blogging friends to the detriment of their writing output and quality.

The internet is a great medium to hawk your novels -- but first you must have novels to hawk. It really isn't an either or situation, right?

N. R. Williams said...

I agree with you Michael and also with Roland's comment above.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

J said...

I agree...the blogging community has taught me a lot and brought me lots of really great friends, and I've only been actively blogging for a few months. It's amazing what the writing community can do! :D Good luck reaching 500 followers!

Carol Riggs said...

Yep, I love the blogging community! Maybe it's the diff between blogging being "necessary" and "recommended." It also depends on the writer; if you don't enjoy blogging and doing social networking (plus writing up posts), then it's not going to be a rewarding experience. I personally enjoy it, so it's worth it. :)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I think that blogging is really good for a writer IF they are comfortable with it. If they are uncomfortable with blogging, Michael, then I don't think they are going to get much from the experience. Blogging has done wonders for you and me and countless others because we legitimately enjoy connecting with people. Everyone, however, is going to have a different experience with social media.

Heather said...

I couldn't agree with you more. Being involved in social media introducing us to the most amazing people, helps improve our writing, and our exposure. I think it's a necessity to anyone who plans to make a career out of it.

M Pax said...

It's important to be online and working it. Many agents won't consider writers who aren't. Besides, the networking has many positives. So, I agree that blogging is necessary.

LTM said...

ahh, you know I agree a thousand percent--for the support and encouragement of the writer-blogging community alone!

And I finally got my post up. Argh. Silly stressful Friday. :p

Jo Schaffer said...

Ah! I've been a blogging slacker lately. Life gets crazy. (=

Alleged Author said...

There have been many agents who say they don't care if the author has web presence as long as the novel is good. It's so true! I've met quite a few authors who didn't create a blog until AFTER they got an agent. Something to think about, no?

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Writing books is a big thing, but how can anyone know you exist if you don't extend yourself?

Thanks for the thoughtful post!
I had fun with the summer blogfest. :)

♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

Southpaw said...

Oh so close to 500. You'll do in time.