It's
time to rock the neurotic writing world!
With the
With the
I was cooking dinner
yesterday and realized how much I enjoyed cooking and the joy I felt doing the task. I'm
no gourmet, believe me, but at least my family eats what I feed them. I was curious about why the feeling caught my
attention. Was feeling joy, odd? No, the odd thing was that I noticed it. Stranger still is that it made me question what
it was that had stolen my happiness in the first place. I reviewed the prior
week.
Was writing stealing my joy?
Couldn't be, last night I
wrote 3000 words from a dream that will go into my next book and writing it was quite satisfying, especially as book 4 is
coming together, and that feels great.
It's not the writing that steals my joy; it's all the other things that go along with
it. I'm beginning to think that writing
in a vacuum would be more joyful than trying to jump through the hoops that are
required to find an audience and convince them to buy your book.
Marketing steals my joy!
There's Facebook and
their desire to have their cake and eat it too. I mean who wouldn't want to
turn billions into trillions. On FB regular posts no longer reach but a few people, you want more folks to see them, pay for a
boost. Everywhere there are fees for this and fees for that. Not to mention the
fact that folks are fed up with seeing 'buy my book' on any social networking
site. Because of spam, no one wants to share an email address, so good luck finding
an audience for your newsletter. I think it's
time to go back to the highway advertising road sign, just say'n.
I find myself wondering if
real joy means turning off the computer, deleting all social networking sites,
and going back to the things in life that bring true happiness? You know,
painting the porch, cleaning the garage, and putting that closet organizer
together, yes, these are all tasks I've been putting off.
What steals your joy?
*****
Today WEP-Write…Edit…Publish is announcing the winners of
the Spectacular Settings Challenge.
That exercise did bring me joy, and if
you've taken the time to read all the great entries, you'll agree.
Please stop
by the WEP Headquarters and give your congratulations to the winners.
1st place – Elephants Child
2nd place – L. G. Keltner
3rd place – Samantha Redstreake Geary
69 comments:
Second post in a row on marketing. Yeah. Writing is the easy part. It's what comes next that is the time suck. But nobody will buy a book they don't know about. And as Lexa Cain just said, over 2,500 books PER DAY are published on Amazon...1 million a year. So, the answer is simple--you've gotta be one in a million, Seriously, there has to be a way. Let me know when you work it out and I'll publish my first book!
Hey, what are you doing out of bed? :-)
Joy goes when I become unconsciously influenced by consensus reality. You know, when you are suddenly comparing yourself to how others perceive you should be living your life. It's in those moments I have to wake myself up and say ' Hey! I choose to live life on my terms'!
I also enjoy cooking. I just don't like the dirty dishes that result.
Marketing my books reminds me of why I purposely avoided going into that kind of career. It's funny that I end up having to deal with that sort of thing anyway.
I'm so excited about being a WEP winner! That most certainly brought me joy. I can't wait for October's challenge!
Yolanda, I hear you on the marketing, because I'm sick of being marketed to. In the end I read what I like, and not much of it is what I find on twitter.
I dread the day I would have to market anything-- I love spreading the word for books or events or authors I believe in, but it will need a tremendous act of faith to believe enough in myself to start self-promotion!
Writing, even on its more agonizing days, brings me joy. The joy of putting words on paper, of cutting entire pages out, of setting the index cards in an order I'd never thought of, discovering an old work and going, oh wow, I wrote that!
You certainly spread a lot of joy with the WEP event-- kudos to you and Denise.
My IWSG post goes up later today-- blogging takes a back seat when it comes to writing :)
The days of no pressure and nothing to do but write...
I think it's the pressure and feelings of obligation that steals joy. There are things we have to do, but when it's all things we 'have' to do, it's soul-sucking.
Ugg marketing is the biggest pain in the butt ever. It can sure suck the joy out of anything. Hate it, but have to play the game a bit.
Marketing steals my joy too. I get anxious when I have to go on FB or query reviewers. Yet it's a necessary evil. I'd rather spend all that time writing!
Yolanda, I'm starting the marketing aspect. I love this part of writing since I'm a shameless self promoter.
I love connecting with people, chatting, learning new things... but I'm NOT A SALES PERSON!!
The thought of having to promote a book one day is terrifying!
Maybe I'll win some money, then I'll hire a professional marketing and promo team... *sighs*... a girl is allowed to dream...?
Happy IWSG Day!
Congrats to all the WEPFF winners!!
I'll pop by the site now.
Back to the old marketing thing. Sometimes I think like you've described about going back to the basics of life. When I was on vacation driving across country I felt so free from the worries of the future. There is much to be said for living in the now, but it can also be very unrealistic for creative people who are driven to deliver their creations to the world. How do we make that world want what we have to give? Always the big question and the big oppression.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Marketing can really be crazy-making. I've given up with Facebook, but if I stop promoting, I stop selling. It's tricky to balance!
I realized just how bad it's getting with Facebook just this past Monday. I opened a giveaway for the first three people to comment to win a free eBook of Hurricane Crimes. 5 hours later...nothing. I prompted it through my other social media sites. By Tuesday, I finally had two comments...but from people who have read it already and were endorsing it. Still nothing. Until today when one person commented and tagged friends. So far I've given away 2 copies. But a year ago, this giveaway would've picked up a lot faster.
I realized just how bad it's getting with Facebook just this past Monday. I opened a giveaway for the first three people to comment to win a free eBook of Hurricane Crimes. 5 hours later...nothing. I prompted it through my other social media sites. By Tuesday, I finally had two comments...but from people who have read it already and were endorsing it. Still nothing. Until today when one person commented and tagged friends. So far I've given away 2 copies. But a year ago, this giveaway would've picked up a lot faster.
There have been days I've felt like that. There's a song I love, and one of the lines is "Take me back to when we lived a better life, back when we had no plans." Some days, that really hits me.
I do enjoy marketing, but I find I can't keep up with all the online stuff anymore.
I must say that I agree with this and I have yet to finish my novel, more less market it. Just reading about all of the marketing stuff steals my joy. I don't want to be on Twitter. I don't like it when people constantly put "buy my book" in their status on FB (and I don't want to be one of those people!), BUT I understand the frustration. With so many books out there, how do you get yours to pop to the top? No answers here, but I like the road sign idea.
EXACTLY! Marketing! Or SELLING. That is almost exactly what I am on about today in a totally different format because I've been thinking about this, too. I love to write. But all that desire to publish stuff makes me SO TIRED.
I don't do FB so I had no idea that they were adding fees. Yikes.
I think what's stealing the joy I have, is finding the time. I love and enjoy writing. It's the finding time for it that's starting to drag me down. But I also appreciate some of the ideas you listed above. It's hard to find the target audience. As for deleting social media? Maybe not, I think all things have their place, but certainly relying on social media in itself is not a good thing. I do get some attention via social media. And some is better than none.
I find that comparing myself to others often steals my joy. It makes me feel like I'm not "enough" - successful enough, smart enough, creative enough, nice enough, etc. When I focus on challenging myself, improving myself, that's when I feel most whole and happy. :)
Congrats to the 3 WEP winners! I've found I don't have much "joy" when it comes to writing. I just feel satisfaction of someone buys my book and writes a good review. (Apparently I need validation like a little kid.) I don't really mind the steps of marketing or the social media interaction. It just very annoying to make a big effort and still have no sales...
That's unfortunate about marketing stealing your joy :( but I get how you're feeling. Often times, I just want to shut everything down and disappear into the trees for a week or so. Just take a break from all this junk. If only!
- Madilyn Quinn @ NovelBrews
Don't let it steal the joy, Yolanda! However, I've often thought of pulling the social media plug and returning to my life before publication. It does seem sweet now that I look back.
Congrats to those who won the WEP!
Hi Denise, I'm trying to get last minute things done, but we all know what that means, errors to correct in the morning. :)
You've had a better head start than I did. I had no idea how or what social networking was, still struggle with it but you've got that licked. You'll do well!
You should have left it, I agree 100 percent!
Social media with all of it's platform building and marketing does weigh down. Steals so much time too. Some days I just shut it off and head to paint the fence or deck or weed the garden or whatever. Then, when I come back, at least I feel like my head's a little clearer and I've really accomplished something in life.
Hi Kate,
So true, and something we all do. We've got to make that decision when we first awaken, conquer the day on our terms! Thanks for the reminder.
Hi L G,
I hate the dishes too, but if I can bribe someone else to do them, I'm cooking up a storm!
Congratulations on your win - so deserved!
Hi damyanti
Yes it does get old fast. I try to deliver the books of others and mostly keep quiet about my own unless I get a guest post appearance. But what used to be the place to find readers is not so anymore. I agree writing can be agonizing, but it's always a joy!
So true, Alex, so true!
Happy Anniversary! The IWSG idea is awesome!
Hi Pat, yes we do, play the game or quit, and I'm not a quitter!
Hi Christine, exactly, the fun part! But as everyone has pointed out, marketing is a necessary evil!
Hi Stephen, you and a few other folks I know, love the marketing as much as the writing. You've got a winning combination.
Hi Michelle,
I love the contact with readers, meeting them, talking about the work, but the other stuff, not so much. Wish I could hire a professional, one day, I keep telling myself, one day! WEP rocked it!
Exactly Arlee, the basics. I remember when I first moved into our old house, I loved each project, and now I find less and less time to do them. But that's the way the cookie crumbles, back then I wanted to be a published author, got what I asked for, and now I'm bellyaching because I've had to sacrifice the fun for the work. Be careful what you wish for! :)
Hi Emma, very tricky to balance! FB is the most frustrating!
Hi Chrys, yes now FB limits your reach, unless you pay them. Horrid, they get rich off the advertisers, and now they want to suck the cash from the user too, but everyone is doing it. Soon nothing online will be free.
Hi Diane,
Yes, exactly, online is harder and harder. I think folks will tire of it, or something new will be created. I remember when MySpace was the bomb - soon something else will replace FB. Who knows?
Hi Robin,
Get ahead of the game and make your online presence huge, it will benefit you after publication. I came to too long after my book was published. Lost time and really didn't know what I was doing - trying to learn!
Hi Hart, it does drag a person down. Quickly takes away the joy for sure!
Hi Ivey, yes they do, and a few other sites that were free are adding costs too.
Hi Jeffrey,
That too can become hard as life seems to get in the way. An artists time isn't really there own, for many reasons, and sometimes not respected either. Keep up with the social media it will make a difference when you publish and now contracts have provisions for how much and when in them!!!
Madeline,
That's where I find my joy too! But I've been known to do that comparison thing too, not a good idea! Let's vow to just write!
Hi Lexa, I can understand that, once it's out there you just want to know it's found a home, or two, or three. Hard not to!
Hi Madilyn, hiding in the trees would work for me. I love seclusion!
Hi Lee, I don't think I let it, it just happens when I get all caught up in it. I have to step back take a breath and do something fun, like write! The WEP rocked it!
I do to T. - it's the only way to find balance. Pulling weeds, doing the laundry, taking a walk, so good for clearing the head and feeling free!
This is exactly how I feel. I think one of the reasons I've had trouble writing lately is that the marketing aspect sucks the life out of me and for a while I was feeling like it wasn't even worth it to write another book. I'm over that now but there's no question marketing is not in my nature at all and I don't think I will ever feel comfortable with the various social media options.
Hi human, Yolanda,
Pawhaps pawplexing, but I find having all these things such as IWSG contributes to stealing my joy and my human Gary's joy. We understand the pawsitive interaction. However, it gets too much seeing blog after blog after blog, showing up with that IWSG logo. Then again, my crazy Gary does think it means, "I Was Seeking Gary."
I do believe that switching off the computer and just reflecting on life beyond the screen has a lot of credibility. I glad that neither I nor my human takes writing so serious that it can dominate our life. Just a bit of therapy in this diverse world we share.
Thank you, lovely Yolanda.
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,
Penny xx
I'm currently working on a marketing plan for the next book...or should I say, taking notes but procrastinating on said plan! At any rate, I get it. But I'm making it a challenge to myself to find a marketing path that works without draining me. We'll see how I do! There are so many ways to market that I'm hoping to find the most enjoyable ones for me.
Nadine, I'm wishing nothing but luck in finding that avenue of marketing that works for you! I personally loved the book signings that I did and after that first book I had well over 150. So much fun to meet and greet the readers, there's nothing like it. Let me know what you discover!
Hi Penny, please pass on my best wishes to Gary,
I had a lovely reply written and the computer told me I'd timed out? Really, since when? I do think that walking away from all the digital interference is a good thing, at least for short periods of time, but to market, you can't do it for long, not when the contract calls for it. Still, if all I had was a stick and some sand, I'd write!
Love those doggy kisses!
Hi Julie,
It does make you question the whole process, but we get through it and keep on keepin on. It's the nature of the beast! I remember long trips, full days and only selling a few books for all the effort. Still, it's the writing and the hope that around that next corner it will be different. I've given myself 10 years, I'm seven into it - we'll see. But no matter what, I will write!
I'm a children's writer, so...NIGHTMARE. Children's writers do school visits...standing in front of a classroom of children, conducting a workshop about your book. Talk about yikes! I do a lot of online marketing, though...I don't know how much of a dent that makes, but you do what you can do. School visits often sell very few books (unless the school will let you actually sell the books at the event) and the average booksigning sells eight books. I just want to write!
Oh, gosh, you're so right! Marketing does steal our joy. But what can we do? I guess every job comes with good sides and bad sides. Marketing is our bad sides, but if the good outweighs it, then we're OK, right?
Hi Stephanie, I can't imagine, but I do remember my sons school having several writers appear in his classes. I still have the signed copies of those books. And you're right about the average number sold at a book signing. Lots of work little return, but I did enjoy meeting the readers.
Hi Olga,
It does for most of us, but a few writers love marketing too. I applaud them, wish I had a 10th of their skills. Isn't that how we judge it - the good has to outweigh the bad! It does for me!
Hey Yolanda,
(At least I know where your first comment came from!
And no, I didn't at all think you were negative, but it's easy to read your frustration - literally :)
You have actually given me an idea.. I'm going to keep my Twitter and my blog, but I'm now leaning to steer clear of FB. It sounds like a nightmare and my thought process is to be a little like that farmer in the movie "Faith Like Potatoes."
I'll do my best, market the book in all ways I can, and then have faith.
If it's meant to be, it's meant to be...
Ha, you've really given me some food for thought (excuse the pun :)
Hi Mark, Frustration is the right word. I think you're making a good decision. You have to find what works for you and like you say have faith!
Love you attitude! Love the pun!
I've been wondering if all the social networking is gaining any sales too. It is done so much, as you say, that we pretty much ignore it. Too much advertising in "social" applications takes all the "joy" out of logging on to visit friends and family.
All this cooking ideas, is that what sparked your Bay Windows flash? Hehehe, it was awesome.
I haven't tried advertising on any site yet. Money is tight. But I have some writer friends that do that. Still, I think flash fiction and/or short stories might be key. Easy to write. I've read the more you have available to read the better. My joy is easily stolen and hard to find.
Nancy
Hi Donna,
True, buy my book is everywhere and tiring. As for my cooking - when I saw the picture I increased the size, specifically of the window and it looked as though children were peeking out. There came the story, and I imagined a restaurant on the first floor. Why not? :) Thanks!
Hi Nancy,
I hope there is a key, I'm sure trying to find it!
Wishing you nothing but the best!
Marketing wears me down and steals my joy sometimes, too. I think that sometimes the best use of facebook, twitter, etc. is to share our joys and then . . . well, let the rest just go.
Well, I suppose it makes sense.
I suspect that social media and marketing will tire me out when I finally get to the point where I publish my book and it's time to sit down and promote. I think I'll stick with only the parts of marketing that seem fun. At least that's my hope.
Marketing is already stressful for me, and I don't even have a book out there yet. All the prep, and the things you're supposed to do ahead of time, before you're even there, are a pain. I don't blame you for feeling like it's taking your joy away.
I hope so too ken, it would be a beautiful world if that were the case! :)
You've got a great start, I came to all this online stuff several years too late. Wishing you well, and congrats on all the good news lately!
Post a Comment