Is the social net working?

fljustice · Post by **fljustice** » Wed April 20th, 2011, 4:25 pm

M. J. Rose has an interesting article on "Return on Effort" re author time spent on social networking. Should we be spending 1, 2...10 hours a day on FB, Tweeting, updating our blogs or writing books?

I plead guilty to spending more time on my blog these day, than on my WIP, and should rectify that.

But I try to limit my time on other places. Of course HFO is my go to hangout place, just for the great people and interesting chat.

Alisha Marie Klapheke · Post by **Alisha Marie Klapheke** » Mon April 25th, 2011, 2:38 am

I have temporarily ceased writing my blog in favor of spending time on my WIP. Now, I am not published yet (note the fantastic optimism!) so that is a different scenario than some. I just feel like there are only so many free hours a week and I must focus to succeed. I've been spending less time here as well.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Mon April 25th, 2011, 10:00 am

I only have 120 followers on my blog while others I know have a lot more. I've had it for over 2 years now and find it is stagnant.

Before I was reading one or two books a week so that I could update my blog, but then I realized that I couldn't focus on my WIP, like you. I figured, well since hardly anyone is reading it why put so much time and effort into my blog? Everyone told me that it takes time to build up a blog following. This is true, but 120? Pitiful. When I first had my blog publishers contacted all the time, now I only get requests for self published books. Obviously my blog isn't one of the big movers and shakers so no one cares.

So I try to update it when I can. I need to focus on me first.

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Mon April 25th, 2011, 12:38 pm

Great article. I am not a natural "social networking" animal and I do feel guilty about not tweeting or Facebooking or blogging enough. I wish I could conserve all that guilt-energy and apply it to my writing. I particularly like the idea of writing short stories related to one's novel-length work and using them for promotional purposes. I'd so much rather do that than write blog posts!

Thanks for the link, Faith!

Ludmilla · Post by **Ludmilla** » Mon April 25th, 2011, 12:42 pm

On a slightly different but related note, do you think modern tools and social networking have made writing more of a collaborative process? I was reading a dedication in one of Diana Gabaldon's books and it went on and on with the people who gave her ideas, helped with research, etc. And with some authors I do wonder how much their fans and peers drive their ideas.

fljustice · Post by **fljustice** » Mon April 25th, 2011, 4:39 pm

[quote=""Elizabeth""]Great article. I am not a natural "social networking" animal and I do feel guilty about not tweeting or Facebooking or blogging enough. I wish I could conserve all that guilt-energy and apply it to my writing. I particularly like the idea of writing short stories related to one's novel-length work and using them for promotional purposes. I'd so much rather do that than write blog posts!

Thanks for the link, Faith![/quote]

You're welcome, Elizabeth. I find I use my blog as an excuse not to write fiction. Even with a posting schedule of 3-4 pieces a month, I always seem to be researching, writing, rewriting the non-fiction. Last week, I gave myself permission to ignore the blog and concentrate on a half-done manuscript. I turned in the first 6 chapters to my writing group and it was one of the best feelings I've had in months.