Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Why I Social Network

Yesterday, a girl asked me if I had time for a conversation. I did, so we sat down and had a good, long talk. It turns out, she heard me mention writing and books, and as she was an inspiring writer, she wanted someone to talk to about it.

You know what, it was a really great conversation. We talked about plot and I passed on some stuff I've learned in my year and change in the blogosphere learning about the craft from you fine people.

It made me feel really good to communicate with another aspiring author. It reminded me of how I got into this blogging thing. I remember how happy I was when I first 'met' all the funny, interesting people there were on the Internet, people who, like me, had somehow found their way into the writing. It was nice to know I wasn't the only one doing it.

Yesterday reminded me of why I'm involved with this social network.

How did you become involved in blogging? Why do you stick around in the blogosphere?

11 comments:

  1. I started blogging as another outlet for my writing. I follow the tennant that writers need to write everyday, and there were days where I was stuck on my manuscript and I didn't have anything else going, so I started a blog. BEST.DECISION.EVER!

    I have learned so much from my fellow bloggers, developed meaningful friendships, and my writing has actually improved. Yes, it is a time drain, but well worth the effort.

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  2. After reading so many agents blogs, I decided to start my own as a platform. Of course it's changed over the many months, but I think I've got a grip on it. I don't Tweet or FB, and for now blogging is perfectly fine with me.

    Thanks for coming over to my blog the last week. I appreciate all your lovely words. This is why I blog, I have such fantastic friends, like you.

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  3. I started blogging to just track my own writing journey and in the beginning, I wasn't good at it. Then I met some amazing people and ta-da! It's a blast now to hear from the peeps and make great new friendships and learn from others experiences.

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  4. I started because my publisher said I needed to. I resisted at first, thinking it would be a waste of good writing time. But now I'm hooked, addicted, sold to this form of social media. I love the social interaction because writing is such a solitary activity, that I didn't realize how much I needed it until I got into it.

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  5. I started to blog on the advice of a friend. That, if I wanted to get a job in the industry (writing or editing), the best thing was to start getting myself out there.

    I started to blog, intermittently at first, and then more regularly, and it's actually spurred my regular writing habits. Last week I had an idea floating around at 4:30am and instead opening up Word, I clicked open my blog and posted it there first. Even the few readers I have inspire me to write to them before writing for myself.

    I realize I need to find a better balance, or else I'm never going to get my book started/done, but in the meantime I find it a good motivator.

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  6. I love the social interaction but also the AMAZING feedback, advice, tidbits, adn tips I get from everyone. It's a never ending resource supply! :) :)

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  7. I started blogging b/c my publisher suggested it. Now I kind of feel like it's gotten out of control! It requires so much maintenance to get the traffic I need. Ugh! If only I could find people interested in me in real life!

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  8. DL -- I'd never thought to consider my blog as part of my 'I should be writing every day' efforts, but I do think does improve one's writing. And, I do agree, the blogosphere is a great way to learn from other writers.

    Piedmont -- I think it's perfectly okay for blogs to change over time. After all, we as writers and as people change over time. So, it would follow that our manner of expressing our ideas and the ideas we have would change over time. I'm glad you enjoy my comments. I certainly enjoy reading and commenting. You're always interesting.

    Windy -- I think most bloggers discovered that they weren't super great at blogging when they started. It's certainly something we learn over time. Meeting other great bloggers is always wonderful.

    Karen -- I must say, your publisher saying that you have to seems like a very good reason to start blogging to me. But I'm glad you're hooked. Welcome to the interweb. We have cookies. :)

    Vicki -- I find my bog helps motivate me as well. One thing that motivates me in my blogging is when I post my goals. I find it helps create the feeling I am accountable to someone.

    Jaime -- I completely concur.

    Tamara -- I'm sure there are a ton of people who'd be interested in you in real life. You're a very interesting person. I can tell. I've read you blog. ;) (Okay, that probably sounded somewhat creepy/stalker-y, but I meant it in the nicest way possible.)

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  9. That's totally awesome!

    I started blogging as a way to connect with other writers. I also started as a way to build a platform and gauge interest on an ancient Egyptian novel. Turns out there are some interested people!

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  10. I started blogging because I was having a difficult social life at the time, and hoped to connect with the amazing people out there. Now I do so much more with it, and I know (hopefully) what I'm doing a bit more. One of the best things I ever did :D

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  11. Stephanie -- That makes a lot of sense. An interesting idea, using the blog to gauge interest in a subject matter.

    Vader -- I'm glad you're finding the blogosphere to your liking. :)

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