Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melanie Conklin on May 26, 2012 at 6:12pm

Hi Alison--

I was right where you are about 6 months ago, and I did start a blog. I also joined twitter and started following lots of people in publishing--writers, editors, agents, etc.

I started the blog because I wanted somewhere to write about some of my experiences, but also to start building my platform. My background is in product design, and I would never have taken someone seriously who didn't have a web page, so I think that mentality carried over. To me, having a web page, even a basic one, is a sign of commitment to being a professional. It also gives you somewhere to showcase your work and share information and lessons you've learned.

The key is identifying your unique perspective on writing. I don't think blogging about what you ate for breakfast gets anyone good attention, unless it's hilariously funny writing. Everyone has some kind of unique perspective. Figure out what yours is, and write about it. Or just start writing book reviews of books in your genre--lots of writers do that to get started.

I explored creating a website and building connections in twitter, and ended up realizing I had a LOT to learn about writing. There are so many great articles shared on twitter every day on the craft of writing, or how to use social media to your advantage. In the early days I had twenty browser tabs open by the end of every day, waiting to be read.

Over time, I realized my first novel was a warm-up. A good, entertaining, sweet story, but not properly targeted at today's trends or markets. So, I kept moving and started working on a couple of new projects. I followed those to much greater success.

So, whether you start a blog or not, I would advise opening the doors to some more learning at this juncture. You are at a natural stopping point. You need something else to push you forward. Putting something else out into the world might not be the answer now, maybe taking more information in will show you your next step.

Best of luck! Find me on twitter, or at my blog and you've got a friend :)

Melanie

www.melanieconklin.com

@MLConklin

Permalink Reply by Edith O Nuallain on May 29, 2012 at 1:14pm

Lots of excellent advice here Melanie, thank you!

Permalink Reply by Alison Kucich on May 29, 2012 at 5:38pm

Thanks so much for the feedback, Melanie.  I think you're right about the web page or blog showing commitment to being a professional.  At first, I dismissed the social media outlet, but I can see when and how it's helpful.  If a business doesn't have a web page these days, I'm generally suspicious.  

I've looked at your blog and think it's great, especially the preview of your book.  Do you feel that it helped you with agent representation or are you self publishing?  How did you find followers?

Thanks!

Ali

Permalink Reply by Melanie Conklin on May 30, 2012 at 8:17am

Thanks, Alison :)

It's funny that you say that--I'm in the midst of agent talks right now, but not for the book that's previewed on my website! It turns out that book may have been a bit of a "warm-up."

I do believe that the website helps me appear as a professional to any agent that clicks through to it--although I couldn't tell you how many have done so. I know that it gives me a better chance of forming connections with established writers, because they see I'm committed and "worth" interacting with.

I'm sure you understand that--how often do you go to a page and say, hmm, this looks too crappy, I'll skip it? For me, I do that all the tie.

Most of the followers I have gained are people I've had conversations with. Either on twitter, or here, or on their blogs, or on other writers websites. The best way to make friends is to be a friend!

Permalink Reply by Valerie M Honey. on May 26, 2012 at 10:34pm

I set up a blog and a Face book page. Quiet Dreamer is the mane of my Blog and My Face book page is under Heather Rowan. I am certainly unpublished.

  Have faith in your work. A friend on mine was searching for an agent for 3/4 years.She  faced refusals and the etc s. she carried on working on her next project as she waited. She made it this year.

  Join me if you like. I'd be glad of your input. You post blogs on She writes as well. I have. The best.

Permalink Reply by Edith O Nuallain on May 29, 2012 at 1:12pm

Valerie I tried to find your blog and facebook page but there seems to be quite a few Heather Rowans and a few derivatives of Quiet dreamer! I'd like to link in with you if I can figure out how to! Edith x

Permalink Reply by Cheryl Fassett on May 28, 2012 at 6:11am

I am unpublished and recently begsn a blog to start building my platform. I actually learned a lot about platforms here on SheWrites. Before I joined, I had not really given any thought to marketing myself as a writer, but now I see thst it is important. If we don't market ourselves, who will?

My blog is still in its infancy- only a month and a half old. But I am osyched to have had almost 500 visits! I never would have thought that was possible. I am also learning about Twitter and plan to dive into that this week. I have started to build a Facebook fan page but have kept it unpublished for now, since there is really nothing on it and "fan" page seemed a bit self-indulgent at this point.

As I begin the submission/query process, I feel a little more confident. I can say that yes, I am as yet unpublished but I have already started to build my marketing platform. This is something that I hope will show a perespective agent or publisher that I am taking my writing and my novel seriously enough to start promoting before I have a contract in hand.

Feel free to stop by at chereylfassett.wordpress.com and say hi. Let me know when you have states your blog, and I will do the same!!

Permalink Reply by Edith O Nuallain on May 29, 2012 at 1:09pm

Hi Cheryl, I'm just beginning too! I only joined She Writes a couple of weeks ago and already my writing output has quadrupled...not difficult given the little I did previously...... While I have had a facebook page for a couple of years, it is only recently that I am learning how to use it properly. In the past I tended to take a look, have no clue who the people there were, and turned it off in fright! My children think I'm incredibly stupid! It is a steep but exciting learning curve. :-)

Permalink Reply by Alison Kucich on May 29, 2012 at 5:40pm

Thank you, Cheryl!  I've already visited your blog and think you're probably right.  Who else will market us if we don't?!?  Now all I have to do is clone myself to handle my three boys and find time to fit a blog into my schedule.

Permalink Reply by Leaha Shaikh on May 31, 2012 at 6:52am

I met with an editor a few years ago to talk about the possibility of publishing my manuscript.  The editor then advised me that I needed to establish a following of readers and a great way of doing that would be to start a blog.  I have been blogging/tweeting ever since!  It's a good way for others to get to know you as a writer.

Permalink Reply by Sarah Wyjack-Oxley on June 1, 2012 at 12:43pm

Hi,

I just recently joined this site and your question caught my eye as I have been wondering the same thing.  According to Writers Market 2012, a personal blog will get the most followers and attention if it contains useful tips and knowledge that people can walk away with rather than just focusing on your life.  I have a blog started and had been focusing primarily on my own insights and experiences, but after reading this advice I have decided to make it more of a tips for the day type of format.  Hope this helps!  I have also wondered at what writing stage you need to be at in order to create a website, it seems like such a great tool to promote ourselves :)

Permalink Reply by Katie Checkley on June 1, 2012 at 2:05pm

Hi Alison,

I know exactly what you mean. I'm revising my novel as well, (I'm virtually unpublished in all other aspects too), and I've often wondered the exact same thing--who cares if I have a blog, if I don't have a book! Last December though, I told myself to just do it and I started a blog. It's been coming along slowly, but it's always great when someone reads a post and comments! I simply write about writing, and my perspective on the art. I've also recently joined Twitter. I've been told it never hurts to begin the platform early.

If you aren't sure to where to start, it helps to simply take a step back and read other blogs, Twitter feeds, etc. just to get a feel what other writers do. You can visit mine if you'd like!

http://theintrinsicwriter.blogspot.com/

Let me know if you set one up! I'd love to check it out.

And by the way, I give you credit for getting as far as you did with the querying/agent hunting process. I'm still trying to get my novel "just right" and it feels like it's taking forever!

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