I had to play nurse to my husband for a month. After he had minor surgery, we had weeks of sleepless nights because we couldn’t find a pain killer which actually dulled his pain. I missed many yoga and Zumba sessions while our apartment just didn’t get cleaned. I was too tired to read and …
Letting go of promotional habits
An author friend discouraged me from going to a literary festival. She was a top selling author with one of the big well known publishers. She had clout. She said the money I was spending to go overseas and take part in a queer book conference would be better spent buying truckloads of my own …
In isolation but not online much
My husband closed down his Facebook account. He did so early this year and doesn't regret it. It's something I can't do because as an author, I need to have a presence in cyberspace. But since isolation, I drift into my socials, take a quick look, then exit. I've been enjoying a different life since …
Authors and algorithms
A Twitter post popped up recently about how interactions have diminished. I responded saying that I've noticed this too. Recently I asked #WritingCommunity if they've noted Twitter is behaving like Facebook (i.e. the same small number of regulars reacting to what you've posted). One person responded. For an author, this is not good. I already …
Social Media Tips for Authors
It's the start of the year and I'm writing this blog, but something has become apparent to me all over again as I review my social media. Algorithms are in charge. In some ways they work with us, giving us a validated experience by showing us popular posts and keeping conversations going with the peeps …
As an author, how much social media is enough?
I have two designated days a week to write. That's more than most. One of those days is Monday and like most people find, Mondays fly by quickly. I usually do the washing on that day as well, and pop off to the gym in the morning. So I don't get to my laptop until …
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Words. They have power!
I've often blogged about my favourite editor, Mary Belk. She was assigned to my first novel and totally helped me re-imagine it. But I realised something the other day. I have no idea what she looks or sounds like. That's not unusual as I have the same relationship with my current editor, Jason. I wanted …
The Multimedia Author
Three things happened in the past weeks. One involved film making, the others involved the challenges of social media. After much badgering from my younger work colleagues I finally joined Instagram. The odd thing is, I'm enjoying it more than I thought. My high school teacher friend groans about how we have several social platforms …
Guest Blog – Chris Jones
Today's guest blogger is not really a writer, but he's definitely creative. He has many self-published photographic books out and has a degree in illustration. You can check out his work on his website, or just hook up with him on twitter or instagram. Ironically, he has a love/hate relationship with social media as you'll read …
Are we talking more but saying less?
About a year ago, an author friend posted up the potential cover for her upcoming novel and asked for feedback. I said that although I loved the individual graphic elements of the design, they didn't work together. To me this was a fair comment to the question that had been posed. The same question that had been …
