Social Media for Writers.
How to Use Social Media.
Social Media, the Author’s Way.
Everywhere I turn, there seems to be someone telling me how important social media is for me as a writer. They’re willing to tell me how and why and just how little time it will take. And I have to admit that I’d bought into it. I blog — obviously. I’m on Facebook. And I recently joined Twitter.
Maybe it’s because I added one thing and then another, but I never realized just how time-consuming it could be. But last weekend we were out of town. Yes, where we were staying had wi-fi. I should have been able to get on, but our particular room was one of a block that gets iffy reception, especially when the place is booked solid and every room has a device or two linked in.
I knew I was going to have some time to myself and I had looked ahead at my deadlines so I had my laptop with me. I had already drafted the next three chapters of the NASA book but this was a really rough draft created before the present outline with our editor and publisher. Needless to say, I lot had changed. Instead of trying to find a place I could get on and check my e-mail or Facebook, I popped open my laptop and got to work. Ninety minutes later, I had a draft of Chapter 5. Sure, there were a couple of blanks that I could only fill in once I could Google but I had a solid draft. The next morning, I had an hour to myself and before everyone got back I had drafted Chapter 6. Again, there were blanks but still.
Two chapters drafted in a couple of hours. Yes, I had bit and pieces already written, but I think a lot of what I accomplished was thanks to the fact that I could check e-mail. I could pop over to Facebook. No one could IM me. That’s a big one for me. If it pings, I have to look to see if it is something I need to read immediately.
I’m going to try an experiment this week. School is out, people are home, swim season has started. My writing time is at a premium. I’m going to write for several hours this week after closing down my internet connection. I have a feeling it will be time well spent.
–SueBE
