The Twitter Effect

I was once told that it's important to have an ego boost and that I should submit articles to newspapers and work to get good grades so that I feel like I'm accomplishing something.  I haven't submitted any articles but I have worked hard to get good grades and I think that statement really is true.  So is twitter and ego boost or false inflation?  I have not used twitter until a couple weeks ago and I started following as many writers, editors, and publishers that I could find.  Just by following a lot of people I have gotten over 700 followers in that 10 days.  At first I was feeling really good about myself but then I started to wonder how much stock I should put into twitter.  I think it's good to take both to heart and not lean too much either way.  Having a lot of people follow you is not just an ego boost but it's very important for networking especially for self publishing online writers.  But we shouldn't let it boost us up too much to where we think that we are better or more talented than we actually are.

Your Exposed!

One of my favorite movies is Intolerable Cruelty with George Clooney and Katherine Zeta-Jones.  The witty dialogue and clever writing really keeps you hooked even when the ideas or big picture seems a little out there.  A running comment is "your exposed".  That line seems to come up in my head all the time whether seriously or as a punch line but there is only one time that it's both and that's when I put my writing out there for someone to read.  If your eyes are the window to your soul then your writing has to be the french doors that are open wide to your whole heart, mind, and soul.  I know that not all writers feel that way but I'm sure there are more than a few that do so I hope that this blog can be what you need it to be.  Whether that's a place to hide yourself or a forum to enjoy being exposed is up to you.

The Up's and Down's of Writing

So I've decided to write a book.  I have always enjoyed writing and found it to be a great way to download what's in my brain.  I feel like there is a story that's been festering in my head and it's just begging to get out.  It took a while for me to realize that it wasn't just an idea in my head but rather a story that needed to be written down and shared with anyone that could find it.  Writing with this purpose stops just short of addiction.  I have found myself waking up at night with new ideas and ways to improve what I have written and pestering family and friends with my ideas.  When I don't get the chance to write or brainstorm for a couple of days I get to jonesing for it, withdrawals if you will.  I decided to start this blog to supplement my fix when I only have a few minutes to write.  I have to believe that I'm not the only one.  So anyone that wants to share in my literary reverie may either comment or guest post.  I've always heard that you have to write a lot and you'll suck for a long time until you've hit that magical word total.  I am of the opinion that it's a mythical word total, if you can write you can write, I don't believe in garbage writing.  I have not written anything that has been published but I haven't submitted anything either.  As I wrote on Joe Konrath's blog, I am calling a Babe Ruth on this book.  This story is so good that I am the only one standing in it's way.  Join me on my journey and let's all share in this roller coaster of a process we all love.