Writer Versus Blogger

I can't believe it's been more than a month since my last post.  When I started this blog, I vowed to myself that I'd keep regular postings.  However, life doesn't always go as we plan.  This past month has really taken me by surprise and not in a good way.

As a writer, I have to write down everything going on in my life.  If I'm upset or stressed, writing helps me to relax.  I've come to more than one resolution by getting it all down in black and white.  And it lets me forever immortalize a memory I never want to forget.  This habit developed in my early teens.

Dozens of legal pads and composition books are filled with random thoughts and blurbs.  You never know when some real life event may become fictionalized into something I'm working on, hence the origin of my short story, Grandmother's Tree.

I've said all that to say this.  Writing a blog is totally different from writing a novel or journaling your thoughts.  A blog is made public for everyone to critique, take to heart, completely ignore or forward to others.  Fiction can also be viewed in the same respect but the reader doesn't know what views and feelings are that of the author or those of the characters.  And a journal is completely veiled in privacy.

I thought long and hard about sharing my personal crisis with all of you, but I'm not that brave yet.  Instead I've put all of my energy into my second novel for the last five weeks.  So far, I've got eleven chapters done, and even I can't wait to see what happens next!

I know I still have to get busy on finding a publisher for the first one, but with the second one burning a hole inside me, I've got to get it written down.  If you don't hear from me again, it's because the writing has taken over.  However, I'm going to try and find a balance and keep posting.

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

-Heather

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The Wonderful World of Blogging

Into my second week of blogging, and I'm beginning to realize how much time I could spend online.  Blogging alone could be a full-time occupation if I had the luxury, not to mention the world of Twitter which I'm still not sure I understand.  I've had to physically pry myself away from my computer on more than one occasion just to get a few things done that I've been neglecting.

As I mentioned last week, I just finished my first YA (young adult) fantasy novel, see earlier post.  I am so excited to take it to the next level!  The closest comparison I can make to my series is if C.S. Lewis': The Chronicles of Narnia  met  Alyson Noel's: The Immortals.  However, my characters are slightly older, there's a dark edge to the plot, and a fated romance, what could be better?  These characters and creatures have been a part of me for so long.  I can't wait for them to come alive for you, but I want to do this right.

I've been spending a lot of time on the sites of fellow bloggers, such as Nathan Bransford,  Robert Kroese,  Jane Friedman, and more.  They all seem to be saying the same thing.  Whether you're a published or indie author, social networking plays a vital roll in your success.  I'm up for the challenge.  I've had a Facebook account for years.  It's always been a private account for family and close friends, one where we exchange picts of our kids and talk about our day.  However, I'm eager to become more social, hence this blog and a public Facebook page.

I'm no stranger to marketing and the hours you must invest.  Having been a Real Estate Broker in a previous life, I'm well aware of the importance and time it takes to cultivate a following.  Although I'm at a bit of a loss when it comes to building a virtual presence.  I've read the blogs of other independent authors who have credited their success to their followers and book bloggers.  Each has said you need to find your target audience and blog about things that interest them. 

I'm a mother of two and plan to blog about the joys and challenges of having two, tween girls.  Being a writer, I will be blogging about my journey, frustrations, goals and anything else pertaining to writing.  My questions are these.  Where exactly do you find this following?  Better yet, how do you know if you're saying something they want to hear?

This isn't exactly like my old profession where I had concrete structures of glass and concrete to build from.  There are no neighborhoods to canvass with postcards or full page ads to rotate.  I can't exactly plan an event at our local board office where I can network and establish relationships as I have in the past.  As far as technology goes, I'm not a total clod.  I've kept up to date, having had my own website, virtual tours, and  monthly newsletter, but this is still different.

If any of my fellow bloggers are willing to share their experiences and offer me any kind of advice, I'd be eternally grateful. Tweet