Self-imposed exile
A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog announcing that I was forsaking social media; no more blogs and no more Twitter.
Goodreads wasn't included in my short list of exclusions. For a start, I'm not the best Goodreads role model: I don't post blogs here enough, nor do I add and review books as assiduously as I should. Besides, Goodreads is different; it isn't social media so much as a social notice board, a place to flag the great, the good and the awful.
My decision was prompted by my frustration in not being able to complete two books I was working on. Both were long overdue and one, at least (Hourglass) was complete, though I was not happy with parts of it and couldn't make them better, and I'm not prepared to release something before it deserves to be born. I realised that there were too many distractions and I had to eliminate them all so I could find the right focus to do my work. It's embarrassing as I promised a year ago that it was coming soon. But there's something that isn't what it can be in the book and I need to make it what it should be.
So, for those of you who followed my Bookmasque blog, or my Twitter account, you'll notice only my silence from now on.
At the same time, I re-thought the distribution of my books and as a result, I decided to use the ebook distribution platform, Smashwords. Now, for those of you who haven't read Brimstone, Blue Fire and Ice or Furnaces of Forge, you can get them, for July only, free at Smashwords as part of their summer specials.
I'll not abandon Goodreads. There are too many good readers here, serious readers and even kind readers who've not only said nice things about my books, but have impressed me with their genuineness and support. So, I might not be as active as I should be, but I'll be here and when I finally find I'm happy with Master Quickly and Hourglass, you'll be the first to know. Especially those to whom I owe a free copy.
Goodreads wasn't included in my short list of exclusions. For a start, I'm not the best Goodreads role model: I don't post blogs here enough, nor do I add and review books as assiduously as I should. Besides, Goodreads is different; it isn't social media so much as a social notice board, a place to flag the great, the good and the awful.
My decision was prompted by my frustration in not being able to complete two books I was working on. Both were long overdue and one, at least (Hourglass) was complete, though I was not happy with parts of it and couldn't make them better, and I'm not prepared to release something before it deserves to be born. I realised that there were too many distractions and I had to eliminate them all so I could find the right focus to do my work. It's embarrassing as I promised a year ago that it was coming soon. But there's something that isn't what it can be in the book and I need to make it what it should be.
So, for those of you who followed my Bookmasque blog, or my Twitter account, you'll notice only my silence from now on.
At the same time, I re-thought the distribution of my books and as a result, I decided to use the ebook distribution platform, Smashwords. Now, for those of you who haven't read Brimstone, Blue Fire and Ice or Furnaces of Forge, you can get them, for July only, free at Smashwords as part of their summer specials.
I'll not abandon Goodreads. There are too many good readers here, serious readers and even kind readers who've not only said nice things about my books, but have impressed me with their genuineness and support. So, I might not be as active as I should be, but I'll be here and when I finally find I'm happy with Master Quickly and Hourglass, you'll be the first to know. Especially those to whom I owe a free copy.
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Jan 04, 2014 01:30PM
I understand the need to abandon most social media, Alan. I did the same a year ago. I shut down my book review blog, my facebook, and all other social media accounts. Then I started buying more books and needed a way to keep track of them. After getting a new kindle, I started up again with Goodreads. I like the way they are organized, especially as they now link with my kindle directly. I would like to state I enjoyed Brimstone a lot and have the other two books in my queue. Do you expect to write more? I do hope so.
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DarleneThank you for the kind words about Brimstone. Its sequel, Hourglass, is about ready to be released. And shortly after Master Quickly, which is an historical fiction romp aimed at the general (mature? adult?) reader.
Did you feel more focused after putting social media behind you? Or had you just tired of the whole business? My Twitter account remains open but unused. It's interesting that so many followers have strayed on even months after my last tweet.
All the best
Alan
I will be looking for Hourglass. Thanks. To answer your question about social media; I had been on pinterest, blogged my reader's review ( A Lit Up Life), worked with several publishing companies to review ARCs and used netgalley. I also tried to connect with family and friends on facebook but found that it was all too much and I wanted to read. Reading gives me information and such pleasure. The constant so-called friendship nonsense on facebook was wearying. It seemed everyone wanted to know my business but not truly connect with me. I shut it down. I felt a sharp loss for a few days, even missed it after a few weeks, but overall felt it was like potato chips, once you open the bag...ha ha. Now, I don't feel the need to share anything anymore, let alone my mundane daily life. To be fair, I found out I have a medical condition that will require many surgical interventions to spare me from becoming paralyzed or dead. The first of the surgeries came at a time of my greatest busyness with the blogging and to maintain it all was overwhelming. Now that I have a handle on my condition, I still review for amazon and now goodreads as I have an extensive library and read as many as 4 books a week if left to do so. I joined a book club but will be unable to attend the coming year due to yet another recovery from surgery. I did enjoy the emails from my blog followers and they were few but select. I must say, I don't feel the desire to log on to much these days. I do read other reviews and will continue to write my own. This year it may be more as I am dedicating more time to reading more books. I look forward to your upcoming books and respectfully thank you for messaging me.
May this year be your best year for writing as you are truly talented.
Yours truly, Darlene
May this year be your best year for writing as you are truly talented.
Yours truly, Darlene
What dramas lie behind the curtain! It was something of a jolt to read of your condition. I so hope you, as you say, do indeed have a handle on it and the prognosis is good. I wish you well with your health.Do keep up the reviewing. Good books need good conversations and good conversations need the spark of good reviewers.
I seemed also to have a different personality as a blogger than as a writer and I don't know that that served me well. I envy writers who were great essayists, as well. George Bernard Shaw, for instance, whose brilliant prefaces were a form of late 19th century and early 20th century blog, created the same persona in both his prose and his plays. Perhaps I shall, willingly or not, make a partial return to social media but for now, my writing is to me what your reading is to you, and time is too precious to waste on trifles.
Actually, this (communicating with readers directly) I enjoy more than broadcasting my opinions in a blog. So, it is I who feel grateful for the opportunity.
Thank you and all good wishes for the future.
Alan
Thanks for your kind words. My prognosis isn't good but my faith in God sustains me and I have a small but excellent support system. I do intend to continue reviewing books and am thrilled to be winning quite a few Goodreads ARCs for review. I give them special attention and fair reviews as I believe any author willing to offer an ARC is offering part of themselves and years of hard work.
The consensus is that social network is necessary for business and a way to get your work noticed. I don't know that that is fully true but I agree it helps. As a reader, I believe that trusting your readers and offering kindle free books; even for a short period of time, gets the word out there. I think that offering books for review helps as well. I know I get many emails now that my reviews on Amazon have helped others purchase books. This alone is my desired purpose, though the free books are nice. I know that authors work so hard to get their stories out and my goal is to get the word out there.
I wish you the best as you decide which social networks to utilize for your craft. I enjoy reading essays about what authors read and author blogs. This is a way for readers like myself to understand our favorite authors; by learning what inspires them and their writing and to encourage them in their craft.
Looking forward to what you will write in the future. I see great things ahead for you.
Darlene
The consensus is that social network is necessary for business and a way to get your work noticed. I don't know that that is fully true but I agree it helps. As a reader, I believe that trusting your readers and offering kindle free books; even for a short period of time, gets the word out there. I think that offering books for review helps as well. I know I get many emails now that my reviews on Amazon have helped others purchase books. This alone is my desired purpose, though the free books are nice. I know that authors work so hard to get their stories out and my goal is to get the word out there.
I wish you the best as you decide which social networks to utilize for your craft. I enjoy reading essays about what authors read and author blogs. This is a way for readers like myself to understand our favorite authors; by learning what inspires them and their writing and to encourage them in their craft.
Looking forward to what you will write in the future. I see great things ahead for you.
Darlene
