Thank You!

A WriteOn Joliet member and I emailed back and forth the other day about the possibility of WriteOn starting its own blog.

WriteOn Joliet does have a blog page.

We currently have two years of our "Writers Are Readers" blog that was my co-leader Tom Hernandez's passion project.

And we point to WriteOn member James Pressler's longtime and very excellent craft blog: "Writing and the Process."

So this member and I discussed possibilities and he hopes to talk "blog" at tonight's meeting.

That led me to check the BryonySeries' blog's all-time statistics.

I used to check those weekly but fell off that habit sometime between the COVID-19 pandemic and the fall of Twitter.

Now, I do keep an eye on the daily, weekly, and monthly statistics. But all-time, no.

Perhaps that's because getting writing seen is so challenging these days, whether it's my journalism writing or my blog writing.

At any rate, I looked.  And I was pleasantly surprised.

Granted, the first blog was still on Aug. 1, 2010. 

And I blog daily.

And some of those views might be bots (I'm pretty sure some of those views are bots).

But I took the screenshot at the bottom of this post approximately ten minutes ago. So these are my most recent numbers.

Yes, I'm not hitting a million anytime soon. However, I will quietly (or maybe not so quietly) celebrate that number when I reach it.

What helps is that I have so much evergreen content, that some really old blog posts still get views each day. So that helps a lot.

Now, this is a free blog. I'm not monetizing it or will ever monetize it.

Nor does the blog drive book sales.

So it really doesn't matter to me if I get three views a day or three hundred.

Because to me, the blog is part of social media. And social media, to me - still - is about connection.

Nevertheless, I really was humbled to see those all-time numbers. Most of them represent people who clicked through to watch a video, listen to a song, or read something I wrote.

Thank you so very much for connecting with me in this way. I am so very grateful.

The Blessing of Social Media

More people seem to complain about social media than praise it.

But social media is really a communications, too. And like any good tool, its benefits depend on the people using it - and how they use it.

The outpouring of well wishes for my calico Faith were so numerous last week, I'll need most of this week to respond to them all.

The cheerful or funny comments to one positive "good morning" post can also take me a couple days to respond to them if I wind up with an extremely busy day.

But the great part about social media is that the responses will be waiting until I can get to them.

Look, I grew up at a time where one didn't leave home if you were expecting a phone call.

I grew up in a time that, if several people were expecting a phone call, you'd see a racing and jostling to that phone once it did ring.

We can talk to dozens of people at once simply by switching screens or pages.

You can stay connected to the world if you are ill and homebound.

You can find listening ears if you are grieving.

Where else can you receive multiple "happy birthdays" or an outpouring of "congratulations" when you have good news to share? Or a variety of suggestions when you have a problem to solve?

I personally have a favorite page with hilarious memes that I consistently follow, memes that never fail to elicit real laugh-out-loud- laughs.

Now I love in-person gatherings, too. And so do Uncle Barty and Bertrand the Mouse, pictured here visiting some mouse friends.

But I love social media, too.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Less about Me, More About You

So while I was gone for a few days, I did indeed take a blog and social media break in terms of regular postings for BryonySeries.

But I did not, in fact, completely break from social media.

I love the socialness of social media.

I love the ease of sharing pertinent or fun information, I love the ease of making connections.

Social media lets me start the day with inspiration and cheer.

It provides a way to share the stories I wrote for The Herald-News.

It also provides a way to connect with - and share related content for - anyone who discovers the BryonySeries.

But my time is often limited for random scrolling and commenting.

Over these past few days, I had random bits of time where I could do just that.

I really enjoyed it.

Instead of the information purveyor, I was the information receiver.

So while sometimes people like my posts for the above reasons why I share them, sometimes people simply want to be heard.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to be part of the listening, too.

Algorithms

Merrium-Webstersays defines algorithm as such: "The current term of choice for a problem-solving procedure, algorithm, is commonly used nowadays for the set of rules a machine (and especially a computer) follows to achieve a particular goal."

In social media, algorithims determine how posted content is sorted and what will appear in news feeds. This ranking system is necessary, based on the sheer amount of content that's delivered and the millions of people using social media.

Businesses pay attention to algorithims to allow readers to see their content and encourage engagement. 

Authors are encouraged to do likewise, to gain a following, so people read their posts, and (hopefully) buy their books. 

Again, I understand why this is necessary. 

Here's my big "however."

I'm probably in a minority when I say social media should be, in its very essence, very social. Even though I'm a fledgling author, my related social media pages are meant to be, again, very social. This means the content I post is meant to enhance the reader's experiences with my books.

So my posts on my BryonySeries acounts have an assumption that you either are familiar with my books and want to see additional, related content or that you are interested in the content and might discover I have some books to go along with it.

My personal social media accounts assume you simply want to interact with me. And like any good hostess, I like to provide a safe, fun, positive, uplifting experience. 

I don't "drive traffic" to my pages as if the people interacting with them were a herd of sheep. People deserve more respect than being a means to my end.

Last week, while catching up with some social media friends (and going directly and intentionally to their pages), I read one post by an author friend who's battled a bad case of COVID for more than a week, was feeling pretty miserable, and -get this - feared no one would even read her outcry because she was too sick to post regularly - which would affect the ranking of that post, allowing few to none to see it.

Reading those few words saddened me on a level I can't fully describe.

Obviously, we can't catch up every day with every person who follows us.

But every now and again, check in with someone that you follow ON PURPOSE, especially if you haven't read any posts in your feed in some time.

Don't be part of the social media noise. 

Be a real social media friend - and not a collector of followers.

Be someone who understands that real connection and engagement isn't possible when the conversation is only proceeding from your words and the number of comments the clever tweaking of your words received.

Be a real person in the void.

"Pardon Our Dust" Sign - Gone!

It's been three and a half years since Timothy decided to overhaul the BryonySeries website to reflect the tone of all the books in the series - and subsequently posted a "pardon our dust" sign on the landing page.

That sign is now officially down.

For the most part, the website is complete, functional, and in line with the design Timothy intended to communicate, which complemented my original vision: that the website be fun to navigate and reflect the BryonySeries world.

What's really amazing is that Timothy does not understand code and has never studied code or taken a coding class. He studied Wix, took one marketing class, read some of the BryonySeries books, and has spent time on thousands of websites.

I'm sure he'll forever be tweaking it.

Now we are still in the process of building the store for eBooks and audio books, a process that may take a while.

And we are still the process of building the newsletter.

But neither of those projects take away from the reality that the website is finished with almost all elements in place, fully useable and fuctional, and, most of all, built for your enjoyment.

What will you find there?

An overview of our books.

Food!

Our very own store of print titles

A calendar of daily fun activities that tie into one or more books

Links to social media accounts (all accounts feature different information)

A marvelous abundance of original art created by local artists

An introduction to our creative team

A homage to the original site in a special pictorial "tour."

A few Easter eggs

A traveling rooster

So do explore! 

And don't forget to register for Calkins Day 2022 (click on BryonySeries site assistance and information at the bottom of each page to find the registration page).

Welcome to Munsonville! :)

https://www.bryonyseries.com/

I'm a Terrible Social Media Friend

By "social media friend" I mean I'm fairly absent on social media for most of the day in terms of chatting and commenting and posting clever/witty/meaningful posts.

That's not to say I'm completely absent on social media.

Now if you go to my Twitter feeds, you'll see my Herald-News stories at @Denise_Unland61 and BryonySeries-related information at @BryonySeries - although I occasionally mix and match those posts.

On the first feed, I post a Bible verse (to show who I am as a person) and the other I post a picture of coffee on mouspad (to show who I am as a writer)

But these are for people who want to see this information and I take the time every day to ensure it's there. 

That's not you? Keep scrolling.

I'm probably even more absent on Facebook. I keep my BryonySeries page active and post a Bible verse and my blog, share a virtual cup of coffee early in the morning, and send birthday wishes to connections.

Now I do check into social media intermittently during the day. But I'm mostly absent. For these reasons, I'm a terribble social media friend.

So what am I doing instead of hanging out on social media?

Well, I'm writing. And writing takes time. LOTS of time.

I'm also editing, and I'm also trying to improve my craft. That, too, takes time.

I write feature stories to share information and inspiration to the local community. That's my full-time job.

I write fiction to entertain a very different set of readers. That's my weekend project project.

I engage with my family: in person, over the phone, via text, a little over social media.

I engage with friends, co-workers, and the community, mostly over the phone and via text, but (hopefully) more in person after the second COVID-19 shot.

Well, since I'm a writer, should I be supporting local writers?

I try.

I engage a little on Twitter. I co-lead a writer's group with Tom Hernandez and I attend as many Zoom meetings of the 5 a.m.writer's club as I can possible make (since I'm CST and those meetings are at 4 a.m.).

I share interesting/informative industry/craft articles as I encounter them.

But I also read their books, which is a lot different than simply buying their books. Sometimes I review them in a newlsetter I started for The Herald-News a few years ago to help promote other authors. That's my way of giving support.

And a careful reading of a book takes time - as does a review. 

Actually reading what a writer has written and then sharing my thoughts with others takes way more time than a social media post. Both have value, don't get me wrong. 

But I hope, at the end of the day, other writers are happier I read their words than Tweeted them back and forth all day long.

And don't even get me started on Instagram, which has several years of posts from Bertrand the Mouse.

But not lately. Because he's lost.

And until he's found or reincarnated, he really can't post anymore pictures or comment on anyone's feed, can he?

So although I'm a terrible social media friend, I do try to be a good friend. And I really amy trying to improve my social media engagment.

And if I'm slow to responding, please know I always do (unless a post really gets buried), and that I will reply soon.

Pinterest and YouTube

Last week, Rebekah unveiled a BryonySeries Pinterest she had created for the series from scratch - with more than 2100 pins.

Each block represents a book in the series. And then inside each block are sub-blocks with images that represent various elements in that book.

Please take a look at all her hard work: https://www.pinterest.com/bryonyseries/_saved/

Rebekah also worked very hard on the BryonySeries YouTube channel. Although the series has very little original content, I've been posting related content to this blog since I began it nearly eleven years ago (where does the time go???).

So Rebekah pulled the videos from the blog and made playlists on YouTube. The biggest folder, and this is where WriteOn Joliet's intrepid videographer Duanne Walton gets tons of credit, is all the videos of all the writers from WroteOn Joliet reading original stories at our open mic nights.

She's still fiddling with the YouTube channel, renaming playlists and moving things around. But, again, there's lot of content to explore and enjoy.

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/user/BryonySeries.

Glorna

An odd title for a blog post? Not really, once I explain why I've titled it this way.

Let me start here.

Like many people, I have different social media accounts, some for me, some for the BryonySeries. But unlike many people, I try not to replicate what followers might find there - with the exception of this blog, which is posted to several different platforms.

So my personal/work/journalism/author/editor Twitter is very different from my BryonySeries Twitter, although it may, occasionally, have a slight overlap of posts.

And my BryonySeries Facebook is very different from my BryonySeries Twitter, both in the types of content I post and its frequency, although I do post a great deal of new material that "feels" like the series on both platforms.

Instagram is completely devoted to Bertrand the Mouse, with no new content since March. He's been sheltering in place since the pandemic began and refuses to come out. That's really cute, a rodent afraid of the plague.

Anyway.

On the BryonySeries Twitter, two types of people tend to follow it: those who like the themes in the series and other writers. 

I've been added to different writing groups, and I take some time each morning to check in and see how their writing is going.

But I also support independent artists. I do this by tweeting product from an indie seller on Etsy - and the product always, somehow, ties back to the theme of the series.

Last weekend, I was showing Timothy some Twitter basics. He has an account but he really doesn't use it or understand Twitter. I showed him the consistency of all the posts on my BryonySeries Twitter and how they tie back to the series or writing in general.

As I scrolled back, I showed him this gorgeous piece of watercolor changeling art. I shared it on Twitter because it was not only a gorgeous piece of watercolor changeling art, it absolutely reminded me of one of my characters in the BryonySeries, his changeling essence, so to speak.

And the name of that changeling essence is Glorna.

My fascination for this piece must have shone through my comments. Because unbeknownst to me, Timothy wound up ordering it.

It showed up yesterday evening, and he brought it over in the rain (perfect for watercolor).

He knocked on my back door and held out the stiff white cardboard envelope, saying, "This came today."

I was very excited because it looked like he'd received a certificate of some kind. 

Instead, I was quite stunned when I beheld this piece, even more exquisite in person.

I really hope my tweets have helped bring customers to these indie artists. 

And as it turns out, sometimes, I am the happy and satisfied customer.

"Bryony" 30-Day Countdown Quotes

Before I released my first book back in the dark ages of 2011, my oldest daughter Sarah (created my first website and managed most of my social media), asked me to pull thirty quotes from the book ("Bryony") that she could post each day in the month following publication.

Today, I still post a quote a day from various books on the BryonySeries Facebook page.

For your reading pleasure, and since we are VERY close to finally releasing the audio book version of Bryony, here are the original thirty.

Bryony 30-Day Countdown Quotes:

Prologue: As the fog rolled inland off the lake, the approaching dusk grew uncommonly gloomy.

1)      Brian seemed fine with moving, but, after all, he was only eleven. He'd be okay if a spaceship teleported him to Mars. Chapter 1: Welcome to Munsonville.

2)      Ghost stories are more fascinating than truth, which, sad to say, can be boring." Chapter 2: There's No Such Thing as a Ghost

3)      “Charm! Wait until you see Mr. Walczak. He’s a regular Dr. Moreau.” Chapter 3: The School Report

4)      “I’m going to belt the next old lady that kisses me.” Brian wiped lipstick off his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yuck, yuck, yuck and super yuck.” Chapter 5: Blood Relatives. Brian Marchellis, Melissa Marchellis’ younger brother

5)      When Mr. Masters arrived at the line, “The bride kissed the goblet, the knight took it up,” she scribbled with haste, “He’s our teacher?” Chapter 6: A Job Well Done. 

6)      Melissa couldn’t understand the fierce emotions for a stupid, fishing competition. The fishermen bickered with each other over each fish’s weight and debated the integrity of contest guidelines. Chapter 7: The Centennial. 

7)      The white was so bright in the darkness that Melissa wondered if the figure clutched a piece of the moon. Whatever he held, the being brought to his lips. Chapter 8: The Night is Darkest. 

8)      Dr. Anderson certainly appeared competent, not the country doctor she expected. At any rate, anemia didn’t seem very serious. Chapter 9: The Music Box. 

9)      Never in her life had she continued dreaming after she was alert. However, the other explanation was simply out of the question. Melissa was way past the age for believing in ghosts. Chapter 10: When Good Dreams Go Bad.).

10)  “Oh, it’s just you,” Steve said. He sighed with relief, and added, “I wondered who let the vampire in here.” Chapter 11: Tricks are Treats. 

11)  She hated to go there alone; she knew how much John disliked it when she did, but there didn’t seem to be any choice. She knew she could not stay here. Chapter 12: A Fair Trade. 

12)  She hesitated, then set it for the regular time. If John Simons was real, he didn’t require an alarm clock to prompt him. Chapter 13: Who Needs Church? Melissa Marchellis (as narrator)

13)  Melissa opened her mouth to retort, but Brian had changed completely into a little, pink pig, who sat on his chair wearing a plaid shirt. Chapter 14: Weekend in Detroit. 

14)  “Mr. John” certainly made a lot of Bryony’s decisions, something she was unprepared to hear. Perhaps, it was because Bryony was so young and innocent that she relied on John’s wisdom and experience. Chapter 15: Playing Bryony. 

15)  “Over one thousand different parasites can live in or on the human body,” he added. “Can anyone think of some?” Chapter 16: School Daze. 

16)  John always appeared dignified and formal, but this man behaved as if someone designed the suit with him in mind. Every line of his clothing fit him to perfection. Chapter 17: That Mysterious, Handsome Man. 

17)  “I died once and landed here. What should happen to me a second time, I hardly imagine. Why tempt fate?” Chapter 18: It Couldn’t Be Masters. 

18)   Mr. Masters closed his eyes and his voice boomed with emotion. A hero? She could not reconcile that term with the comical figure at the head of the room. Chapter 19: Daring to Dream. 

19)  “You only have to verbally agree to join my harem. This way, I make wives left and right.” Chapter 20: Confusion in the Closet. Ed

20)  He waited for Melissa’s response, but none arrived, so he leaned forward, smiled at her, and said, “Aren’t you feeling more secure now?” Chapter 21: Fetes and Feasts. 

21)  “Don’t be angry. I meant no harm. I’ve never met another host before. Everyone I always meet is dead.” Chapter 22: Lisa Harding. 

22)  Melissa flashed a bright smile. “I’m thankful for new experiences!” Well, it was true. Chapter 23. What Melissa Learned from Fr. Alexis. 

23)  At the first rrrip, Snowbell abandoned the garland and darted to Brian. Two paws pounced on the box’s edge, then she stretched her crooked neck over the top and peered inside at its contents. Chapter 24: It’s No Use. 

24)  She felt the heavy brocade of the dress before she reopened her eyes, and her hopes soared, until she smelled the conspicuous fragrance of many, lavish bouquets of roses. Chapter 25: A Lesson in Love. 

25)  Alarmed by those words, Melissa scrutinized his appearance. Henry looked pale, even for a vampire. Nevertheless, if something really was wrong with him, Melissa was fairly certain he would not share it with her. Chapter 26: Sick and Tired. 

26)   The man raised his glass for a close view of Melissa. “Good Lord!” he said. “This one is the spitting image of you. A tremendous family you have.” Chapter 27: A Real Date. 

27)  Flinging the covers back, Melissa stood up and walked to the window. She opened the curtains and peered outside, but the night was crystal clear and full of stars. There was not the tiniest wisp of mist anywhere. Chapter 28: Gone. 

28)  “Between our murmurings, my angel asked me, ‘Kellen, how would like to escape death?’ Now that was an intriguing question, considering the moment was impending.” Chapter 29: Up in Smoke. 

29)  Then again, maybe, Darlene was right when, the day they frosted cookies, she said there was more than one way to love somebody. Chapter 30: The Second Time is Harder. 

No Story Round-Up Today

With my first day back at work yesterday, which was immediately followed by a WriteOn Joliet meeting last night, today is simply a day for meeting deadlines and then taking part of the weekend to find and piece together half-finished posts.

For those who are new to this blog, I'll leave you with two items.

One: the paragraphs below shows where to find my various writings (fiction and non-fiction) and social media sites.

Two: Why can the mind stay so awake at night only to resist waking up the following morning? 

Have a great Friday, readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans. 


Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down.  Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): 

 Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

And, of course, check out our website: writeonjoliet.com.

Upcoming events:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts. 

Check out the progress he has made so far. Each square is hand-built. And be sure to "hover" your hand over the first square. Note: this only works (so far) with the desktop version.

But he's also made A LOT of changes to the website. So be sure to roam around a bit.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com. If you have any questions, email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

An Exchange of Ideas

Sunday night, as I drifted off to sleep, it occurred to me that my son Timothy and I spent many happy hours this past weekend engaged in nothing more than the verbal transfer of ideas.

Now, we did spend a few dollars on breakfast Saturday morning and Gloria Jean's coffee Sunday afternoon. But even if we'd skipped these activities, we still could have spent that same time.

For hours, Timothy verbally shared his scene-by-scene outline for the fourth book in the Adventures of Cornell Dyer series: Cornell Dyer and the Never Robbers.

For hours, I transcribed his thoughts into a note file on my phone.

Occasionally, Timothy checked the notes on his phone.

Occasionally, he asked if the plot was too complicated for kids.

Occasionally, I had a question from a reader's perspective.

We only made it to chapter five (about halfway) in the approximately six hours we spent on it.

No gadgets (except the notes stores in our phones and the above mentioned refreshments).

And now I have to wait until this weekend (at least) to pick the story back up and see what happens! (argghhhh!).

All this from a person who once needed help from me to support his little infant neck!

We seem to live in an age where people bemoan social media and the lack of in-person conversation (especially among the generations), especially when people bemoan it on social media, and where technological entertainment appears to prevail.

And yet these tools, too, are just one more means of sharing the thoughts of one to another: for edification, enjoyment, or both.

It's really sublime, isn't it?

Let's Be Social Media Friends

If you've read this blog, you know a little about me.

But if you're alsointerested in Joliet-based feature stories and events, writing, or in any of the topics revolving around the BryonySeries, here's where you'll fine me online and in social media:

The Herald-News: As the features editor/writer/calendar assembler for this publication, you will fid bylined and non-bylined information I've written, edited, or compiled here: http://www.theherald-news.com/

Twitter: @Denise_Unland61 and  BryonySeries at @BryonySeries.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denise.unland www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.

I'm also the administrator for Joliet Connect at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1521908851451776/

And one of the founding members and administrators for WriteOn Joliet: https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Instagram: bertrand_bryonyseries. This account is solely devoted to Bertrand the Mouse.

BryonySeries books, events, recipes, and more: www.bryonyseries.com.

Upcoming BryonySeries newsletter: Information and signup at https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from 'Bryony.'" Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff or @MattCoundiff on Twitter.

(Because Matt wants to be friends, too).

My Stubborn Stance Towards Marketing

As I gradually build the marketing portion of the BryonySeries, I'm still stubbornly stuck on several points.

1) No "spammy" posts or gimmicky sales pitches. Never.

2) Marketing is about making one's unique writing footprints known, which may lead to sales and ultimately readers and fans of the series. Delight in the walk.

3) Curate content that relates to the BryonySeries because "like" follows "like."

4) It's about the reader. It's always about the reader. The books are dedicated to the reader. 

5) Put your very, very best work out there and be confident (not arrogant) in it.

6) If you like someone else's work, share it. Everything isn't always about you. It could be just the "read" someone in your network is seeking, and it takes nothing from you to be kind.

7) Be social with readers, potential readers, or followers. How I wish I could have communicated with the authors of my favorite childhood books.

8) If someone doesn't care to read your books or doesn't like your books, it's not a personal slight. It means someone didn't care to read your books or didn't like your books, which leads to...

9) No pity sales. No one I know should ever, EVER, feel pressured to buy something I wrote because I wrote it. That's how books collect dust. Books are meant to be read. 

10: No speaking fees. I'm not for sale. My books are. If fees are part of the process, make checks payable to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (if related to the BryonySeries) or WriteOn Joliet (when asked to speaking about writing, editing, and self-publishing).

11) THE EXCEPTION: Pity sales and gimmicky pitches are fine when it come to pitching the official BryonySeries cookbook, Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." Because proceeds (about half the cost, the other half is to order another book) benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. So even if that book gathers dust, the organization is still helped. But seriously, it's money well-spent if you find even one recipe you enjoy (you have to cook tonight anyway). And where else can you find a cookbook featuring both Victorian and 1970s recipes?

Buy it HERE.

Keeping Social Media Social

How to make money using (insert any social media site here).

Yes, we've all seen them.

To me, the fun of social media dissipates once sales banners enter the arena.

Yes, I write books. Yes, those books are for sale. But pushing for those sales isn't the point of social media.

Social media, the way I see it, is the opportunity to connect with like-minded people. To me, social media is a virtual water cooler, cocktail party, or coffee shop. It's chatting about interesting, inspiring, or informative topics.

And the person introducing or commenting on the topics just so happens to write and sell books.

That doesn't mean social media can't be used for updating readers about current projects or items for sale as long as it's part of the conversation. I think it's okay to ask readers to review a book or serve as a beta reader, since it can start a conversation.

With this perspective, social media is a useful part of marketing.

Because "marketing" simply means letting the universe know you do this stuff and are selling this stuff. It's not a hard push for sales, which I find obnoxious.

I think good books are meant to be discovered. I think good marketing allows that discovery to happen.

It's definitely a slower, softer approach with no guarantee of sales. But being annoyingly in-your-face doesn't guarantee sales either. Even if it did, such an approach doesn't guarantee readers loyal to one's brand.

For me, this is the goal of marketing: finding those readers who love to read what I write. I'm really not interested in sales for the sake of sales.

And thus my the marketing journey continues...

Boring on Social Media, Not Boring to Me

Ove five years ago, when the small press that is no longer in business first accepted Bryony, and around the time the first edits came back in the mail, I turned my attention to marketing, because everything I read said marketing begins long before a book's release.

One of the strong recommendations was an author blog. Up until this point, I had no interest in blogging. Writing features is far more appealing, and my return to a childhood love of writing fiction was also appealing. Both took plenty of time, and, besides, I couldn't drum up anything I thought readers might want to read.

I shared that conundrum with Sarah, an avid reader, and asked what would appeal to her.

"Write about topics related to the book," Sarah had said. "Write about how you got the ideas. Write about what's happening in your life."

I insisted I wanted the blog to be entertaining and posts to be relatively short, something people could quickly read and go back to their day, not another leech on their time. Sarah insisted it would be.

So I did,  and still do, post about topics that have a connection to the BryonySeries. I repost interesting items from other writers. I share writing tips I have learned along the way. I repost the features I have written during the week, as well as the features other freelancers writer for me, now that I am an editor as well as a writer. I post recipes from Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

However, I stumble when it comes to posting about "what's happening in my life," and it less little to do with my shrinking away from self-promotion.

There is nothing happening that makes for good blogging. It's lean, routine, a bit monastic, and well-suited to me, but it's not the type of life that will send people flocking to a blog. Seriously, I can sum it up in a few sentences.

Mornings, seven days a week: I take a 24-hour Allegra (chronic hives), eat a banana (I'm hypoglycemic and bananas have no citric acid to block the Allegra), feed the cats, heat the coffee, post a Bible verse on Facebook because I'm a writer AND a Christian, so I want the first words I write each day to not be mine. I greet my "vampire fans" on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BryonySeries, there's my bit of self-promotion) and then set my posts and blog for the day, and check my email, all while waking up with a cup of coffee (and petting a cat, if one wanders in).

Oh, and BTW, I get up to an alarm at 4 a.m. on work days and whenever on weekends (although my idea of "sleeping in" is getting up a lot earlier than many people do on workdays).

I eat the same breakfast seven days a week and power walk before work, five days a week. I get ready for work, pack food, check email, and pray for family, friends, church members, and co-workers while walking to work because I don't own a car.

My day is focused on writing about the cool stuff other people do: cover stories, features briefs, and calendar items. I do not take a lunch break, but eat out of my lunch box all day long. Because I do not take an official lunch, if a family item arises, I address it. I have eaten out twice in the fifteen months I have worked for the newspaper - once with my former publicist and once with co-workers, not because I'm anti-social, more because the work so aborbs me, and I'd rather take that time and talk to one of my kids, should someone call.

I walk home, praying for the souls of people that have died (see above list). I may unwind with some music while reading over some of my notes for Before the Blood and then do yoga (three nights a week) or lift weights (three nights a week). Shower, count out the next day's medicine, and to bed with a book follows that.

Two nights a month I co-lead a writer's group. One Sunday afternoon a month, I teach a by-invitation-only fiction class for a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties, and the donation is the only reason why I have been persuaded to teach the class. Sunday I attend a little dying church of senior citizens, and the church is forty miles away. Friday nights is TV night with Daniel, and I watch the shows he has handpicked for me (because I scorn most TV). Repeat on Sunday nights with Rebekah, except we follow Once Upon A Time (which has gotten boring, the show, not Rebekah).

I spend Saturdays writing fiction, and I jealously guard that time because I enjoy it so much. Every four weekends, I am in charge of social media and breaking news for two newspapers, which cuts into my fiction time, LOL!

Any leftover time is reserved for my family and a few close friends. I don't go to the bar, read the latest books, or see the latest movies, although I might do the latter if it's an opportunity to connect with family or close friends.

This is my life. I love it.

And as you're working one last yawn in, I have to get ready for my walk.