I’ve given Twitter a go. I like being able to ‘talk’ with my writing friends but I had a bit of a meltdown when a stranger began to ‘follow’ me. Agggh, I thought, I have to say something intelligent.
I did what I do at parties: I stood in the corner and watched.
Then I began to follow someone who looked interesting and I saw she posted a snarky comment about ‘if you want me to follow you, you’ll have to tweet more than once.’
When I realised I really didn’t want (her) or anyone I didn’t know to follow me, I accepted hmmm, yeah; I think that’s a no to Twitter then.
But I haven't deleted my account; I’ve locked it and thrown out the three followers I had that I didn’t know and now I can check up on my friends and keep them up to date on the important stuff: like whether I settled for egg mayonnaise for lunch or tuna.
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I have written my review of Doug Worgul’s debut novel, Thin Blue Smoke (Macmillan New Writing.) I need to let it brew before I post it. Please do come back tomorrow and read it.
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17 comments:
Twitter can work so well, but I understand what you're saying. All of us need a personal outlet, not looked at by strangers and only seen by friends. I struggle sometimes. Maybe in the future you'll start another account for you as a writer? Where you can talk about your writing processes in 140 characters :)
I keep avoiding twitter for those reasons...for now I use facebook and blogging to keep up with writerly friends online. Maybe someday though.
I haven't heard of that debut, but I always like to hear about new writers.
I'm with you on it JJ. I started following lots of people but then it's a pain to look through them all, even when I make a list of my favourites (and I'm not sure I'm interested in everyone else). So I might as well do as you have done and keep it personal. Mind you, people who I have on my personal list don't reply to me so I feel like Billy No Mates on there anyway!
Not sure what the point is but I'll follow you if you follow me ;) x
Caroline, I know you get on with it. It just struck me as so full of junk - and I like to talk inanities as much as the next person but not absolutely EVERYONE's. Maybe it's the time zones too... I miss it live. I don't know, but never say never.
Angie, I don't do a lot on FB either but I go and look and catch up with the news: whose book's been seen where, or whose cover is being shown off and then comment. Sometimes the inane stuff is funny... but it feels more manageable. This writer is American... I loved the book; really loved it.
LPlate, it works great if you use it like a text... which I wouldn't to you from my BK 'phone to your UK mobile... so that's how I plan to use it. Join up again, and follow me... then I'll follow you. I'm JJ_B_Tea.
I think using it like texts, with friends, is a great plan. That's mainly what I do at the moment too. And I'll definitely be back tomorrow - see you then!
JJ, I think I now have come up with a modus operandi for me and twitter. To really connect with friends, I use facebook. But I'm getting as many followers as possible of twitter so that I can use it as a marketing tool, ie when (not if!) I have a book to sell or play to promote, more people will see it. Although I still have more fb friends than twitter follwers, twitter is coming close, and I have more by a huge amount than the number who follow my blog. So in sum, fb I do for staying in touch with friends, twitter I do for fun and marketing, blogging I do for love.But that's just me....
I felt like you at the beginning si I understand what you're saying. Gradually I've got more confident though and, at the moment, I get so much out of it. I do keep it personal and have made my account private though (this changes every now and again).
Queenie, a good compromise at the moment I think. Maybe I'll get it more after watching from the corner of the party for a bit.
Helen, but you have hundreds of followers - are they all private?
I use twitter only when I dont have time to do a blog post and just want to do a quick update. I'm a bit rubbish at it really. If I didn't have an issue talking about my writing on Face Book then I would just use that.
I'm technically competent and spend plenty of time social networking. I enjoy it very much but also understand that there are some negative points such as unwanted lurkers and spam. I'm also aware of how social networks can contribute to platform building, if you are promoting yourself and your work.
I just don't get Twitter though. It just seems saturated with total mindless drivel. It's technology is crippled (imo). I haven't used it for weeks now.
Lily, why is there an issue talking about your writing on FB?
Capt Black, OH, you have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that. Drivel, yes.
The positive's of twitter have been commented on; the fact it can build a platform, interesting people post interesting links, on-line relationships can develop with people with whom you share similar interests. For instance two of my interests are contemporary art and writing and so I have two groups for both.
Downside is it is very distracting if allowed to be so.
I think if you're someone who texts, you will be more comfortable with twitter.
I am not a greater texter so sit in and out of the arena.
I do have an account with Twitter and sometimes post, but not that often. I probably miss most of what's said as I don't look at it for very long.
I love Twitter and am making new friends from it in the way I have done through blogging. But I can see it isn't everyone's cuppa.
There again, I don't have a life and am sellotaped to my workly desk for all daylight hours. Twitter natters save my sanity. Something like that.
Hi JJ - It took me a while to understand the point of Twitter but now I really like it. I have to admit though that depending on my energy levels I dip in and out of it. I wish I was more organised because there are lots of interesting people & information found via tweets.
If you'd like to follow me I'd love that. I'm @wrightstory or I can look you up, let me know. Don't want you to feel overwhelmed though, so no pressure.
Kat :-)
I've joined Twitter, JJ, but don't feel I'm participating. I know what you mean about standing in a corner, except I don't do that at parties any more after years on the dip circuit! I think I shd try harder to work out Twitter.
Interesting bk reviews, thanks
Eek. Now I'm more convinced than ever Twitter isn't for me. :(
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