Aspiring author - part 4

It's been  a few days since I posted part 3 so, lets go for a fourth post. If I'm totally honest, I'll write this post before I begin today's writing session (but more about that topic later). Apologies before I start but it'll become obvious later why social media and networking is my chosen topic for today.

When I was unpublished I wondered what the fuss was about regarding social media and the impact it could have on my world of writing. I was naive. I was blind to the possibilities before me. I lacked experience regards the scope and range of audience with whom I could interact.

After many years on social media, I now know. The reality for me and my published writing is that social media is necessary. Very necessary.

​I think of social media as a 'shop window' from which I showcase my writing wares and myself, as a human being. Over the years, I have been delighted to share my publication news, my successes and my disappointments. I'm honest. I don't feel there is any point ladling lies or living a false life to impress others. When I was an aspiring author, I wanted to know what life was like once published. I wanted to achieve that dream so badly I wanted to know the realities beforehand - I now share via this blog. 

I've always learnt by watching others. Be it my alphabet as a small child when my mum copied out letters and I traced them with my finger. Learning to drive, public speaking or bell ringing in church - I learn by watching others. So, I created a Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram account and followed others to watch and learn. I saw many mistakes being made. I saw people making unkind comments about things which I didn't wish to showcase in my 'shop window'. Those comments told me more about the human being behind the social media account than their latest book, art, sculpture, cat photo or football team news etc than I wanted to know. There's no point having a smiling author head shot if your interaction with the world is rotten and unkind. I wanted to browse 'shop windows', enjoy their goods, follow their account and enjoy more of their good stuff.

So, I made a few self-imposed rules for myself on social media, similar to those I live my life by. You'll never read a post from me which discusses politics, religion and hurtful gossip/info/slagging off others. Others can act as they wish, their choice  but I won't. I don't want such ' negative stuff' in my 'shop window'. I accept that everyone else on this planet, and maybe on others, doesn't think or like what I think or like. Not a single person. Fact! I know myself, a little too well if I'm honest regarding self-reflection but that's another story. NOTE: If you do ever see a negative post by Erin Green Author please tell me because I'll have been hacked.

My social media shop window is for my writing journey... and life's good stuff!

I'll support fellow writers (published or not - I don't care which you are)
I'll Retweet info about good books, art, sculpture, cat photos and footie team news (even if I don't support them)
I'll give an encouraging comment, remark if you've had a success or are having a bad day
I'll remind you it is Wednesday (but mainly because I bloody love that name and will one day get to use it in a book)
I'll do what I can to show kindness, support, generosity and just be the girl-next-door who actually loves good things happening to other people in this world.

What I won't do is snipe, growl or slag you off on social media - because that simply isn't me.

If you are an aspiring author - thank you for getting this far in reading my blog but think about what you want to showcase in your 'shop window' because the audience who read it will make an opinion about you and your writing. I'm not saying you have to be sickly sweet and be false with everybody but stop and think what your post says about you. Is it what you want to showcase to others?

I feel that anyone reading my posts doesn't feel crappy once they've read it. I feel my long-term followers know me as a 'friend' who they happen to have met on-line. I can still be a friend to anyone in this world - I have no boundaries on social media. Some of my most supportive followers, who tweet, retweet and comment on my posts each day I have never met. They support me in so many ways, I can't thank them enough. (I'm honest enough to admit that I just welled up typing that last line - see, that's how honest I am! Soppy mare!)

Social media is totally necessary as an author. I sell books because of my interaction with the audience on Twitter. FaceBook not so much but, I can link up with my gorgeous author friends for a different exchange on FB. The social media audience see my posts and they realise my books and Happy-ever-afters are of a similar tone because it is the same human being behind the posts and the book pages. Me. 

So, why have I chosen to talk about social media today? Earlier today, I had a 'private discussion' with someone on Twitter about a negative post which I believe refers to my 'Aspiring Author - part 1' and 'writing everyday'. Basically, the social media equivalent of the 'Mean girls at school' slagging off the 'nerdy girl' in the toilets. Guess what, this nerdy girl uses the same toilets. And, she'll communicate directly if what you said/posted simply showcases your mean side towards her. Enough said. I'll even add, if the remarks weren't about Erin Green 'writing everyday' then this nerdy girl will still stand up for whichever author you took a pop at! Writers should support each other not tread on each other. 

If you wish to follow me, please come and join the party @ErinGreenAuthor 

I need to love and leave you, folks. I have a book to write because I proudly state, 'I am a writer and I write every day!'