Now that work is (less) crushing, I’m going to try to get back into the habit of doing a bit out of Tamago outreach.
Nothing crazy. The big obligation is still to my writing. However, I may be approaching some of you about being interviewed, and posting cool things about you here. One of the things I try to do is interview writers NOT about writing, because it’s interesting to know what multi-faceted people you all are. However, I’d love to talk about books or careers if that’s helpful to you, and what you’d really like to do. So, expect some more of that again, starting with Monday’s Drollerie Blog Tour and Fraser Sherman’s guest stint.
Meanwhile, my writing landscape shifts. Today, I’m doing something unusual. I have lunch with my friend, LaDawn. She works at Kirkwood part-time, and one of her many other activities is that she writes press releases for a local entertainment story. When she was at the “family reunion” this summer, she suggested she should write some sort of press release for me.
I suggested that it might be a bit too soon for that, given my world wide fame, and she suggested I was cracked. She thinks people would be interested in all my small press work. So, today, over drippy barbecue sauce, we’ll talk about my stories and *sniff* my career as a fantasy writer.
It’s amazing how we rely on the good will of others that we connect with, and how surprisingly handy those accidental connections can become. And that sounds like a seg into pimping Jon’s interview.
Jon Gibbs was interviewed over at The Book Bundle. In the interview, Jon talks about the power of blogging as an author. Here’s a really relevant quote for me today.
“It’s true that developing an online journal takes time and effort, but in my opinion, the benefits are well worth it. Aside from the fact that a blog can help you get your work seen by new readers, there’s a wealth of knowledge and writing know-how on the web. How much would you pay for helpful advice from successful authors, agents and editors in your genre? An online journal gives you access to people from all around the world. Many of them share their knowledge and experience on their blogs, for free.”
I’m finding this to be very true as I continue my writing journey and connect the dots.
I find this to be true about conventions as well. You never know, when you meet a person, how they will affect your life ,and what sorts of things they’ll decide they want to do for you, and how you will be able to reciprocate.
I started doing the blog thing as a writer in May, 2007. Between that, and going to conventions to meet people, who introduce me to other nice people, the connections I have in the writing world have mushroomed like ambitious yard fungi in July. Some of those meetings have been superficial. Others have been life changing.
As a result of all this “networking,” I know agents, editors, struggling writers, established writers, and publishers. I follow small press action and large house trends. I read about people’s struggles with life as well as struggles with the keyboard. I feel a sense of community, which motivates me to stay involved and connected. It’s not just the schmooze. It’s also the belong.
Some people think of a blog or writer’s journal as primarily a usury tool for promotion. Well, there is some truth to the idea that if you find me a nice and interesting person, you might want to read my stories. And it’s a good clearing house for all things me.
But keeping a journal is more than that, innit? It’s more than inserting yourself into a situation of publicity. I certainly share what I’m doing, but there’s also that sense of being involved with a community of people who share common interest and endeavor, and are also, importantly, human in that struggle.
Hmmm… warm fuzzies are out of character for a journal that tries to stay professional and above board. My apologies. You may want to bail out now.
I should close by suggesting that it’s important to not let the blogging supercede the writing, but since writing is such a lonely endeavor, this is a way to ease that burden.
Catherine
