Writing Support System: A Must Have

Being a writer is not easy at all. It requires a lot of time sitting at your computer, plotting out scenes, being on a high, and being in the dumps. It's always nice to have those wonderful people you can rely on every step of the way, even when you think you're taking 500 steps backwards at times.

I was tweeting back and forth with someone a while ago. She was struggling to find the support needed during her writing journey. I gave her some suggestions on how to find the support. By golly, it's what I had to do. But it's not easy at all to obtain the people you rely on through the ups and downs.

Here are my ideas:

1. Use your family or friends as a support system. My very first critiques of my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, were my good friend and my sister-in-law.
2. Actively use Twitter - Start up conversations. Find people you get a long with and have the same interests. Be their friend and they will be yours.
3. Join Facebook writing chats groups.
4. Go to writing events - Book tours, writing groups, book/writing conferences, etc... You will definitely find people who are looking for support just as you are.
5. Comment on people's blogs. It'll get your name out there.
6. Start your own blog. Likewise, it'll get your name out there.
7. Become a beta for other writers.
8. Ask people if they want to be CP's. It never hurts to ask. I'd suggest you have already built rapport with the person before you ask.
9. Eat lots of chocolate. You'll need it.
10. And most of all, be patient. These things won't happen over night. But your outside support system with writers WILL come.

Today, I want to thank one of those many people I count as my supporters!

My Dad!!!

It's his birthday today, so I thought it only right to share my love and gratitude to him for all of his support, not only with my being an author but EVERYTHING he's ever done for me. I love you, Pops!

What are your suggestions to find your writing support system?

Writing. Jewels.

A Shameless Plug. Not That It's Needed.

I attended a writing workshop last Saturday with a writing buddy (Morgan Shamy) who I met on Twitter. Basically we all critiqued the first 15 pages of each member of the group's manuscript. The writers were seated at separate tables according to genre and were headed by a local editor. I received some amazing feedback, and had an enjoyable time meeting new people and thriving off of their passion to write. 

As I talked with my group of writers, one of them wanted to become a part of a writing group or find people to critique her book. I commented that I found my close-knit group of critique buddies through social media--mainly Twitter. 

Without social networking, I know I wouldn't be where I am now. It's crazy to think that at this time last year I pretty much knew nothing about the writing industry, I had no critique partners, and I was a nameless writer in the midst of thousands of authors. 

Now I know so much more than I would have otherwise. I shamelessly plug Twitter for a moment; it's the reason for my success (at least the little bit I have so far). It's my little (well, humongous) writing forum. Twitter initiated me into the world of writing more than anything. Ever. And now I have a lot more writing buddies than I could ever have wished for, and, I'm sure, more to come. 

If you're not using Twitter or social networking, start now. It's a fine way to immerse yourself into a group of people who are supportive and friendly. You will learn so much from them and them from you. I love my writers! I love you all! 

What is your favorite social networking tool and why?

I'm pretty sure you all have seen the following social networking video, but I share it anyway. It's cool and gets my point across very well. Enjoy!

What I’ve Learned Wednesday: The Many Hats of Writing

December 2009. I had a dream. Dream turned into a plot. Plot turned into a manuscript. Manuscript turned into an endless string of edits. Endless string of edits turned into me pulling my hair out. Pulled out hair eventually will turn into a published work! Published work will lead to wearing more hats than I do now. Wearing more hats than I do now will be really cool.

In December 2009, I had absolutely no idea what industry I was getting myself into. The writing industry is way more than just plucking away at your laptop. Being an author requires many hats. I haven’t even put on all of the hats, but still am way excited to wear them all.

I attended a writing conference last year. Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven series, The Candy Shop War, Pingo, and The Beyonders (released 3/15/11), was the keynote speaker. He spoke about all the hats that authors get to wear. “Get to” cause it’s way fun! He said a few things, among many, that left an impression on me.

You get to be a speaker, marketer, small business owner, and reading advocate. I hope to be an author who gets to go around speaking to people about writing and other related topics. I’m already marketing my name, my book. I’ve got a social networking business up and booming. I wouldn’t call it a business, though cause I have way too much fun with it. And I get to be an advocate for reading. Seriously, what an awesome job it is to be an author.

Being an author has lots of other aspects other than the writing part. The writing part is the most important, but you have to remember that there are other parts to this industry, especially if you want to be published. I’ve found that during my writing/editing stages, social networking has been king. I have to get my name out there, my brand, Writing Jewels. I really enjoy blogging and have to admit that I’m obsessed with Twitter.

Which authoring hats to you love to wear? Are you just as giddy about all these pretty, fun hats as I am? Were you surprised at all the other things you’d have to do in order to get published? Or were you pleasantly surprised?

Tweet Tweet Tweet Away

So, I joined Twitter yesterday. It is somewhat of an odd feeling to be a tweeter now. This is one thing that I simply vowed never, ever in a million years to do. Well, I did vow never to go back to school but I am in a French class now. Guess that I shouldn’t vow not to do things anymore. ☺ Hehe! It was a cool experience to not be near a computer today and send a tweet through my cell phone. I felt all giddy inside, like I am really into the social networking grove now. Just now I logged onto twitter and there the tweet be in all its glory. Anyway, this is just another step to progressing to becoming a published author. Hallelujah for social networking. Well, now I get to tweet away and feel excited every time that I do. If you are on Twitter, lets follow each other. @writingjewels1 or http://twitter.com/WritingJewels1 is where you can find me.

For some reason, whenever I think of Twitter, Tweety Bird pops into my head. Does that happen to you, or am I just weird?