Social Media: Where You’ll Find Me

Social Network IconsThis week my accountability group’s How I Write series asks, “Which social media platforms do you do? Which do you prefer and why?”

I’m not an extrovert by any means, but I can almost pretend to be one on the internet for short periods of time. I do have a tendency to lurk, but I have met some great people through various online social media networks that I wouldn’t have gotten to know otherwise.

I think the most important thing when trying one out is whether you like the atmosphere and the people you connect with. Surround yourself with positive people, people who inspire you, make you laugh. While it’s important to find “your tribe”, it’s also important to look beyond it to escape the filter bubble

Daily Social Media

Twitter

Likes: In and out quickly. The instant information when something happens. The cocktail party atmosphere. How approachable most people are.
Dislikes: 140 characters. Straight web interface. Impending death of Tweetdeck — I need to find a replacement.

Facebook

Likes: Games. Groups, ability to find people you’ve lost touch with. More than 140 characters. Ability to filter what updates you get from some people.
Dislikes: Games. Privacy issues. Repeated sharing of hoaxes or just plain misinformation.

Frequent Social Media

Flickr

Likes: Online photo sharing and organization. Groups if I want to read them. Random pic(k)s!
Dislikes: I always forget to check the groups. Some of the organization tools are a little clunky.

GoodReads

Likes: Finding new books from my friends! Tracking what I’ve read.
Dislikes: I tend to lurk on groups, not sure why.

Pinterest

Likes: Ooooooh, shiny! Lots of neat stuff out there.
Dislikes: Ooooooh, shiny!

Forgotten Social Media

Google+

Likes: Ability to do hangouts. Clean appearance. Communities seem like a good idea.
Dislikes: Circles aren’t necessarily intuitive to set up and use. Is it just me or is it still VERY quiet?

StumbleUpon

Likes: Easy to find cool new things! Great way to help spread the word about cool things on the net.
Dislikes: Remembering to use it! (Yeah, I never got into digg either.)

Spotify/last.fm

Likes: I like listening to new music. I like listening to old music.
Dislikes: Remembering to open up something other than iTunes, heck I even forget that some days.

Tumblr

Likes: Umm… I never really got into it. My kids use it and love it though. I like looking at other people’s when they’re linked from twitter.
Dislikes: Remembering it’s there?

I’m sure there are several others I’ve forgotten I signed up for. You’ve also probably noticed that LinkedIn isn’t on the list. I’ve gotten numerous invitations (Haven’t we all?), but don’t feel like I have time or really a good reason to be there. (I’m happy to listen to reasons why I’m wrong though.) I also currently use YouTube and IMDB, but I don’t post or comment on either of them.

I do also use NetworkedBlogs, Technorati, Gravatar, WordPress, and Blogger (for commenting on other blogs), but those are much more passive than the platforms listed above.

YOUR TURN: Which social media platforms do you do? Which do you prefer and why?


And if you’d like to check out the rest of my accountability group, you can find their blogs here:
Alexia ReedKimberly FarrisDanie FordEmma G. DelaneySusan Saxx

Hang In There

California Brown LizardThere have been multiple times in the last several years when I’ve almost given up because this writing thing as too frustrating, too hard. Other people made it look so easy, and I couldn’t seem wrap my head around the simplest things.

I think one of the biggest dangers comes when a writer sits in isolation and tries to, well, write. Without feedback and just honest conversation with other writers about their work and process, you only have the doubts in your own head echoing off each other.

A couple weekends ago, my critique partner and I took a face-to-face writing day. We usually just toss stuff back and forth in email, but we’re lucky enough to live close enough that this was feasible. The next weekend, I attended a special workshop for my RWA chapter here in town. These two events recharged my writing energy and enthusiasm better than months on twitter where I’ve pretty much surrounded myself with other writers.

Why? Well, honestly, because both my CP, Dara Young and my RWA chapter rock. But also because I was interacting instead of just reacting or listening to my own doubts. These people told me things about myself and my writing because I asked the right questions. Social media is way too often used for “me, me, me” and we’re only human, so it’s expected. The goldmines can be found where you can find someone willing to sit down and hold an honest conversation that benefits you both.

If you have yet to find that spot where you feel comfortable hanging out, be patient. Try out a few different places and ask questions. Romance writers are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. Don’t be scared to comment on a blog because you don’t personally know the blogger. They won’t bite. Well, some might, but you have to ask them nicely first. My point is, you might just find a hangout that suits you where you least expect it. Stepping outside your comfort zone gets easier each time you push yourself.

What are you doing to stop clinging to your safe boundaries and put yourself out there?

ME? I’m blogging more often again, made a submission to a literary agency, have become more active again on the forums at Romance Divas, and am trying to talk to more people I meet out in the social media sphere. Feel free to look me up on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+, or even Flickr and say hi because like Kristen Lamb says, “We are not alone.”