So I've been having trouble with my feelings about social media. That may have been obvious by my scarcity recently, or it may have been disguised by the fact that I also made a major interstate move two weeks ago.
Do you ever feel this way? That the demands of all the ways people say authors should be networking are ruining the simple pleasure we should be able to take in online friendship? I know it's different for everyone, but for me, I need to make a short-term change and see if it works better for me.
If I have to choose one online forum (and I think I do, for my own comfort and sense of authenticity right now), my preferred social medium is Facebook. I feel it's more personal and easier to really interact with others--to share real life without worrying so much about whether a post qualifies as personal or professional.
So I'm going to take a summer long hiatus from this blog. Please come befriend me on Facebook if you haven't already! I like to keep up with online friends and see how they are doing, and that is so much easier for me there. I know status updates are not quite as thought-provoking as blog posts sometimes, and I will miss some of the excellent, well-written thoughts on my friends' blogs. Still, I have a feeling I will enjoy the relief from one extra activity, especially as I work to settle us into our new home.
Happy Summer! See you around Facebook!
13 comments:
Will miss your posts, but I get it. Glad we are already friends on FB! :D
Oh Happy Summer!
~ Wendy
I don't use FB. I will miss you but completely understand.
I'm praying about all this myself lately.
Have a wonderful summer. I hope someday we can reconnect somehow.
God bless.
I totally understand your struggle here. And admire/respect your decision! Will miss your posts, but will connect on Facebook!
Rosslyn, If I didn't have that little voice in my ear whispering (and sometimes yelling) "Authors have to be in social media to achieve name recognition," I'd be done with most of it. I tweet a couple of times a day (or less) and have those posted to Facebook as well. I blog twice a week (and sometimes it's a chore). I'm on GoodReads, but mainly just as a name. But when my friends and family want to communicate, they use my private email.
So have a blessed, peaceful summer. See you this fall at ACFW. I'll be anxious to get a report on this hiatus.
I know exactly what you mean and I feel the same way. I connect with with others through my blog, so I'm trying to redo that now and really focus on one avenue.
Very wise for making an assessment and doing what's best for you right now :) All the best!
I will also miss your posts but I think doing whats best for you, and most likely for your family this summer, will be a great reward in memories and quiet moments.
Will miss your posts. I totally understand where you are with this. Enjoy your summer, and I hope to see you on FB.
Rosslyn, I get it too. I've done hiatuses from blogging before, and know I will be doing so again. Oftentimes, when a new obligation is taken on (like moving into a new home), you just have to do it. When I've done blogging fasts during Lent I have never regretted it. I will be watching my Facebook feeds more regularly. I have to admit, I'm with you on this. I tried Twitter last year and sort of starting getting into it. Then things changed, and I had to sort of choose, and Facebook won out for me also. It is a great way to establish a little community and feel connected without overload. Of course, even that requires balance, but I feel it's doable. God bless you, sweet writer friend, and I do hope to see you around FB this summer! All best in the settling in.
Thank you so much, my sweet friends! I value you all very much, and I look forward to keeping up!
TC- sorry to take a break, but I do hope we'll reconnect as I really enjoy your thoughtfulness.
Roxane - You're an inspiration in the way you relate to others through social media. I've always felt the authenticity of what you have to say (and that goes for those others who have commented here, too. I think it's why these connections have lasted.)
I'll be watching for you all. :-)
Aw, before I got to the end of this sentence: "If I have to choose..." I thought for sure you were going to say, "It's blogging!" But, alas, is not so. :( I will miss your online presence and thought-provoking posts & comments in the blogosphere, but I totally understand the need for you to scale back on social media. Anyhow... hope to somehow keep in touch (I'm not exactly active on FB).
Enjoy your summer! I have a feeling the move and hiatus will nourish your spirit and inspire future storytelling. :)
I do understand that sometimes difficult choices like this need to be made. Time can only be stretched so far. I'll miss your posts. I pop in and out of FB only occasionally so may miss you there, too, but I hope you have a great summer.
Barb, thank you-- those are words of blessing and I will hang on to them. :-)
Carol - See you around FB!
Rosslyn,
I appreciate your honesty about your conflicted feelings regarding social media. I, too, decline to be inundated with it.
I did want to let you know that I recently read Fairer Than Morning and I enjoyed it very much, even though historical romance is not usually a genre that I read a lot.
The tone and setting are authentic, the characters are believable, and the pace is crisp. I especially enjoyed the manner in which you revealed the genesis of the title. That was a very gentle and special moment in the story arc.
Much continued success to you.
- Marsha
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