Writers need a solid platform, a web presence, they need to
use social media and maintain websites and blogs. The writer also needs to
establish an image that will give confidence to both a new publisher and
potential readers that they have something worthy to read. The public image a
writer presents will stay with him for a long, long time.
Editors and publishers like to see a presence when a new
writer queries them. A web-site should give information about the writer, his
or her experience and expertise, contact info, and links to published works.
Remember that the website is about a person who writes and needs to provide an
opportunity for the public to “meet” the writer – however the image presented
has to be appealing to potential readers, publishers and clients. The potential
editor or publisher is able to see how instrumental the new (to them) writer
will be in helping to promote their work and if the investment of time and
money will pay off.
When you are deciding what to include about yourself on your
website, think if it is something you would want the public to know about; you
don’t need to brag that your usual blood alcohol level in college was higher
than your grade point average UNLESS it is relevant to what you write about.
You don’t need to give away personal information about your family members if
they don’t factor into your writing material and then use caution about how
much personal information and IF you have the right to give that info away. We’ve
all done foolish things in our youth, but most of these do not need to become a
part of our image. It’s great for our public to feel that they know us and that
they know that “this writer” is a human being – at the same time we don’t want
to be viewed as a unlikeable human being.
Maintaining a blog, which is different from a website, is an
effective way to promote our writing. It is also a good way to build a
following of readers who are interested in the topics we write about. It’s best
to post fairly regularly, allow comments/feedback, and keep the blog
theme-based. Participating in social network sites is a terrific way to
interact with the public (similar to the way readers come to a book-signing to
meet the author), but it is important to maintain a touchable image. Some sites
like Facebook allow for “Fan Pages” for a professional image and regular
timelines for personal interaction with friends and family. Think about using
high privacy settings on your personal timeline (selected friends only) and not
allowing folks to tag you without your approval in photos, and keep your Fan
Page open (public) and allow comments.
Keep your private life PRIVATE, no one wants to hear that the
romance writer is having relationship problems. Stay away from (most)
controversial topics, but be honest about your feelings and if the issue is
very important to you then THINK before you comment and never be purposely
insulting — save the political views and strong opinions for your personal
PRIVATE page unless it is about a topic you are writing about. Welcome
meaningful, interactive conversation and remember, the image you present is the
professional image you will be stuck with. If someone makes a negative comment
about you don’t react in kind, but if possible be constructive and explain the
positives of your position. Always be aware of the image you project and always
think before you react.
Be positive, it goes a lot further than negativity.
Writing Exercise:
Choose any major character in your current WIP (or a character in a
recently read book) and use one to three paragraphs each for (1) the worst
thing that ever happened to that character; and (2) the best thing that ever
happened to that character. These events should NOT be part of the book and may
only be perceived by the character as the worst and best.
Writing Prompt:
Your protagonist and your antagonist are both packing in a hurry
(separately) to move into a safe house (again, separate) - they have no idea
how long before or if they will return home. In addition to their basic
clothing, they are each allowed to bring five personal items. What five items
do they decide to bring?
Challenge Assignment: Make up a fictional character and using that
character instead of yourself, write about something very embarrassing that
once happened to you. Make sure that the character is very different from YOU.
It is okay if you change the way the character responds from the way you did.
