JOANNA ELM, Author, Journalist, Attorney
The Pleasures and Perils Of A Writing Life
I discovered something about authors and social media this week — at least if my writers group in Palm Beach is anything to go by: A) Every author knows he/she must have some sort of presence on social media. B) Some authors have a social media presence, engage with it and enjoy it. C) Most simply don’t know what to do with the social media accounts they have signed up for. Continue reading “Social Media For Authors: Choose Your Poison”
In a 2016 blog post, I wrote : “I’m not totally sure, but I think Ernest Hemingway would consider himself fortunate for dying before it became a requirement for every author to have a website, and to blog, and to post regularly on social media sites like Facebook.
Returning to fiction writing (after twenty years away) has been quite an eye-opener. You must have a website, they said. An agent won’t even glance at your manuscript if you don’t have a website. Oh, and way before anyone accepts your book for publication, you’ll need to build an audience by blogging on the website, and posting on social media.“
The blog was titled I. Need. To. Do. What? Today, I have an update on how it’s all working out for me. Selected snippets from the original blog are below in italics. The original blog in December 2016 started with the thrill over a new iphone after I finally ditched my well-worn flip-top phone (does anyone even remember what those looked like?) Continue reading “What Authors Must Do in 2018 (Besides Writing)”
Sometimes, it’s good to have a change of scenery — even if your writing has to come with you. I’m into edits and revisions on Book 3 at the moment. It’s a stage that lends itself particularly well to lounging around with your pages on a beach chair under a shady umbrella with an ocean breeze wafting in to keep the sweat from dripping off your fingers onto the paper. So here’s my week with pictures: Continue reading “A Week (of edits and revisions) In The Sun”
Many years ago when my son still lived at home, and was on hand to explain the mysteries of social media to me (MySpace anyone?) he advised me to forget about Facebook. “Don’t bother, Mom. It’s not for you.” Knowing me as the introverted and socially awkward person that I am, he added: “I can just see you getting a ‘friend request’ and going, “Oh my God! No!””
He wasn’t far off the mark. So, I was a little dismayed when, after twenty years, I decided to return to writing fiction, and discovered authors are now expected to “engage” in all manner of interaction on social media. Son – to the rescue again – decided I’d like Twitter and signed me up. He was right. I do like it. Actually, I love it. And, I think other authors and writers love it, too. Here’s 6 reasons why: Continue reading “6 Reasons Why Twitter Is The Best For Authors Like Me”
It’s News Squib Saturday, but I’m going Behind the Scenes today to explain why I haven’t been able to steam ahead with the first draft of Book3. I blame Twitter, TV — & Trump.
It’s been only three weeks since Donald Trump spoke about “American carnage” in his inauguration speech, but the mood of despair and dysfunction which he stirred up continues to linger and makes it difficult to focus on fiction. Editor, author, and blogger, Nathan Bransford summed it up best for me when he wrote : “There’s a lot I’ve been intending to blog about recently […] But then I read the news or go on my social feeds and writing seems like the last thing on anyone’s mind. And, in a way, the things I want to write about feel so trivial in comparison to the news of the day.” Continue reading “Hey Donald! You’re Draining Me, Not the Swamp (Behind the Scenes #5)”