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| Photo credit: Yon Garin on Flickr |
Two and a half years ago I had two friends who enjoyed writing, but didn’t really show much interest in pursuing it professionally. I had a couple people who read my work and gave me feedback, but writing wasn’t their craft, so while their feedback was helpful, it didn’t really help me to grow as a writer.
Two and a half years ago, when I entered the query wars, I kept it mostly to myself, with exception of my immediate family and closest friends. And they were supportive of course—and still are—but as they hadn’t experienced it themselves, they didn’t fully understand how the process worked or what it was like.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that when I created a Twitter account in April of 2011, my life changed.
Suddenly I was pushing myself to try new things. I created a blog and realized I loved it. I wrote more than ever before—both on posts three times a week and on new manuscripts. I realized just how much there was to read out there and more than doubled my yearly reading count.
And, most importantly, I connected to the online writing community.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much easier it is to handle pre-querying nerves, and rejection, and shelving manuscripts, and first draft woes, and editing gnashing of teeth with a community of thousands of people who know exactly what you’re experiencing. Not to mention that my wonderful CPs, who have pushed me to make my work so much better than it was, were all found through various forms of internet wonder.
I don’t think I’m a better writer since diving into the world of social media—I know I am.
Has social media made you a better writer? How?
Twitter-sized bites:
How social media has changed one writer's life for the better. (Click to tweet)
"I don't think I'm a better writer since diving into the world of social media—I know I am." (Click to tweet)
Has social media made you a better writer? Share your experience at @Ava_Jae's blog. (Click to tweet)
6 comments:
This is like reading my own story! I agree, social media changed me so much and made me a better writer.
Yes! It really opens up doors and can push you to become so much better. :)
Congratulations, Ms. Jae. Although I didn't start this journey with you, I'm glad to have tagged along on the way, much like a certain Mr. Tin Man searching for his heart.
Thanks, Robin! And thank you for the support! :)
The online community definitely makes a significant difference, alot of readers have asked me to get onto twitter but I'm worried it will just be another account that will take time from writing.
Personally, Twitter has connected me to so many wonderful people and opportunities, that I'd say it's worth any time lost. And besides, it doesn't have to take time away from writing as long as you turn it off when you need to write. :)
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