I joined Facebook (And May Need Therapy for it)

I took the leap and joined Facebook. Don't bother linking there to see my page unless you're already a member--you won't be able to see it.

I'm feeling ambivalent about my membership. I keep hearing through writers groups and web sites that as an author I "must" have a page on Facebook. I "must" create a presence in an arena that draws 65 million. Fine. That part makes sense. Out of 65 million, there's got to be a cat lover or two out there who would like to buy my book.

But like everything online, you can't just pop a page up and expect people to show. You have to make the time to create an interesting, readable page that draws people in and keeps them coming back. You have to search out friends and list them on your page to prove to the world that you are, indeed, capable of attracting and retaining friends. You have to add photos, new content, and check in frequently.

Blah, blah, blah.

I am what is known as a "late adapter." Or rather, a reluctant late adapter. I'll eventually embrace a new technology, but I am going to bitch and complain the entire time I do.  And so it is with Facebook. I posted a profile and slapped my picture up there. I listed some books and movies I like. Now what? I have to search out high school friends I've ignored for 20 years and say, "Hey, want to best buds and link to my page?" Yech.

At times like this, I long to be my friend Melody who adores exploring all things new, fun, and web-related.  She wouldn't collapse sobbing over her computer after 20 minutes spent attempting to figure out how to set up a business page on the site. She wouldn't curse the man-children who came up with this site in the first place.  And she would possess an attitude of positive open mindedness that she would soon not only grasp but enjoy said technology.

I am not Melody.

But my page is up and that is progress. I will wait a few days before I log back on and once again attempt to figure out how to set up a page that sends people to my Lessons In Stalking website. Because, to be frank, I'm in this to sell books, not make friends. (I have enough trouble keeping up with the remaining 8 people out there still willing to associate with me on a semi-regular basis. Hand me 50 online friends and I will lose it.)

I may have to lighten up. Melody is already on Facebook and at lunch the other day she was explaining to me the "Poke" feature. If you want to say hi to someone you "poke" them online. I looked coldly at her. "There will be no poking in our Facebook relationship," I said. "One poke, and you are banned from the friendship list for life."

I think I'd do better to just send out postcards. More my speed, dont'cha think?

This & That

My poor little blog readers... I have nothing to entertain you with. The temperatures today are predicted to be sunny mid 60's, I'm spending the morning book writing and the afternoon doing a bit of paid writing. (Someday those will be the same things...) But there is nothing to report but tidbits of life.

• Last summer's running group reformed on Sunday as we did 13, 11, 10, 8, and 5 mile runs, depending on when each decided to turn back. =)
• Blair is working on our taxes. The good news is that I made a lot of money last year. The bad news is I didn't withhold taxes on that money. Can you say, "Owe the government copious amounts of cash....?"
• I pulled a muscle in yoga and, for the moment, can't lift my right leg more than 4 inches off the ground. Makes getting dressed that much more interesting.
• I'm half-way finished with a new book of cat stories, a follow-up to Lessons In Stalking. I've got about 15 stories complete and ready for review. I need 5 more stories to round out the book. I'm staring at the cats hourly, hoping they do something cute.
• We made brownies last night and I decided nothing but brownies would do for breakfast this morning. I'm now on a massive sugar high yet can do little more than think about the one brownie that remains in the kitchen...

I told you... pretty calm life. I'm off to goad the cats into doing something at least mildly amusing.

Fear of Writing Contest

Lessons In Stalking was recently offered as the prize for a short-short story writing contest on a website called Fear of Writing. I was a contest winner on the site years ago and I remember h0w thrilled I was to have won something writing related. The site's founder, Milli Thornton, and I have stayed in touch over the years. So when Milli posted a writing prompt around the theme "It's Raining Cats & Dogs," and asked if I would donate one of my books as a prize and be a judge, I jumped on it.

It was fun reading through the final entries. What I love about Milli's contests are that she bases the winning entry on creativity and originality. Unless there's a tie, little attention is paid to spelling, grammar, punctuation. Sounds like it goes against all rules of writing, right? But her goal is to make writing fun and accessible and to take the "I must be perfect in order to write" fear away from would-be writers. It was a completely different experience to judge entries just based on "fun" writing that appeared in their stories.

To see the winning entry and the author's reaction (which is quite humorous), go here: http://fearofwriting.icontact.com/archives/killer-rain/posts/contest-winner-more-tips-on-successful-contest-entries.html.

Also, if you know any budding writers blocked by fear, I highly recommend Milli's book "The Fear of Writing." It makes a great gift!

Congratulations to Giselle Hurley, the winner of the contest! Your book is on its way. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Dena

"Lessons In Stalking" Prize for Writing Contest

This is fun. In 2002 I entered a Fear of Writing competition and surprised myself (and probably those who knew me and my writing at the time) by winning. My winning entry was written based on a writing prompt encouraging me to be a Roach Lover. You can read my winning story, Don't Poach the Roach, by clicking on the title. (Fair warning: I found the contest and prompt and entered on a whim. Don't be expecting Dickens...)

Now the sponsor of the contest has come back to me and asked that I offer a signed copy of my book, Lessons In Stalking, as a prize for her newest writing contest, one involving a cat prompt. Of course I was thrilled to do so. The link to the full information about the contest is HERE.

It's a bit like coming full circle. I feel like such a grown-up. Long may the feeling last...