Author Chats

Yesterday afternoon, I attended my first on-line author chat - as an author. I've attended others where I was the reader, but this time I was one of the writers. It was kind of fun, but not well attended. According to my writer friends, though, this isn't unusual, especially since the chat was on a closed loop.

And I wonder if that's a good thing? Yes, it keeps the spammers out, but it also greatly reduces the numbers. Some of my friends wanted to join in, but couldn't since they weren't members of the list. They will have other opportunities as I "chat" next month at open venues, but this was my first and they wanted to support me.

So why not join the list? Because they, like me, are already members of so many lists with so much to read and keep up with, adding one more list for just one chat isn't worth the hassle. I don't blame them. It is a hassle to have to belong to so many lists and wade through hundreds of e-mails every day. But it is also part of the job. It all has to do with marketing and getting your name out there, or belonging to groups for support. It can be a lot of work.

It can also be a lot of fun. I've met some really great people on these lists, people who I would not have otherwise known. I've also picked up some good tips and incredible books just by who I know on the lists. The trick is to pick and choose judiciously so as to not overwhelm yourself.

FIVE DAYS until AKASHAN'TE is out!!!!

Today's author birthdays: Gustavo Becquer, Samuel Sidney McClure, Andrew Paterson, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Margaret Truman, Chaim Potok, Ruth Rendell

Today's thought: "No one has the stamina to write a book. So write a sentence. And another. And another. Sentences become paragraphs. Paragraphs become scenes. Scenes become chapters. Chapters become books. So write a sentence." - P. Martin

Today's teaser: You're inside an elevator and the doors won't open. What's worse, you're claustrophobic. What do you do? Is there anyone with you?