Necessary. Evil?
So, it has been a few weeks since I last posted a blog. What have I been busy with? Writing minimally (feeling “stuck”, but not concerned – yet!), and painting again, which makes me feel enchantingly liberated. I have also been (begrudgingly) spending time on social media, specifically, Instagram and Facebook. Fortunately, I dislike the process enough to not get sucked into the social media vortex which often leads to FOMO and other depressive states. On the flip side, I have come to recognize that, when used strategically and mindfully, social media can help create supportive communities, boost one’s exposure for marketing purposes, and be a (short-term) fun way to connect with people and inspire all sorts of creativity. It is also, I have learned, a fundamental necessity in the world of published novels.
As the cover of A Letter in the Wall was officially “revealed” on social media (exclusively by the FB group Great Thoughts Great Readers and additionally by many wonderful friends and relatives), I have been on social media in a very concentrated fashion, particularly in the last two days. It has been thrilling to see the cover spread across so many people’s pages and postings, offered for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and listed on BookBub. That makes it real (almost) and brings me so much closer into the fold of the published world. And, yet, I am trying to be careful to not allow myself to dapple on social media for too long during each visit, because it is then that I could potentially turn the corner onto Woe-Is-Me Avenue. And that’s just crazy, as I have so much for which to be grateful. Any jealousy, envy, resentment, entitlement or dis-gruntle-ation (not even gonna try to figure out the right way of saying that) I may have as a result of comparing myself and my life to those of others are feelings I have chosen to experience. Likewise, I can choose to shed that kind of negativity by switching gears and engaging in an activity I find productive, creative, relaxing or educational. Or necessary, such as climbing out on the flat roof over my kitchen to figure out why water is spilling over the gutters and down the stairwell into my basement. Yay! Fun! And so much more rewarding than idling on social media!
All kidding aside, I have actually found a warm and supportive writing community among the authors (both debut, like myself, and more experienced) I have “met” on social media. It is not just the questions and comments I read or the helpful articles people post which inspire and educate me, but also the resources at my disposal, such as the ability to gather a small group of writers for feedback, which make my involvement on something like Facebook invaluable. I hope to meet many of these talented and interesting people at some point in the future. It’s like having a large group of penpals whom you’ve never met face-to-face, and awaiting the moment when you can, at last, sit together, have a laugh, a drink, a great conversation, and trade stories about…well…your stories.
At a time when some of my friends are taking a break from social media, or falling off it altogether, I am trying to embrace it as another implement in my toolbox of creativity, something which, when used with intention and not as a substitute for interpersonal connection, can enhance my creative potential. Hopefully, I can stay true to my objectives and try to avoid social media burnout.
Ugh, it’s raining. Better go check on those gutters.
