HOW MANY BLOGS, ETC. ARE TOO MANY?

[Celia Yeary]

For one author--me--how many blogs, loops, groups are too many? I'm still a little new at this sort of thing, and I've joined a number of social/professional groups, and wonder if I have too many--or not enough? Or the right ones? In this world of self-promotion, I realize a certain amount of work should go into the process each day--or each week? Little by little, I've unconsciously sorted through my list, and discovered some I adore and others are purely time-wasters. Well, even the time wasters may be beneficial, now that I think on it. A couple of them--I'm not a member, I only read--give me such a lift and make me laugh, I sit there and read their anecdotal blogs. Others, I have truly learned valuable information I can use, so I repeatedly go back to those. Some seem to have nothing for me, or they sound like a lecture, have become the dreaded promo dump, or have become cliquish (sp.?) among themselves. Oops, redundant. I try not to use more than an hour a day on these, but sometimes I stay longer because, well, it's fun. I will honestly say, WRDF has become my favorite among those I joined. I always find something of value somewhere, or the notice comes to me, and I read. I've come to the conclusion these may be more of a support system than anything--knowing you have thousands of writers like yourself "out there" in electronic land, doing the same thing you are, and you connect. So, how many is too many? Or not enough? Celia

[Linda LaRoque]

Hi Celia,
When you get an answer, I want to hear it too. I've asked myself the same questions. I've even wondered if going to the blog and leaving posts was helpful and I have received a couple of hits on my website from them. Excellent post. Keep me posted.
Linda

[Chiron O'Keefe]

I find I just don't have enough hours in the day to read all the blogs and digests that interest me!

I try to bounce around to different spots daily and visit where I can but even then many of my favorites fall by the wayside.

Too many is determined by how much fiction writing I can accomplish!!

Great post, Celia!

Hugs,
Chiron

[Celia Yeary]

Sometimes it's like being in a candy store, isn't it? What to choose? How many of this, and how many of that? Me--I'm afraid I'm going to miss something. When I was a kid, I never wanted to miss school, even went sick sometimes. My mother alwasy told me "I was afraid I'd miss something." I think I'm still that way. But I'm being more selective, here and there, so I won't spend half the day "playing." Thanks, Linda and Chiron.

[Lynda Coker]

Hi Celia,

I think we've all suffered through this question. And I found myself spending far too much time on the many wonderful social sites and blogs available to us. So, my solution was to design a connected community (Social Site, Blog, and Newsletter) where I could find some of everything and not have to leave one spot. (Sneaky, I know. but I'm lazy)

I so appreciate all of you who give this community its warm personality and wonderful content. I'm always amazed at the volume of talent we have represented here. There truly is something, or someone for everyone. And isn't it true, the more we support others, the more we find ourselves supported.

I think, with a little time and earnest effort, each writer can narrow down his focus to those sites that feed his imagination, support his dreams, and adds to his creative abilities. Anything else, is a waste of precious writing time.

Lynda

[Celia Yeary]

Thank you for answering and making wonderful comments--I'm honored. Honestly, I think you're some kind of wizard or something. I couldn't possibly do all that do, or come up with all the ideas. I did say, did I not, that WRDF is my FAVORITE of all? Thanks again--Celia

[Elaine Cantrell]

I've finally resorted to deleting messages from Yahoo groups unread, and when I go to a blog, it better grab me in a hurry. I teach all day so have very little time to write anyway. I wish I knew the answer to your question myself.

Elaine Cantrell

[Celia Yeary]

Thanks, Elaine--I think you have the key--something better grab me or it gets deleted. Maybe all this is a matter of evolvement--sort of like Darwin's theory (excuse me, but I was a biology major)--only the strong survive. If one can't adapt, one will be swallowed up! Celia

[Celia Yeary]

Thanks, Pat: I'd probably never go it alone, but I'm now in a group of five romance authors--we cann ourselves THE BOOK SPA. And even with five of us in and out, it's very difficult to keep up. If I did one by myself, I'd be like that Maytag repairman--the lonlist author on the planet--Celia