Well what can I say? I must be honest and say I have well and truly neglected my WIP this month due to donating any spare moment I have concentrating on Rachel Harries,
'Fourth Platform Building Campaign!'
Yes, although I have written a little more of the first draft, (but not much) and typed up 2,000 words, I have been telling myself that devoting the time blogging and building my 'Platform' is very important!
Please, please tell me I am doing the right thing! I am sure it is an important step to do this! I know I enjoy it, but do I enjoy it too much? Is it just my attempt to put off what I should be concentrating on?
As I blog away I have touched bases with people (authors), who seem like really nice people and I tell myself that to connect with these people and build friendships is a great way to help me with my end goals! I try to help them by advertising their book launches, giveaways, blog hops, etc., but does this actually help me to sell my books?
I believe so, or at least I hope so!
I do know that this month, being involved in such a large campaign, has improved my writing and has challenged me to write pieces of work, in ways I have never thought to. And this is a good thing, isn't it? Yes, I suppose so, but still I do feel guilty not accomplishing my own work. Oh well, I suppose you can't have everything!
(By the way, during this months blogging, I only learned what a WIP is, I like the terminology, so I am now going to use it too! It is a catchy phrase!)
22 comments:
I think spending time blogging is definitely worthwhile. I've met so many friends thanks to Rach's last campaign! I've been a slacker on this one, but I'm hoping to get around and comment more!! :D
Hi Laura.
I believe you are on the right track with your blogging. It is indeed helpful and as you increase your blogging so too will support, advice, etc. come.
As a writer, I simply set times for doing both. You know what is said about habits, right? It takes a week to develop a bad one and much longer to develop a good one. Bottom line is to stay with it and watch the fruitful returns!
This is a great community, so your efforts are well worth the benefits. I look forward to your posts and good luck with the challenge.
Campaigns and blogfests are definitely a great way to meet people and connect with other writers.
I did the campaign last fall and quickly realized I didn't have time for all the writing. Writer and author connections are important though.
Even better are the ones we make outside of that.
Thanks Cortney,it is nice of you to leave a comment! I have enjoyed being part of the campaign, but geez it takes a lot of time to try to do it properly!
Thanks Jeremy for the encouragement. Yes, I do agree with you, it is very easy to form bad habits. Even though my blogging is centered on making contacts with other writers and potential readers, I am beginning to like it a bit too much!
Thanks Miranda!
Yes I do believe so Michael and it is a very enjoyable past time! Thanks for stopping by!
After I complete the campaign I am going to have to seriously ensure that I get back on track or time will pass by very quickly before I achieve any advancement in my work.
Yes, I am finding the contacts I am making (like yourself) are important.
it's tough to find the balance amongst blogging, platform-building, and writing. best wishes in your endeavors.
I participated in the first two of those and think they are wonderful for networking and connecting. They are definitely time consuming, though, so I hear you. I would maybe commit a little time each day to a writing sprint--set the timer and work on the WIP one hour or half an hour--as long as you feel you can give up... just to keep plugging away.
Its easy to sacrifice your WIP to be involved with other Blog stuff. I do it all the time. Have to find that balance and meet other Bloggers. But I also shut things down for three days to two weeks to devote to writing. Sometimes you just have to do it.
It's a tricky balance. I only blog three times a week, normally, and one of those days are really long work days so I never have the brain capacity to write anyway. I think the most important thing is sitting down with what you want to happen, in all the capacities, and figure out what it is going to take to get there. I'm doing the campaign too, but I give myself literally 20 minutes to get the prompt written and add jumping to the blogs when I have down time, or when the kids are doing homework they need some help with because it's easy to shift attention. But when it is time to write, and if I haven't met my writing goals for the week yet, blogs have to go away. Because all the platform building in the world won't be worth anything if your writing doesn't get done :)
Good Luck!
Thanks Michelle.
Thats very good advice Hart. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, I will have to set some type of time committment for my WIP, or it will never evolve!
I hear what you are saying Stephen and I know I will have to do something like this, but I think I am addicted! It will be a challenge in itself!
I too am struggling with these questions ... not sure if I'm building a platform, or my own gallows ... who knows?
Yes Tasha, I can relate to your last sentence, "...all the platform building in the world won't be worth anything if your writing doesn't get done." Maybe I might post it up on the wall in front of me, so I can use it as a motivator! Thanyou
I spend LOTS of time blogging too, but it does include responding to writing prompts/challenges, set by bloggers/writers, which is part of building a platform... agreed? Yes/No?
I have just finished a very long week at work with lots of issues that need urgent attention and reading your comment just made me laugh! Thankyou Christopher!
Hi Mish. Have had a little internet issue! Hopefully resolved! I do try to answer most comments and make some connection with new followers, but I work full time, and unfortunately blogging is blocked at my place of work, so I have restricted hours to connect back with people! I am sorry if I did not respond to one of your comments!
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