This is actually my first post from my new computer. It's not new-new, but until my old work computer decided that an Internet connection is crass and outdated, I only used this one for my writing. So hi.
I think I've got a writing problem. I'm actually not trying to be cute (though, I'll admit, it's hard not to be, when you're me), I actually think I have a writing problem. See, I was reading about marketing strategies for authors earlier, and one that keeps cropping up is having your own blog, which I know a lot of writers do. To me, the very idea seems tiring, and I think it's because I'm all wrote-out.
I work on my fiction writing every day, so there's always that. Then after that, there's work, which by nature is also writing. A different kind of writing, but not different enough for my system not to associate the two. And then, when there's time and drive, there's this place, which is its own kind of blog. So it's easy to see how yet another writing venue seems like overkill right now. And yet, perhaps it's an effective marketing method if done consistently.
Obviously, the first thing I thought I'd do was come over here and write about this. Obviously.
But what would I write about? Are writers' blogs supposed to be about writing? What could I say about it? Obviously I wouldn't be sharing my actual writing, since that would defeat the purpose. But then what? Talk about writing as a craft? Seems a tad pretentious, to be honest.
What's odd is that in my work-work, I have no trouble repurposing content, and putting out information that's more or less already out there. I'm good at it, I'm good at content creation. I understand SEO, and all those other things you should understand in my job. Yet when it comes to heading my own blog, or doing my own social media, I'm completely "anti-talent" (a Romanian phrase).
I know I've written about this before, and I wondered if I should keep my political views separate from my social media accounts. I do, now, but I can't say my content is overly writery. I usually post pictures of beautiful buildings. All these marketing type blogs say you should be yourself. Well, I like old, beautiful buildings. They're not very writer-esque though.
But you can't post old buildings on your blog, not unless you have something to say about architecture, and while I like architecture, I don't think I'd know what to say. As for writing, I've always felt it's a fairly self-evident profession. You put one word in front of the other. Sort of. What's there to say about that?
I do know I might be taking a particularly obtuse approach to this, and maybe it's as a result of my writing overdose, which has been continuous for the past 2 years or so. Maybe if I wrote less, I could think of more catchy topics to blog about, but right now, that's not an option. The stories themselves are there, regardless. Hive is for my mental health, much as I might dislike the term. As for the job, I actually enjoy my job a great deal. It's by far the best thing I could want right now.
Hm. Maybe I need to suck it up and just start writing. About other books, maybe. At this point, that seems the best option, since I read a lot, and I enjoy sharing my opinions on books.
Personally, while I understand the many benefits of the Internet, I find this whole marketing world an immense burden. I'm sure I'm not alone. I work with a lot of artists, big or small, who are struggling to self-promote and make a difference, and I often wonder how much that takes away from their creating time. Especially since most of them aren't well-known enough to survive from their art alone, and most likely also require a day job. Now, the despicable third-man community (agents, record labels, etc.) also want to see what you're doing on social media, they ask you what your platform is. I recently sent out some manuscripts and queries, and I came across a lot of agents who actually want you to explain how you'll promote your book.
Makes me wonder....well, if I'm promoting my book, then what am I paying you for?
And yes, I know there's people you could pay for this whole platform-building social media thing. But what gets me is I am one of those people. So why am I having such trouble doing it for myself?