Twitter and Why Writers Need It

I got started on Facebook years ago, and although I was confused at first, I caught on quickly enough. Twitter, though, frightened me and I stayed away from it. Oh, I created an account. But once I had one, I had no idea what to do with it. 
So my poor Twitter account got ignored for a few years. 

And then I wrote this book. I might have mentioned it once or twice. Hee hee. 

I had no idea what I was doing at that point - where to turn or who to query. And when I did find someone to query, all the advice I'd read said, "Make it personal!" Right. How, exactly?
While attempting to learn more about a certain agent so I could, in fact, make it personal, I saw her Twitter handle. So I started following her and realized, "HEY. She's telling me all kinds of cool stuff!" So then I started following (read: stalking) more agents - any that I could find that repped my category and had a Twitter account. 

So that's how I got started, but it doesn't explain why I feel Twitter is so important for writers. For one thing - the networking. There are hashtags - such as #amwriting and #amediting. You check those out any time, day or night, and you will find tons of other writers doing the exact same thing as you (well, maybe not exact. I'm usually sitting on my feet in my office chair, slowly losing circulation to my legs). I have made the MOST amazing friends on Twitter.

The second reason is, as I stated above, you can find agents on Twitter. DO NOT PITCH YOUR BOOK ON TWITTER. Ahem. But, you can follow the agents, find out what they like, and see if they will be a good fit for you. Also, they often give great advice, like Sara Megibow who does ten queries in ten tweets - she says why she's interested (or not ) in a query. Julia A. Weber does lots of writing and querying tips, and she's hilarious. 

The third reason is that there are a lot of writers out there who are paying it forward - they've done well and want to help others out. They host contests to try to connect writers with critique partners or agents. Contests that can give you valuable feedback on your writing, even if you don't win. 

I'm still new to Twitter. I'm still figuring it out - like I don't know what a Twitter Chat is (vows to find out), but I do think it's a valuable resource to every writer in the querying process, or even thinking about the querying process.

Why I go to Writers Conferences

Before two years ago, I had no idea what a writers conference even was, let alone why I should go to one. I can't remember how I stumbled across LDStorymakers, but it was right when I was getting serious about trying to publish Feudlings, so I was understandably thrilled when I signed up.

I have since been to LDStorymakers twice, and the League of Utah Writers Roundup Twice. I have also been to smaller conferences a couple of times. Is it worth it to keep going? Do I learn new things? Most conferences are kinda costly, so, yeah, if I'm going to continue going, I want it to be worth my money!

My answer is yes. For a couple of reasons.

1) The first is, of course, all the learning opportunities from writers who have been there, done that and already have all the expertise I'm lacking. There are all kinds of classes and different teachers, and yeah, I've gone to some classes just because my favorite author was teaching it. I don't even remember what she taught but I loved every second of it. Others, I had no idea who the teacher was when I went in, but I learned so much, I've been an avid follower ever since.

2) The chance to pitch to agents and editors. Most conferences offer this chance, usually for a fee, but you get ten or so minutes of undivided attention. I got two full requests this way. It was scary -- I almost threw up the first time, but it was a good learning experience.

3) Maybe the most overlooked but possibly the most important is the networking. Before I started going to conferences, I had ZERO other writing friends. I thought I was alone in the world (cue rain cloud over my head). Now I have lots of writing friends, and having others stuck in the trenches with you makes all the difference in the world. I write more now, I have friends to brainstorm with when I'm stuck, and there's always someone to kick me into writing when I'm feeling lazy.

So. Conferences are expensive, yes, but in my opinion, totally worth it. Plus, I've even heard they can be a tax write-off!

And what about you? Are there other reasons I missed?

Gearing Up To Get An Agent Bloghop

 

This is my first time doing anything like this - but it sounds so fun! Gearing up to get an agent, or GUTGAA, is a month long contest with all sorts of fun events and prizes that Deana Barnhart hosts on her blog. Week 1 starts tomorrow, Sept. 3. Here's the schedule:

WEEK 1 (Monday, Sept 3rd - Friday, Sept 7th)

OFFICIAL START OF GUTGAA!!
Monday:
GUTGAA Meet and Greet - We're starting off with a little get to know you action. On your blog, post a mini bio about yourself along with answers to the questions I posted on my blog (see above if your confused). Don't like those questions all that much? That's fine. Make up your own. Either way, we just want to get to know you!

Wednesday: 
BETA/Critique Group Connect - Anyone interested in making some serious writer connections can come to my blog and post in the comments section what they're looking for and I will try my best to make a writer connection for you.

Friday:
Call for Pitch Polish Entries - Are you looking for some pitch help? The Pitch Polish may be what you're looking for. I will start taking pitches Friday, at 11AM  and you will have until Saturday, Sept 8th at 11:59 PM EDT to get your pitch sent to deanabarnhart(at)gmail(dot)com. I will take the first 100 entries I get (if I get that many). To enter the pitch polish you will need to email your query and first 150 words to deanabarnhart(at)gmail(dot)com. Go HERE for details about what I mean by query and first 150 words as well as the format for entries.

Giveaway Winner Announced - Every Friday I will be randomly drawing a participants name and giving them a prize just for being cool:)

Doesn't that sound awesome? Have you signed up yet? http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/2012/08/gutgaa-schedule.html?spref=tw