The Best Part of the Rollercoaster Ride

Tip of the Day: Blogging is good for your health!

Wow, what an exciting, wonderful week! More on that in a minute…

When I first started writing for kids/teens way back, oh-so-long ago, there wasn't a lot in the way of on-line communities for writers. There was the old yellow board on write4kids.com, and so I hung out there, mostly taking all the information in, posting only on occasion. Through that board, I placed an ad and formed my first ever on-line critique group.

Time went by, and new communities developed. Verla Kay's message board became the new place to congregate. I liked it there. I posted more and more. I got to know people. And people got to know me.

When on-line friends started blogging, I was like, "Oh my gosh, you mean, you write something, there, in public, and people will READ it? But, but, but - I'm not funny, I'm not entertaining, I'm not ANYTHING." And yet, I found I hung out on Livejournal more and more, reading people's blogs, commenting, learning, laughing, etc. And so, a couple of years ago, I took the plunge. I started my own blog.

And it was one of the best things I've ever done. I didn't start the blog to promote myself or the picture book I had out. I just wanted to be connected to other writers. Writing is a lonely business. I wanted to know I wasn't alone on this crazy rollercoaster we ride. And there is SO much to learn. Every day, I think I still learn something new.

This past Tuesday, I posted a celebratory Vlog (video blog), to mark the day my book hit the shelves. When I checked replies and friends' posts at lunch time from work, I was overcome with emotion by what I saw. Post after post giving me and my book so much love!

If you're a writer reading this, thinking about starting a blog, here's my unsolicited advice. Don't think of blogging as a way to talk, talk, talk about your book(s). If you use it that way, you'll turn people off and be disappointed about the lack of response to your posts. Blogging is a fun way to meet people, make friends, stay in touch with other writers and readers, and more. Of course, to make friends, you have to be a friend, too. Comment. Commisserate. Offer to help when someone needs it. Yes, it takes time, but I am here to tell you, it's SO worth it. Those friends will support you years down the road in ways you can't imagine.

It’s definitely a rollercoaster, this business we’re in. But you know what I discovered this week? It wasn’t reaching the top, seeing my book on the shelf, that was the best part.



It was the people beside me, like my blog buddies here at Author2Author, who made it the best ride a girl could ask for.

~Lisa, Miss Pinch Me I'm Pubbed