I’m not there yet, and I may never be there, but at some point I dream of getting to the query stage of my writer’s journey. Heaven knows we’ve all heard a lot about platforms and building them and why they’re necessary. And we’ve all seen the posts about all of this.
Wylie-Merrick Literary Agency has an interesting post about this, including the value of blogs in building a writer’s platform, as well as other really good ideas about how and why we need to do this. The flip side is posted by Rebecca over at Criminal Minds. Go check them out and while you’re doing that I’ll be checking out my Facebook and Twitter accounts again, trying to figure out how to make them useful and not just a time suck. Or maybe I’ll see if I can find a blogfest to sign up for.
And then maybe I’ll go to the library.
How about you? Building your platform? How are you doing it? Or are you ignoring it all and hoping it just goes away?
I guess I am building a platform. Though not intentionally. It's just crept up on me. It's actually quite a strange feeling to know people are following my blog. Little old me from Down Under. I'm thoroughly delighted, I'd quickly like to add!
ReplyDeleteChanging times.
Enjoy your day :)
Is that what we're doing out here in this internet wilderness? ; )
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm building a platform. I'm still figuring out twitter. Facebook is a different story--time sucker. Blogging is my major addiction. I will check out the links.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Come by my blog I have an AWARD (!!) for you!
ReplyDeleteI'll take a look at these links since I need to redo my query. Two days ago, I wrote a post that gave advice I received from an agent so I'm using that list too.
ReplyDeleteI've read the pros and cons- but I started blogging basically as a way to connect with other writers and to hone my own craft. If it helps build a platform- great. If it doesn't- I still feel like the time spent on it is invaluable.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to start querying in the next month or so. I've decided to mention my blog in my query letter in the last paragraph because so many agents consider it to be part of your platform.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your WIP and keep us updated about your querying!
This is the part that makes my head spin. To quote a character from one of my favorite shows: "One. Plan. At a time!"
ReplyDeleteBut I'll keep watching you guys to see how you do it.
Platform, what's a platform :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen no value in FB, and I've never twittered. Both are too restrictive for me. I feel like I'm a potted plant every time I log onto FB.
ReplyDeleteI used to run around on usenet discussion forums. Ah, the freedom, nekid on the net with no moderation, anon handles, text-only discussions. Beautiful until the spammers destroyed it.
Blogging, though, I like, and I agree it's a great way to build a platform.
I'm having fun, not keeping count (much), and trying to build contacts, make friends, and discuss a common interest. Maybe I'll learn something. Maybe I'll share something. And if someone reads it, and likes it, maybe they'll buy it if I write it.
That's my platform, I suppose.
- Eric
I stumbled across my platform and I know it works because when I depart from it comments slow, followers abandon me and no one knew joins up!! Does it help sell my books? I don't know really but it's what my publisher asked me to do and so it's part of my career path and not just a time suck.
ReplyDeleteI send my books to book bloggers and hope they read them. Other than that, I stroke one of my six cats and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteKaren Jones Gowen: Interesting thought process... blogging as part of your career path as a writer.
ReplyDeleteI may need to ponderize this over a beer this evening. You just might be onto something.
And see, I don't mind typing out your entire name.
Sarah: Thanks for the interesting topic and discussion. Gets the worms digging. Now I want to figure out a platform!
- Eric
I think I'm only semi-building. I tweet with regularity for awhile and then not at all for a month. None of my "real" friends (well, hardly any) know about my blog.) I have a ton of facebook friends (and know most of them in "real" life!) but they don't know that I'm currently (uh, sort of currently) working on a novel. If (no, WHEN!) the time comes for me to query and WHEN I get to publish my baby, I wonder what I'll change. I wonder what I might wish I'd done differently. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't blog for a platform. I blog to hang with my writing homies. :)
ReplyDeleteI, too, have heard conflicting opinions on the necessity of having a blog/platform/following. I think that "platform" really refers to people who are already famous for another reason, and decide to write a book. Like politicians or actors. Or the woman who wrote 'Julie/Julia'. I believe she actually did try to make all of Julia Child's recipes in one year and the movie was based on her experiences and her blog.
ReplyDeleteIs it worth my time to try to become famous just to get my novel published? Um, no. Besides which, I'm not that good of a cook.
But, blogfests and such are a good way to become better known. All this mutual back-scratching among the writing/blogging community suddenly makes a lot more sense. I mean, if we can all get 500 followers, that would help us look good to agents, right? So, pass around the awards, people, and blog, blog, blog! :D
Not sure I have a platform; but I like blogging. FB irritates me with all the thousands of two minute updates from people having their second cup a joe for the day.
ReplyDeleteBut I see the value in blogging, and the forums. You never know what interesting people you'll meet, or what useful advice they'll impart. I can't afford a conference too often - both in time and money - but I like hearing what others have learned.
Thanks for sharing these articles Sarahj.
........dhole
I suppose what I'm doing would be called building a platform, but for now I am really just trying to build up connections with other writers. It keeps me motivated to have contact with others in the same boat!
ReplyDeleteI can only do so much. I've been busy trying to get to all the blogs that I follow and like. I've posted just once a week lately because May is crazy! Not that it will slow down once school lets out. Don't lose focus. I need to remind myself sometimes of what I want my blog to be, how much I want to connect, and not to neglect my longer work...or my children.
ReplyDelete