DIGITAL MEDIA GHOST
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About
Search

The 12 Days of a Writer’s Christmas (Part Two)

12/24/2015

0 Comments

 

by Will Viharo

Merry Christmas! Enjoying your holidays? 

Yes? No? Neither?
 
Either way, if you’re a writer, your brain never rests. You’re always thinking of writing even when you’re not actually doing it.
 
So after you’ve fulfilled your familial and social obligations, give yourself a present by politely stealing away from the dinner table or political argument or football game or whatever is distracting you, and devote at least a little time to what matters most to you.
​Even if you’re on Christmas vacation, your muse isn’t. Or at least, he or she shouldn’t be (and there are ways to make sure your muse remains active, even while you’re not).
 
In my previous blog, I listed six ways all writers can keep their creative engines warm so they’re ready to take off in the new year, which starts in a week or so, rather than idling around the house, alone or otherwise, wishing they could feel productive.
 
Try each of these suggestions once a day for the rest of the year, and by 2016, you’ll be ready to rock! Or at least roll out of bed with a head full of ideas along with your hangover.

7. Friend Some Writers On Facebook – the best way to get ahead in this business, like any other business, is networking. Without being a pest, seek out like-minded individuals, at least those hooked up with other fellow writers you actually know, so it’s like you’re at a virtual party and simply introducing yourself. Sure, they may be complete strangers, but so are most people on most people’s so-called “friends” lists. You might as well get to know people with whom you have something in common. That’s how most real friendships are born, anyway. Nine times out of ten, they will invite you to “like” their Facebook Author’s Page, and then you can do the same, and so on.
 
Oh wait, you don’t have a Facebook Author’s Page? Well, that gives you something to do tomorrow.
 
8. Create a Facebook Author’s Page – this is something simple you can do on your laptop while you’re sitting on the couch chatting with your holiday guests, since it doesn’t require a lot of concentration or energy to create a fan or community page devoted to All Things You. Make sure to distinguish it from your personal profile page, so people don’t think they’re being hoodwinked into a double whammy of promotions. Even though they are. You can also create fan pages for each of your books, as I’ve done. Building this simple platform will go a long way toward gaining and maintaining a following by increasing your social media presence in the coming year.
 
9. Follow Some Writers On Twitter–Following someone on Twitter is much less invasive than friending someone on Facebook, since it doesn’t require a personal response, though many times they will follow you back for the same reason you followed them: networking.
 
10. Engage Your Friends and Relatives in a Lively Literary Discussion – even if they don’t read all the time, they must’ve read at some point in their lives. Since you might be seeing people in your social circles you don’t often get a chance to converse with person to person, maybe ask around: what books have they been reading? What’s their favorite book ever? Have their read your books, and if not, why not? Chances are you’ll be enlightened on what trends you may have missed, or possibly even have your imagination sparked. You might as well take advantage of the company of strangers, especially if they’re related to you. They won’t take offense, because they’re not allowed to. You’re family. And this is a much less contentious topic than sports, weather or politics.
 
11. Scan the Web and Other Media for Literary Events in Your Area – though most writers prefer a solitary lifestyle and can’t wait to be left totally alone again, you still need to engage in some human contact outside of social media in order to truly feel connected to your literary community at large. While you’re sitting around munching on leftovers in front of the TV, surf online or page through the paper for local live readings, book clubs, and other social gatherings where authors can meet ‘n’ mingle long after your relatives have dispersed and you’re alone with your cat or dog, staring into space, wondering where everybody went...
 
12. Write a List of New Year’s Resolutions – need some ideas? Well, that’s exactly what my next two-part column will be all about! Until then, keep writing, and remember to call your Mom. Even if she’s just in the other room, waiting for you to come back and join the festivities.

Cheers!
 
PHOTO: WENDY PIERSALL
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Become a Ghostwriter!
    Picture
    Contribute to DMG
    Picture
    BECOME A GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
    Picture
    PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS BY GUEST POSTING
    Picture
    ARE YOU A GHOSTWRITER? WE WANT TO KNOW!
    Picture
    DO YOU HAVE A GHOSTWRITING BUSINESS?

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Agency Spotlight
    Business
    Digital Marketing
    Ghost In A Flash
    Ghostwriting
    Media Relations
    Privacy Concerns
    Social Sabotage
    Technology
    Writer Spotlight
    Writing

    Advertising Disclaimer

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

Find your domain and create your site at Weebly.com!
Digital Media Strategy
Content Marketing
Law Firm Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Social Media Marketing
eBooks
Writing
Becoming a Ghostwriter
Blogging
Content Marketing
Ghostwriting Services
Guest Post Guidelines
Media Relations
Online Crisis Management
Personal Brand
Public Relations
Reputation Management
About
Our Team
Our Results
Testimonials
Contact Us
Locations:
New Orleans, LA
Nashville, TN

DMG University
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Cookie Policy
Digital Media Ghost  @2020
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About