There really wasn’t room for the complete title. It should have been, “Doing the things you have to do in order to do the things you need to do in order to do the things you want to do.”
Sometimes getting the clutter out is a trap, a way to keep from getting to the real work, the writing. Sometimes the things that need to be done are a conjunct. For example, as a serious writer you do need two things that are only peripherally related to your work. A blog and a web site.
Image: jeanoram.com
In her guest speaking appearance at the Fremont branch of the California Writers Club, literary agent Verna Dreisbach suggested a good many things that writers that intend to sell their work need to do, among them is the blog and web site.
If you’re already blogging, or have a web site (or, joy of joy, both), good job!
If you are missing a blog, WordPress or Blogger both offer free platforms, and with both you can have a blog up and running in 10 minutes or less. There is an incredible number of sites that will help you make up your mind about how to start and run your blog. Even (cough, cough), my series on blogging, “Blogging 101”
Putting up your own web site is a bit more complicated. While there are a good many services that promise free websites, they tend to look unprofessional. Building your own site may be a bit more difficult—requiring the help of others if you are uncomfortable with the design and implementation process—but, as with the blog, will pay off handsomely in the end.
Finally, you will want to create a page on Facebook, and get a twitter account—at the very least. These are two very easy ways to augment your on-line presence, and getting yourself known in the Universe (A.K.A., the Internet) will make all the difference once you move to publish. The publishers don’t do it all for you any more, folks. It’s time to start building your reputation.
Your thoughts?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio... and isn't it time you experienced some of them?
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I will continue to play ‘second fiddle’, and learn to think critically/creatively by posting on your blog. Oh dear! This could also be interpreted as being parasitic. But I have enough trouble with internet machinations as it is; just don’t think I’d have the technology know-how to do much more than contribute to other’s sites. Not worried about getting published. Would not want to be published, probably, in my life time in any case. So I’m in the fortunate position, not only of having nothing to lose, but also being able to express what I will without fear of losing out on success, or anything else. I think I’m in an enviable position. But that’s just my opinion. grin grin.
P.S.. The title has got to be an example of the best in
‘meta-thinking’. grin grin.
I have all of the things you talked about Rik, now all I have to do is find an agent and get published…
That’s the hard bit!
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