Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!The cohosts this month are Christopher D. Votey,Madeline Mora-Summonte, Fundy Blue, and Chrys Fey!
The question posed this month is:
Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results?I've done A to Z a couple of years early on and met so many wonderful people. I just don't have the time anymore, which is sad.
As for support, it was a tough weekend for me on the writing esteem front. The need to market and the games that Amazon keeps playing just wear me down. I just want to write. But the marketing was sucking the joy out of it.
How do you overcome?
We met during the second Challenge, so it was worth it then!
ReplyDeleteSorry about Amazon and their reindeer games.
That was my first Challenge. I found so many great friends that year, you being one of them. :D
Delete*sigh* I hear you about Amazon. I just step back regularly. Otherwise I do go crazy. Wishing you sanity and a whole fridge of cheese!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I like what you suggested on your blog. Simplify. Now if others wouldn't try to dictate my schedule, I'd be fine.
DeleteJust keep smiling that lovely smile, Donna! Wishing you a month filled with success and I hope Amazon plays more friendly from here on in :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicola. Same to you!
DeleteMarketing can suck the joy out of writing. I'm glad my publisher has to deal with Amazon, but it's a struggle for us all.
ReplyDeleteMy publisher didn't do a lot of publishing, so it all fall on us, right?
DeleteSorry for the marketing challenges. For me the slow down of everyone blogging has been hard. I'm reevaluating how often to blog more than once a week and looking at the more popular posts that don't require me to blog so much. We both need to hand in there.
ReplyDeleteYes, blogging has slowed down though I keep hearing that it's making a comeback. Obviously, lot of people are still doing it. The question is how much?
DeleteI was feeling the same crash. I was thinking this weekend that I should remove myself from the grid and just write. Be a hermit. Then let someone publish them when I die...or toss them in the trash. But it's my dream, so I'm imagining I'll be a post-mortem hit.
ReplyDeletePost-mortem hit. lol
DeleteMy challenge is that there are other things I want to do too. I'm struggling to balance them all.
Amazon plays with you like Google plays with us who have ads? Why am I not surprised
ReplyDeleteDiscouraging, isn't it?
DeleteYeah, they sure love their games. Pffft to all of that. I just quit marketing and just write, soooooooooo much better.
ReplyDeleteI like your attitude!
DeleteOne thing I've found is that connecting with people--you being one--on the A to Z seems to cement online relationships. We've been through the fire together and we understand the commitment.
ReplyDeleteVery much so! And I hope--maybe when I retire--to do A to Z again.
DeleteI didn't have the time last year or this year, either. But I hope I will next year.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's not just writing the posts. It's taking advantage of the great networking and interaction.
DeleteI couldn't find the time for this too but it's fun reading the entries.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done the A to Z challenge, though I have met super nice writer friends through blogging. :)
ReplyDelete