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This week the topic is:
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
There’s actually two things that I’d give up. The first one would be my job as a medical secretary so that I could concentrate totally on writing. Unfortunately that’s not possible as I need to earn money like everybody else, and I currently earn more as a medical secretary than I do as a writer. However, my main job is not half as interesting as being able to sit in peace in my own front room and write whatever comes into my head! I must say that I’ve learned a great deal by working at the hospital though, and so it’s not all doom and gloom.
The other thing I’d give up is having a presence on social media. Having to check various sites and promote my books is a drag, a distraction, and a huge time suck. I do like blogging though, and would probably keep my WordPress site. I’ve already closed my Facebook account, but I realise that Indie authors would have trouble selling any books at all without the help of social media sites such as Twitter etc.
What would other blog-hoppers give up? Click on the blue button below to find out. This is a scheduled post as we’re busy packing up our possessions at the van and moving into a new one, so I’ll get back to any comments a bit later in the week.
Rules:
- Link your blog to this hop.
- Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
- Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
- Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
- Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
Stevie Turner 
Social media really is a mixed bag. I have met wonderful people I would never had if I were limited to the folks around me. But it’s a pain in other ways.
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It is a pain. I’m definitely cutting down…
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I do follow the conventional wisdom that you need a social media presence in this day and age, but I admit, I could probably give it up without a lot of anxiety.
I wouldn’t give up my job, though. Real life is too much of an inspiration for me and I don’t think I’d get enough if I were at home all the time. It’s really easy to isolate yourself in a cold environment. Even our nearly-80-year-old neighbor maintains a part time job because, she says, isolation is what kills people in this environment. She’s also incredibly spry, so I think she’d just get bored. I think I’d miss the random bits of inspiration my coworkers provide without even knowing it.
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I suppose I’m a bit of a loner, so I’m happy with my own company. I’m thinking along the lines of just continuing with WordPress and Twitter and giving up all the other social media.
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Yeah, I never wanted to do Facebook – always seemed like dancing naked in the public park under the midnight sun — but it is what it is. Now I’ve got people encouraging me to try Instagram. I’m really slumped as to what the benefit to an author might be, but I admit to being curious.
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Don’t think there’s any benefit to it. I closed my Instagram account some time ago.
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I’m divided on social media. I’ve met so many other authors through it. It helps to keep me from feeling as if I exist in a vacuum.
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Don’t get me started about social media lol 🙂 x
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Or me!
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Lollllllllllllllllll x
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Reblogged this on aurorawatcherak.
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thank you!
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A happy medium is so hard to find, let alone be a part of. I know we are spreading ourselves much too thin, but have no clue what changes would work for the best…
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None of it works, that’s why I’m giving some of it up!
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I have been thinking along the same lines…
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Next one to go will be LinkedIn I think…
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I find that usually only WordPress helps to sell books. None of the others apart from Twitter are worth bothering with.
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Yes, it is a bit of a non entity isn’t it…
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All it consists of is people trying to sell me something. Totally useless!
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Great post, as a person who sells few books, my first thought its that I’d give up anything to sell a few more. Then I wonder, is my life not the sum of all its parts and by giving one up, I reduce myself. Sorry if that’s a bit heavy. I’m shifting my emphasis from social media to blogging and engaging that way, as it seems more fun than the hamster wheel of FB and Twitter.
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You’re right. I’ve given up Facebook and the feeling of freedom is great! I prefer blogging too.
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Nice post, Stevie. I have to think about this as I don’t really want to give anything up.
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Ah, I see. We’re all different Robbie.
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I would like to give up social media too. I mean, when there was no social media, there was less anxiety and more genuine work and appreciation. But again, I also agree that in today’s times without social media authors wouldnt be able to market and sell theri work.
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A happy medium is necessary I think, so I find that being active on just a few social media sites works for me.
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