tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post8935551888412388374..comments2023-10-25T08:54:32.041-06:00Comments on WRITE IN THE THICK OF THINGS: Author Julie Luek talks about platformsKym-n-Mark Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-67416917694584256572013-02-25T18:43:38.983-07:002013-02-25T18:43:38.983-07:00Thanks, Tammy, for these kind words about ALL PLUC...Thanks, Tammy, for these kind words about ALL PLUCKED UP, and also for the generous effort to include a review on your Goodreads recommendations.<br /><br />Glad you like the book, and we're pleased to make your e-quaintance!Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-30015279183875527192013-02-25T00:58:48.923-07:002013-02-25T00:58:48.923-07:00I could totally see this as a movie...send it in!I could totally see this as a movie...send it in!Tammy Theriaulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128574900510175415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-47035221348161553782013-02-25T00:55:47.075-07:002013-02-25T00:55:47.075-07:00Julie is so great~ we know this for fact!
Just wa...Julie is so great~ we know this for fact!<br /><br />Just wanted to also take a line to commend you on your book. I was telling julie on FB that after I got the book in the mail it took a slow start to find time to read. But once I hit halfway point I couldn't put it down and had to finish it even till midnight! Your writing style is impeccable!! The story, the funny parts of the curse, it was so so sooooooo creative!! The research for the locations in the beginning had to be a pill with the desciptions, but your writing style is so well descriptive without overbearing, I imagined it all very clearly! 5 stars out of 5!! Recommended you on my goodreads! I'm looking forward to reading the 1st book and 3rd in the series....shame I had to start in the middle but well worth it to find out how good it would be ;DTammy Theriaulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128574900510175415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-61675272715075061572013-02-21T22:35:04.582-07:002013-02-21T22:35:04.582-07:00Thanks, all, for helping to make our first guest b...Thanks, all, for helping to make our first guest blogger event such an overwhelming success.<br /><br />And thanks so much to Julie, not only for a great inaugural guest posting chock full of wonderful insights but also for her generous prompting of her own blog tribe to come over and participate.<br /><br />We plan to invite writers and industry professionals to contribute guest postings once a month as part of the blog fare on our site.<br /><br />Hope you'll stop by and chat in the future!Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-50088293508606562712013-02-21T22:29:51.603-07:002013-02-21T22:29:51.603-07:00Hi, Sam. Thanks for commenting.
Like Julie, we al...Hi, Sam. Thanks for commenting.<br /><br />Like Julie, we also set up a separate FB site to promote our writing. 'Course, we cross-pollinate by often posting to friends about what's also discussed on the writing site. Friends have come to expect lighter, less promotional comments on our private accounts (but where we sometimes point them to the other if they really want to get the scoop), and 'likers' who visit our FB writing page get more "hard core" info about our events, promos, etc.<br /><br />Seems to be working.<br /><br />Oh, and we linked the FB to a corresponding Twitter account, so anytime we post on FB it goes to Twitter automatically. Gotta say we're not really tweeters to speak of -- haven't found that to match our style as well.<br /><br />We appreciate you stopping by and hope to keep up your e-quaintance.Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-19481467390738736772013-02-21T22:19:59.345-07:002013-02-21T22:19:59.345-07:00Leslie and Julie, thanks for bringing this up. Act...Leslie and Julie, thanks for bringing this up. Actually, we're now surprised there's a debate at all. Seems like any author, fiction or non, would never want to sit on the sidelines and throw stones across that dividing line. <br /><br />Okay, okay, so we're recent believers to the importance of platform, which probably makes us obnoxious, overzealous converts to this scene. (Our first Silverville book came out before the ubiquitous firestorm of social media venues, so we were a bit slow with the sequel to commit to using sm until it became apparent that this is an essential marketing tool.)<br /><br />And boy are we ever playing catch-up -- talk about "tardiness," Lesley. We could be the poster children! :)<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by.Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-79368488702778810492013-02-21T21:23:25.390-07:002013-02-21T21:23:25.390-07:00Ha! I appreciate the compliment, but I've figu...Ha! I appreciate the compliment, but I've figured out about five months worth of it...always something new just around the corner. I actually like the blogging world a lot more than I thought I would, too.<br /><br />This is how it's worked for me...wanted to write a book. Set up blog and started blogging. Wrote the first draft of a book (not the one I originally set out to write). It's resting. Joined Twitter. Joined Facebook. Read a ton of stuff in the process. A lot of good how-to sites. About to face the first revision, and there are several more books yelling in my head to get out.<br /><br />I pretty much only use Twitter to tweet my blog articles, other people's, say hey to people on occasion...touch base here and there. That's all I have time for, but would do more if I could. But NOT overdo. A fine line between being acceptable and obnoxious...I should know, I tread on it all the time. Julie handles Twitter like a real pro. Tweets the right things, retweets the right things, and makes some real nice comments and connections.<br /><br />Facebook I use more for discussions (like this comment). It's actually a nicer way to get to know and really converse with people other than, "Nice post." But as you can see (again, by this comment), it's rare I write anything that succinct. Plus, there are a variety of people on FB. Google+ is like Twitter...I use it to post my posts.<br /><br />The verification thing is like Captcha. A word and number verification that readers have to "pass" to prove they're not robots. Blog owners never see it when they comment. It's automatically enabled when you open your site.<br /><br />Go to your dash. Then, by your blog name is an orange pencil, a button with a couple of sheets of paper, and then a down arrow. Click the down arrow and it will bring up a menu of options. Go down to the last one, "Settings," and click. This will open up your "Settings>Basic" page. Look at the left column...the last one will be some settings options. Click on the "Posts and Comments." Near the bottom of the page is "Show word verification?" Change that to "no." And save.<br /><br />I'm always more than happy to help, so don't hesitate to ask. If I don't know, I usually can point you in the direction that will have some answers.<br /><br />Sorry so long...I was almost going to send you an email...but then I thought, "Why send it...I'll post it here!" :o)<br /><br />Oh...and I'm moving to WordPress and have set up my new site...portions of it. WordPress is much more difficult to learn. And just when I have blogger down, too. Anyway, I still have lots of fixing up to do, but am finally okay with telling people about it. There are a few spots (like "My Tribe" page that aren't pretty yet, but thrown up there. You're on that. :o)<br /><br />It's mlswift.me and I'd love to see you there.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17064990883097071040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-45883779609884698582013-02-21T21:00:51.926-07:002013-02-21T21:00:51.926-07:00I loved those little Sunday school songs. Great po...I loved those little Sunday school songs. Great post, Julie. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-7979506736200110302013-02-21T19:14:26.944-07:002013-02-21T19:14:26.944-07:00Thanks for the kind words, Nancy, and the warm wel...Thanks for the kind words, Nancy, and the warm welcome. <br /><br />From Julie's comment, sounds like you've got this thing figured out. We suspect we're going to like blogging as a way to build on our own platform as well.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and looking forward to interacting with you in the future.Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-21402471216715218042013-02-21T19:11:38.616-07:002013-02-21T19:11:38.616-07:00Ditto Julie's comment, Patrick. We really like...Ditto Julie's comment, Patrick. We really like your perspective on taking narrative writing skills and applying them to the art of marketing. And you're right: that should be a natural for a storyteller.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing this wonderful insight about branding.Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-19268855410465967012013-02-21T19:07:50.177-07:002013-02-21T19:07:50.177-07:00Sunny, thanks for sharing these insights on our bl...Sunny, thanks for sharing these insights on our blog. <br /><br />We both came to the writing game as journalists first and, despite now writing for the passion of it, have always treated writing as a business. <br /><br />There's lots of advice out there for getting that first book written, and even into the hands of an agent or editor. But what's seemed woefully missing to us is how to help the willing press then market our products effectively. <br /><br />The real name of the game *is* marketing, and we came late to the realization of how important building a platform is. Yes, we've developed a certain fan base with our books, but it's still an ongoing challenge to increase that market share. <br /><br />Social media is a wonderful game-changer -- perhaps not the only game changer, but clearly an important component.<br /><br />Thanks for dropping by and sharing.Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-58229115733058430362013-02-21T18:59:56.942-07:002013-02-21T18:59:56.942-07:00Howdy, back atcha, J.L, and thanks for the warm gr...Howdy, back atcha, J.L, and thanks for the warm greeting.<br /><br />Even though we now have several books out, we really feel like we've backed into this thing. And, clearly, even with a few pages in print, platform is still important. <br /><br />We're shamelessly sitting at everyone else's feet, trying to catch all the crumbs of experience as we *now* try to do this right for our current and future projects!Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-32120500632329485372013-02-21T18:55:43.230-07:002013-02-21T18:55:43.230-07:00Mike, oh knower of so many blog things, what's...Mike, oh knower of so many blog things, what's this "verification" you're talking about. And if we have it (sounds kind of like the flu), how do we get rid of it?<br /><br />Thanks!Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-74640160427554387282013-02-21T18:53:13.079-07:002013-02-21T18:53:13.079-07:00Aw, shucks, Mike, hice of you to say. But we'r...Aw, shucks, Mike, hice of you to say. But we're watching you close as a guy who seems to have really figured all this out. <br /><br />We have a friend who attended a conference with a session on using social media for writing promotion and heard a panelist say to just use the media that writers feel comfortable with. We're testing those waters, but we already know we really like the blog environment.<br /><br />Thanks for dropping by, and thanks for joining our site even before Julie's fab post for us!Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-29265781357707213032013-02-21T18:51:41.067-07:002013-02-21T18:51:41.067-07:00Thanks for stopping by, Tyrean. Thanks for stopping by, Tyrean. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741349796538313075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-77162961870261905192013-02-21T18:51:02.494-07:002013-02-21T18:51:02.494-07:00Sam, that's what I did. I have my personal FB ...Sam, that's what I did. I have my personal FB site but did set up a writer account. I use a writing name which makes it easier to keep those separate. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741349796538313075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-35011410169844135662013-02-21T18:48:55.875-07:002013-02-21T18:48:55.875-07:00Thanks, Elizabeth, and nice to make your e-quainta...Thanks, Elizabeth, and nice to make your e-quaintance.Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-54386968496728669152013-02-21T18:48:36.802-07:002013-02-21T18:48:36.802-07:00Lesley- I keep hearing pros and cons of fiction vs...Lesley- I keep hearing pros and cons of fiction vs nonfiction writer platforms. I wonder if this is more applicable to the blog world?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741349796538313075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-2048612863781952112013-02-21T18:47:18.787-07:002013-02-21T18:47:18.787-07:00Melissa (and Julie), we can tell already that we&#...Melissa (and Julie), we can tell already that we're going to like this community Julie has helped us enter. <br /><br />Thanks for dropping by and sharing your insights. Hope to hear more from you.Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-45971246052971660312013-02-21T18:44:33.465-07:002013-02-21T18:44:33.465-07:00Thanks for the warm welcome, Suzanne, and for join...Thanks for the warm welcome, Suzanne, and for joining our blog as well. <br /><br />This kind of venue seems a natural for developing and sharing voice and style -- something you've obviously nailed.<br /><br />We look forward to future interactions with peers in the Blog-O-Sphere.Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-26783603201273841162013-02-21T18:44:31.355-07:002013-02-21T18:44:31.355-07:00Thanks for stopping by Nancy-- your blog has reall...Thanks for stopping by Nancy-- your blog has really taken off since I've known you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741349796538313075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-63067729036428858372013-02-21T18:40:20.810-07:002013-02-21T18:40:20.810-07:00What great advice, T.J. And it's nice to have ...What great advice, T.J. And it's nice to have a forum where "personality" is a plus -- that term often seems to us like a code word for "gee, they're weird." :)<br /><br />Hey, thanks for following us even before Julie's phenomenal post for us!<br /><br />BTW, we love your own blog, full of personality -- which is a good thing in our book!Kym-n-Mark Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05314439278090348652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-63029192689334165092013-02-21T18:35:44.853-07:002013-02-21T18:35:44.853-07:00Wonderful post Julie! Way to let it shine!!! :-)Wonderful post Julie! Way to let it shine!!! :-)Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-86579970216061948062013-02-21T16:56:58.707-07:002013-02-21T16:56:58.707-07:00I like what you had to say. I am one of those peop...I like what you had to say. I am one of those people that just wants to finish my book, but I'm beginning to realize that making people aware of what I'm doing is just as important as what I'm writing. I do have a Facebook account and I'm wondering if I should have two: one for family and the other for the business side of things. It is looking more liking that I will self-publish, so I know the importantace of having an audience. I guess time will tell.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01227097299948680236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387354195138902316.post-60530534586213915282013-02-21T16:46:28.522-07:002013-02-21T16:46:28.522-07:00It took me several years before I got my platform ...It took me several years before I got my platform to hang together well. I wish I had been able to do it sooner, but I've decided not to beat myself up about my tardiness, but perhaps if I hadn't believed platforms were only for nonfiction writers I would have gotten my books into readers hands sooner. Now I tell all aspiring authors they need to get busy early. I do think it's never too late to shape the platform.Lesley Diehlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10552765934908042306noreply@blogger.com