IWSG and 3 Lessons I Learned from a Social Media Fast

 

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!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! 

The awesome co-hosts for the April 3 posting of the IWSG areJanet Alcorn,T. Powell Coltrin,Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia! The founder of IWSG is Alex J. Cavanaugh.

3 Lessons from a Social Media Fast

I decided to do a partial Social Media Fast during Lent, only posting once a week unless I had already committed to post about something, like a Storybundle or a BookFunnel, or for the IWSGPit. 

What I learned: 

My sales numbers didn’t plummet. 

My newsletter subscriptions increased. (Although I did take part in a newsletter subscriber BookFunnel, so that probably helped.)

I am healthier in mind, body, heart, and soul when I only check social media platforms once a week, and not even on every platform.

The Optional Question for IWSG is: How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

I have blogged since 2008/9 and I have been on Facebook since 2009. I feel it has changed in tone. Since the beginning, I have always felt this need to produce more content to create a stronger platform, but I think this is changing. I think this was encouraged and may still be.

Currently, I am cross-posting over three platforms and “highlighting” my posts on other platforms. This will change drastically this year as I take the three lessons I learned from my social media fast and start applying them over time.

The Deep Work Principle

I recently learned the idea of doing Deep Work and I am implementing it into my writing and media posting. This is my “next” step for online content.

What have you learned lately about writing, blogging, and life?

Notes from A Restaurant Author Table and the Grit City Comic Show

 

Last week, I had an author table at a local restaurant and at the one-day Grit City Comic Show.

Both of these events were first-time events for me. 

AT THE RESTAURANT AUTHOR TABLE

The author table is an ongoing table at BBQ2U, a local restaurant whose owner supports local authors and artists by giving them space inside his restaurant to show off and sell their wares. He also raises money for various community groups, schools, and Backpacks 4 Kids, a feeding program for school kids in the area. If you are ever in Gig Harbor, Washington, I highly recommend going to BBQ2U for some really good grub and to support the generous-hearted business owner and the community.

What I expected: honestly, I didn't have super high expectations because I've had some really tough times selling books at author tables at book fairs, bookstores, and other community venues. I get nervous and my nervous laugh sometimes comes out and scares people away. 

What happened: the owner, the entire work crew, and a couple of authors from The Greater Gig Harbor Literary Society all ensured I felt welcomed, cared for, and supported. They encouraged me and helped me in every way they could. The BBQ crew told customers about my books when I wasn't at the table. 

The customers, well, some were super supportive and came by to either talk and buy a book, or at least chat about books, writing, and the authors of Gig Harbor. Some didn't approach but said hello and were friendly. And some ducked their heads and moved by quickly, but I get that. Honestly, I don't always stop at tables where someone is selling something either, so overall, it was a good experience. 

Books sold: 10 in six days of sitting at the table. 

No, this isn't a huge number, but again, honestly, I have had some really bad events where I sold 0 books so I count all 10 sales as a huge gain. Plus, I have some hope those who came and "looked" might buy a book later or stop by again. You see, the restaurant keeps a shelf of all the authors who have been there, and the books are on sale all the time. I sold two books for another author while I was there because the people I was talking to didn't read fantasy or sci-fi, so they bought historical fiction. 

The owner invited me to come back in November or December to try and get some Christmas sales, and also told me the summer months are actually the best months. So, I will go back again and try again. I also appreciate the invite!

The author table at BBQ2U in Gig Harbor, Washington

AT THE GRIT CITY COMIC SHOW

At the Grit City Comic Show, I had a vendor table between a used book and comic book vendor and a huge empty space because two vendors who were supposed to be there didn't come. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been and my husband did a super-heroic job of finding me have a better table cloth (mine was too small). 

My husband cleaned out some of his tool boxes and we used them to create an easily moveable kit for my table.

My table before my husband aka superhero searched for, found, and brought back a length of black cloth to use as a long enough table cloth.

Note: I had no backdrop and that's something I will change for next time.

The empty space next to me was a bit of a problem because people were often walking quickly by it, or looking across the aisle at other stuff. 

The used book and comic book place next to me actually brought me a little business and the sellers there were friendly and kind. You can see part of their display, which wasn't finish when I took this photo, in my background.

I met three other authors, had a conversation with one and we bought each other's books, and had a good time meeting a handful of other vendors who, again, were friendly, interesting, and fun to talk to.

One thing I loved about my location is that I was near a free gaming table area hosted by Alexandria LitRPG Library at Grit City Comic Show. 

Game area across from me.

The cool cosplayers were out!

Sales total: 6 books in 1 day. 

Would I have liked to sell more? Yes. But all guests and vendors had to have vaccination cards or proof of a negative test to enter. I think this may have driven the crowd numbers lower. 

My only, major negative for the day was the cacophony echoing off the convention center walls and ceiling all day. This is not something I think the show organizers can really do anything about. It's the nature of indoor conventions in large spaces. 

I have Meniere's disease and my ears both ring in an annoying way sometimes, and I can be a little hypersensitive to sound. For example: right now I can hear my laptop fan, the fan on my husbands' PC downstairs), my dog's snores, and the dishwasher in the other room and I'm thinking about putting on my headphones to cancel out some of the sound. 

So, I have thought of three solutions to that problem for the future: 

1. Take more outside breaks throughout the day so I can get away from the sound.

2. Bring noise canceling headphones and wear them for short breaks.

3. Have cloth backdrops for my booth/table area for both a better presentation and sound canceling.

I am also considering the possibility of having a sign that somehow states I have some hearing sensitivity and issues. I want to be there and I want to be friendly, but I know I need to take some breaks.

And, the best idea I have for making future cons and tables far, far better: I need to bring a buddy, or two or three. 

Does anyone want to share an author table with me in the nearish future - like 2022? 

Let me know. I live in the Pacific Northwest region of the US, so anywhere between Bellingham, WA in the North and Eugene, OR in the South and between Bremerton, WA in the West and Boise, Idaho in the East would be good. 

Next time, I also know I would like to:

• Have 1-3 table runners.
• Have 1-2 cloth backdrops with either signage or soothing images. The table across from me had a forest scene cloth backdrop for one side and the back of their booth area. It was really nice to glance at in a soothing kind of way.
• Make and bring some "small" items to sell like jewelry (the Rayatana symbol necklace) and possibly some design/art work I've made on Canva or with my photos and poetry combined. I saw some really cool examples of this.

So, if you've done author tables, what else would you do or bring? Thoughts?

THE NEXUS MOVEABLE BOOK PARTY IS PARTYING ON THIS WEEK WITH THE FOLLOWING POSTS:

10/11 Moveable Book Party Continues!

Guest Post on Pan-Galatic Gargle Blasters at Patricia Josephine's Blog

The Role of Food and Beverage in Fiction Writing, Part 1 at Chrys Fey's Blog

10/12 Moveable Book Party Continues

The Role of Food and Beverage in Fiction Writing, Part 2 at H.R. Sinclair's Blog

10/13 Moveable Book Party Continues!

The Role of Food in Fiction Writing, Part 3 at MJ Fifield's Blog

Two New Books at C. Lee McKenzie's Blog.

10/18 Moveable Book Party Continues

Fave Food and Beverage in Science Fiction with Jemi Fraser

Amaya is supposed to bring peace to the galaxy. Which is tough when she’s being held for crimes against the Neutral Zone. Her imprisonment is on her own ship with her own crew. But close quarters create tension.

Honestly, her role as Rayatana is a mess.

She may never get to use her powers for anything good. Not if her teacher continues to keep secrets, and not if her powers keep harming others. Putting her mother in a coma should put her in prison, but she has a mission. She wants to bring peace to her people. She needs to become the Rayatana.

 Nexus: The Rayatana Book 2 is available all online, retail, and e-book platforms. Published by Tyrean Martinson with Wings of Light Publishing, LLC. Young Adult - Science Fiction/Adventure/Sweet Romance. ISBN for Kindle: 978-1-7357695-5-4,ISBN for  Paperback: 978-1-7357695-6-1, and ISBN for EPub: 978-1-7357695-7-8.

Book Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BMHPQ1X

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09BMHPQ1X 

Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09BMHPQ1X 

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09BMHPQ1X 

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1105272 

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/nexus-the-rayatana-book-2/id1586906824 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/nexus-the-rayatana-book-2 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4248677708 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/nexus-the-rayatana-series-book-2-by-tyrean-martinson 

Do You Have Goals? with Pictures

Do You Have Goals? is an encouraging blog hop started by Misha. 

Please go here to see the full list of participants and to sign up. 

Goals? What goals? Ohhh, those goals. 

I lost track of my goals as I ran from one project to the next, from one exciting, life opportunity to the next challenge, to one day to the next.

So, let's just put that massive list of goals on hold for now.

What I really did:

1. I prepared for my three independent contract classes for homeschool co-op and taught a bit around my trip.

2. I wrote several worksheets for grammar. These focused on verb conjugation and verbals, such as gerunds, participles, and infinitives. (In current grammar standards, it is okay to spit infinitives like all Star Trek lovers who want to boldly go ...)

3. I went to the Czech Republic via Heathrow in London. This means, I left the states at 5:30 Pacific Time on a Monday, spent a four hour layover in Heathrow on Tuesday mid-day, and then arrived in Prague on Tuesday night.

4. I got to feel like a rock star! For the first time in my life, a taxi driver from a hotel stood at the airport arrivals area with my name on a sign. I almost took a picture of him and the sign because I was so thrilled. Yes, I'm a geek, but since he seemed embarrassed at the idea, I didn't take the picture.

5. If you haven't guessed, I traveled solo. I left one day after Team USA and after most of the parents who went. This meant I toured solo most of the first day and part of the second. It challenged my perception of myself and helped me realize that I do have the ability to travel in a foreign country, figure out planes, taxis, trains, and directions without a travel buddy, and even without working data on my phone since the international data plan I thought I had didn't work for most of the trip. (My husband stayed home (again!) but if my daughter makes it next year, I will drag him with me somehow - not because I have to someone to lean on to travel but because I really want him with me.)

6. I had an awesome trip, saw amazing sights, and watched Team USA race at the Olympic Hopes Regatta for three days in Racice, Czech Republic. I highly recommend visiting Prague, Karlstejn Castle (southwest of Prague via train), and the countryside in the Czech Republic. The following pics are just a small taste of what I saw:

The Old Town Astronomical Clock - 600 Hundred Years Old and Still Ticking! 

The ceiling of a small Hussite Church that I happened upon when I was sort of lost. 

One small view from St. Charles Bridge in Prague

St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague

Part of the old section of Prague Castle - which is a working castle in other sections.

One of the armor exhibits in a small section of the Golden Lane in Prague Castle.

My daughter and her K2 partner racing in the K2 500m. (Kayak with 2 people for 500m)

Same race. They did well enough in their heat to move onto the semi-finals. They didn't make finals, but I cheered as loud as I could for the races they had! (My daughter also competed in a K1 1000m, a K1 200m, and a K4 200m for her age division of 2001 women.)

My youngest. 

7. I didn't get all the research done that I wanted, but I did do some travel journaling on my pc, in a notebook, and on my phone.

8. On the way back, I had a seven hour layover in London so I left the airport, rode Heathrow Express, rode the tube (underground), and took a short walking tour from Westminster to Buckingham Palace via Leicester Square and Picadilly Circus. In Leicester Square, they were getting ready for the red carpet premier of the second Kingsman movie ... if I just had a longer layover, I could have been a crazy fan and waited around to take pictures of Colin Firth! :) But, I just kept walking and went to Waterstones, the largest bookstore in London, instead. I made it back to Heathrow in time to go through all the security and get to my gate with 20 minutes to spare before boarding even started. It was the ideal way to spend a layover in London and I am glad I had the opportunity.

I feel like traveling changes my perceptions and broadens the horizons I allow myself to see. I gain confidence from adventures and I am incredibly thankful for the chance to see a small part of the wide world beyond my usual corner. I hope to share some more in-depth insights from specific parts of the trip in future posts. As it is, I feel like this is a bit overly long for a goals update day. (sorry)

By the way, Team USA placed seventh overall out of thirty-three countries competing at the Olympic Hopes Regatta this year. One of our female canoeists - hailing from the Seattle team - won two gold medals and a silver medal. These are the first gold and silver medals ever won by the USA at an Olympic Hopes Canoe and Kayak Regatta.
(Last year, two young women received a bronze in a C2 race.)

Points are earned for the teams by individual race medals, placement in the finals, and the number of athletes who make semi-finals. Each athlete competes in three or more races at these events with three distances - 1000m, 500m, and 200m - broken into age categories, gender categories, and then individual or small team boat categories - K1, K2, K4, C1, C2, C4. K means Kayak, C means Canoe, and the number means the number of people in the boat.
900 athletes competed from all parts of the globe.

Next month, I'll get back to regular goals.