Looking back over February, I feel quite smug about the progress I’ve made on my writing goals. I’ve gone some way with making the final adjustments to Undercover Geisha. I’m just waiting on the last couple of beta readers to get back to me before its ready for the proof-reader. I’ve still a long way to go on the marketing side, I still don’t have a cover yet, so it will still be some time before it is actually published but I’m getting there.
The thing I’m proudest about is my progress with making a start in getting to grips with twitter. After years of putting it off, I’ve finally plucked up the courage to conquer my fear and have finally made my first tweet. To begin with , I spend a great deal of time reading up on the subject – I thoroughly recommend Rayne Hall’s ‘Twitter for Writers’. It’s written in non-technical language that I even I could understand but is nonetheless, comprehensive covering everything a writer needs to know. It’s also full of useful practical suggestions making it a book you’ll keep coming back to.
I lost count of the number of the number of YouTube videos I watched before taking the plunge. Many were not a great deal of use, I have to confess, but I found a few which were very helpful. We all learn in different ways and I’m very much a visual learner especially when it comes to anything technical. My husband, who prefers to read the instructions from cover to cover before tackling a new piece of equipment or programme, doesn’t understand how I need to be shown what to do because I get totally confused just reading the instructions – I’m jargon phobic.
As far as Twitter is concerned (my lovely techie husband doesn’t tweet), in the end, I decided the best thing to do was just sign on and get going. All the finer points I’d get to grips with as I go along. If you want to see what I’ve been up to, my handle (I’m even learning the jargon!) at Judith Cranswick@CranswickJudith
I was really pleased with how well things were going, but everything is now on hold which is why my tweets have slowed to a trickle. I accepted a lecture cruise at the beginning of last week leaving at the end of March, so I have four history lectures to research, put up on PowerPoint and rehearse plus adapt an existing lecture that I’ve done before. One lecture a week is a pretty tall order at the best of times. I wouldn’t have accepted it if it hadn’t been a new cruise line for me and I’m keen to get on their books. I’ve already had to turn down one offer they made. Two might scupper any chance of future offers.
It also means that progress on my writing goals for March will be zero and, as I’ll be at sea at the beginning of April, it might take a bit of time to get back into the flow. But heigh-ho! Life’s never boring.
excellent…you have to look ahead.