Wednesday, February 27, 2013

WRITERLY WISDOM: Donna M McDine







It's time once again for WRITERLY WISDOM where every Wednesday we will sneak a peek into the world of writing and publication.  Besides sharing the same first name, my next author and I share the same passion for writing as well as the challenge of not letting social networking get in the way of our stories.  You can connect with Donna M McDine on her website, (www.donnamcdine.com), or through her blog (www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com).  Take it away, Donna...




Social Networking Enough Already…When It Hinders Your Writing
By Donna M. McDine


As a society we are bombarded with technology at every angle. Often times overloading our brains with too much information. No matter what type of business world you travel in, it has become a constant buzz of checking our email and voice mail at a frantic pace, and hanging out on social media networks to the point that our face-to-face communication suffers.

Personally, I’ve come to the decision I need to turn off the technology to rejuvenate my creative juices for my writing. When I say turn-off, I don’t mean completely, but with limitations. I always write my first draft of an article or new manuscript long hand with my favorite pen. In my case, my Graf Von Faber-Castell pen. Yes an indulgence but oh so worth it! Using this method to write away from my computer greatly reduces my temptation to check email every 30 seconds and surf various social media networks.

Over the years I have forced myself to get to the task at hand and write first, marketing second (yes, I know many feel social networking is a form of marketing, but when you spend the majority of your time socializing with peers and not connecting with your readers what’s the point?), researching publishing markets and blogging (which is a form of social networking) and in my opinion instrumental in developing one’s platform. How to build your platform is a topic for another day.

It’s wonderful to connect with people through social networking whom you most likely would have never met otherwise, however if you allow social networking to become your “job” you risk valuable writing time that could result in the next “big” book!

Yes, utilize social networking but with responsibility. Do you want to concentrate on honing your writing skills and writing the best manuscript possible or have hundreds of thousands followers on your social networks with no concrete publishing credits to show for your efforts? You decide what’s important to you. I made my decision to get out from behind my computer and engage in-person with members of my community who are instrumental in getting the books in to the children’s hands, librarians, teachers, parents, after school program directors, etc. The end and continued result is my business relationships have soared.

Good luck and expand your outreach beyond your computer!








About Donna M. McDine: Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions, Literary Classics Silver Award & Seal of Approval Recipient Picture Book Early Reader, Global eBook Awards Finalist Children’s Picture Book Fiction, and Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2010 Top Ten Children’s Books ~ The Golden Pathway.









Her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has four more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, Hockey Agony, Powder Monkey, A Sandy Grave, and Dee and Deb, Off They Go. She writes, moms and is a personal assistant from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, Children’s Literature Network, and Family Reading Partnership. Visit www.donnamcdine.com.


32 comments:

  1. I don't to the social networking thing well at all. I'd rather write. Yesterday I re-wrote the ending to my third book, and at the end of the day. I hated it! All 5000 words!

    Maybe I should have spent the day surfing? :)

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    1. HI Yolanda! When I started this journey I did not realize I would be so involved with the social network sites. I have to constantly balance my writing time with being online...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Yolanda,

      To me...much better to write and complete a manuscript.

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  2. I feel that a writer in this era needs to be at least somewhat connected to the world and, more importantly, to the readers, via social networking, but I agree that it can be such a time drain and so overwhelming. Last year, I left Facebook and I enjoyed the time off so much, I swore I wouldn't be back, but then I signed up for the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge and it was important to be on FB, so I reactivated my account. I don't really like it, but I see it like a day job: something I must do to reach a higher goal. :} One day, when I'm a famous writer, I might beg off social media more, but until then, I'll view it as an evil necessity. Thank you for your thoughtful post!

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    1. Hi Teresa! There are some social sites like Facebook and Blogging that I use often and a lot. Then there are some sites like Twitter and LinkedIn that I'm just getting used to so I'm slowly becoming more active on them. I think you just have to decide what is going to work best for you and promote the heck out of the sites you do choose.

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Teresa,

      It's all about balance and each of us has to find what works best for us.

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  3. This is such a good post. It's a balancing act for sure, being active in the networking world, and having time to write. Thank you for showing us that it is possible to step back from the social media at times without stepping away entirely, and that it is of crucial importance to make sure we're working at our writing first and foremost. Otherwise, all the platform building in the world won't matter.

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    1. Hi Beth! My problem sometimes is that I am split...part of me focuses on my writing and part of me focuses on promoting OTHER writers. I agree it is a balancing and sometimes I fall off the seesaw...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Beth,

      With writing, social networking and life in general it's always a balancing act. Some days it works and some days it doesn't. Going with the flow is essential.

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  4. Agree with you, and Beth - balancing act. I used to spend HOURS every day on social networking, without many results. When I sit and concentrate on writing or editing my work, I feel better, actually. I now limit my social networking (FB, Twitter, Fan Page) to about an hour a day - total. I spend more time reading good blogs (like this one!) and learning more about how to make my writing better; I read whenever I get the chance and try to carve out time for that every day. Great post, Donna, and oh, Donna. :)

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    1. Hi Karen! As crazy busy as last year was for me, this year is even BUSIER so I better figure out the balancing act between writing and social network...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Karen,

      I always focus on my writing first, no email, no Internet. I agree I feel much better too when I get my writing done first.

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  5. Thanks Donna and Donna for a great post. So true - the balance is hard - but it's important not to lose the day to social networking... even though it's fun :) Writing has to come first!

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    1. Hi Susanna! While I completely agree, I do find it hard to turn my back on it at times because it has brought me many opportunities to learn from fabulous authors like you and others...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Susanna,

      Thanks for visiting. Social networking is essential in connecting with fellow authors and our readers...but before you know it the day is gone. Writing first....YIPPEE!

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  6. I loved this post. Donna has such good ideas and a wonderful work ethic. Always good to see what she has to say! Thanks for an interesting read.

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    1. HI Sharon and welcome to my blog! I am so happy Donna has the time to do this post and I think people will certainly be able to relate!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Sharon,

      Awww you make me blush. Thanks for visiting...hope you are well.

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  7. I couldn't agree more. Investing maximum effort and time into blogging or Facebook, Twitter, etc, is great if that is the end plan. But if the idea is to use them as enjoyable tools to build a network and establish a platform to promote our writing, then the main focus has to be on that writing. No finished manuscript? Nothing to promote.

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    1. Hi Susan! You made valid points. I think we all have to juggle writing and everything else...some just do it better than others...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Susan,

      I agree fully! I look at it...write the manuscript and they platform will build through baby steps.

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  8. Great post! I love social media and all the wonderful friends and contacts I have made over the past few years. But I also realize that it is a bit of a juggling act. I have increased sales of my books through social media but I always make sure I spend time on my writing. I have a pretty good system now but I didn't always.

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    1. Awww, Darlene, I might need to pick your brain...always interested in learning how other people juggle it all...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Darlene,

      Delighted to hear social networking has increased your sales. Keep up the great work.

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  9. Do you want to concentrate on honing your writing skills and writing the best manuscript possible or have hundreds of thousands followers on your social networks with no concrete publishing credits to show for your efforts? Great question. An important one to ask often. The thing about social networking is it grows and grows and grows. At some point it could become the monster that ate the author. Excellent advice and good brain food! Thanks.

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    1. Hi Alayne!

      I have spent the past two years researching, reading, and learning how to become a better writer. I've also spent time studying social media and trying to determine which ones will help my path to publication. The challenging part is to find the balance between the two because I believe you need both to actually survive as a writer. Yes, you might get lucky with a publishing credit here or there on your own, or even decide to self-publish but a writer will still need to interact with the public on some level and will have to use at least some of the social websites to help further their careers. Probably a necessary evil..;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Alayne,

      I know...social media grows in leaps and bounds every day...it makes my head spin.

      Thanks for visiting.

      Best wishes,
      Donna

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  10. We all need this reminder now and then.

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    1. Hi Genevieve! I'm glad you like this post and I agree...timely indeed!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. Hi Genevieve,

      I appreciate the good old virtual slap upside the head once in a while to get refocused.

      Best wishees,
      Donna

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  11. Hi Donna,

    My apologies in my delayed visit. I've been traveling for work and it's been a whirlwind. Thank you for hosting me on the 27th I truly appreciate it. Keep up the great work.

    Best wishes,
    Donna

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    1. Hi Donna!

      Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and share your words of wisdom with my readers! We learned a lot from you...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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