OMG! a brilliant book on social networking

I just finished Kristen Lamb books on social networking and OMG my eyes have been opened! I have bumbled along with blogging, tweeting etc for a while, learning as I go and making tons of mistakes only to find someone made most of them before me and I could have saved myself a heck of a lot of time! ( that most precious of commodity)
Her books? 'Are you there blog? it's me writer.,' and 'We are not alone: The Writer's guide to social networking.'
It's not often that I read a non-fiction book so voraciously that I stay up all night but this one (We are not Alone) - it had me entranced. It's written so well too with lots of lighthearted bits that will make you smile.
I was learning in a very pleasant way. And it all made sense!
A must have book for all writers who want to move with the times and develop their social networking platforms.
Stop Press! This blog will be changing soon - please come by and visit again...

For samples of my thriller novels please visit http://www.patricianewcombe.webnode.com/

The good, the bad and the ugly (insane)!

Hi all
Now that I am getting used to social networking I thought I would make a few comments on what, it seems to me, is good about it and what is not! In other words the good, the bad and the ugly, (aka insane)!

First off, I love that you can connect, however briefly with like-minded folks from all over the world! I did learn quite early on that I really only wanted to connect with people whom I have something in common with - ie. writing! That said, I have broadened out a bit lately, but I am still more interested in what other writers have to say about writing related topics...

I also love that my list of contacts grows daily and is generally reciprocated so I don't feel I am wasting valuable writing time. Networking in todays society is not only desirable but is totally necessary if you have something to say that you want to get out there or have a product (yourself and your work) to promote.

Tied into this, of course, for me, is my blog (tadaa!) and my website. I've had many a useful comment and/or insight in terms of writing than I know what to do with. All grist to the mill!! And all very welcome. It's so great to get this kind of feedback. Never could I have imagined - just a couple of years ago even - that I would be networking and promoting like this.

Now for the bad (moans). I so hate when people do not put a few words of bio into their profile. I like to know something about the person I'm contemplating tweeting or networking with. In fact, I think it's absolutely crucial to keeping some kind of common dialogue thread going. I mean, I wouldn't try and talk about brain surgery with a neuroscientist willingly, would I? Or maybe that could be interesting.... But you know what I mean...
So come on folks, give us a little info about yourselves so we can judge whether you'd want to tweet with us.

Lastly insane. No not me - although some may dispute that fact! Insanity comes when I am madly trying to keep up with it all and realise the morning or afternoon has sunk without trace! I'm a writer - ergo I WRITE. Or at least I try to when I am not networking.... Eeek!
Oh well, mental home here I come...
So, do you have good and bad things to say about networking? What are your pet hates?

If you want to read a sample from my book please visit - http://www.patricianewcombe.webnode.com/
Or buy my book 'The Witcheye Gene' from http://www.amazon.co.uk/

Back to blogs

Hi everyone
I'm glad to be back on wordsmithing! I've been travelling with little access to the web. It's not good using free wifi and other's internet... So here I am getting back down to it. I'm still not home but I have full internet for the next week, at least, so here goes...I can't do much on the 'work in progress' but at least I can get back in touch with blogs and networking.
The kindle has been a boon for taking books travelling and I am impressed with it's easy readability.
I will be back later...