Kimberly Kinrade's Blog, page 30
March 10, 2011
The Minute
[image error]The other day while cleaning my room, I found the most unusual thing. A Minute – curled up under the bed. I thought it was dead, so I nudged it a bit, and then stood back and waited.
The Minute slowly came to life. I looked in awe at this Minute. It wasn't remarkable looking. It was small, no bigger than a…well, you know, but it had a certain quality about it that peaked my interest.
So I spoke to it. "Minute. What are you doing here, under my bed?"
And the minute replied, "I'm waiting for you. I've been here for years, waiting for you to find me. Other minutes have come and gone, but I have stayed –waiting. I was beginning to think you'd never come."
I thought for a moment, and tried to remember this Minute, but it looked too much like the others, and I couldn't place it. The Minute, seeming to sense my thoughts, spoke.
"We are all alike. A minute is a minute. It's what you do with us that makes us different from one another. The others—the millions and billions and trillions – they were wasted minutes. They're gone forever."
I was sad at that thought, that so many beautiful little minutes had been thrown away by me.
"So, what are you still doing here?" I asked.
"Well," it said slowly, "I'm a saved minute. I'm different. But you forgot about me many years ago. For awhile I was the monster under your bed. You were scared of me and so when you looked at me your fear saw a monster. Then I became a shadow of nothing, forgotten, but not gone. So that when you looked at me, your apathy saw nothing. But now it's different."
"What's different?" I asked.
"Why, you are!" said the minute. "You see, I've never changed. In all these years I've always been just a minute. You've changed. And now you see me as I am."
I took a moment and looked at the tiny Minute lying there under my bed. I thought about all the minutes of the world, the universe. What a powerful tool a minute is.
In a minute, tragedy and beauty can both be born.
In a minute, our country can change forever because of a plane hitting a tower.
In a minute, a Pope can die.
In a minute, a child is born.
In a minute, two lovers are wed.
A minute can change the world, or it can change nothing.
In a minute we can listen to a commercial.
In a minute, we can pollute our bodies with junk, or we can fill them with life.
It's the choice we make in one minute that changes our lives.
The minute under the bed looked at me expectantly – waiting. I reached under the bed and gently pulled it into the light.
"You're not a monster, and I see you now. Thank you for waiting."
The minute smiled. "So what are you going to do with me?" it asked.
"Well," I said. "The only thing I can do, now that I know the truth. I'm going to change the world."
To order your copy of "Bits of You & Pieces of Me", click here or go to Amazon or B&N.
[image error]A collection of short stories, poetry & essays on life. While each piece stands alone, together the chapters tell the story of an idealistic girl in love with love who discovers the demons of a splintered heart when that love turns violent. Through it all, she climbs her way back to Hope and finds that in the end her True Heart remained Unbreakable.
March 7, 2011
Win a FREE Signed Copy of "Bits of You & Pieces of Me"
[image error]Have you been dying to read my book but haven't yet clicked on the BUY NOW button?
Do you have a burning desire to bask in the warmth of my words?
Do you even know who I am or care about my book? LOL
Ok, seriously though, I'm doing a FREE GIVE AWAY of "Bits of You & Pieces of Me" to 3 LUCKY WINNERS!
THE DETAILS
This is the easiest contest ever. Just reply to this post with your favorite short story or poem EVER (with a link if you can) and WHY! That's it.
I will choose the winners as randomly as I can, by letting my kids close their eyes and pull your name out of a hat. Or bowl. Or whatever I have handy.
First Place: A personalized, signed, paperback copy of "Bits of You & Pieces of Me" & a free PDF emailed to you.
Second & Third Place: A free PDF copy of the book e-mailed to you.
FINE PRINT: By entering this contest, should you win, you are agreeing as a blood oath to review this book on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, your blog, Twitter, Facebook, and your local newspaper, in addition to writing about it for any major national or international publication with which you are affiliated. You also agree to force by any means necessary every person you have EVER met or EVER will meet to buy this book and all subsequent books I shall write. Should you not fulfill this important fine print requirement, you will be banned from reading forever. LOL J/K
Bits of You & Pieces of Me
A collection of short stories, poetry & essays on life. While each piece stands alone, together the chapters tell the story of an idealistic girl in love with love who discovers the demons of a splintered heart when that love turns violent. Through it all, she climbs her way back to Hope and finds that in the end her True Heart remained Unbreakable.
Don't want to chance your luck at winning? Want to support a self-published author?
BUY this book
Contest Ends: Tuesday, March 15th. Copy will be mailed Wednesday, March 16th.
My Favorites
Short Story: My most favorite, most EPIC short story of ALL TIME is Neil Gaiman's "Murder Mysteries" Wow! My brother and I stayed up all night several times deconstructing that story in an effort to glean every bit of understanding we could from it! If you haven't read this story, you MUST!
Poem: This one is trickier for me, as it changes depending on where I am in life. I actually know my favorite poem, and I wish I could remember it. My 10th grade English teacher read it to us. It was about love, and footprints in the snow. Something about the first love being the first footprints on newly fallen snow, but the last prints are those that remain when all others have faded away.
I wish I could remember who wrote it. For all I know, SHE did. But that is my favorite poem EVER!
What's yours?
Wednesday March 16, 2011
THE WINNERS ARE IN
Thank you to all who participated in this contest. I've so enjoyed learning about your favorite short stories and poems. 
Now… drum roll please…
Coming in for 2nd and 3rd place (and remember, this is totally random) for a free PDF copy of my book which you will receive by email today:
Jason Hall
Samantha Butler
And FIRST PLACE: For a free signed copy of the book PLUS a free PDF:
Melody
CONGRATS 
Hope you enjoy!
March 1, 2011
~Slaughtered Hope~
I walk the minefield of our broken dreams
Navigating to the other side of fear
An invisible body bag has moved into our home
Hiding the remnants of who you were
They returned to me your body
But your empty eyes reveal your slaughtered soul
I bleed out on the battlefield of our marriage
Wondering what awaits me on the other side of death
I cock my gun and take aim
How do I kill the empty spaces left in you?
February 28, 2011
Writing with Confidence
[image error]A few weeks ago, the lovely Misty Baker over at KindleObsessed posted a plea to authors to try harder to evoke emotional responses in their readers. I typed in a little comment about how everyone responds to books differently, but that as an author I need to "dig deep and touch places that aren't pleasant." Misty responded that that's what she meant, and we both went on our merry ways.
But I kept thinking about that post and about my response, and it dawned on me why authors might not be evoking emotional responses as much as we'd like: We don't have enough confidence.
It sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Putting "writing" and "confidence" in the same sentence seems anathema to this anguished, self-deprecating writer thing we're all going for. But here's what I mean… We need to believe so deeply in the stories we're telling, and we need to have so much faith in our own storytelling ability, that the confidence shines through in our writing.
Do you know that guy—the one you went to school with, or the one from your office, or the one you see in the coffee shop every weekend? The guy who just has this swagger—this shoulders-thrown-back, lift-of-the-chin, hero-striding attitude that you see and he just exudes confidence? He doesn't have to be good looking or have six-pack abs—in fact, it's more telling when he's not and he doesn't. He's just that guy that you know has self-assurance in spades. He exudes it.
That's the attitude you want in your writing, I think.
How do you develop it? I think there are a few ways:
1) Work on craft, grammar, and usage. When you have a really good grasp of how to use commas, when to use fragments, and why –ly adverbs are very weak, your writing will start to become invisible to readers. They won't have to edit as they read, and the words will get out of the way so that the story will shine.
2) Solicit advice. There is confidence in humility. A really good critique partner won't just tell you "it's good" or "it stinks." He or she will tell you what's good and what isn't. But the value isn't just in what the critique partner says—it's in how you hear it and what you do with it. Yes, it's your story, but consider constructive feedback very carefully. When you can put your own baggage aside and consider what's best for the story, you develop humility. Making changes that work for the story will help you develop confidence.
3) Push yourself. Experiment with your style, voice, and genre. Purposely write stories you aren't comfortable with. Write something completely opposite of what you normally write. It may be really awful, but pushing yourself outside your comfort zone is a good way to grow. Think about weight training—you have to lift heavier weights regularly or you never grow muscle.
4) Evoke an emotional response in yourself. If you can write a scene that makes your heart race, your eyes water, your palms sweat, or your lip twist into a snarky grin, you're evoking an emotional response in yourself. Chances are pretty good that you'll evoke an emotional response in someone else, too. But don't stop at the surface emotion—dig deeper. Access pains, sorrows, joys, fears, anxieties of your own and put them on the page.
5) Put the story first. This one is kind of hard to define, but I think authors get in the way of our stories sometimes. Put your own ego and anxiety aside and let the story emerge. Even if it's ugly and brutal and not what you think it should be, write it. You can always cut, but getting out of the way of the story will help you find that deep place where you're just the medium and the story takes life.
Do I write with confidence? Not always. I'm learning. It's part of the journey. But with pushing myself every day and getting out of the way of my story, I'm confident that my writing is improving constantly. I long for the day I get an e-mail or wall post or note that says, "I cried when…" The best compliment a writer can get from a reader, I think, is, "your story moved me."
About the Author
Amy Rose Davis is an independent epic fantasy author. She lives in Oregon with her [image error]husband, Bryce, and their four children. Bryce provides comic relief, editing, and inspiration, and regularly talks her off the various ledges she climbs onto.
Amy is an unapologetic coffee addict, but her other vices include chocolate, margaritas, and whiskey. She prefers cats to dogs (but houses both), loves the color green, and enjoys the smell of new pencils and crayons. She has eclectic tastes in friends, music, and books, and is as likely to watch 300 as Becoming Jane. Her books are available in all major e-bookstores.
Want to stalk Amy?
Follow her on Facebook.
Tweet her.
Read her blog.
Check out her website.
RAVENMARKED
by Amy Rose Davis
[image error]For one with the ravenmark, there is no balance.
Connor Mac Niall has everything he wants. As the best freelance man-at-arms in the known world, his reputation brings him jobs that provide adventure, women, and money in abundance.
But Connor has a secret: He's ravenmarked. The avenging spirit of the earth, known as the Morrag, has chosen him to be her angel of death–to kill those she wants killed. Connor has run from her call half his life, and working as a freelance helps him keep the need to kill quelled.
When Connor reluctantly agrees to escort a fleeing royal heir to safety, he has no idea that the journey will bring him face to face with the Morrag–and require that he choose between destiny and freedom. He finds himself confronted with old regrets and new choices. On one side pursued by a sorcerer who wants him dead and on the other side tempted by the Morrag to submit his will to hers, Connor unwittingly escorts his charge right into the path of greatest danger for them both. He faces a choice: Submit his will to the Morrag's control or let the royal heir die.
Set against a backdrop of romance, political instability, and magic, Ravenmarked is the first in a five-book epic fantasy series titled The Taurin Chronicles.
Buy this book:
February 22, 2011
A Rainy Day Bike Ride: From "Bits of You & Pieces of Me"
Every Tuesday I will be teasing you with a section from my newly released book "Bits of You & Pieces of Me." Enjoy!
The lessons we learn on those bikes when we are so young are lessons to remember for life.
Rainy Day Bike Ride
A rainy day in Washington. Nothing unusual there. But, when you're born and bred in Southern California, constant moisture is a new thing. We're adjusting.
On this particular day we've been in Washington for a few weeks and still our house looks like the Demon of Chaos has been a long time houseguest. With three girls under three it's hard to get work done quickly.
I remember when I could set up house in a weekend. Now, I'm lucky if I get a shower in a weekend.
So, on this particular day my kids are with a babysitter while I work furiously to get as much done as possible. I haven't even taken a break for food, unless you count the Red Vines and chocolate chip cookies (which I do).
But for one moment on this wet day, I am distracted by something outside.
With the incredible view from my living room I can see Puget Sound and all the houses around us, even the local school. At the moment the rain has stopped, though the air still hangs heavy with moisture.
Just up the street on the school grounds is a little girl in a pink coat and green helmet learning how to ride her bike. A man (presumably her father) is her coach.
She is safe, surrounded by the fences of the school in the basketball court. She makes her way slowly in a circle and falls. Ouch. But she's tough. She gets back up and dusts herself off.
She's a little wet, a little cold, but this is the day she's been waiting for. Her independence. A bike. And the ability to navigate that bike safely and quickly. It's a dream come true for this young girl.
So, undaunted, she gets back on the bike. This time she makes her way around the court more quickly, and she stays on longer. Another fall. Another try. Over and over she gets back up on the bike and keeps going.
At the end of the lesson she gets to ride the bike up the street to her house, where her family comes out to greet her and encourage her in her success.
There will be more falls, to be sure.
But they'll become fewer and fewer as she learns, as her body adapts to this new trick. And she'll keep getting up and dusting herself off and getting back on the bike.
My daughters are too young for this experience yet. But soon I'll be that parent standing outside — encouraging, teaching and demonstrating. I'll be there for them, but I'll also stand back and let them learn the lessons they need to learn.
I wonder what I'll say. Probably what I always tell them when things do not go as they'd hoped. "It's okay honey, this happens. We can always try again."
I'm sure the father of that girl said something along those lines. "It's alright. You're doing great. Try it again. I'm right here." And he is, but he hangs back, giving the girl space to try and fail. And try again and succeed…on her own.
It's hard as a parent to let go of that bike, but let go we must. A little at a time. Fortunately, we are given time to learn this lesson. Baby steps, if you will.
First they learn to crawl, in that awkward injured warrior kind of way they have of dragging themselves across the room.
Then they learn to walk. Over and over they fall as we let go of their hand. But they keep getting up. And eventually they get it, and we learn to let go. Occasionally they'll let us hold their hand again, but they're big girls now.
It's incredible, really, that we all go through this. We all learned the basics surrounded by something safe. And we all got it, after time.
I don't see many adults crawling to work. Somehow the tenacity of the human spirit keeps us getting back up over and over again.
As we grow older the lessons become harder, the bruises deeper.
Sometimes it takes us longer to get back up.
Some people give up. They lose hope. They lose courage. I can understand this. I've been there.
I've had moments of such despair that I thought surely this is the end. I cannot get back up. I cannot get back on the bike of life. I just can't.
And I moan and cry and remain heartbroken for a time, but then the despair becomes anger, and the anger becomes a motivator of change, and in time hope returns.
I get back up, dust myself off and look around. The scary world around me has changed. I see the fences I have created for myself. Boundaries and lines that are not meant to be crossed. Healthy boundaries that allow me my freedom with safety.
And I look and see my family has come out to greet me, to congratulate me on my successes. My babies, my parents and siblings, my dearest friends. They offer me compassion, hope, refuge and encouragement.
The lessons we learn on those bikes when we are so young are lessons to remember for life.
When you fall off, get back up. Dust off, and get back on. You will get it eventually. And you will be proud and free, and loved by those around you in the process.
These are the lessons I hope to teach my little girls as they grow into these experiences. But my words won't teach them this. Only my life; my actions.
They may not listen to what I say, but I know they're watching. I see them mimic me every day.
Scary. Telling.
I know I will get back up every time. Because those little eyes will be waiting to see what mommy does, and they will learn their lessons. Just as I did. Just as you will.
So happy riding. In rain or sunshine, be encouraged on your journey. And enjoy the view along the way. You never know what you will learn next.
[image error]"Bits of You & Pieces of Me" is a collection of short stories, poetry & essays on life. While each piece stands alone, together the chapters tell the story of an idealistic girl in love with love who discovers the demons of a splintered heart when that love turns violent. Through it all, she climbs her way back to Hope and finds that in the end her True Heart remained Unbreakable.
Purchase on Amazon
February 9, 2011
Why You SHOULDN'T Buy My Book
[image error]I know, this is backwards right? I'm supposed to be convincing you why you SHOULD buy my new book "Bits of You & Pieces of Me." After all, it's an e-book that is weeks away from its paperback release. Now's the time to promote the hell out of it, right?
Right. Except for the hell part. If hell is characterized as a constant presence of pain and misery, then there is no getting the hell out of my book without burning the whole thing.
"Bits of You & Pieces of Me" is a collection of short stories, poems and essays that mark the end of a chapter in my life. A painful chapter filled with misery trying desperately to hold onto some kind of hope. A chapter that was hell for me.
Except that it wasn't. This period of my life gave me the manure I needed to grow into something wholly new. It was a rapid transmutation from one kind of being to another. In part, I wrote my way into this next evolution of self.
And now, like a butterfly looking on her former caterpillar body, I see that person through dim eyes of a life remembered as if in dreams.
If you're hooked on my current blog, Twitter and Facebook style…If you LOVE the love blog I create with the love of my life…then you might be mad at me if you read this book.
Because this is who I WAS, not who I AM now and who I am becoming in every moment.
The hope, light, love and joy in my life now– these qualities are not so present in this book. So maybe it's not for you. Maybe you shouldn't buy this book of mine.
I'm writing more books. You will have other opportunities to read my work.
There are moments of light reflected in this work as well. It's not all doom and gloom. After all, I came out of it as a much brighter being.
But even I had a hard time reading it during the editing process. That should have tipped me off that who I was and who I am are not the same.
It is also the reason one of my Young Adult fantasies, "Death by Destiny," is being completely rewritten. The voice who wrote the rough draft is not the voice I have now.
So don't buy "Bits of You & Pieces of Me."
Don't buy it if you are expecting the Me who is present now.
But do buy it if you feel that you need this book, these stories, to take you through your own initiation from a self-made hell into a life of Magic, Wonder and Love.
Because where I live now is full of Magic, Wonder and Love. This is where I want to meet you. This is the space in which I want to engage in creative exchange. And sometimes we have to walk through hell to get there.
February 8, 2011
Marketing Madness
I am excited to introduce my great friend and fellow author, LM Stull, the Queen of Marketing! Stull has made quite a reputation for herself online as a connector of people, promoter of others and, occasionally, drinker of wine.
This past summer I decided it was time. Time for what? To, you know, write my first novel and all. That's all you need to do right? Write that puppy and sell millions of copies and then you get asked to go on the Today Show. Simple. Well, not so fast there, did you market yourself first? What? Market myself, oops, I forgot about that.
Start Now. Don't wait until your book is out to start selling your writing. Whether your book is still a WIP or you are in the final stages of editing, start marketing now. But, how can I start marketing my book when it's not even available? Well, keep on reading and I'll tell you how!
Share, Share, Share. Show your followers and everyone else what your style is all about. Your novel doesn't have to be complete to share, post catchy snippets. By doing this, you draw people into your style, get them interested. That is the key. You'd be amazed what sharing just a line here and there will do; it makes them feel like a part of your project. Make sure to post short stories, poems or even excerpts from your novel on your blog, it's another great way to debut your writing. You can't have fans unless you have something for people to be a fan of, so don't hide your writing, share it!
Cross Promote. Sharing your mad writing skills isn't everything when it comes to marketing either. Make sure you help promote your other writer friends. Believe me, they won't forget and will return the favor. So, the next time you see your friend Joe's blog, share it with your followers and help him get his message out there too.
Become a Specialist. Every writer is going to have a different specialty. For me it is connecting with people. I am a pretty social person, so I like helping others get together and network. I started a fellow writer's group on my Facebook page and got an overwhelming response. A lot of folks would think that marketing for a writer is all about selling your own writing, but it's also about all the different talents you bring to the table. Maybe you have great plotting or editing tips to share or maybe you want to host a contest on your blog. Be creative, start something that you are passionate about and will draw people in. It's just another way for your name to be recognized.
Be EVERYWERE. One of my coworkers really summed it up when I showed her all the places where you could connect with me: "Oh my, you are everywhere!" That, my friends, is the key. Pepsi doesn't just sell their products at 7-11, they are what? EVERYWHERE! Us writers need to do the same thing. Exposure really is important. You want people to know your name and what you are all about. They should see you as someone who is a great writer, but also someone who has knowledge to share. Don't just stop at Twitter, get on Facebook, start your own website and blog, join LinkedIn, Goodreads and others. The more people see your name the more they are going to want to get to know you and your writing.
Be Consistent. Marketing is work. There, I said it. Not everything in life is easy and marketing, although fun, isn't easy. When people start getting to know you, they are going to want to keep seeing you around; they might even wait anxiously for your next blog or tweet. The worst thing you can do is just vanish or be unpredictable. Remember to keep connected and be consistent. You plan out your writing, so why not do the same with marketing. Sit down and make a schedule for yourself.
Above all, remember to have fun and know that there are a lot of other writers out there to help you along the way.
Now, get yourself out there and start marketing!
[image error]L.M. Stull
Originally a Washington, DC native, L.M. Stull now resides in Southern Virginia. She has always been a creative person and studied classical piano and dance from a young age.
During the day you will find her chained to a desk at a law firm. Yes, she works for lawyers. Now you understand why she writes about creatures . . . Boom! At night she channels her inner creative monster and writes (sorry, she doesn't turn into a werewolf or anything).
Her debut paranormal romance novel, Memoirs of a Monkey, is scheduled to be released Spring 2011:
When she's not writing or feverishly taking orders from attorneys, she laces up and runs (and sometimes drinks wine…yeah, okay maybe more than sometimes).
There are several ways you can go about stalking her on the web if your little heart so desires: Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads (Hint: she'll totally think you're awesome if you add her upcoming books to your to-read pile) and of course her really cool Website. She also runs the Fellow Writer's group on Facebook.
January 24, 2011
Virtual Lines in a Real World
[image error]I've been a bad blogger! As you can see.
I've got a whole list of reasons why. Finalizing book for launch. Finally united with my love. Kids driving me mad. Prepping for a major move. Blablabla. You get the point.
But a lot has happened in that time. And it's got me thinking about the lines drawn in online relationships.
It gets muddy. I'm sitting on the couch next to a man I met on Twitter. Obviously I'm not one to argue that the virtual world isn't real.
But there are some things to consider. Some things that make it tricky to navigate at times.
I learned a hard lesson in online friendship this week.
[image error]
What are you REALLY feeling?
Non-Verbal Communication
Non-Verbal Communication makes up something like 80% of our communication. So what happens when 100% of communication is dependent on little black letters on a computer screen?
Miscommunication.
Most people online understand this. Some don't.
When chatting, or @ing or IMing or DMing or FBing, there's bound to be some time lags, [image error]some situations where replies aren't immediate. And sometimes when there are no replies.
I might not reply to EVERY @, DM, or whatever. I might look online but not be at my computer. (It stays on pretty much all day!) If you haven't asked a direct question, but merely commented, I might not have anything with which to reply.
This should not represent a personal slight to you.
It just means that of my 4100 Twitter followers, 300 FB friends and hundreds of Goodread friends, plus 3 kids and a man who likes my attention from time to time, I miss stuff.
The best way to deal with this is to email me and say "hey, I'm kinda hurt that you haven't responded to me in awhile. I thought we were friends, what's up?"
Call me crazy, but I go for the direct, mature approach to conflict resolution.
And here's the thing, there are circles of friendship. We have our super-tight intimate group. We have our good friends we like to hang with. We have our casual friends who are included in random updates about our lives, and we have professional contacts.
And sometimes these circles crisscross. We all do our best to stay on top of all this, but it's not easy.
Most of my friends understand this. Most see that I make an effort to reply, respond, post to their blog or read what they ask me to. They also know it sometimes takes me time to get there.
Some don't quite get it. And then it explodes.
I had one such explosion this week. Very random, sudden and unforeseen. Though the warning signs were there, if I'd been paying attention.
My theory
[image error]The virtual world is trickier for a few reasons.
1. Warning signs are easier to ignore. This is especially true for writers, as we all have voices cultivated for specific types and styles of writing. A person's writing style may or may not reflect everything about them, so if they blog in a certain way, that doesn't necessarily mean they are like that all the time. Right? But when a person is so full of anger that it permeates their life, chances are it will eventually spill onto you.
2. Boundaries are harder to maintain, but seem easier. It seems like we have more control over our boundaries online. Only people we choose can get our number, or have access to more personal information. However, this illusion of control allows us more freedom for false intimacy. How many "You are the best, you rock, love you's" do you see on twitter? Don't get me wrong. I really do LOVE the people I connect with. And I have made some awesome true, real life friends. But even they know, I am not always available! Truth be told, my very best in person, lifelong friend and I email about 2-3 times a month and talk maybe once a month.
3. It's all in the numbers. The pros: You can connect with people all over the world to find those true kindred spirits with whom to engage on a deeper level. You can also make amazing professional connections and build a customer base for your product, service or book. The cons: When you connect with people all over the world, you are bound to run into bad experiences. Professional connections that turn to friendship can have fuzzy boundaries, leaving one or both parties confused or hurt.
4. Falling outs are WAAAAY too public! If you've ever had hate-blogs directed at you, you know what I mean. What was once relegated to in person discussions is now fodder for hate-blogs everywhere. You don't like someone? Forget just talking to them, let's tear them a new one online!
Bottom Line
The rules and lines are different for online relationships. It's not black and white anymore. I'm not some removed writer with a byline in a newspaper you read, or some random author whose book you just bought on Amazon.
Now you can engage with me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and fan pages. You can @ me and email me. There is a potential for friendship.
But there are A LOT of people online, and I am just one person. While I would love to engage everyone on the same level, I just can't.
Those with whom I have gotten closer have mostly turned out to be pretty amazing friends. But it can be a double edged sword in the wrong hands. I learned that the hard way.
So my question to you is this:
How do you balance it all? How do you nurture your friendships (both virtual and in [image error]person), establish healthy boundaries and protect your time and energy from people who may come back in attack mode when they feel slighted?
Basically, what is the best way to utilize social media to promote, create, and develop a fan base AND friendships that will last?
I realize this is not a question to be answered in a single comment. But it's something to think about, and I'd love to start a discussion about all of this!
