Fringe Fiction Unlimited discussion
Questions/Help Section
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"Ask the Author" - Personal Experiences
Wait, there's an Ask the Author option? When did that happen?
Wow, I seriously never noticed that before. I just turned mine on. I'll you know if I have any experiences!
I turned mine on yesterday. Like Lily I'd never noticed it before!
Lily and Nick,You let an old dude like me exhibit sharper obeservation skills than you. You should be ashamed of yourselves!
Jim wrote: "Lily and Nick,You let an old dude like me exhibit sharper obeservation skills than you. You should be ashamed of yourselves!"
Wait... who said that?!
;)
Mine just appeared out of nowhere so I assumed it was a new feature for Goodread authors. I barely turned it on yesterday
I've not noticed this before either! I'm not sure if I'll activate it or not yet.
I turned it on but I don't expect to get any questions. I'm not David Baldacci or anything.
I joined maybe a week ago and Goodreads sent me that feature two days ago. Maybe that means it is new.
It's quite a new feature, and mine didn't pop up on my dashboard page until the day before yesterday -- though I'd heard about it, I guess in a news email from Goodreads? I too thought I've got other venues to talk in... but turned it on as hey, any chance to talk. People might find this less effort or just like this format. Obscure as I am I don't expect to get questions so not a time issue.
Interested to see they say, "Answer only the questions you want to answer. If you don't feel like answering a question, you are welcome to skip it. The person who asked will not be notified." Seems rude not to answer but I guess these are the guidelines. So, if you get a question you want to leave untouched, Goodreads encourages you to.
If you select Groups, you will find a number of authors who have been utilizing the Ask the Author component for quite some time.
I saw them operational a while back, and figured they must have introduced it in stages. Or perhaps they did famous authors, so that mine came late.
We could test each other and send questions.
I actually didn't know this feature existed either until just today. It never showed up on my dashboard before now. I activated mine. I hope at some point I'll get some questions that aren't the default Goodreads ones.I think it's a fun and useful tool that has the potential to connect reader and author.
I read somewhere they phased it in with a test group of authors.
Lily wrote: "We could test each other and send questions."Begun that. :) Ta Mark. Way to learn how it works.
I've never noticed it either. I'm going to check that out now!
Also never noticed it. So will check it out.
Turned it on this morning, right before I saw this post. Has to be a new thing.
I was thinking about the generic GR questions that are already there. Yeah, they're common and a tad annoying. But I can see the benifit. It's like when you go to a party, there's a table covered with food, no one will touch it until at least one person politely approaches and puts food on a napkin. Then next thing you know, it's like a shark frenzy around the food table. It happens every time.So, to experiment, I've decided to answer only the GR questions I want to answer, then go from there.
How do you turn that option on? Can't find it.
Lily wrote: "I was thinking about the generic GR questions that are already there. Yeah, they're common and a tad annoying. But I can see the benifit. It's like when you go to a party, there's a table covered w..."I was thinking of doing the same. As soon as I can think of some answers that don't sound trite and banal.
...It might be a while.
Tiger, it's in your author dashboard, on the left :)
I'll just make jokes. I don't take any of this seriously.
Yeah, I think keeping it light and starting with whichever of the GR questions you choose is the way to go.
Lily wrote: "I'll just make jokes. I don't take any of this seriously."Wise words. A good philosophy for life in general.
;)
How do you deal with writer's block?Bend at the knees, use a big sledgehammer, and do a full swing.
Lily wrote: "How do you deal with writer's block?Bend at the knees, use a big sledgehammer, and do a full swing."
This made me laugh.
Lily wrote: "How do you deal with writer's block?Bend at the knees, use a big sledgehammer, and do a full swing."
"How do you deal with writer's block?"
I just kick my ghost-writer and tell him to get his arse in gear.
Man, I'm reading these questions and they're pretty bad.Where did you get the idea for your latest book?
From my head, bitch.
Lily wrote: "Man, I'm reading these questions and they're pretty bad.Where did you get the idea for your latest book?
From my head, bitch."
I've answered all the boring Goodreads questions. If anyone wants to ask me something more interesting, I'd be delighted to answer it in the same cavalier style...
;)
Hehehe, okay I answered them.https://www.goodreads.com/author/4804...
Hey Nick, I have a question. How did you handle answering the questions without throwing the computer out a window?
Lily wrote: "Hey Nick, I have a question. How did you handle answering the questions without throwing the computer ..."I shut the window first.
Lily wrote: "Ah, makes sense."Always thinking two steps ahead, that's me.
;)
Hahahaha, you just had to mention the wombats lol
M.S. wrote: "Isn't "aspiring writer" an oxymoron? :)"Is it! I've been saying that for years!
lol Justified multiple personality disorder lol
Also turned mine on, but havens answered any of the questions. You guys make me laugh. Love your answer Lily 'from my head bitch'. Cracked me up.
Lily wrote: "Hahahaha, you just had to mention the wombats lol"Well, you'd have been disappointed if I hadn't, right? ;)
Heard about this the other day, looked for the button but couldn't find it. Will go searching again right now.
Yolanda wrote: "Also turned mine on, but havens answered any of the questions. You guys make me laugh. Love your answer Lily 'from my head bitch'. Cracked me up."I edited for the posted answer ;)
Yesterday, in a moment of weakness, I offered to compromise by agreeing to activate the Ask the Author option for one month (July).
Do any authors in this discussion group, utilize this question/answer format in their profile page? If so, has your personal experience been mostly positve or negative? Do you consider it worthwhile or a waste of time? Do you recommend it or not?
Any input and advice will be helpful and appreciated.