I’ve been told I need to blog more. I am a slacker blogger.
I find this pretty funny, since in most aspects of my life, I am the Anti-Slacker. You should see me on vacation. Before a recent trip, my kids sat me down and told me they were not going to put up with my making them “see everything.” (How abusive!) It was vacation—they wanted downtime. They practically announced this in unison, which was disturbingly convincing, since there’s four of them, and they rarely agree on anything, much less a plan of action. Or inaction, as the case may be.
I’m not resistant to blogging, I just tend to be a late adopter. Maybe most of this are like this—we bop along, doing what we always do, and don’t adjust until someone we like and trust says, “Hey, take a look, you should try this.”
Or in my case, it was when the PR department said, “Um, Juliette? How about doing a little more blogging—your readers might enjoy reading your stuff between novels.” This was, of course, code for “Blogging has become one of the most important PR tools for marketing books (or pretty much anything) these days. You blogged three times in the last year. Which officially designates you as a slacker blogger.”
I love the PR folks. They’re so gentle. But I can read between the lines.
There’s a hilarious New Yorker piece called “Subject: Our Marketing Plan” by Ellis Weiner. It’s a farcical note written to an author about what will be expected of him in terms of promoting his book. It’s get-your-inhaler funny—in part because it’s a little too close to home. In the Good Old Days (which as a rule, I don’t actually believe in), writers wrote, and that was pretty much it. Now, we’re like Bert in the opening scene of Mary Poppins, a one man band who doesn’t play any of the instruments all that well.
Actually, there are plenty of great blogs out there, and I have to say I really do enjoy them. Beyond the Margins is one of my faves. But wow, they’re so … what’s the word? … GOOD. Can I offer anything nearly as wonderful? If so, can I figure out the most technologically optimized way to offer it? What about next week, when all the technology I boned up on this week will have changed?
So here I am, writing a blog about not blogging. My late-adopter self is adopting, and now I’m off to optimize.
Then I’ll go plan the next family vacation. Lots of museums! I can’t wait.
I love all the serendipties here, Linda — and thanks so much for passing my books around. It’s such a kick to know that people are out there saying nice things about them.
Hi Juliette –
Your first book “Shelter Me” is making it’s way around the operating room where I work! While sitting in the pedicure chair reading a book (not yours – Sorry 🙁 – I hadn’t heard of you yet) , the woman next to me asked me how I liked my book. As we chatted and discussed our “favorite authors” your name came out of her mouth and she gushed about your debut novel “Shelter Me” I immediately went to Barnes and Nobles to buy your book and I was hooked after the first few pages. I found myself slowing down as I got close to the end so I could savor each page – not wanting the story to end. I was thrilled to find your next book and am in love with Dana and can identify with her trials and tribulations. I just hope she ends up with Tony – I don’t care too much for Coach Ro who seems like a slime ball to me.
Anyway – I am an avid fan and tell everyone who will listen to read your books! When I was at the hairdresser yesterday in Wayland, my stylist told me you were from Wayland Ma!! Well guess what? That is where I grew up too. So – my advice for you is KEEP WRITING – I love your books and promote them everywhere I go.
You have a gift – keep sharing it.
Linda
Josephine, thank you for all the kind things you have to say about Deep Down True. I’m delighted and honored that it touched you so much, especially the part about your husband being like Tony. Lucky girl! And don’t worry, I don’t plan on blogging all that much. 🙂
I just came on your website to say I spent the day, or at least the afternoon, with your book, Deep Down True, and it is amazing just as Shelter Me was. I cried when Mr. MacPherson died and I felt all warm when Dana ate lunched with Tony. I felt the grief of a new widow and remembered the searing physical pain in the middle of one’s being. I wished I were more like Alder and I was glad Dana found her own true power which included her kindness and compassion. So pleazzzzze, keep on writing and do not take time away for blogging because I cannot wait until your next novel comes out as I sit here typing with tears running down my face. My husband is kind and wise like Tony so thank you for reminding me. Take care. Josephine