Should Writers/Authors Be Political On Social Media?

With the upcoming election in December, I've noticed more and more writers on Twitter posting their views, I've also noticed writers complaining because they feel political preference shouldn't be used on author pages. People's political opinions can deter followers, apparently. Should writers and authors state their views - will it affect their audience?

Firstly, everyone has a political opinion, whether it be right, left, undecided or not bothered, and they can express it via their own social pages if they feel the need. I've written politically driven poetry in the past and have had good feedback on my work - but is it because those people agree with me on the subject, or do they enjoy the poetry? I didn't even notice if I did lose followers as a result.

I've also noticed in the writing community that I follow authors with completely opposing views, and that's fine, because I still respect them as a person, and as a creative. I do, however, want to know if politics should be left out?
I'm happy to share my lefty views, and I can see writers happily sharing their right wing views. Social media can be a platform for influence. It can also be a place to rant, expose your soul, argue and have fun. I think it's important to post politically, but sensibly, arguing with writers, authors and readers isn't going to have a positive outcome, you won't change their mind, however you could change how they perceive you.

I feel that people build a connection to writers and authors they enjoy, and if said creatives have opposing views, people may feel distanced. That's why those people would rather not know who they'd vote for. You can enjoy someone's work and not agree with them, are their views that important to an audience? Was their artwork made with their political views in mind? - Not necessarily. If it was, and you enjoyed it, decide whether or not it's because there's an agreement or just an appreciation for work.

I say you need to call it.
If your work is political, you should share it, you've created it. If you know it will cause upset, I'd advise laying out the pros and cons. It may not sway people in the way you want, but it's up to the creator what content they put out. You create the content - If you have something to say on the matter, it's your decision to post. Obviously, I'm not condoning getting into arguments with people, because where's the fun in that?

Indie April : Ups And Downs

Indie April has come to an end!
It's been an opportunity to meet other indie authors, promote my books, and have an input to what indies are struggling with. It has also had a few negatives!

UPS -
This month my highlights have been plugging my books without feeling guilty - there has been so many threads asking people to share their Amazon links, it is a chance to self-promote and find what other people have been working on.
I have also enjoyed interacting with other indies - I'm usually quite shy, but I have found so many people I'm comfortable talking to or reacting to their posts, which is a huge step for me!
I have started so many writing projects this month - I don't know if it's due to bouncing creativity off of one another, or just seeing the pride people have in their WIPS have driven me to write as much as I can.
I've found a pattern in what people look for in indie authors - I have written about this in a previous post. I am aware what is popular in the community, so I can either work with that, or decide to go against the grain of what people are doing.

DOWNS -
This month has also had a negative side, I have noticed that people don't look for children's books when requesting work from indie authors - it's not their go-to genre or something they want to read by choice. So this made me feel like I need to work on other things!
Also, I have had more rejection emails than ever before. I don't know if it's due to deadlines being at the beginning of April, and they've replied immediately, but there has been far too many for my confidence this month. It did knock me, I did want to get some of those projects. It's annoying now, and I will get over it.

Either way, there's more good than bad - Indie April is a success and a positive thing to happen to the writing community. I can't wait for next year - and hopefully, by then I'll have no negatives!

One last Amazon link plug for the road:

The Macroodelzig

Don't Eat Charlie Cheese

Charlie Cheese Travels The World

Charlie Cheese And The Food Dance

I'm Trying To Write A Musical ...

What on earth was going on when 'Let's write a musical' popped in my head?!
Why did I decide 'Yes, brain, this is a good idea'?!

I'm running with it, this is the same unpredictable brain that has created many wonderful stories and jokes, so who am I to question it? It'll be funny, either way. I love that this idea just came to me, and I didn't just brush it off as nonsense - you won't know if you're any good at writing something new until you give it a good go.

I only have a basic plot, a title, and a few themes bottled that can be used for songs.
I've already made a healthy start on it, and by that I mean it has it's own Word document, is titled and saved. There's also a tune in my head that I need to turn into a comedy song, so I'm looking forward to that.
I need to get cracking!

I am planning on the musical being a comedy/horror theme. I can write comedy, and I have written short stories in the past with a horror twist - I can thank some episodes of Inside No 9 for this inspiration, so hopefully I can mash this experience together.. Which somehow results in a musical (?!)

Revisiting A WIP : Spitting Ducks

I may have mentioned my sketch show idea, Spitting Ducks, last year or so. I was hoping to film parts of it just to get the hang of things, and a feel for directing a comedy.

The sketch show was written, edited and left in my notes - mainly due to the fact I didn't have any money at all to even hire filming equipment, never mind get anything made. Spitting Ducks is a daytime television parody sketch show - it takes television shows and mangles them, either with puns or taking it dark.

I had to dig out the notes recently, as I was inspired by the new series of Channel Four's Lee And Dean to get back into comedy. (If you've not seen Lee And Dean, you should! Come for the comedy, stay for the incomparable facial expressions).

Anyway, the notes I went through don't seem relevant anymore, or some ideas just come off as desperate or are spoofs of programmes that are no longer on television, and feel long forgotten. I'm glad I didn't throw it away though, as there is more good ideas I can work on than there is bad ideas. I am confident with 80% of the sketches - but there is always room to polish the positives.

I've decided to keep the title of Spitting Ducks, and will be leaving this open to work on as often as possible - I WILL get it perfect, it will be filmed, and I will bother as many people as I can with it.

Contacting Big Bookstores

I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert at this, as I've only done it once.. Yesterday..

A NYC bookstore had liked a photo of mine on Instagram, and me being me, pushed my luck by messaging them something along the lines of 'if you liked that picture, maybe you'll like stocking my new book'. Ridiculous, but I expected an emoji response or little a back and forth - but no - they sent me to a link of how to get my work in their stores?!

I was baffled. This is an amazing opportunity, which was unexpected. In less than five minutes, I had followed their instructions and sent The Macroodelzig on it's merry way to New York. Sometimes light hearted actions can lead to a big deal. I'm crossing my fingers, but I understand it's a tricky business to break - so my hopes are not too high!

I don't think that I would contact a big bookstore off my own back, I'd feel far too vulnerable and inadequate, but the presence of social media made me put myself forward - although it was in a jokey way, they helped me. I would definitely encourage contacting bookshops if you feel confident enough, or if like me, you'd prefer to test the water, then do it through social media - the people running them are polite and helpful, so you can't go wrong.

Bite the bullet! Contact away - you never know how they'll respond, but they'll definitely be helpful.

Indie Writer : Dealing With Imposter Syndrome

I've posted twice about experiencing imposter syndrome. There's genuinely a horrible feeling of playing pretend when you're trying to follow your dreams and getting nowhere fast.
I've seen a few people posting about it in the Twitter Writing Community, which is comforting to know I'm not the only one, but it's also awful knowing that so many talented people feel like this when it comes to writing.

It can come in different forms, feeling like you're not being taken seriously as a writer, looking at your own work and thinking it's absolute rubbish, thinking your work will be overlooked because you're 'a nobody', or even when looking for writing jobs and not applying because you're not a household name.

Writing is hard, it always has been and it always will be - and unfortunately, Imposter Syndrome seems to follow not far behind whenever you start a writing project.
Yet, it's not permanent. Whenever I get excited that work was accepted, or I run with a new idea, or when a project is finished, it goes. Know it's not forever, it never shows it's face when you're on an up - I know it's often a long time between good news, but point stands, enthusiasm seems to curb the idea you're an imposter.
Chin up, crack on, and understand it's temporary.

The Macroodelzig - Super Sneaky Snippet!

I just had to make a small, flick through video to promote my children's book, The Macroodelzig!

It's very short, but it shows the amazing artwork - by Tommings - and this is the first sneak preview video I've ever made, so I love it!

Please give it a view / share / like / comment etc! The book is coming soon, so let's hype it up!

> > The Macroodelzig Sneak Preview < <

How To Support Indies - FOR FREE!

Not a bad deal, is it?
Imagine having lots of means of supporting your friend's dream, without having to spend a penny!
Well, you can - and you should!

What you can do to help indie authors:
Review the books on Amazon / Like their Facebook page / Share news posts / Share images of their work / Like their posts / Invite your friends to their social media pages / Ask for the books to be stocked at your local library / Ask your local bookstores to stock the books / Talk about their work on your own social media / Tell your other friends about them.

What you can do to help indie illustrators:
Like their social media pages / Like the artwork that they post / Share and comment on images they share / Invite your friends to their social media pages / Talk about their work to your other friends / Recommend them to people looking for artists / Share and credit their work on your own social media platforms / Create fan art and tag the original artist / Attend exhibitions or shows they may put on.

All. For. Free!

My First Writing Milestones

Being an indie writer means that you're starting from scratch, often with no financial backing at all, and you are more of a niche than mainstream.
You're winging it, basically.
There has been some milestones for me that don't seem like a big deal to others, but meant the world to me. Having no money to throw at your hard work is heartbreaking - but that doesn't mean you're not moving in the right direction.

I think the first milestone for me, was completing my first short story - Don't Eat Charlie Cheese.
I was elated when the story was done and dusted, I had been working on it whilst being full time employed in a pre-school, so I had limited time to figure out where the story was going.
But that was only the start, from there, I managed to save money to have the book illustrated by a unique artist TOMMINGS. When he sent me the first illustrations to look at, I could not cope. The character was better than I'd ever have dreamed of - I'd seen nothing like it in my life!
Charlie was alive!
I then got the first print of the book in the post - and I smiled all day and told everyone in the world (and their grandmother) that I had written a book, a real life, hold it in your hands, give it a flick through book!
Don't Eat Charlie Cheese was then discovered on Amazon! I think I cried at this point..
And from there I continued to write!

Everyone has different milestones in regards to achievements. Don't compare yourself to other writers, ever.
You did a thing - be proud!
The good thing about milestones is, they don't stop. There's loads of accomplishments you can gain - I get excited when this blog gets views! I'll be excited if my books ever win a prize, you never know, working hard pays off - even if it's a small win!

Valentine's Day 2019

It's nearly Valentine's Day!
You still have plenty of time to grab some Charlie and Mouse merch - SHOP NOW.
Charlie Cheese loves his little mouse.
Mouse loves his slice of cheese.
Love is love.

Celebrate this year with everyone you love!

Sticky Note Haiku Procrastinator

I feel the title could be my superhero name / be on my headstone without it being questioned.

If you follow me on Instagram - my handle is @thebeffyparkin - you'll know I was supposed to be doing paperwork today, something I've been putting off since the dawn of time. Obviously, I shuffled three pieces of paper then began writing..

My brain has rewired itself. I used to enjoy organising paperwork.
Now, I'm happy writing all day and making a massive desk mess. Shocking.

I'm attempting to use this to my advantage, somehow. I am hoping to create rhymes and haikus WHILST ticking things off my to-do list - and when some jobs are done, "as a treat" I can begin making notes. What an exciting life!

It has to be sticky notes - or I'm just going to create more paperwork that I'll never finish. Smart.
Here's the result of this morning's procrastination:

Collecting Material

Whilst having a day out this week, this beauty was found:

After finding this pleasant surprise, I've decided I need to really consider writing some novels..
Based in Australia.. Or Hawaii..
But it'll be a very long winded book, so I'd need to collect material, for approximately, a year?

I never thought of this aspect of writing - changing your scenery to spark ideas or research a particular place/event.
This is probably because I can find inspiration to write whilst running a bath, or having a drive, or trying not to burn pasta sauce.
I definitely need to broaden my horizons and get myself off to interesting places - to see what weird and wonderful things I could come up with! 

Here's to finding inspiration, and collecting material, everywhere and anywhere!

Filming Opportunity - Application Sent!

Submissions were accepted from yesterday. I was too nervous to even start the application process, but today I bit the bullet and put forward and idea I'd like to see be made into a short film.

You've got to take chances like this, that make you uncomfortable and nervous, because you never know. Even if I don't get it, I tried! I put myself out there! I can do this independently if I feel strongly enough about this!

As always, I will follow this up when I know - but entries close at the beginning of February, so in the meantime, lots more ideas are to be written up, storyboards need to be completed and notes need to turn into shorts and put into the prettier notebooks I have!

Keep your eyes peeled, wish me luck!

Getting Into Storyboards

I've really enjoyed drawing up storyboards for my ideas lately, despite my lack of artistic talent..

Writing can burn you out, especially when you picture something in your mind, but your brain decides to freeze when it comes to writing it up - there's nothing worse than an idea that's stuck! If you can sketch it quickly, then the idea is out and in front of you - and therefore not stopping the writing process. You can go back to it when your brain wants to work!

The fun thing about creating storyboards is framing your work exactly how you expected it.
So, I've decided now, to mock one up for every short story or idea I write up - just in case I get the chance to film it, it can be perfect. It doesn't take anything away from the quality of writing, but it enhances and sets the scene in the event of filming.