Facebook Groups - What They Can Do For You.

I belong to several Facebook Groups. I was a little unsure when I first started out on Facebook and kind of fell into a couple of groups without meaning to. Initially, I don't think I took advantage of them at all.

However, after nearly a year of actively using Facebook, I'm getting a handle on groups and am SO grateful to belong to them.

Due to time constraints and writing deadlines, I can't participate regularly in every group, but there are four that have become very precious to me and here are the reasons why...

1. They provide me with a place to ask questions, vent my concerns, celebrate my successes and feel supported in a job that can sometimes be quite lonely.

2. I have learned so many cool things about the publishing industry, gleaned helpful tips on how to market successfully and how to write better.

3. Reading comment threads on interesting questions or topics has helped me to evaluate my own writing journey and given me ideas on how I can tweak and improve my work.

4. My writing groups help me promote my work, vote for my books on Goodreads lists, like my book pages and generally help me get word out about any new releases or giveaways I have going on.

5. Belonging to these groups gives me the opportunity to give a little back. I love being able to support and promote other writers. I love feeling part of a group and knowing that I am doing my part to help them in their journey as well.

If you are a writer and you don't belong to any decent groups or networks yet, seek some out. Or you could form one of your own with a few contacts you know. It's great to be part of a team and makes the process of writing and producing books a million times better.

To my precious Facebook groups (Inklings, IU, II, SSoFIYA), thank you so much for your awesome support and friendship. I love and appreciate you all so much xxxx

Cutting Back

Due to an increased work load and the move to China looming, I will be cutting back my blogging.

Instead of blogging three times a week, I will now be blogging twice - once at the beginning and once at the end.

Brenda blogs mid-week on our YAlicious blog, so if you'd like to check out her awesome posts, jump over there.

Today's one is about pick-a-path stories. Fun! I used to love reading those!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week :)

Being A Team Player

Writing is something you tend to do on your own. Sure, there are some instances where people work collaboratively (Forbidden Territory is one example), but on the whole, writers work alone.

It can be very isolating. I don't actually mind this too much, my imagination makes for great company, but there are huge dangers here.

I think it is really important to be a team player in writing. What I mean by this, is it is really important to make connections with fellow writers and work together - critiquing each other's work, promoting each other, learning what we can from other people's mistakes, passing on what you have learned from making mistakes of our own.

I know it takes time. I know these social interactions can take away from your writing, but they are vital.

I have been lucky enough to have some awesome team experiences in the last six months. I was invited to join a small group called, Inklings. This team is awesome for my self-esteem. These beautiful ladies are the best cheerleaders on the planet. We vent to each other, we celebrate with each other, we teach each other and we do what we can to help promote each other's work.

Another team I just joined recently is the Indies Unlimited group. They are awesome. These guys are huge advocates of indie publishing and are so fantastic at promoting authors who have chosen this route. I am lucky enough to be a monthly contributor and I am learning so much. New opportunities seem to be presenting themselves constantly. It's awesome.

One of the first things I did last year, when Golden Blood first came online, was join the YA Indie Carnival. I love this group. We post once a week about the same topic - celebrating all things YA. I love reading other people's posts and discovering new perspectives on different aspects of writing.

There are many other groups that I am involved with, but these three are my most regular and I am so grateful to be a part of them.

Are you in any groups?
What do you learn from them?
How important do you think being a team player is?