If anyone had told me back in the Spring, when I re-joined Twitter, that I was going to shout out to the world what a great place Twitter is, I would have been rolling on the floor laughing! Twitter? What the heck is good about this social media site? I poked around with it a few years ago and found nothing of value. Well, guess what? This dude has truly changed his tuned – Twitter is THE Place for Writers.
Writing is a VERY isolating endeavor. We tap-tap-tap on our computers and puzzle out plot devices and story lines in our head. We toil and sweat with only ourselves for company (uggh). Lo and behold, when our story is ready for the light of day, we just don’t have enough folks that we can use as “alpha” or “beta” readers to help us improve the book. Nor do we have anyone to coach us on all the OTHER things – publishing, marketing, AMAZON! This is especially true for first time writers, which I am. The almighty Twitter Universe, however, doth overfloweth with writers. I now count dozens of writers as Twitter friends and many of them have moved beyond just the Twitter “friendship” category to become friends that I correspond with via email and by phone. These folks are just like me! (poor them) They are also looking to connect with writers and swap ideas, writing tips, marketing tips, etc. And, best of all, THEY LOVE TO HELP! I’ve had people happily offer up their experiences in the publishing world so that I can avoid “reinventing the wheel” and pass over the mistakes that they’ve already made. How wonderful is that?
Twitter connects us and the friendships blossom. So take the advice of a newly converted TwitterHead. If you are a writer, want to be a writer, or just enjoy interacting with writers, then grow your Twitter following. Spend time learning how to “follow” writers. (It is not that hard, heck I even figured it out.) Take advantage of all that Twitter has to offer. We’re all in this together!! (oh yeah, and don’t forget to do ALOT of commenting and retweeting. Give back to folks by highlighting THEM, and you’ll gain exponentially.) *smile*
Andy Holloman - Dad, Writer, Goofball 
I agree completely! I just started twitter-ing in July, and the first two weeks, I did nothing but read other writers blogs. I learned so much in those first weeks. Now I’ve made some supportive writer friends and continue to read info that is beneficial to a writer. And I’ve discovered some books/authors that I probably would have missed otherwise. 🙂 Good to know you, friend!
It’s great. I follow writers, editors, reviewers, all sorts of people involved in books and publishing. And it’s a great place to find links to great blog entries – this one for a start! Plus it’s just great fun.
I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned from Twitter. The information is great, but the people are even better.
I love twitter! Never saw the point in it before, but now I can’t live without my friends. The writing community is full of wonderful people!
Because of the isolated nature of writing, many writers miss a subtle potential Twitter offers: Banding together on projects that will serve writers.
For example, I’m trying to get a “Tweet Hook” idea across, and get the tweets to go to #THZY.
If writers put the “hooks” for their books there, and other writers retweet them, it could become a good place for readers to go to find a book. Plus writers are also avid readers!
If writers are retweeting interesting hooks, their Twitter channel increases its interest to reader/followers.
It also increases the chances of their own hooks being retweeted.
Working together, writers could see this evolve into a professional promotional device simply by tagging their Tweet Hooks with #THZY, retweeting, and giving and receiving feedback on how hooks might be made more effective.
Take a moment and consider the exposure possibilities of a vast number of authors retweeting each other’s hooks, and then consider adding #THZY to your next hook.
I love twitter too!
I joined a couple of months ago and was hesitant at first, but you quickly get into the flow and EVERYONE has been great, friendly and supportive.
I’ve met loads of great people and joined so many great blogs. What more can I ask for??
I agree, it’s gerat for writers. I work from home, as a technical author, and it very boring at times. Twitter is always coming up with something to break the monotony. That said, I only follow 178 people at the moment, and if I turn my back on it for an hour, when I come back there can be up to 100 msgs there. Which is too much. When that happens I do a search fro ones that mention me, but mainly they are just ramblings – still good though.
I’ve met some great writers and really interesting people from all over the world on there, and I really like that. I do get a bit annoyed with the ones that just tweet adverts for themselves all the time, but there’s few that do that.
What I think is great is when someone retweets you to their 250,000 followers – wherelese could I get that kind of exposure? As a writed whose first ebook is just about to be published, that sort of freee advertising is very helpful, and free! What more could you want? Cheers.
Couldn’t agree more. I reluctantly joined Twitter in July.because it was ‘the done thing’ if you are a writer. It didn’t take long for me to grow an addiction. I love Twitter, I love the people on it, I love my new writer friends! I’ve made so many connections with people that I am even thinking about visiting them! It’s just a shame so many of them are overseas. I LOVE TwITTER AND ALL MY TWEEPS.
I wholeheartedly agree! I joined Twitter so I could follow Nick Swisher (of the Yankees). Then I found out all of the captains from Deadliest Catch were on too! And Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern from the Travel Channel. It was fun, but I was just a Twitter voyeur.
Then I somehow stumbled upon Julie Lindsey, who was, at the moment, trying to get some of us lonely writers some followers. I have made some great friends who actually understand what it is to be a writer. Who don’t *look* at you like you have twelve heads when you say you are writing a book! And best of all, they are SO Supportive and encouraging! Because of my writer-tweeps, not only do I feel like a ‘real’ writer, but I actually believe that I will get my book finished and published! Not to mention the fact that I have a GIANT to-be-read list now that I want to read what my friends have written. I am now hopelessly addicted to Twitter, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Great post! I’m going to follow you now! 🙂
Tweeps rule, twitter friend. 😉 Bo but seriously, I agree with this SOO much! In my short time there, it has done wonders (especially for my ego which is probably more of a bad thing O_o.)! Wonders! Plus, I’ve met a lot of great author (you included) AND reader friends. But what’s the best part about twitter? I’m publishing with an ebook only press that has some talented and well known author recruits, mostly in noir. I never submitted to Trestle Press (the publisher), the head guy found me because he saw me on twitter! He clicked my blog, my book excerpts, read my freebies on Smashwords and asked me to work with them. ALL BECAUSE OF TWITTER!!!
I am very happy to be dancing within this fabulous glut of writers! And I am very glad to have gotten to know you, Andy. It is such a wonderfully supportive community of intelligent, witty and helpful writers. We all have the same goal and it’s great to be pulling each other along. Who knew twitter would be that way? I didn’t, but I was happily surprised. Sometimes I wonder if other career groups feel as supported and networked as we do.
Absolutely true. Twitter is an amazing window, and door! to the world for those of us tapping on our keyboards from an isolated place.
Found this blogpost through a retweet =) I couldn’t agree more. As a newbie I am so appreciative of the help, encouragement and advice that complete strangers are willing to give to help me with my writing.
I couldn’t agree more Andy! I also started hanging out on Twitter in late July/early August and it has changed my life. I have been lucky enough to meet a couple of the writers I have bonded with via this amazing social network and couldn’t be more pleased. I have learned so much from all the wonderful writers that have come into my life since. And there is always room for more!
Thanks Andy. Great blog posting. Corresponds to my experience too. Best wishes, David
hey david, thanks so much for the connection!
[…] Why Twitter is THE Place for Writers 10 things authors should know about Twitter HOW NOT TO BLOG: Beginning Blogging for Authors Part […]
Spoken from the heart Andy, and I’ve come to the same conclusion. I joined twitter a while back and toyed around with it and blundered along blindly, but then it all clicked into place once I started making the right connections i,e, with other writers. What I really like about it though is that the unexpected can come along – whether it’s someone with an amusing profile or an amazing photo. But, it’s easy to give and receive on twitter – it really does have the spirit of Christmas. Regards and blessings to all. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I love Twitter! I have to keep my erotica author identity a secret from my friends and family to avoid being crucified. Twitter has allowed me to make friends and not feel like a dirty perv for writing stories with a healthy dose of sex. Lol.
hey steph, thanks so much for your comments!!! will be sure to check out your stories!
Oh, cool! Thanks Andy!