I'm a little selfish and very opinionated. It's kind of a wicked combination. [Editorial note from Laura: I wouldn't have in any other way. You're so much more fun this way.]
Laura and I were discussing the recent posts from Hannah Moskowitz and Ally Carter about the online community of young adult writers, and this whole "echo chamber" concept. For those of you who haven't had the chance to read the posts (Um, stop reading this and go read them now. They're fascinating. Seriously. We'll wait.), the echo chamber is essentially about a bunch of young adult writers blowing smoke up each other's asses. We discuss books on our blogs, leave good reviews on Goodreads and Tweet to our hearts content, but who's really listening?
Mostly other aspiring writers, some literary agents and editors. Maybe a handful of librarians and teachers. But not a whole lot of actual young adults.
And you know what? I'm totally okay with that. [Editorial note from Laura: She is. No one will make Lisa stop tweeting. No. One.]
I don't tweet about the latest episode of Vampire Diaries because I'm trying to sell more copies of LIAR SOCIETY
. [Editorial Note from Laura: Laughing out loud that Lisa linked to Amazon. We're not trying to sell more copies, but if you want to pre-order, who are we to stop you?]
. [Editorial Note from Laura: Laughing out loud that Lisa linked to Amazon. We're not trying to sell more copies, but if you want to pre-order, who are we to stop you?]I don't write lengthy blogs venting my concerns about Angelina's children or Jessica's wardrobe because I think it's going to help promote our book.
I do it because I love it.
All my life I've had all these random opinions that I've kept bottled up. And FINALLY I have a forum to unleash my random thoughts upon the world. [Editorial note from Laura: Lisa may or may not have started writing books so she could write a blog. She is absolutely the only reason we have a blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. If I wrote alone, I'd be a hermit.]
So, echo chamber be damned. No one is going to get me to shut up anytime soon. [Editorial note from Laura: Well, in mere weeks, a roughly seven-pound sleeping, pooping, crying mini-human just might. At least for a few hours.]
I like hearing myself talk way too much for that.
P.S. Congratulations Linda Benson, CLEO is all yours! Send us your mailing address and we'll send it out to you ASAP!
P.P.S. Tune in tomorrow for a super-special Saturday post. See you then!
I like hearing myself talk way too much for that.
P.S. Congratulations Linda Benson, CLEO is all yours! Send us your mailing address and we'll send it out to you ASAP!
P.P.S. Tune in tomorrow for a super-special Saturday post. See you then!
25 comments:
You go, girl! Connecting the true reason you do what you do only makes your work--and appeal--stronger. You made me chuckle.
Great post. Enjoy your weekend.
I guess subconsciously I had observed what was going on but I hadn't really thought much about it, but that's a good term "echo chamber"
I guess subconsciously I had observed what was going on but I hadn't really thought much about it, but that's a good term "echo chamber"
Hell, I don't write YA, I don't read YA, and I may never read any of your books (though I'm happy to promote the bejeezus out of them for ya), but I still hang around here now and then. And why is that? Because of the random thoughts and teh funnies.
Well, that, and the fact that underneath the snark and pop culture junkie veneer, you gals are genuinely nice people who give back like a *CENSORED* to the writing community.
Crap. Am I getting schmaltzy here? I shouldn't post comments before I've had my morning whisky. Erm...I'll be back to normal maybe by next WTF Wednesday....
:)
I'm not sure it's only YA that lies in the echo chamber. Sometimes the entire writing blog community feels that way. But who cares? I came here for support and knowledge and I don't mind if my blog doesn't reach many non writers who also aren't related to me.
In fact blogging has changed my life, what with all the knowledge and support I have gotten. And guess what? A BIG portion of it was from you two.
So yeah, what Simon said (but not as funny).
And dude...we are so glad you post all the things you do! LOVE it!!!
I might have read stuff.
My thoughts, blog because ya luv it! If a reader goggles you they are bound to find your blog and maybe give it a read, right? RIGHT!If they don't oh well because you are having fun anyways!!
We have to be ourselves. Your blog comes across with true honesty. But I do think the blogging/twittering world is separate from the real world where people buy books. Having a best selling book is about the book. Writers should blog because they love it and because it's part of marketing. It's not all of marketing.
I saw Hannah's post last week, but am glad Ally posted her opinion.
Yes, there are some blogging groups who I feel are very cliquey. I know if I leave a comment, the author will never comment back to me (even before her book obtained a lot of hype). But that's okay. In the end, I buy a book because the concept appeals to me, not because everyone tells me I have to buy the book because it's the best one out this week. Then I have to hope it delivers. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. I'm very careful now which books I buy. There's been a few I've been disappointed with, and a few that received no hype that I absolutely love.
(ps. I don't consider you girls as cliquey, unless adorable is a clique. Hmmm. Maybe it is. If so, then I know a few other authors who can join your clique. Kiersten White, anyone?)
I come here for the entertainment, straight up.
When you gonna be birthin' that baby?
Right on, ladies!
I totally 100% agree with this post!!! Blogging to me is a way of connecting with other writers and sharing my rather skewered view of the world.
Ha ha, this post was awesome. Even if it is an echo chamber, at least it's a really fun, supportive, wonderful one that I believe really does make a difference. At the very least in helping us connect with other authors and make friends who understand.
Yes! Rock on ;o) Love the blog just as it is!
I've been thinking about the echo chamber thing all week. And what has recently occurred to me is that there are some authors who do really well In Real Life who have very few blog followers. So maybe the blog and the books aren't as related as we'd like them to be--but that's sort of comforting at the same time!
Anyway, I love your guys' blog, so keep up the good work. :-)
I love that you put down your thoughts and opinions. Its the best way to connect with others. =)
On a practical level, I found the blog community useful and helpful, particularly in finding an agent and learning about the YA world. That said, I'm a mom of four readers (including two teens), and they do not read blogs (not even mine!). However, with respect to the echo chamber notion, I suspect the blogosphere is full of these mini-communities (e.g. folks in the dance world, fashion-bargain-shoppers, adventure racers...you name it) that are very self-referential. They still offer information, benefits and support. As I sit at my lonely computer facing a morning of revision, there's nothing like a quick stop at a few favorite blogs to get me in gear. So, thanks for yours!
While I am totally fascinated by Hannah's post, and get what she's trying to say, I can't say that I started blogging to reach potential readers. I started blogging to meet other writers like me, and to learn and share the things I've learned.
So while I'm sure there are people out there bumping up the ratings of books by their "friends" on Goodreads, amazon, etc., there are so many others trying to give back what they've learned to the writing community, and that's why I still blog.
I've read both posts, and I have to say that the reason I hate twitter so much (okay, so it's growing on me) is that I feel excluded. I tweet to people who don't acknowledge me back. I feel like I'm being snubbed by the popular kids in high school, because, well, I'm clearly not popular enough for them to reply.
I vowed I would never be like that. Waaay back when I was in high school, actually. I try to treat everyone like I would want to be treated. So I post positive reviews about books. I would want people to do that for me. I respond to comments. I would want people to do that for me. I make an effort to comment on the blogs of people who comment on mine. I would want people to do that for me.
That's why I blog, tweet, and facebook to other YA authors. I want to know them. I want them to know me. Do I think I need to branch out to actual young adults, actual readers?
Yes.
But aren't aspiring authors and YA authors potential YA book readers?
Yes.
I'm going to blow smoke up yo blog and say keep it up, ladies!
Love the fun and the advice (and looking forward to the book!).
I'm a young adult, and your blog reached me! :) Okay, so I'm also an aspiring author, and I'm starting to slip out of the young adult catagory, but that's okay. :) You're awesome, keep it up!
Nice post, pretty ladies.
I blogged about this same topic earlier in the week and like you, I've decided that I blog for little old me. If a teenager(other than my son) happens to wander through, that's GREAT, but if the opposite is true, I'm not losing sleep over it.
Last week's UsWeekly featured Jessica S. in a dress that can't be described. Thank you for providing me an outlet for this. Thank you.
Love it - and whatever the reason for blogging, tweeting et al., keep it up! I look forward to your posts all the time :)
Hey awesome! I linked my Monday blog over to Hannah's very well said blog post. I love having this kind of conversation with writers. Not so sure I would enjoy it so much with publishers ;)
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