So many writers out there exude confidence, and their blogs look professional. They even know what their platform is.
To be honest, I’m not sure what mine is. I’m known to have scattered energy. I blame it on my Gemini Rising and a moon in Sagittarius. While I’m able to focus to write a complete novel, I’m not real sure about my focus for a platform.
My deceased editor once told me I was a prolific writer. But how can that be good for a platform? Maybe someone can tell me because I really don’t know.
I mean I could write a ‘how to’ blog on writing but there are so many writers already doing that along with author interviews, and book reviews. I want to be original. That’s all really.
Before I wrap this post up, I’m leaving you this quote:
“Dare to create unique and unoriginal work.Don’t worry about retracing the path of ten thousand other creators. Make the journey your own with your honest, authentic thoughts and feelings. No one can accurately duplicate that.”
Mark Dykeman
So what do you all think?
Shelly
.
I think a lot of us are insecure, in some way or another. Even those who are rich & famous (lucky dogs!)
ReplyDeleteFinding a platform is tough when you write so many different things.
When I began, I had no idea what my platform should be. I went all over the place, and then much later on, realized vampires is my forte.
Eventually, Shelly, you'll find it. It's almost like trying to find your "voice" in writing--which is VERY difficult to do.
It will come. Don't force it, or worry. Something will come to you. Or someone on the outside might give you suggestions.
Thanks, Lorelei. Sometimes I think way too much.
DeleteI think your blog is unique. I'm sure your fiction writing is too. I know what you mean about blogging. I never know what I'm going to write about until I sit down to write it (which is not true for my fiction).
ReplyDeleteI think some blogs that are inflexible about topic can get boring and predictable.
Tonja:
DeleteYou're probably right. I know why I revisit yours. It's because you share yourself. So does Lorelei and I like that.
Hey Shelly, I started off blogging about any and everything and I discovered what works and what doesn't. It will come together the more you do it. Also, check out what your favorite blogs are doing in this area. The thing about writing about writing, everyone maybe doing it,but no ones experience or knowledge is the same. You have a fresh prospective, put it out there.
ReplyDeleteHello Sidney:
DeleteWell, I guess that's what I do. I blog about almost anything.
I love the quote and I identify with what you wrote. I feel like my blog is a bit of this and a bit of that, but I write about what interests me. I am a writer but that's not all I want to write about. I have other interests and I like writing about them. Added to that I want to work on my WIP mainly and not have to spend a ton of time designing my blog. Finding the right balance is tough.
ReplyDeleteI liked the quote, too. Yeah. Finding the right balance is tough.
DeleteCan we start a new group blogfest called "The Lost Sheep" or something? With you on how so many people have their poop together and yet I still muddle around trying to figure out if I'm ever going to have a theme or identity. Especially as it relates to blogging.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I don't think I can do two posts around any central theme. Guess I blog from the heart (think you do too, btw), so hopefully at least we stay fresh? :)
Hey E.J.:
DeleteThe Lost Sheep, eh? Sometimes that's exactly how I feel.
I think if you're writing whatever's in your heart you are being original. Your platform is who you are as a person. you can be unique just by being you. I've found people respond to that best and it always makes for interesting post. Don't worry about branding yourself, just be who you are!
ReplyDeleteJ.A.:
DeleteThat sounds really better than what I was thinking.
Even I don't know what my platform is but I've never been published before and I've certainly never had an editor. (Wait does a newspaper publishing articles you wrote while still in High School count? Because that's all I got.)
ReplyDeleteI don't think you need to define your platform, however. Can you define yourself? I don't think so.
Dear AvanTika:
DeleteOne, you are a published author. And no I guess I can't really define myself. Jeez, I'm a woman. We're constantly changing.
Sounds like I needed this today!
ReplyDeletePlatform doesn't always come with the first book. I took me a while to find my place.
Diane:
DeleteI'm so glad to hear that. My first book should be out by the fall. And I'm working on another one. A completely different kind.
Hi Shelly, just dropping by via the IWSG page and found your topic pretty interesting.
ReplyDeleteI've never even thought about a platform. Of course, I'm not a published author either :)
One thing I try not to do in my writing is compare myself with others. Of course, this rarely works but, to me, my only competition should be with my past works. I think once you channel that errant energy into defining your platform, you'll probably find it rather easily.
I wish you the best of luck with it!
Thanks for stopping by, Mark.
DeleteI think it's easy with creative types, whatever we might be, to have a degree of self-doubt or uncertainty at times.
ReplyDeleteSir Wills,
DeleteI've quite a bit of it lately.
Platform is so hard to figure out. I know my blog is way off the charts as far as the normal author's platform goes, but I guess that's me. You just have to figure out you. And you can!
ReplyDeleteAlex:
DeleteI'll just have to keep writing then. Free write myself into a platform.
Who needs a platform when you have such a great writer's voice. Your "About Me" cracks me up! You're the type of person that could make anything sound interesting. ;) Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kimberly. I worry about stuff like this.
DeleteThanks for sharing this. I feel like a dork for not knowing what a platform is but I am relatively new to the whole blogging thing. I found my first blog from 10 years ago - it was terrible - and I realised that I still struggle to find something interesting to share let alone find an audience. Thanks again. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteCheers to you, too, Clay. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteMy IWSG post this week is along this same vein. I don't feel like we need to add to the "how to write" information, though I would love a "how to" on getting published. As you know, my blog started as a way to talk about my newborn son, but it's really just a way to get my name out...somewhere. I think that's the most you can do about "platform."
ReplyDeleteHi Brent:
DeleteYeah. Probably. It's to get our names out there.
I think if you just be yourself. Write what you feel and it will become your platform. I really don't know what mine is. I just write about my journey in life and writing. Maybe that's a bad thing. I don't know. Keep writing and being yourself.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Christine:
DeleteThank you.
Hi :)
ReplyDeleteJust popping by from the IWSG :)
Hmmmmm, I totally get where you're coming from. I see a lot of writers blogs and go "wow!" but..... Although I want to be different, original, I realise that that's not necessarily what people want. If you've got a few followers, they follow because they like YOU. They want your take on things, even if it's something that's been done to death a million times :)
Personally, I try to stick to 'writerly' stuff, my journey, things I learn and some on my writing. I started my blog for me, to keep a daily record and I'm shocked that anyone else wants to read my ramblings, but it seems they do lol
Good luck hon, it looks like you already have so loyal followers :)
Xx
Thank you, Vikki.
DeletePlatform, shmatform! I say, write what you want.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, I don't have a theme or a regular schedule for my blog.
I just like to entertain and share. Sometimes I share too much.
Best of luck and thanks for coming to visit.
HMG
Heather,
DeleteI like your platform shmatform. Very cool way of putting it.
I think the important part of that quote is the word 'honest'. If you're true to yourself, and write what you love, what you're passionate and excited about, that love of your subject comes through your words to your readers. And readers can only ever be excited about writing that the writer is also excited about. Be true to who you are and what's in your heart.
ReplyDeleteAngeline:
DeleteThat is excellent advice. Thank you much.
Don't confine yourself to a theme for your blog. Let your creativity guide you. One day you might want to write about something personal, the next it might be something you've learned professionally. The best thing to do is to let your readers get to know you.
ReplyDeleteGemini rising, huh? I'm a Leo (spell that E-G-O!) with my Moon in Gemini and Libra rising.
I'm Libra with the Gemini Rising and Sag moon. Yup.
DeleteI wouldn't worry too much about fitting into anything specific, not if you like writing a lot of different genres. A writer is a writer is a writer. New follower here:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gwen.
DeleteVisiting from IWSG (new to IWSG!).
ReplyDeleteGreat quote. Platform wise, we can only be ourselves and people will find you and follow you for that. It's worth exploring all the 'platforms' available because some authors obviously favour twitter etc don't they. But otherwise post and put it out there and it'll come together!
You're the lat commenter so far and all of you are saying the same thing. Be myself. Thank you.
DeleteI really like your blog Shelly! I know what you mean though, when I signed up for this IWSG, I immediatley became more insecure than usual..most other people seemed to be ACTUAL writers, ie, authors, (even you!)...most of my stuff is just silly in comparison, but I tell myself that there is a need for silly..I never thought of declaring a platform, afterall, it's just a blog...I'm not running for office or anything.
ReplyDeleteI do find your blog refreshing though..I like the different things you write about...and you do seem to know astrology! All I know is that I'm a Leo, (July 28th)..have no idea about moons rising, or stars waning, or anything like that. I say, stick to what you're doing, it's working so far!
Thank you, Eve. I really like your blog too. It's like a talk show in writing.
DeleteGreat post! I agree that most creative types tend to have some amount of insecurity. We always want our writing to be validated (even when we say it is not important). I agree with Norma, leave the platform open to write what you feel like writing. I just go with the flow and post what I want. They have to know you as a person, and you are a great person. And you are Libra? So is my husband. I'm Scorpio (so you can imagine I must drive him crazy)! Take care!
ReplyDeleteHi Lena:
DeleteLibras and Scorpios get along though. My NoNo is one. And yes, she drives me crazy.
I think your writing pace could have a positive effect on your platform--I've read that the number of novels published each year by a single author is going up due to demand.
ReplyDeleteSo the more novels I publish the better my platform?
DeleteAll you can be is yourself. You can't get any more unique that way ;)
ReplyDeleteLynda:
DeleteYou always give great advice.
Ah, you have hit the nail on the head. Being original trying to build a platform is so hard! I've been trying to do so but, as you said, everything has been done so what is it left for us newbies? Well, more out of sheer luck than anything, an answer came to me: Write for a magazine. I'm currently reviewing books as a volunteer for a magazine dedicated to my genre, horror. It has helped to get me to know important people in it, to get to know what is 'trendy' and what is sooo last week; it has also helped me get my name out there within the group of readers I'm writing for. I still don't sell my books like warm cookies but I like to think I'm working on it, and the more work of mine published, the more it will reinforce the positive cycle.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not reviewing, but interviewing, or writing 'how to write' articles for stablished mags will help you build your platform.
Good luck!
Gina:
DeleteThat sounds like great idea.
Thanks for stopping by.
I like the quote. I had a hard time blogging in the beginning, but I guess I've found my platform now -- Egypt, where I live.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll come to my blog for no other reason than to tell me what a "Frag Queen" is ... I did read it right, didn't I? It's not "Frog Queen," is it? lol
Lexa:
DeleteI'll be over to your blog in a few. And yes, I am the Frag Queen.
I love reading your blog postings no matter what you post. I think ppl read postings and are either going to like them or hate them no matter what choices a blogger makes.
ReplyDelete