Thursday, August 26: Femme Fatale
BE MY FRIEND?
by Deborah Elliott-Upton
“Even though we’ve changed and we’re all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we’ll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we’re not all still friends.” — posted by many, many people on Facebook with no one claiming or denying they actually wrote this quote.
I don’t think it’s just me noticing Facebook has turned into quite a phenomenon. Most people are on the social network, even if they don’t “use” it often. What I find overwhelming is the number of people talking about books. Of course, a large amount of my cyber friends on Facebook are writers, but many are good ol’ plain everyday readers like us. And they talk about the books they are reading. How cool is that?
Nary a day goes by that someone doesn’t post what page of a certain book they are reading and when they’re done, we get either a thumbs up or down reaction via words on the screen. I like this. It’s like being in a very large book club, except without rules. Especially that we are all reading the same book at the same time.
I like when friends ask for suggestions for their next book to read, too. Word-of-mouth has always been the best advertisement and it’s always good to have a recommendation from a good friend before you buy anything.
Isn’t it interesting to find so many people still enjoy solitary reading? Taking a mind adventure via the pages of a novel is such a lovely break in the hurry, hurry, hurry routine of the 21st Century lifestyle.
Writers mention their problems with stalled plots, editing and finding the right agent — or any agent — to look at their work. There is much encouragement and sage advice being shared. I like that, too. Nothing is worse than feeling alone when the writing isn’t going smoothly. It’s nice to know others have been there and made it through and we can, too. I like that though we seem to be a nation of “It’s all about me” people, that isn’t the reality for the most of us.
We may have been all caught up in our own little worlds, but when 9/11 happened, we pulled together. Not just as a country, but as individuals throughout the globe, horrified how a few can harm so many so easily when it is so unnecessary.
A few of my friends are holdouts to social networks, but are relying on the old tried-and-true methods of marketing. I’m here to say: Facebook has proved itself as a valuable marketing tool, too. I like that it is easy to notify so many people by a few keystrokes about a conference, a new publication or other event. I like that charities are saving money on advertising (wouldn’t you rather the money go to the charity than an ad exec’s account?—That is, unless you are the ad exec )
I like that my Facebook friend asked about having a short story idea and wanting to turn it into a screenplay and if that was possible. I commented that she should write the short story first and see what happens. Many short stories are made into movies.
I also use Facebook to tell people about such great blogs as Criminal Brief where they can find like-minded people discussing writing and reading short mystery fiction. I’m hoping CB is becoming a phenomenon too . I’d really like that.
>I’m hoping CB is becoming a phenomenon too . I’d really like that.
It’s phenomenal thanks to talent like you!
I think LEIGH and Bobby are FaceBook holdouts.
All right, Leigh, I’ll bite. Who is Bobbie?
Velma should have included a link to Bobby.
I’m not sure how the holdouts for FB or other social networking sites are keeping up, with family, friends or just life. News travels faster on FB than anywhere else. I have received many great suggestions for books from many of my friends. There are even apps to keep up with what you read and where you are in the book! I love it!!
I think somebody should start a facebook page to urge Leigh to join Facebook.
Okay, before somebody starts a facebook page to urge somebody to start a facebook page to urge Leigh to join facebook, you should just join facebook, Leigh!
I have a facebook page and I never, ever use it. Mainly I get a lot of requests to join various causes that I’m not interested in. The only real value it has shown for me at all is helping me contact friends whose email addresses I lack.
I’m not saying that facebook isn’t great for those who love it. But Leigh, you can certainly survive without it.
I’m sure FB is great for those whose livelihood depends on networking, or those who have a lot of time on their hands. Personally, though, I’m with James. I’ve got a facebook page (under my real name) but I never use it. So much of my day is already eaten up by tending to email and (often needless) web browsing, I really don’t need another time zapper in my life.
It’s entirely possible to live like this, Lissa. Everybody used to do it just a couple of years ago…
I enjoy FB because people have found me that I’d not thought or heard from in years. Kinda fun.
Then there are those who are on FB and refuse to play scrabble with Travis, Lissa and me. Too chicken? Says she likes face-to-face “I won” but won’t try cursing because someone got your place and no one can hear…..:-)
I mean it is good for wordy people…..
I’m reading Good by Marcus Sakey. Should I post that on FB???
I like FB over e-mails because there is no spam…also hardly anyone is using e-mail any more since you can send private messages at FB. Did I mention no spam?
Hey, Travis and Yoshinori, thanks. I’ll probably join FaceBook when I follow John and James and release a book. First, I’ll pour my words into stories, then FaceBook.
I am on LinkedIn, one of the oldest networks. Of course it’s more for connecting with other professionals rather than fans, not the best marketing tool. Fortunately, it stays quiet.
James and Deborah also suggested CrimeSpace some time ago.
Hmm… no spam is tempting, Deborah. See you on FB one of these days…
I joined LinkedIn some time ago, but I no longer accept offers to join others on it or check any messages there. I was told by a friend that when she wanted to contact other professional experts there was a charge. Why not just ask your FB buds who are also experts? I’m just saying…
All the basic features on LinkedIn are free, but they do charge for expanded information. My gripe is their layout and interface isn’t the easiest.