I find myself twittering about Twitter. How many of you have twitter accounts? Do you find them useful to your writing, either to get notifications of where to submit your writing or to market your publications?
Recently, I was informed that I “should” have a twitter account if I want to be informed of where to submit my writing for consideration. Honestly, I found this disheartening and have been tossing it around in my mind since last last week.
My hesitations regarding a twitter account are many. One large issue is that I am disgusted with social media on a frequent basis. People are downright mean to each other. I joined a gardening group for my state and the people I encountered on there were some of the rudest I ever heard – correcting, criticizing, offering advice when it wasn’t asked for, etc. I left the group after a few months of observing this behavior. People are polarized right now and I don’t care for how this makes them act (or, react as the case might be). I also hesitate to give myself something else that I need to spend digital time on managing. I already think I spend too many hours massaging my FB and Instagram accounts to retain followers. And, I write daily – that will continue without question but still maintaining a twitter account will take time, especially at the outset. I already network through online groups, my blog, Instagram, and FaceBook. Do I need something else? I’m reluctant to think so.
I realize there are benefits to having an account. As I was told, many authors connect with other authors over twitter. Educators connect with educators. But, I’m an introvert and somewhat of a loner. Do I absolutely need to use this platform? This is what I’m asking myself.
In the last 8 months, I’ve found so many contests and requests for submissions online that I could not even come close to submitting to a portion of them. I did submit to three poetry contests and one chapbook contest. I found more with upcoming deadlines by just doing dedicated searches every couple of months. My own online searches have yielded more opportunities than I can count. Still, I don’t want to be “closed out” of opportunities because I don’t twitter. But, then again is that an opportunity I really need if they require twitter accounts or only alerting for submission searches in that manner?
I don’t know. As I said, I’ve turned the idea of starting an account over in my mind since last week. I am hesitant. I seem to be “on a roll” without one. I’m guarded with the use of my time.
I’m interested in hearing your thoughts. Do you twitter or not? And, if you do – has it been helpful to your writing and increased your chances of publication? Please drop a note in the comments! I’d be ever so grateful!
Today is Slice of Life Tuesday. This is a forum created and hosted by TwoWritingTeachers.org. Thank you to them for offering such a supportive space for writers, authors, and teachers! I’ve participated in Slice of Life: Tuesday since 2017.
The Apples in My Orchard 
I have mixed feelings about Twitter currently. On one hand, I have connected with some amazing educators there. I have found out about some interesting PD opportunities. I used to win books all the time, but those contests seem to have dried up. I do use it to keep in touch with a few people, but mostly that’s why I use Facebook. On the other hand, I have found that there is a lot of opinion spread around on Twitter. While I used to like this, I now feel it a bit overwhelming and it’s become hard to separate fact and opinion. I use it a lot less now that I once did, and maybe I’ll go back to using it a lot later, but right now not so much. It’s a great place to find out all the political gossip though.
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Yeah. Two of my sons – aged 21 and 26 – advised me against opening an account. The younger stayed much the same as you… lots of politically opinionated people on the platform. I don’t want to get involved in that. There’s too much unsolicited opinion offered in general. To add more? The thought of it makes me sick. Thanks, Lisa!
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I’ve been on Twitter for several years, but have lessened the amount I use it due to the amount of anti-semitism I’ve seen on the platform in the past few years.
With Twitter, you can pick and choose who you follow. Therefore, if you’re looking to use it for amplification once you’re represented, then follow people whose accounts are solely about writing.
Not sure if this was helpful, but it’s my two cents. 🙂
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Yes, Stacey, very helpful. Thank you.
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Carol, Great questions you pose here! For what it’s worth…Ten years ago I would have said you needed to be on Twitter. Not so much anymore. I have not really used Twitter for networking around writing and publishing, so I can’t really speak of that. However, I have made some lifelong friends on Twitter, and loved the experience. It has not been the same lately though, and I don’t use it much.
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Thanks so much for sharing your view. I have not done anything about it yet and might not. I just cannot imagine it is a “must do.”
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