This is such a great post! As a short story writer who has only had stories in other anthologies and ezines, I look around at what other writers who are friends or colleagues are doing, and I hear the same thing over and over again: the frustration of social media, the desire to leave social media, or they have left, and what the benefits are. It is some thing I have been wrestling with too. Right before Thanksgiving I left the formerly called Twitter and I have not missed it at all. I have also severely limited my time on other platforms, but there is this sense that the dopamine hit is real for scrolling. Thanks so much for sharing this! best of luck to you on your procedure and with your writing and your daughter!
I loved this post. Thanks for sharing your experience sooz. I might have to start deleting the apps from my phone too... it’s the only thing I haven’t tried yet. 🙈
I feel every word of this and it's something that has been on mind a lot lately, esp as I've started to get the itch again for a Big Delete. Ty for sharing this!
You have expressed a truth most of us are afraid to admit. Love this simple line: "But for the rest of us—which I’d argue is most of us—social media takes more than it ever gives. " It's akin to the old metaphor about pencil sharpening before starting the big task. Now it would be checking email or scrolling. Not only do we feel social media time is essential for an author but it gives us a false sense of accomplishment. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, though. We should figure out what platforms work for us, if any, and perhaps stick with that on a schedule--not every single day. Have you read anything by Dan Blank of We Grow Media? He has wonderful newsletters chock full of wisdom and experience on how creatives can grow and effectively share their work in an organic and meaningful manner. The whole, "Buy my book!" doesn't work. Dan encourages (and shows you how) artists to build their tribe one by one. To make connections and give back to other creatives, to have real exchanges that matter. When people really know you, your story, they are more likely to buy your book, follow, subscribe.
Fantastic newsletter, as always, Sooz. I' am joining you in stepping way, way back from social media. I've already deleted a couple apps from my phone. You're making me feel brave enough to delete the rest. <3
It is great to see other people doing this. It’s important to have boundaries with how much we give of ourselves and social media is ready to take take take.
“I’m not sure yet what I’ll do with the Something Strange & Deadly series now that the rights have reverted to me, but I do know I want to age it up and rewrite large portions!” I’m so happy about this I have actual tears in my eyes 😭😭😭
The way that you’ve been jumping between projects and saying how much that has helped you finally pushed me to try doing it for the first time and OMG. IT WORKS. I didn’t think my brain would be able to do it, but it works it works it works! I have two small projects almost completed (after not writing several months) because I’ve been writing whichever I felt more like writing. You have always giving the best advice, I 100% wouldn’t be where I’m at in my writing today if it weren’t for you 🫶
Thank you for this post, Sooz. I’m glad that you’ve been able to take that step back from social media to focus on Cricket and your writing. Here’s to 2024 being a great year!
I’m sending you so much love and support today, Sooz! I hope everything goes well, and know that you’re a fighter and can get through anything ♥️
I hope your procedure goes well, Sooz! Only good vibes your way <3
This post made me think so much about how I personally relate to social media, and how mind-freeing it's been any time I pull back--then how I end up being sucked back in. It's hard to give up those little dopamine rushes even when I /know/ it's not doing anything for me, and especially hard (for me) after Twitter imploded and suddenly I didn't know where to camp, so I ended up camping everywhere. I'm starting to pull back again and I'm going to use this post as a reminder of how freeing it can be :))
Thank you for this! Just deleted social and games off my phone. We'll see how long it takes for my brain to just accept it. I have Everand, so there will always be other books going.
I completely relate to this. I'm spreading myself thin on a lot of social media and publishing outlets and it just seems like a trap I can't completely escape for fear of not being in the loop. (And I don't mean downtown Chicago).
This is such a great post! As a short story writer who has only had stories in other anthologies and ezines, I look around at what other writers who are friends or colleagues are doing, and I hear the same thing over and over again: the frustration of social media, the desire to leave social media, or they have left, and what the benefits are. It is some thing I have been wrestling with too. Right before Thanksgiving I left the formerly called Twitter and I have not missed it at all. I have also severely limited my time on other platforms, but there is this sense that the dopamine hit is real for scrolling. Thanks so much for sharing this! best of luck to you on your procedure and with your writing and your daughter!
I loved this post. Thanks for sharing your experience sooz. I might have to start deleting the apps from my phone too... it’s the only thing I haven’t tried yet. 🙈
This is so wonderful. I’ve been toying with turning off my notifications lately bc I need a reset. Sending you so so so much love today.
I feel every word of this and it's something that has been on mind a lot lately, esp as I've started to get the itch again for a Big Delete. Ty for sharing this!
Sending best wishes and prayers for your procedure. This is really convicting for me, so thank you.
You have expressed a truth most of us are afraid to admit. Love this simple line: "But for the rest of us—which I’d argue is most of us—social media takes more than it ever gives. " It's akin to the old metaphor about pencil sharpening before starting the big task. Now it would be checking email or scrolling. Not only do we feel social media time is essential for an author but it gives us a false sense of accomplishment. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, though. We should figure out what platforms work for us, if any, and perhaps stick with that on a schedule--not every single day. Have you read anything by Dan Blank of We Grow Media? He has wonderful newsletters chock full of wisdom and experience on how creatives can grow and effectively share their work in an organic and meaningful manner. The whole, "Buy my book!" doesn't work. Dan encourages (and shows you how) artists to build their tribe one by one. To make connections and give back to other creatives, to have real exchanges that matter. When people really know you, your story, they are more likely to buy your book, follow, subscribe.
Fantastic newsletter, as always, Sooz. I' am joining you in stepping way, way back from social media. I've already deleted a couple apps from my phone. You're making me feel brave enough to delete the rest. <3
It is great to see other people doing this. It’s important to have boundaries with how much we give of ourselves and social media is ready to take take take.
“I’m not sure yet what I’ll do with the Something Strange & Deadly series now that the rights have reverted to me, but I do know I want to age it up and rewrite large portions!” I’m so happy about this I have actual tears in my eyes 😭😭😭
The way that you’ve been jumping between projects and saying how much that has helped you finally pushed me to try doing it for the first time and OMG. IT WORKS. I didn’t think my brain would be able to do it, but it works it works it works! I have two small projects almost completed (after not writing several months) because I’ve been writing whichever I felt more like writing. You have always giving the best advice, I 100% wouldn’t be where I’m at in my writing today if it weren’t for you 🫶
Thank you for this post, Sooz. I’m glad that you’ve been able to take that step back from social media to focus on Cricket and your writing. Here’s to 2024 being a great year!
I’m sending you so much love and support today, Sooz! I hope everything goes well, and know that you’re a fighter and can get through anything ♥️
I hope your procedure goes well, Sooz! Only good vibes your way <3
This post made me think so much about how I personally relate to social media, and how mind-freeing it's been any time I pull back--then how I end up being sucked back in. It's hard to give up those little dopamine rushes even when I /know/ it's not doing anything for me, and especially hard (for me) after Twitter imploded and suddenly I didn't know where to camp, so I ended up camping everywhere. I'm starting to pull back again and I'm going to use this post as a reminder of how freeing it can be :))
Thank you for this! Just deleted social and games off my phone. We'll see how long it takes for my brain to just accept it. I have Everand, so there will always be other books going.
Yes yes yes. Your posts like this have been so helpful as I navigate teaching full time, cancer, and writing books.
Wishing you all the best for your medical procedure today, and good health or at least a clear path forward for you and your family!
I could not love this more. I do think having young kids forces the perspective shift pretty quickly! so thrilled you feel as free as I do ❤️❤️
Thank you so much for this honest and inspiring post! All the good vibes coming your way for your procedure.
I completely relate to this. I'm spreading myself thin on a lot of social media and publishing outlets and it just seems like a trap I can't completely escape for fear of not being in the loop. (And I don't mean downtown Chicago).