Why Do I Find The Social Media Aspect of Writing So Hard, Especially When I Have An Awesome New Collab Book Coming Out?

I am a writer who likes to write...

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Spending hours creating a poem or story is how I live in my glory, how I live in my bliss. I create because it is my passion to write. It is the way I walk through my world, as I live and exist through my words.

I love that no one can silence me when I write. I can speak loudly and freely and privately on the screens of my devices or between the pages of my journals. And...nine times out of ten, I don't even share what I pen. I write my stories and poems because I am experiencing the pure joy of living happily in those moments. It is a beautiful way to spend my days.

Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to be in the time of my life where I can do this beautiful activity without generally sacrificing other things in my day, (except maybe, decent exercise). I have worked and finished my full time careers, I have been married and raised my children, I have set up my home, and I have the time now to spend the hours in my day quietly writing, working with, and listening to, the words that are telling me they want to escape to my pages to create something new. Even if what I write may never see the light of day out into the world, that is, never be published so that it is shared or seen by anyone....and that is okay.

I do occasionally write specifically this or that for a friend, a neighbour, or for a special celebration or an event. I do write to bring a few smiles to a group of friends or associates, usually in the form of my simple rhyming poems that I can read and share on the day of.

I speak through my written words, often inspired by current thoughts and feelings as I live my life, and I admit, I am one of those...those individuals that create more easily when experiencing angst, trauma, sadness, and uncertainty. (Apparently, that phenomenon is rather common, and further it is not to say, that exciting and joyful events in my life don't inspire me to write, because they do.) But the painful moments of my life generally inspire me to speak louder through my words, and so, my writing is therapeutic and cathartic...and that is a blessing. Expressive Writing, as it is referred to, is a very healthy means with which to deal with, work out, or work through those tough times in one's life, and I know it certainly helps me. (Please, please, please, try it if you are currently experiencing a rough patch in your life, it really does help.)

When it comes to sharing those literary pieces that I choose to share...I will have to admit, I generally find the act of sharing, the act of baring my soul through my words, and throwing it out into the world, is a very hard thing to do, (that is, when it is not a piece I have written specifically for someone I know). Stories and poems that I write for the general public and the world at large, makes me feel a little hesitant when I ponder putting it out there to share, because I will always struggle with a certain level of a lack of confidence. I know I don't do well with negative feedback, in any way, shape or form, and that factor is a very large inevitability in this industry. Feedback is critical, even if I'm fully aware of that familiar saying that pops into my head, "you can't please all of the people all of the time." (I once posted a poem to thank all the firemen for their dedication and sacrifice during the multiple fires we were experiencing, and was harshly criticized by a fellow who found a misspelled word. His words essentially tore a strip off me for not having a perfectly polished piece. Let's face it, it was a social media post of thanks not a literary career piece. Apparently, I can only aspire to be as perfect as he...)

However, just know, most writers are vulnerable to criticism. We birth our stories like we birth a baby, with a gestation period, involving sacrifices of hours, days, weeks and months of time and effort, and then...as we present our "baby" to the world we don't want to feel like someone might not like it, or how it our baby looks, or how it sounds...we are sensitive to any feedback at all, even if it is an important element in the process. It has been said that standing in our vulnerability helps us to grow, and I often realize I have to get out there even if I have to push myself into the arena.

As for social media...well, I would rather be writing any day, quietly buried in my home curled up with on my device, happily penning words, than trying to get my socials out to generate some sort of interest or sales. I really, really, have such a hard time trying to shout out the praises of what I have written to people I have never met, the writing community at large, the general public, and even to my followers. It is just not my thing. And yet, posting on social media and sharing my work to the world has to be, in order to get anywhere in this business. Truthfully, Business 101 scolds me all the time, points a finger at me and tells me to stand up and get out there, and yet, I mostly still prefer to hide timidly behind my computer, unable to push the buttons to make the connections I need. It is not because I think my work is lacking, for I still feel I have to have a level of satisfaction and confidence in any piece I choose to share, no, it is the conversation in my head that generally just wants to protect me from criticism. Period.

Thankfully, I am truly part of this writing industry because I love writing. I love the simple act of penning my words and spending my time doing just that. I am not in it for the money, or the fame and recognition, even if those elements have to be addressed in order to make it in this industry. (Sigh).

And so, dear readers, I do have to add to my website, I do have to add posts to my Blog and I do have to create the socials and post them on various platforms. It is just part of the package. I also, have to keep up my connections to my writing communities, and yes, I know where I am lacking, and I apologize. But I am human, and not perfect...I am a gal who loves to write, and that is my focus in how I live with a sense of joyful fulfillment and passion.

And in saying that, stay tuned for my next collaborative adventure in the publishing Pursuit:365 umbrella of Shelly Lynn Hughes, a book entitled, Brains & Beauty, coming out on Amazon on November 26, 2024. This gratefully will be the 3rd edition I am to be included in within the Pursuit:365 community. I am excited and humbled to be part in this book. It is inspiring to be between the pages with so many successful women for 13 countries.

In this publication I can offer to you my thoughts on being a writer, and what the act of writing can do for you. My words are my humble contribution to this book and to the world. I hope you find your way to reading what I and so many other women have to offer to inspire you and hopefully, enrich your life with our sharing or advice, on entrepreneurship, resilience and triumph. Check it out!

Cheers! Lise

PS...(and see...I inwardly point out to myself...that wasn't so hard was it?)

*photo courtesy of arnel hasano on unsplash