Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.
Monthly Question: What’s the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?
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This seems like a simple enough question, but it’s sometimes difficult to know what other people really think of your writing. It’s not just my insecurities, though I do have those, but knowing what people really think of your writing is in many ways based on trust (Are they just saying they like it or do they really mean it?). Outside of the reviews we receive on individual publications, there really isn’t a forum for letting authors know what you think of them unless you happen to be one of their followers. While I have many followers, few of them are fan-followers. I did actually receive fan mail once and it made my year. Outside of that, here are some of my favorite quotes from reviews people have left of my book, Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel.
“…thank God for Mira, who didn’t fall into that trap of accepting everything without a second glance. She actually confronted Giovanni and made him fess up, which was a welcome change of pace from usual tropes.” ~Kayla Sanchez
“She is able to write realistically about a subject that has lived in myth for as long as humans trot this earth, and she makes you believe anything is possible.” ~McKerley & Schippers
“I must admit the first couple of chapters were a little slow for me but I am glad I did not stop! It has turned into a OMG book!” ~ReadsterQuilts
Speaking of followers, I got my world rocked when I discovered that actor Taye Diggs was following me on Twitter. Since then, I’ve learned that it’s just something he and a few other celebrities do; they follow random people. Random or not, I still think it’s awesome that such a great actor, and let’s face it- gorgeous man, is following me on Twitter. RT @TayeDiggs daily 😉
This is where I would normally give an update on my WIPs, but there isn’t much to actually report on at the moment. I am writing. I’m trying to do some illustrations. I’m outlining and planning. It’s a work in progress (somewhat pun intended).
On a completely random note, I wish more IWSG members would use the hashtag (#IWSG) when they posted their entries. I like to tweet these things out, but I can’t get to them all. I’ve tried to visit ones that are shared on the Facebook group, but that list gets really long really quick. I would like to share the posts even if I don’t have time to read them by plugging them into my auto-retweet app, but there just aren’t enough of the hashtag for the app to populate any content… Sorry for that. I know that was a pretty lame whiny fest.
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Has anyone touched you with kind words about your writing?
Got any celebrity followers?
Do you use the hashtag, #IWSG?
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Yolanda Renee,
Tyrean Martinson,
Madeline Mora-Summonte,
LK Hill,
Rachna Chhabria, and
JA Scott!
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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #73).
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
26 replies on “#IWSG July 2016: Compliments on your #writing, Celebrity followers, & hashtags.”
Great! It is so encouraging when you hear that someone big is following you. It makes us want to continue keeping up our blogs.
I really like your idea about the hash tags. I’ve never done it. Must get into the habit of using hash tags.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
Thanks for that. I was worried that I was being silly about the hashtag.
The best thing anyone has said about mine is “I want to read more of this man’s writing.”
That was music to my ears and just about says it all, doesn’t it. 🙂
Talking of which, when are we going to see more from you, Toi? I want to know what Giovanni has been up to. 🙂
Thanks for that Ian. It means a lot. I’m working on book 3 now and will be putting together a tour soon.
Toi, Patricia Garcia was kind enough to post you on Facebook. I LOVED your comments. I don’t do Twitter, however, it is WAY COOL that you are being followed by a celebrity! Actually, having followers of any kind is fabulous! Keep up the great work.
Thanks for stopping by. I do enjoy my followers and try to engage with them whenever possible.
Good day to be a random person, huh?
Some really nice compliments there.
And I do use the hashtag! Be bad if I wasn’t…
Yes, I’m one happy random person.
It would be pretty sad (kinda funny) if you didn’t use the hashtag.
Woohoo for followers!
Those are good reviews! It goes to show you’ve got some great writing.
Thank you. Even if my writing needs lots of help reaching publication, I’m starting to feel more confident in my ability to craft a story.
Your “pretty lame whiney fest” made me laugh a little because it really wasn’t whiney at all. I don’t use Twitter, I know, now who’s lame? Yeah, this chick!
You’re not lame.
Hey, twitter isn’t for everyone and I get that. I think I just get so swept up in wanting to share certain things that I’m bothered when I have to put some real effort into it. Like I said, I’m just whining a bit.
Here from Alex’s blog. To me, there’s no higher compliment than one from a reader who loved my work. Congrats on receiving such wonderful feedback from one of your readers. Also, way to go on the Twitter following. Wishing you all the best with your next WIP.
If I could get letters from readers all the time, I wouldn’t even care about publich reviews. Thanks for the well wishes.
I very much like thoughtful and specific feedback/compliments. Those are great!
I think so too. They are a way great to figure out what is working for you and what isn’t. Thanks for stopping by.
Great point about the hashtag. Hope more people take note. My auto-share program doesn’t include it, but I always try to add it in when I share the post manually.
Taye follows me too, and it made my day…once I was convinced it was really him. I was suspicious at first! Much nicer than all the celebrities who won’t follow anyone back.
Isn’t it cool. I wonder why more celebrities don’t follow back. They probably don’t care or have a clause in their contract about it. Oh well.
I’ll try harder with tagging. It’s my Achilles’ heel. Congrats on the follow. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thanks for stopping by.
If you count other authors as celebrities – then, yes, I have celebrity followers. 🙂 And, then there’s this band that follows me because I’ve known their lead singer since he was a tweenager at my church, but they aren’t big name yet, so I don’t think that counts.
Awesome reviews!!!
Yes, authors count but they are part of our community. The band is still cool.
I always forget the hashtag, thanks for the reminder!
And I’d be thrilled if someone like Taye Diggs was following me! Excellent!
Love the feedback on your writing. You must be thrilled. We all need such encouragement to keep on keeping on, at least some days! 🙂
Yes, I agree. Some days I look back at these to remind me of what I already know inside. I’m a good writer because I work at it. It’s still good to hear it from someone else.
That is so cool to have fan mail, even just one. And to have a celebrity follow you, for whatever reason, awesome!!!!
I have to admit, I’ve been lax in the past with utilizing the #IWSG hastag on twitter, but I am to get better at it.
Like you, I believe it is important.
Thanks for that. I didn’t mean to start a movement, but since twitter is one thing I do well, it means a lot to me.