Social Networking for Writers

[mac_stone]

After boggling over the QueryFail/AgentFail kerfluffle, I started thinking about social networking changing the way readers, fen, writers, editors, agents, and the way each of the overlapping Venn diagram circles relate to each others,, especially online.

Now I need to write something that sounds smart about it all.

Thoughts, folks?

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Been thinking about that, and the weird drive toward cult of personality, and how it's risky to state an opinion of a work unless it's positive--making it seem like, in spite of what we tell new writers ("Criticism is not about you, it's about the text") criticism really is all about the author.

[mac-stone.livejournal.com]

You know what I notice, personally? Since I sort of know so many of the people I read, now, either online or in meatspace, I'm very reluctant to say much about their books -- I don't say anything negative, because I don't want to hurt anyone and I LIKE a lot of these writers; and I say very little positive, because I don't want people to think I'm sucking up.

So I don't blog much about what I'm reading, or write reviews -- while just a few years ago, I was doing both.

[evangoer.livejournal.com]

I hate to see that stop you from blogging about what you're reading. Heck, anyone who knows you personally should expect that you're gonna tell people straight-up what you think. :)

In any case, I think it can be done. See for example Marissa Lingen: http://mrissa.livejournal.com/625774.html -- she's very plugged into the SF pro writing scene and still manages to do some very straightforward capsule reviews.