Be Ready for what?
Well, in this case, be ready for The Shark to swim into your pool.
[Blog reader: Janet, for godiva sake, quit with the metaphor, it's morning, I'm on my first cup of coffee, just spit it the fuck out!]
Righto.
When you comment on the blog, you sign with your google identity.
It's the blue line of your name on the comment.
It looks like this:
When I click on the blue name I see this:
Or maybe I see....this
This second one is the Blog ID of Doom because if I want to visit your blog, or find out more about the novel you mentioned in your comment, or find your email so I can tell you why your comment was deleted (and it wasn't cause I hate you/think your feet smell funny/you said something stupid) I CAN NOT FIND YOU.
What 2Ns has is PERFECT.
Do what she did.
There's a rule about this:
Be Reachable
You'd be surprised how much I prowl around your sites when I'm intrigued by something. A savvy writer is prepared.
78 comments:
Good advice, but all I can think about is, "wasitme? Did I say something enticing? Something other than inane?"
It's been a long time since I clicked on myself. Best go check it out.
Tut tut, Sheila.
Would it be presumptuous of me to ask fellow Reiders for advice?
When clicking on my name, and seeing only a link to my website, is that a turn off? Does anyone bother to click the link or should I emulate 2NNs and blurb?
I'm thinking emulation is in order.
Amanda, I often click on people's names and follow through to their blogs, even the ones they follow (the first few anyway). Always looking for inspiration. I've commented on one or two, but not many and certainly not often.
What bugs me is that when I click my name, it goes to a blog I don't use anymore. I'd love to have 2Ns' set up, just can't figure out how to do it - not sure I want to out and out delete the blog yet. I've added posts on the old blog to link to the new one. Not the ideal solution, but what I have right now.
S
I only have a link to my website. The link works. And my name is my name. Is that not enough? Should I do more? I don't want to miss a chance at a super agent view. Oh boy. I am going to have some coffee and rewrite chapter 7 and try to forget my kale centric nightmares.
Amanda: It doesn't bother me any if somebody simply links to their blog without blurbing. If I on-purpose clicked their profile, I'm already interested. Heck, you don't even need a profile picture for me to keep going; I understand neglecting that.
(*cough* I had no "profile picture" until I clicked on my blue letters from another comment to see what my profile looked like, and though satisfied my blog was linked, I put a picture of Elka where the picture goes, which is my standard MO online. She's much more photogenic than I *cough*)
It's because of Janet having discussed this earlier that I have a separate "How to Contact Me" on the top of my blog, which lists my email and Twitter handle(s) and link to my other blog. Though my email is also in my "In a Nutshell" sidebar, which perhaps I should rename, and which does not maintain paragraph breaks, but whatevs.
So now I've had to go and check out my profile. Added email contact to my profile, although I have a contact thingamajig on my blog which is listed on my profile - but maybe that isn't easy enough? Better to make sure I'm ready for a shark attack (we've been having *a lot* of them Down Under recently, so my nervousness is warranted).
Also made me realise I haven't posted to my blog recently. But it's late, so will get to that in the morning. Night y'all.
*rends garment*
Well, there was a wake up call. Being the slow learner that I am, it was helpful to see 2Ns example.
Mine's all set up. Now I just have to say something interesting....
So now I get to be inadequate at yet something else! I had no idea there was such a thing as a Blogger profile. I thought our nyms were blue for esthetic, not substantive, reasons.
Did all of us just update our profiles or is it just me? I did rewrite chapter 7 but now I need a 2nd cup of coffee and pancakes. No kale. Buttermilk pancakes. Then more editing. I love Janet's blog if only because of all those that comment here. Trying to be a successful writer can be lonely and a bit intimidating so it's great to learn from other's experience. And of course, Janet is so generous with her time and experience. I am so grateful that Janet and all her minions and woodland creatures are here.
And then paranoia strikes. Was this directed at me? No, couldn't be. I'm reachable. I updated my profile the last time Ms. Janet brought this topic up. But this time she was more explicit with actual living examples. When I check my profile, there is the button link to my e-mail address. So, her post was not directed at me.
We creatures on the raggedy edge of the woodland where they dump the unlabeled drums of toxins wonder what goes on in the lush, verdant part of the forest contacted by the QOTKU. We wonder and sigh.
Then we go check out the Scroobler blog.
I am going to check out the scroobler blog too - I have no idea whose it is ... double oops.
I don't have a blog or web site (yet).
I know, that's sacrilege. Until I know exactly what I want to do with one (or the other) not having one seems better than having one that was updated January 12, 2013.
But my email is there.
So I'm a writer--or trying to be--but I'm also a person. I'm open to Miss Shark and readers of this blog knowing all--well, some--about me, but it's a big scary world out there and I don't want my whole life displayed--splayed. I can click on my name and find the most miniscule internet interactions I've made. Nothing bad, but if I can be found on such things, I can be found on more personal things. I don't want people rummaging around in my personal life--or opinions. So I've got another identity besides number1texgirl but I'm not going to use it. Not now, anyway. (I came up with this name because other ID's were taken.)
Will definitely fix this if I didn't do it correctly in the first place...if I can wrestle what was formerly my laptop away from Hubby since his PC died. The good news is I'm getting more proficient on my phone. The bad news is my blog has been woefully neglected since trying to post to it on my phone frustrates me. I'm off today, tomorrow and Monday so will fix that too. Learning my way around my new camera is frustrating too but I am happy to report I am cursing less and succeeding more.
Ack! I must see what mine looks like too! I always comment with my WordPress open ID that links to my blog.
Well, bingo, bango, bongo, I'm not sure a non-writing blog is worth putting on here. My blog (which I neglect horribly as of late, I hear you, Cynthia) is not what agents are looking for. I had a Twitter account for years where I tweeted maybe once a year if that and had ten followers. LOL!
In the past few weeks, I began a new Twitter account (with my name this time) and now I've tweeted 63 times and have over forty followers, all writers. I realize the more you tweet, the more people see you and follow you. Maybe I should include my twitter account on the page?
My Facebook account is basically for family and friends, but I do belong to a writer's FB page with over a hundred writers, but it's closed - invitation only.
I guess what I'm saying, is it really important for an agent to know I love jazz, or W. Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage is one of my favorite books, or Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite films? Isn't an email, contact page on a blog, or twitter enough?
Btw, yesterday I took a well needed break from electronics. I walked, had a drink with friends, and read. It was wonderful to recharge my soul's battery.
Ack indeed Nicole. Yours leads to the unholy hell that is Google Plus. In other words, less than useless.
All you (and alls y'all) need is an email address. IF you have blogs, you list them, but don't create a blog just for this. And de-link a blog that isn't active.
Now back to finding new and unusual ways to torment woodland creatures!
I'm perfect.
I'M PERFECT!!
How the hell did that happen?
On break, at work, see y'all at 11:30.
Holy crow! I was a cipher. Something no actor ever wants to be. Thanks for the heads up!
Nicole - I'm on WP too!
I'm reachable, but I feel the need to test something. If this thing will post my comment.
And this...
No one torments us better. I need more coffee. And whiskey. Where did Jack Daniels go?
Depending on how I signed in dictates what's presented. Under the plain "donnaeverhart" sign in - it goes right to my web page. I have my contact info there on the About page...but signing in under what is offered as a Google+ ID took me to my "Blogger" profile (looks like 2N's). While I was out there, I added my Email. :) The "blue" names that go to that Google+ area, not sure how that happens. I thought that's where mine was headed, but no, I was relieved to see it went to Blogger. Something I must have done when setting it up...IDK.
I immediately checked my blogger profile. After leaving a comment I'll check again. I used to use pseudonyms, I've signed my paintings with all kinds of different names. Only after reading a web-marketing expert's blogpost did I decide to go back to using my real name.
@ number1textgirl , you don't have to write anything personal. Look at Janet. Does she talk about her personal life here on the Reef? No. It's all professional and that's what's great about blogging. It's basically free publicity for your profession. What can you talk about? Book reviews are a great start. Colin does awesome reviews. Not all of us have as interesting life as Julie M. Weathers and not all of us can tell stories like she can.
Eep! *proceeds to check blogger ID*
Well...at least I had an e-mail listed?
Thanks for the heads up QOTKU.
But see, I only signed up for this blog thing to be able to compete in the contests and very occasionally comment.
I can attest to the fact that the Sneaky Shark does indeed prowl the blog waters. She has appeared in my comments a couple of times, much to my surprise!
To Mark Ellis's point, there are some of you out there who are not writers, and are just curious about the publishing process, and enjoy our witty banter. Even if you hide in the shadows and only pop up once in a blue moon (or a blood moon) to offer some insightful wisdom, in the immortal words of Paul McCartney, "You never know who may be listening to you..." ("Take It Away", 1982). Your comment may draw 100 visitors to your blog on the Wonders of Kale, and before you know it, you've got 100 more people checking in every week to read about kale farming, the best seasons for kale, and the tastiest kale soup in the county.
Just sayin'... :)
And, as usual, 2Ns does it right. :)
I'm typing on my Kindle rear view mirror so bear with me.
To those of you who want to maintain privacy, it's pretty hard nowadays. You can make discovery comberson though. Many years ago I chose to basically let it hang out because I write about me. I don't often use names. Just because I signed on to share my sh## doesn't mean my family has.
A while back Janet did another post about email addresses in blogs. I never thought to post mine, on mine, until then.
For serious writers, that an agent would go sniffing around our blog, is what we hope for.
Do sharks sniff?
I guess they do.
If I had known I would have worn a better outfit.
Colin, 100 visitors based on 100 kale recipes? I'll have to reissue my cookbook. Make that book about lima beans and watch your readers fly away. Damn, lunch over back to work. Just when I was having fun.
Oh... 2Ns just reminded me of something! What if someone wants to comment to you privately? Say, they want to tell you how they secretly agree with your highly controversial and unpopular comment, but they don't want everyone else to know they agree. It helps if you provide an email address.
Of course, you could also use that same email to tell someone privately that you think they suck and hope they die tormented by the whispers of 1,000 sentient thingies in Carkoon's Seven Deaths Lima Bean Canyon. After all, you don't want to appear mean spirited in front of everyone, do you? :)
There's Lima beans and kale in Carkoon? Where the Hell is that bottle of Jack Daniels?
Carkoon's population existed on a kale monoculture until someone -- we won't name names -- introduced Lima beans. Having no natural predators, the beans soon threatened the kale crops. One of the side benefits of exiling certain Reiders of this blog to Carkoon has been to control the Lima bean's predatory encroachment on kale fields.
I think I am going to have to pitch my tent in LynRoz's camp. When I get there I want a blog that makes me look like a writer. To do that I am going to have to link a few things to it. I have decided that rather than sell the shorts I have written I will post them on my blog. One of these days.
They tie into the time line I have drawn up and some are on the thriller side and some on the sci-fi side. I want to entertain people and not bore them with what I do.
I don't really care about why a bunch of my comments have been moderated out. They are comments only. I write them as I see them. I do not open up word and process them. If I miss the mark, so be it. I can live with that.
I will concentrate on a writing blog when I get closer to querying. That should be soon.
Oops. Mine leads to my 12-year-ols's email. But I'm sure he'd tell me if a Big Time Agent tried to contact me.
*cries*
That's why I sign in with my Wordpress account instead of my Blogger or Google account. While I do have good information on Blogger and Google, I would rather someone see my Wordpress blog, even though it is dated.
One of these days, I'm going to figure out how to get my Wordpress account to direct straight to my website. Then I'll be very happy. Maybe that's how I'll spend my Sunday...
Elissa and others: I don't think today's post is about blogs or websites. It just about your Google/Blogger account, which most people sign in as to leave a comment. If you've got your e-mail there, you're reachable.
Another piece of advice: Do a Google search of your name and/or your favourite (or multiple) nicknames, account names, and pseudonyms. You may be surprised about how many websites you find that are really you. Some sites that you have to sign in actually give you a stub of a website along with 'membership'. Claim them now and make them yours with up-to-date information - at least an e-mail. That way if someone is looking for you, they can find you. If a prospective employer does a check, having a professional online presence makes you look better.
LynnRodz: You don't say what you do blog about, but I have a bit of advice: it's often better to have a blog that is NOT about writing. Think about it: A blog about writing is written (for the most part) for writers. Writers are a small piece of the population. So by writing about writing, you're limiting your audience.
It's better to have a blog that reaches farther afield. Something that non-writers will be as interested in as writers.
That's not to say it's bad to have writing-related blogs, but it's good business to have a blog for a wider audience.
My first blog was for writers of genre fiction. My second blog was for writers of anything (it deals with style, grammar, etc.) My newest blog - and the blog I try to keep up the most - is about cool science, and it's written for the general reader. So I've opened up the possible audience for it 100-fold.
Donna: When you signed in as your website, how exactly did you sign in? Did you use OpenID? Did you use a WordPress account? Just curious, because that's what I want to do: I want to have my link go straight to my website.
Craig, I did not "moderate out" a bunch of comments as far as I remember. I delete spam (obviously not you) and I've taken down a couple in the last year from several DIFFERENT people that were heading in the wrong direction. I don't recall any of them being yours.
If your comments aren't appearing, there's something wrong.
Here I am, standing at the kitchen counter with my good bridle in hand ready to go out and ride (I keep the good stuff inside so the mice dont eat it - yes, mice eat saddles, and other. things.) Then I read JR's update...AND AM HORRIFIED THAT I AM IN THAT WHICH IS ALL UNHOLY, LIKE NICOLE.
You are not alone, Nicole. I will share my whine and cheese with you in this place...unless we can get out. Im trying.
Hopefully now I am unlinked to google plus, and are linked to only useful good things...that need to be updated...dang.
*puts down bridle, sits at the counter and proceeds to check. things...*
Okay, I am now "fixed" - which is probably the shortest amount of time I have ever "fixed" something on my website without angst or massive amounts of black coffee. This is a record and my prideful ego is showing. For today.
I went to my blogger profile, deleted the link to google+, and then reverted back to blogger profile. I lost all information that was on the blogger profile before, so I filled out this information again and insert another photo. Now when my name is clicked, the blogger profile pops up. It is easier to read and find information on it - thank you Janet for giving all of us a heads up !
So now I ride, but not into the sunset :).
This is the funniest comment day since ... this might be the funniest comment day I've seen.
The Shark sneaks in and turns on the light and everybody scatters! I love it.
I have to attend Colin's Linking 101 class so I could cue the Jaws music cuz that's all I thought after reading today's post. Just when you thought it was safe to read Janet's blog ... duh duh duh duh
Colin Liking 101, start a blog, edit my ms, outline WIP -- how come everything on my to-do shows up in the Urgent - Important category. I JUST WANNA RENEW MY PASSPORT TODAY!
Just posting so I can click my own identity. Is an identity the same as a profile?
Craig,
"I don't really care about why a bunch of my comments have been moderated out."
I doubt Janet is moderating your comments unless you are touting the wonders of Dr. Yahyu's magical mojo that helped you not only get your wife back who had run away with your best friend, but also helped you get her pregnant with twins after you hadn't functioned for years. What a guy that Dr. Yahyu is. I'm almost tempted to contact him myself.
Wait, that would mean I get my old spouse back. No, no. Craig! Don't advertise for Dr. Yahyu anymore.
Yes, this comment will probably get moderated.
Seriously, spam and a few comments that go seriously off the rails are the only ones that disappear via the shark. On the other hand, I can't even comment on my own blog. I have no idea if anyone can. I'm going to get techie son to check it out later. It says the comment is submitted, but it never shows up. I hate Wordpress with the fire of a thousand suns, but it's what was recommended to me.
I just want to see where my name leads ...
Have to admit that I never imagined the Shark swimming into these individual pools. It also took awhile to figure out how to add stuff to Blogger. I love learning new things.
I read the post title as "Be Reacher-able" and thought, Oh, yes, please.
*dreamy sigh*
I added a contact page to my website years ago, probably after a gnashing-of-teeth post over here lamenting writers' tendency not to do so. I've gotten some really interesting email, as a result. Most of it very nice. Sadly, none of it from Jack Reacher.
Maybe if I post my home address and the fact that I always have a spare toothbrush . . .
Hmm, the Sleepy One clearly isn't my real name (but I have a sleep disorder, so its an accurate description of my day-to-day life). I think I have a photo of my dog and a note about sporks on my blogger page. I host my writer site on my own, so its not an option for any of the log-ins.
I guess I could add some info my blogger page--or try to be elusive. :)
OMG I just got home, read my 2:37 comment (I deleted it) and the word "publically" was auto-corrected to "biblically". What the flying angels is THAT all about?
This is what it was supposed to say.
"Hey Colin, Privately and publically, I'll come right out and say kale and lima beans suck. So there."
Anything biblical, I tread lightly. I don't want to tick off the big guy.
2Ns, Autocorrect could've changed your expression to "pubically" if you wanna be a glass-half-full kinda person.
kd, ditto. Reach is all I need to read and immediate swoon.
kd, ditto. Reach is all I need to read and immediate swoon.
Yeah, I do that when non-regulars leave a comment, because it's only polite to go to their blog and leave one back. When there's no blog, I feel cheated.
I've always had my info available. Not sure how useful it is, because I'm a teacher, and choose to be anonymous. Social media activity is frowned upon by my administration. I can't wait until I retire next year and get to be a real person.
I haven't posted anything on any of my blogs for so long, everything is either empty or years old. It's not that I don't have anything to say, but I'm writing. I'd rather be writing. If I'm taking the time to post on my sites all the time, I'm losing writing time. So where do you draw a balance? Do I post every day? Every other day? Once a week? Month? And yes, I know if I was ever published, then I would have to have at least an online presence that was more current than 2011...
reCAPTCHA, let me reiterate, CASHEWS are NOT peanuts! But yes! Tell me to select all the food? I am so there!
Nightsmusic: I think the important thing was having an e-mail address posted, so you could be contacted. That would only have to be updated when you change your e-mail addresses. :)
Everything else - blogs, social media, etc. - come secondary to your writing. :)
John Frain,
Biblically,
Publically,
Pubically,
I’m in trouble, I just know it.
Jenny C: "I just want to see where my name leads ..." Divorced from all context, that's a line for a writing prompt! :)
Here's the link to Colin's Linky Linkering Course: How to Hyperlink. Colin Liking's okay, too, John. :)
And 2Ns--I know your feelings for kale and lima beans. Though methinks the lady protests too much... :)
I too signed up to join in the FF fun. Never thought anyone would click on my name. So a few minutes ago, I put in a profile with an email address, just in case. :-)
Two typos walk into a bar.
First one says, Anybody seen my?
I'm the second one. I witness the hole thing.
Some days I'm a walking typo, Collin. Scary thing is, I've been editing my ms practically all day. Writing is all fun and games till somebody starts to edit.
Hmm.. Now I'm curious about where my name takes the unwary who click. ignore me while I check.
Phew! All looks kosher to me. But good to know for sure.
@John That reminds me of a the joke which made me buy a book. The book is Shoot Your Novel: Cinematic Techniques To Supercharge Your Writing. I quit reading at page 12 because the author spent 12 pages telling me they were going to tell me how to do it. Now that I'm looking at the title I see Michael Hague blurbed it as an essential tool. I should have skipped the intro.
The joke is A man walks into the bar, in his hands a large piece of asphalt. He goes up to the bartender and says, "I'll have a whiskey." He nods at his friend and adds "Oh, and one for the road."
Google+ isn't that hellacious. After reading QOTKU's distaste for it I checked my blue name link, which goes to G+. 40 minutes later it looks better. First I considered deleting it (for a microsecond) because someone said it is hellacious. All my blog posts are pulled to my profile and my blogs are listed. It's OK.
@BJ yes, those fake websites which list your name, then you click and it's porno or something. Worse than plantar warts.
Yeah, those anonymous guys always have such bad hair.
Angie: I've seen those sites, too. :)
But I meant the ones like Klout, or online applications where you sign up to get a certain type of information, and they create a page for each of their members. There aren't a lot of them anymore, but there are some. The thing is, people will see those empty pages that get put up for you. It's best to claim them and put up a link to your webpage, if nothing else.
Some examples: Gmail gets you a Google account. If you want to join a Yahoo! Group, it's usually easier to use the site if you create a Yahoo! account (which also gets you an e-mail, whether you want it or not). Many forums. And so forth.
Busted!
Remedied.
Now, off to the mountains!
Because others have done this, I'm posting just to see what is seen when I sign in with Google.
Forgive my lateness - hoping you folks are too busy enjoying Janet's current post to see this one. :)
Hmmm ... *wanders off and tests the 3ggs*
Uh oh... Better update my google profile. Unfortunately I don't use my blogspot blogs anymore, but everytime I try to log in with one of the other options (like Worpress, which is where all the current Panda Chronicles stuff is) it makes a big stinking fuss and my brilliant and witty comment goes off into cyber obscurity. I can barely be witty once, let alone twice. Too bad blogger doesn't play well with others.
Yep, just tried it and it did it again. I guess I will update my blogger thingie to direct people to my current location. :-(
Good advice. I just scurried off to update my Google proffile.
I've tweaked my profile as well. I haven't really thought about it, but it is another form of marketing/brand awareness. As an author, I need as much of that as I can get.
It didn't even occur to me that I had a Blogger profile. How much nerd street cred do I lose? I've updated it, so now everybody can find my occasional quasi-libertarian complaining.
I have to say something REALLY interesting for you to click on me, because by the time I get my lazy butt out of bed on the West Coast, even when I happen to read your blog on the day you wrote it, there are upwards of 60 comments.
After I prove I'm not a robot, I'll have to click on myself to make sure it's still connected to me and not some bot JEN Garrett roaming around on Google.
Okay, now I have to comment just to see where mine leads.
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