Web Presence

I’m still working on setting up this blog and tried to put up a post a few times over the past week but writer’s block hit. Which is weird for me. I never get writer’s block. While I was writing Braco, I had a motto that helped prevent block. I cut it from the box my sneakers came in and pinned it to the wall above my computer: Just Do It.

It works. Really.

And this post is proof. I’m doing it!

I’ve been thinking a lot about starting this presence on the web and have wondered what to write about. I’ve decided that I won’t limit myself to posts solely on writing. Granted, it influences a large part of my life, but there is more. I might post on PTSD, veteran’s issues, travel, and of course, cats. Whatever strikes my fancy. I want to be pretty laid back. I’m not going to worry about typos or proper syntax. I’m just going to write. It might take me a while to find my Blog Groove, but like figuring out how to take down the pigs in Angry Birds, it just takes practice to find the one spot to target.

Now you know what I have been doing all week.

As it happens, I’m in luck this week. The local writer’s association, The Writers’ Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (WANL), is hosting a two day course on building our presence on the web. The weekend is called Web Spin: Creative Digital Marketing for Writers and this is the description from Facebook:

“In this skills development workshop, participants will build an author website (or enhance an existing one); and create and maintain an engaging online presence for their creative work through effective use of online environments.

Participants will focus on the integrated tasks of writing, design, promotion, and publishing. They will explore numerous themes such as: using online collaboration tools; editing and sharing documents online; designing, building and populating a digital portfolio; strategic use of social media; emerging creative approaches on the Web; and more.”

You know how your brain feels after writing four or five intense exams? That feeling that your brain is full? That is what I expect at the end of this weekend. I expect a fascinating and very intensive look at how to market ourselves online. Years ago, I did a lot of programming with dBase and Access and even dabbled in html for awhile, but writing took me away from all that, and after dozen years, a lot has changed. It’s a whole new world. I’m still learning about web hosting, WordPress bundles and widgets.

There’s no doubt there’s a need to market ourselves online. The sky is the limit. I’ve seen the possibilities from the others in my writer’s group. Valerie Francis and Kate Robbins have their own blogs and both have a great following on their blogs and twitter. As they each work towards publishing their first book, they already have their foot in the marketing door, corresponding with agents, publishers and other writers. I’m in awe with what they’ve accomplished and it is proof of their commitment to the craft. The possibilities are endless and exciting.

Like myself, the third member, of our group, Melanie, is just learning the blog experience, but she has a presence on Twitter. She will be joining Kate and myself at the Web Spin weekend.

Looking forward to it.