Are you sitting down? If not, you’d be best to take a seat. This may come as a shock, but two people unfollowed me on Thursday. It’s not like I keep mad track of these things, but I did notice this. You see I’ve only ever had someone unfollow me once before now. I dunno…wordpress people just don’t generally seem to unfollow and I don’t have that many followers to begin with, so when one leaves, I feel it. The hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention.
These unfollowings happened to coincide with my posting of Bird of Paradise. Within an hour of that neat-o little snippet, I was down two. I know exactly what you’re thinking…shut the front door!
Now, why they chose to leave me is of course, a mystery. Maybe they like belly button rings, maybe they have one, maybe…they wish I had one. Or perhaps, they just thought the whole story, or my writing, stunk. Maybe both. Maybe none of the above.
I’m not privy to the elements that led to their decision, but what I do know is, Bird of Paradise is a work of fiction. It’s made up entirely of snakes and snails and puppy dog tails. It is, in no way, a statement of my opinions on piercings, people who do or do not have them, men with terrible timing and thick skulls or women who pretend to be something they’re not in their relationships. To each his own, I say.
I take whatever floats in on that free-running stream I call a blessing and let it flow from my fingertips. Does it cross my mind before I hit publish, whether or not people will like my work? Absolutely. And then I press the button.
they are dead meat! give me their names!
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LOL, dragon. Maybe you could just singe them a little with your fiery breath…? ;0)
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I’m just so glad it wasn’t me 🙂 And I love Pink.
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Ha, me too, Francis! That would be an arrow straight through my heart. 🙂
I love Pink as well. A song of hers, “So What”, is featured in the one (and only) novel I wrote.
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Still following happily Hazy!
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Yay! I know where you live… 😉
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Wasn’t me! I thought it was great writing – wanted to choke the shit out the guy, but that’s a positive, right?
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That is a good thing, Marilyn. He’s a bit of a dipshi…well, what you said. ;0) Thanks for the props!
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I love Pink! I wrote a post once that earned me 43 unfollows. It’s one of those things that makes me think twice before posting– but still, still, like you– I hit publish. 😉
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I think I know what post you speak of, Rara. It got my attention! You should post a link to it here. It was a very moving, well-written piece and deserves to be read. It’s why we write.
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If someone seriously left you because your characters did/said something they objected to, the issue is with them, not you. (And that nonsense about your writing stinking is just that–nonsense.)
You’re a writer. You don’t control what your characters do. I understand that non-writers often don’t get that reality, but it’s real all the same. The folks that left will just miss out on the good stuff you keep producing. (In other words, shake it off and keep writing! The world desperately needs good writers, and you’re one of ’em.)
Also, I happen to like snakes and snails and puppy dog tails.
Thank you. That is all.
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Ha ha! Thanks for making me laugh and seeing that I obviously needed a bit of a pick me up. (aka – a kick in the arse)
Just so I’m clear, I don’t really know why they left, (or who they are for that matter) but it was almost immediately after I posted that story. My imagination, which I of course cherish, sometimes veers off the beaten path (imagine that) and I end up in a ditch full of make-believe.
Thank you for being grounding while simultaneously complimentary. I wish you a little sugar and spice and everything nice to sweeten up those snails. ;0)
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My imagination does the same thing. And, hey, at least you have followers! My blogs don’t get many hits at all these days. But that’s okay. I’ll keep writing even if no one reads my stuff–a soft voice whispering strange tales in a dark corner, or something like that.
(For the record, I’d prefer readers, but lack of them won’t keep me from doing what I do.)
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Do you tag and categorize your posts? I get the feeling you’re a bit of a techy so I’m sure you do. Just musing over why you would lack visitors. Not that I get a ton, but I do find if I post too early or on a weekend, the numbers go way down.
Absolutely keep going. I know it’s nice to have an audience and feedback, but who are we kidding…we’d be writing blog posts, shorts stories and novels on the backs of banana leaves on a deserted island if that’s all the choice we had. And, it would be heaven.
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Yeah, I use tags and categories, and I am a bit of techy. I even know a thing or two about SEO, though I’ve honestly never applied that knowledge to my fiction blog. My categories there are more like moods, and my tags probably don’t feature the kinds of keywords search engines are most likely to pick up.
I used to fret over it. To this day, the most read post I’ve ever written (which has since been taken down) was little more than a pissing match with a self-published author who had incurred my wrath. Not quite the legacy I want to leave. So I focus on saying things to the world that I want someone to say to me, hoping that my “On Writing” posts encourage at least a few people here and there, and that a handful find enjoyment in my fiction.
Really, it’s no big deal to me. Maintaining a blog has made me a much better author, and that’s worth quite a bit more than a ton of followers. Plus, weirdly, I’m encouraged when I come across other writers (like you) who have managed to wrangle a fair number of readers through a blog. It doesn’t benefit me, but I like it all the same.
The world needs Readers more than I need followers, and Writers more than I need recognition. It all works out in the end. 🙂
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Very well said.
God…SEO? I’m going to risk making a fool out of myself…Search Engine Optimization?
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Yep, yep. I’m a freelance writer when I’m not working on my own stuff.
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Like for techie stuff?
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Sometimes. But I end up freelancing on all kinds of topics. I’ve written stuff on fashion, electric utilities, tech how-to’s, even a review of holiday friendly board games recently. I’ve also written copy for several dentist’s websites. Basically, if a client gives me the material or I can easily research it, I’m in. I get to learn about all kinds of interesting things!
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Sounds like a great gig!
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