Slide into my DMs, or don't: The 5 types of messages you'll get when you join a facebook writing group

A few months ago I decided to check out the writing groups on facebook. I joined the ones that were suggested to me and searched for some based on my own interests as well. I really like connecting with other people, and whenever I ask for advice people are usually nice to me. Whenever I post something, or answer something I always end up getting private messaged. Below is a list of the five types of messages you'll get upon joining a facebook writing group.

• The guy who wants to let you know he's single. Every time I post something at least one guy shows up in my inbox, telling me that he's single. Whenever I actually go to his profile it seems like he's auditioning for the new 90 day finance show: Before the 90 days: stalking the prey.
• The person who expects you to write an article/blog post/story for them but doesn't want to offer any type of payment. I've had at least four of these this week, one of them wanted me to write their about me section. Seriously? You can't think of anything to put in your about me section? These people usually try to make it sound like they're doing you a favor. They're not. Most of them aren't even offering you credit for your own work. They also get angry if you tell them no. I usually block them as soon as their message shows up in my inbox. 
• Buy my stuff. Did you know I have this really cool book/program/website for sale? You can own it for 10 easy payments of 99.99. 
• The scammer. Sometimes the scammer and the person trying to sell you their stuff go hand in hand. Sometimes the scammer tries to get you to click a link that may or may not be a virus. Sometimes the scammer has a sad story and needs money (example: their goldfish's dying wish was for them to write a book and they need your money to do it). 
• The person who actually wants to build relationships with other creative types. This is the type of message that I actually look forward to. I love connecting with others who are in the same field with me. I actually don't mind helping them out or giving them advice, as long as they're willing to do the same.  

Try Kindle Unlimited for Free!

I haven't been able to update much because I'm editing my book to be published again, but I did want to check in. I noticed that kindle is offering unlimited for free (first month only), so I decided to share it. I haven't had much luck with kindle unlimited in the past, but I did have an ugly cover and a mess of a book. I'm planning to try kindle unlimited again, along with matchbook, where if you buy the paperback you'll get the kindle ebook free. I don't believe you should have to pay for something twice, so it makes sense for me to offer it for free.

How to gain a following online

Recently I decided to join a few facebook groups that are dedicated to writing. After browsing through the groups I noticed that one of the most asked questions was how to get people to follow you/how to build a presence online. I'm not the best at building an audience, but I do want to share what I've learned so far. On Twitter I use hashtags. There are hashtags that are used during certain days of the week to promote you and your work. The picture above shows some of the hashtags that I've found work in getting noticed (yes, that is my awful handwriting). Instagram is kind of the same. You use hashtags (like writersofinstagram) to gain a following. I have also noticed that doing something called follow for follow helps on these sites. Some authors/bloggers do blog tours, but I have never done one of those before. Updating your blog more often also draws attention to your blog, just make sure that you're writing content that you're proud of. You don't want to draw people in with something that has nothing to do with you as a writer, do you? On facebook I have joined groups and tried doing follow for follow. Building relationships while in these groups really does help to build a following. Another thing that I have learned (this one is really important) is to be yourself and let your personality shine. No one wants to follow someone that they don't like, and you can't be liked if people can't relate to you. Write about things other than writing, tweet about things you like. It's very important to sell yourself as a writer in the beginning. I hope these tips helped you, and if you have any tips that you think could help me please feel free to leave them in the comments!

Weekend Review: [SPOILERS] You by Caroline Kepnes

 I hate admitting this, but I haven't really been reading much lately. I'd love to get back on track, but I haven't really had a book grab me in a long time. It's been years since I've picked up a book and not been able to put it down. I started looking for something to get myself back into reading. I stumbled upon a youtube channel called ChapterStacks and I saw her review for this book. I knew that I had to read it, but I didn't know how much I'd enjoy the book. I don't think I've ever read anything in second person before, but I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. The entire book is like a letter to Beck, the love interest. I admit that I don't think I liked Beck very much. She seemed to be a user, only calling or texting Joe whenever she needed or wanted something. I kept wondering why Joe liked her so much when she didn't seem to like him at all. I also kept wondering how much of what was happening was just in Joe's head. Maybe he didn't meet up with Beck at all, and maybe he never killed anyone. Maybe nothing happened and he was just a bored bookstore worker, but that would be no fun. I really don't like movies and books with that sort of ending. Anyway, I loved the book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, but I am kind of scared. I keep hearing that the book is very different from this one.

Zombie Bite's Blurb

Three years ago, I watched as a virus wiped out most of the population. Everyone that I cared about died, and then they came back with a hunger for flesh. I didn’t think I would survive in this ‘new world’, but then I met Eli. He taught me how to fend for myself, and we ended up forming an unbreakable bond. You can call me naive, but I thought Eli would never get bitten. Now he's infected with the same virus that killed so many people. There are whispers of a cure. I had never put much faith in the cure before, but I’d do anything to save Eli. I convince him to search for the cure with me, but we’re both aware of how dangerous our mission is. The infected may be mindless killing machines, but the few surviving people are worse. Will we be able to find the cure without losing our lives along the way?

Sharing a poem I wrote in 2004

When I was a teenager I was convinced that my friends and I were going to start a band. I don't know why I thought that would be a cool idea, since none of us played instruments and we probably couldn't sing either. I took the idea so far that I built us a geocities website. We even had a cheesy name that we thought was cool at the time. It was clear that the band wasn't going anywhere, but that didn't stop me from writing a bunch of 'songs' for the band that were really just long poems. I've decided to share one today. The name of the poem is Alone, and it was written in 2004. I hope you enjoy.


 Sometimes silence is can be so loud,
I left you and I should be proud.
I should be a lot of things but I'm not,
soon I'll just be another person you've forgot.
You've controlled me,
you've left me unhappy.
I left you and I'm sitting in this dark lonely room,
I guess I'm in a state of gloom.
I'm alone again,
sitting in the darkness that'll never end.
Crying out your name,
...darkness and shame.
I wonder if you're still alive,
I wonder if we share the dark days and cold, lonely nights.
I sit in this dark and lonely place,
remembering all the memories I can't erase.
I just sit in this darkness alone,
You've caused all the pain I've ever known.
I left you and I'm sitting in this dark lonely room,
I guess I'm in a state of gloom.
I'm alone again,
sitting in the darkness that'll never end.
Crying out your name,
...darkness and shame.
The silence echoes in my ears,
drowning out my hopes and leaving my fears.
Sitting in this dark, cold, lonely place,
feeling warm tears trailing down my face.
I sit in this darkness alone,
You've caused all the pain I've ever known.
I left you and I'm sitting in this dark lonely room,
I guess I'm in a state of gloom.
I'm alone again,
sitting in the darkness that'll never end.
Crying out your name,
...darkness and shame.