Walking Down Main Street

Scroll down to find out why instagram leaves me feeling overwhelmed – and what I’m trying to do about it.

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Does Instagram make anyone else feel overwhelmed?

Writing can be a lonely endeavour; it would be easy to think where better than to find friends and fun than on SOCIAL media?

Yet, almost every time I go there, I want to beat a hasty retreat. I am bombarded with posts of those who have finished another book already, are marketing their books better than me, have more followers than me, more author friends than me, and just seem to have it together so much better than me.

Even those who promise to ‘follow me and I’ll follow you back’ don’t seem to want me in their team. It’s like secondary school sports day all over again.

It’s enough to make you pull the latest page of your messy manuscript out of the typewriter, crumple it up and throw it in the bin, just like those struggling authors in the films you watched as a child, wanting for some unfathomable reason to have their life for yourself.

Or is it?

Instagram is also a place to connect with authors and writing circles much wider than your own, to pick up tips from those who’ve been there, done that, to congratulate and commiserate. There are lots of good reasons to be there.

So what’s the answer?

The truth is, what a trip to Instagram makes me FEEL like, is not necessarily what it IS like. That insta algorithm is designed for perception, not reality. It’s like Main Street at Disney, without Minnie Mouse to give you a hug.

So what is real and how can I help myself to see that, while staying on instagram? Reader, I meet people.

Talking to other authors and readers, IN REAL LIFE, could be the panacea we all need.

That’s why I set up my collaborative, connected and affordable, online writing community Keyboard to Kindle, with its weekly writing sessions, monthly workshops, and FREE online writers’ retreat, (October 13^th). It’s why I attend as many literary and book festivals as I can. It’s why I’m keen to trade my wares and do speaking gigs at events.

It’s also why I’ll be out and about at the end of this month and then again in September. Do come and talk to me at the Book Extravaganzas in Leamington Spa, (August 1st & 2nd), and Birmingham, (12th September), if you can.

Let’s pick that metaphorical page out of the bin, take another look and write our own happy ending.

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