Social Media and Writing

Today’s highlight was the Ulumbarra session ‘Keeping Up Appearances: Story, social media and the story of social media’ with Gabrielle Tozer and Jaclyn Moriarty. The wonderful host Sue Gillett interviewed these two authors around this idea of identity and authenticity. This theme was definitely important when it came to discussing social media and how it related to writing.

I was captivated to comment on this topic because I myself am currently trying to build my online presence and so I thought this resonated with me in that way. It was also interesting to know how well-established authors like Gabrielle and Jaclyn are using social media to expand their readers.

The key take aways from this session about social media for me was:

- It’s okay to be a novice in social media: Jaclyn proved this to me when she said herself she is still adapting today

- How to tell if your tweet/post is too inappropriate is by asking yourself whether your grandma would approve of reading that or not: Gabrielle provided the example of the way she questions herself with her own Nanna before posting 

The insights I received from Gabrielle and Jaclyn also related quite well to the general concept of writing. Without knowing who your readers are via social media channels, it wouldn’t be possible to write a book or anything at all. Gabrielle mentioned the process of engaging with her readers on Twitter and Facebook, highlighting how they assisted her in writing her next book. The fact that she also goes to the extra length of responding to emails is truly inspirational. I can now see how social media can enhance ones writing and improve that rapport between readers and authors. Social media holds a lot of power in our writing and if everyone can engage with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat etc, than who knows where our writing will take us next.

On a side note, here are the sessions I am looking forward to tomorrow:

- Girls, Boys, Readers with James Maloney, Jaclyn Moriarty & Diana Sweeney

- Make it New with Sam Cooney, Briohny Doyle & Lauren Mitchell

- Inspired what writers read with Mireille Juchau, Anna Goldsworthy & James Moloney