Finding new ways to reach readers is always a challenge. When I found Answer.com, I got a lot more than I bargained for.
I don't remember how I ended up at Answers.Yahoo.com, but I do remember thinking how it would be a great way to share my knowledge and push traffic to my articles. After spending two and a half hours answering questions, I realized it could be a lot more.
Writers and wannabes swarm to forums and resource sites to soak up every bit of information possible. It's normal to get requests for information here. After all, isn't that the point? But finding aspiring authors at a less niche site is quite a different story, and quite a lesson in human ignorance.
Of course, I mean 'ignorance' in the best possible sense. I, for example, am ignorant about rock climbing. I can repel off the side of a cliff for a rescue operation but don't know the first thing about getting back up there on my own. So learning what absolute newbies have to ask about book publishing and writing was a true lesson for me.
There seems to be a disconnect between what happens in the writing and publishing industry and what other people think happens. Movies and extraordinary success stories seem to have created a fairy tale image that authors write a book, schmooze with editors at fancy cocktail parties, and receive excited 4 am phone calls about how their book was so great, the editor couldn't put it down, can you come in at 9 to sign a multi-million dollar contract?
Unfortunately, overnight success doesn't happen overnight. Just ask Jodi Picoult. Her overnight success took nearly fifteen years to create. Imagine yourself having to wait fifteen years and fifteen books to achieve the recognition and appreciation Jodi has. Are you willing to stick it out? I'm sure glad she did, and I bet she is too.
Visit me at Answers.com to find out what kind of advice I'm sharing with others. Feel free to ask your own question. You might just find it answered here, as a full length article.
