Welcome to the Author Toolbox Blog Hop! It’s a monthly blog hop organized by the lovely Raimey Gallant aimed at helping authors discover all sorts of tools to help them be successful! Each month I’ll be sharing a different idea that has helped me or something new that I’ve just discovered that I’m trying out. To continue hopping through other great blogs in the monthly #AuthorToolboxBlogHop or to join, click here.
Twitter Chats
One of the things that I’ve discovered is necessary for being a writer is also having a social media presence. I was hoping to go the Emily Dickinson route and just hole myself up in an attic and churn out books. But that, apparently, isn’t an option. I’m not a social butterfly by nature–much more of an introvert (side note: which is why I love Introvert Doodles! If you are too, you may enjoy this!). So chatting up people on Twitter and Instagram and my blog is not so easy. I think I’ve gotten better at it, and I really do enjoy when I “meet” someone with whom I make a real connection. But it’s still work.
One place where it’s pretty easy to make connections is a Twitter chat. There are a ton on a variety of topics. Below I’ve listed a few I’ve participated in.
#BBTC
Brittany’s Book Themed Twitter Chats. She hosts these on Sundays 8 PM EST around a new YA release. It’s a great place to meet book bloggers and discuss new releases.
#HappyWritingChat
This is a writer’s chat. Topics are geared toward the craft of writing. They are on Sundays at 10 AM PST. I’m actually hosting a HappyWritingChat on writing YA contemporary on July 2! If you have a writing idea, they let you be the host for that chat day.
#AuthorConfession
I guess this isn’t technically a “chat” but it works like one. It’s every day and there’s a different writing topic for each day. You just chime in on the hashtag and interact with other people’s answers. I like this one because I can jump in whenever I have time.
#WIPTruthorDare
This is another one that isn’t technically a “chat”. It’s also an everyday kind of game. You choose either the truth or the dare for each day and tweet on the hashtag. It’s another fun way to meet people and you can work it around your schedule.
TTT
TTT is Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by the blog The Broke and the Bookish). This isn’t a Twitter chat, but these blog memes work in the same way. There are a ton of weekly blog hops that go on all the time. This is another great way to interact with people. Here is a list of some of the many that you can join in on.
Additionally, I’ve discovered this Twitter Chat Calendar from Emily at Emily Reads Everything. It’s another great source for finding Twitter chats you might want to join in on.
So, get chatting! And maybe I’ll see you around at one of these chats! And don’t forget to tune in on July 2 for my #HappyWritingChat at 10 AM PST! 🙂
xo, Leslie
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About Me
I am a YA writer and middle school teacher. I have a B.A. in English from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and currently reside in Los Angeles, California, with my dog Mr. Darcy.
When I’m not living in fictional worlds inside my head, I run all sorts of distances, torture my body at CrossFit, and DVR entirely too many television shows. I dream of one day returning to the Midwest to live on a farm. Or perhaps owning a cookie delivery service.
My debut YA novel CHASING EVELINE releases July 11, 2017 from Pen Name Publishing. I’d love it if you’d check it out and add it to your Goodreads list!
