I’ve been wanting to write this post for awhile because, in the last month, my number of Twitter followers has tripled. It’s kind of weird and a little…puzzling because I’m fairly certain I’m 1) not that interesting and 2) more than a little inane. Maybe most of them are Twitter spammers. I did theorize that most of the people who “follow” don’t actually pay attention. That’s okay with me. I’ll still carry on the way I have been.
But that said, I think it’s important, if you follow me (or are thinking about it) that you know a few things.
1) I don’t autofollow (and hey, Twitter is getting rid of that feature anyway, but even so, I don’t follow automatically). In fact, if you look, I don’t follow a lot of people. It goes up and down depending on what I feel I can keep up with. I usually end up following someone because either someone else has recommended them or because they’ve replied to me on Twitter and I’ve decided I want to see what they’re saying at other times as well.
2) Not following you doesn’t mean I’m not interested in what you have to say, only that I can’t keep up with very many people. Don’t take it personally, please. Which leads to…
3) I think one of the best ways to manage your Twitter experience is to be willing to unfollow. I go through and unfollow/follow every couple weeks. Again, don’t take it personally (though I will take it personally if you unfollow me. KIDDING!)
4) Twitter is not my work. I don’t get paid to Twitter (or blog). If you read my blog, you know it’s a mish-mash of everything. My Twitter is even worse than that. Please don’t follow me if you expect only convo about publishing, books or editing all the time. You won’t like me. Plus, I Twitter a lot. I like Twitter. I try not to Twitter the really banal stuff, but I have my moments. And did I mention I Twitter a lot? Yeah. You might want to think about that before you follow me. Especially if you don’t like hearing about toddler vomit.
5) If you reply to me, I will try to reply back. I think I do pretty good at that. As long as there’s a response I can make. But there are times when I won’t respond back because I don’t have a response, am busy and away from Twitter, or just plain miss your reply. If you had a question and I didn’t answer, I probably missed it. Just ask me again, please! Also, I love it when people convo me on Twitter. It’s better than “speaking” into a vacuum. And I’ve found my Twitter followers are pretty funny people (who make good book recommendations!)
6) Just because I’m Twittering doesn’t mean I’m 1) not working or 2) at work. I know, seems contrary. But being online doesn’t mean I have to be working. I like to be online just for fun like everyone else. But also, if you see me Twittering, I’m just as likely to be doing so in between working on something. Either way, please don’t draw conclusions or make assumptions or have expectations about me based on whether I’m Twittering or not.
7) If I’m at a conference, I might Twitter workshops, etc from the conference. You might want to unfollow me during that time if it’s not of interest to you (and then follow again if you want). I don’t mind! I know what’s of interest to me is not of interest to everyone.
Last, please don’t query me on Twitter (or Facebook) unless we’re engaged in a conversation that would invite you to. I put my email address on my Twitter page so if you have a business-related question, you’re free to email me!
You are a great person to follow. You are funny and you are informative. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. You don’t actually follow me, so I can vouch for the fact that you are wonderful about responding to questions/comments. (And believe me, I appreciate it
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It’s kind of weird and a little…puzzling because I’m fairly certain I’m 1) not that interesting and 2) more than a little inane.
You lie.
You are one of those people that I scan through many others to read. I’m so glad you unlocked your twitter. I was too scared to ask you if I could follow you.
Even though I don’t go on every day, I love all the info and insight you pass on about editing/books/publishing and so on. I’m not an author, nor do I ever intend to be, but I still find what you, and others like Jane and SB have to say, very interesting. Plus, you do contests on there!
I’ve enjoyed following you! I think you’re funny, smart and some of your convos with Jane and Sarah from SBTB are hilarious!
Granted, I can ask some idiot questions at times, but I don’t expect answers either. And as far as querying you on twitter, why in gravy’s boat would anyone expect to query you on twitter? That’s just…dumb.
You’re allowed to take breaks just like anyone else. Just because you’re twittering doesn’t mean you’re not working. You can’t stare at a page on a monitor all day without needing a change of design. You’re only human after all.
Kudos, for taking control. And, yes, you are one of the more interesting people to follow.
Renee
Queryyou on twitter? There’s an interesting use of 140 characters.
Ok. I admit it. I follow you and enjoy your posts as well as some other publishers, editors, agents, etc. Writing (for me anyway) is a business and sometimes, yes sometimes, I can find out pertinent info on Twitter, whether it is from you or someone else. Thanks for Twittering! Or Tweeting. Whatever. You get the picture.
I follow you because you are interesting and funny. Also, I glean little bits of info from time to time on how not to be a nitwit, on what new/old book I might want to buy, and all these things (as our governator might say).
I, on the other hand, am very boring. I tweet on occasion and blush at how TRULY mundane I am. I am shocked (and, okay, secretly pleased) that anybody would follow me. I can’t believe I’ve got the stones to actually write a book, now that I think about it!
I find it highly amazing that anybody would have an opinion on the appropriateness of somebody else’s twittering habits — and even more amazing that they would express said opinion!
Anyway, I hope you keep twittering, because basically you crack me up.
I <3 you even though you wrote the post I wanted to write, only you wrote it better. No really. You wrote it better. Twitter is not junior high. People have real lives. Even editors and agents (they shouldn’t, but I guess it’s a democracy and all that).
Of course I follow you because you wear great shoes!
Like everyone else said, your conversation’s interesting, fun, silly, informative and all like that. You and SB and Colleen and Julie and all, it’s like hanging out in a small coffeehouse listening to a lively table.
I followed you for a while but found I couldn’t keep up with all the posts. So I hope you’ll keep the blog active since I like to dip in and check it now and again (as I do the blogs of many publishers, editors, and agents). I enjoy Twitter for some topics, but sometimes it’s hard to find the tree for the forest. Blogs & web sites are better for those of us who aren’t able to be online in our writing personna full-time.
I started following you because your twitter profile pic was HOT!
Honestly it was because I saw you responding to others I followed and you had some salient and germane points.
And you don’t tweet too much!
I like following you, and I’m also going to steal your follow me on twitter button.
It makes me nuts when people act like agents and editors aren’t allowed to do anything other than read manuscripts and query letters. Like authors spend ALL their time on their computers writing and revising! At any rate, I’d be devastated if you curtailed your twittering, so I’m glad you have no plans in that direction. And I love your book recommendations! More, please.
Darn! I was going to query you about this really great book about Pig Farmers…..
I love your Twitter, Ms. James. I do enjoy Twitter and my favorite was the time I ducked out of the awards at RWA last year but I got to follow blow by blow because you Twittered it. You rock.
I only just joined Twitter, so it is all new to me! I am happy to see someone else enjoying James Rollins, though! I have been a reader of his for years.
I follow you but haven’t yet remarked on any of your comments. I’m content to just read at the moment. I think your tweets are interesting, and I often smile at the banter that goes on between you, Jane and the Smart Bitches.
I somehow stumbled upon your twitter feed, which I found pretty interesting, so I followed on over to your blog. Which got me hooked and ended with me following you on twitter.
I suffer from some major twitter guilt! When people follow me I feel like I have to follow them too — and do.
Plus, I follow people that I genuinely find interesting and who’s tweets I really enjoy which ends with me following more people than are following me.
I don’t really care all that much about my numbers but I hate when I miss tweets from people that I’m *really* following and I’m always worried that people are going to think I’m just spamming a bunch of people!
Maybe it’s time to learn to unfollow…