Websites...

Well, I'm not a technological idiot but I am a little tech-challenged and my goal for the past couple of weeks has been to get my website up and running.  Ugh!  It's taking me forever!  Part of it is because I always seem to find something else to do (anything else to do!), another part of it is that I want it to be great but most of it is because, honestly, I just don't know what I'm doing!  I know, they have videos and whatnot to show you how to do it but who has the time??  I'm rather impatient and just want it done.  I'M A WRITER, NOT A WEBSITE DESIGNER!

You may not care about me and my website woes but you do need to care about having a website if you become a published writer.  Everyday I learn of more things I need to do to promote myself and my books and everyday I feel like I'm more and more behind.  What happened to writer's write?

Well, I think part of it is that the world wide web has made the world a much smaller place and as such, publishing houses don't have to bare the sole burden of publicizing their authors.  So, if you want to make money in this business, you have to learn about publicity and marketing and you can't be afraid to talk to people.  Besides figuring out this website stuff, I'm putting together a marketing plan for my publisher.  They want to know what I'm willing to do.  I think the more effort I'm willing to put in, the more money they're willing to put behind it.  However, I feel like I missed the boat in college and should have earned a business or marketing degree.  Does anyone else feel like this?

I'm not complaining, well, not really.  I love to learn new things so I'm having fun but I wish I would have known this earlier in my career so I could be more up to speed now.  This is my cautionary tale don't think once you've sold your book your work is done and the publisher's starts.  Really, it's where your work will start to morph into something else and you'll long for the lonely days of writing and spending time with the people who talk in your head.  My suggestion: start seeing what you have to do after your book is sold now so you won't feel behind like me!

Happy writing!