Getting published is a lot like construction. Most people only see the finished product. No one told me about the intricate network of skills, effort, and new technology that goes into building an audience. As a writer I'd always thought that my job ended with the last word I typed. The heroine is kissed, the bad guy ensnared, the world is saved. I'm done...right?
As it turns out, there are four dreaded words that float through the blogosphere striking fear into new authors everywhere -- "What is your platform?" My platform? I have to admit that I had to look it up when I first encountered the question last year. I thought a platform was what politicians ran on. I'm just trying to tell a story. Do I really need one? Can I order one, say from Amazon or something?
Turns out you build your own platform, one bit and one bite at a time. A platform is a web presence. Your mark on the Internet that gets your name out there and makes people aware of your book or movie, or whatever you're trying to share with them. Its all new to me, but I'm up for the challenge.
So now I am off to the races with the tweets and the updates and the blogs. It is both exciting and intimidating to share this journey with others. I hope to have some good news in the future regarding my journey to publication. Until then, my friends, you are on my heart and in my prayers. rb