Benjamin
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| 29-03-2011 8:00 PM |
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| That is just exceptional. In fact, I'm going to tweet that. |
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Benjamin
Posts:16
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Benjamin
Posts:16
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| 29-03-2011 8:02 PM |
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'Creative writing is vomiting, then cleaning it up.'
SO WONDERFUL. Who said that? |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 8:05 PM |
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I did my undergrad at Melbourne Uni, so it was one of the creative writing professors or tutors out there.
Change a word or two and I'm sure you can adopt it as your own. ;) |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Karyn
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| 29-03-2011 8:14 PM |
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I'm spending more time cutting out new words than putting down new ones.
How's everyone else doing? |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 8:20 PM |
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Hey, Ben
Maybe you can help me. My dissertation is on authors marketing themselves as a brand by using social media. I see that you're often on Twitter - have you got any insights into how social media has assisted you with marketing? |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Benjamin
Posts:16
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| 29-03-2011 8:23 PM |
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Twitter's great. I use Facebook and Twitter a lot mainly because I work from home, and I really don't have any social interaction that people get in normal workplaces.
There's great back-and-forth chatter and Twitter's a wonderful news/information filter. But you're right: it also becomes a useful marketing tool.
I link to things that interest or amuse me, and then people continue to follow me, only to discover I've written a book, buy it, read it, and tell me they enjoyed it on Twitter.
It's a great way of connecting/discovering new people. |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 8:26 PM |
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| Because you're a writer with a public profile, do you allow everyone who wants to 'like' and 'follow' you? How do you protect your privacy while still allowing new contacts? |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Benjamin
Posts:16
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| 29-03-2011 8:27 PM |
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Susan Orlean—one of my favourite writers—is a prolific and excellent tweeter.
She was recently featured on the New Yorker's Out Loud podcast talking about Twitter and had some excellent insights:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/2010/02/22/100222on_audio_packer |
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Benjamin
Posts:16
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| 29-03-2011 8:31 PM |
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Facebook and Twitter are very different platforms.
In my mind, Facebook is about connecting with people you already know. Twitter is about getting information from anyone. People with locked accounts on Twitter bother me. I think they're not using it properly.
It's about sharing information, so I allow anyone to follow me. If you keep your Twitter account locked, it means people can't easily share or retweet your stuff.
Facebook, for me, is more of a closed book, and I keep it to people I know personally. |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 8:33 PM |
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OK, Racers, we're halfway through!
How's everyone going? I've only written about 200 words - gulp! |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 8:38 PM |
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Thanks, Ben, for your insights into using social media as a marketing tool.
It reminds me of the work of pioneers - a bunch of people have to fumble and feel their way, in order to make a smooth path for the people who follow. |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 8:44 PM |
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| OK, Racers, we've got about 15 minutes to go! |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 9:00 PM |
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Alright, Everyone, it's 9pm, time to stop writing/editing/researching!
It's been a great evening chatting with Benjamin Law.
Ben, thank you for being our special guest tonight. Can you tell us what you achieved during this hour - plus any words of wisdom for our Racers? |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Benjamin
Posts:16
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| 29-03-2011 9:03 PM |
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I edited about 15 pages of my manuscript, and I think I've got enough momentum now to keep going through the evening.
As for words of wisdom, I'm not too sure. Probably the usual stuff: read a lot, take a break when you're stuck with writing, and physically leave the computer when you need to. (I swim laps when my brain is frying.)
But some of the best advice comes from this excellent Zadie Smith essay, which is particularly great for those of you who specialise in fiction:
http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/?p=73547 |
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Benjamin
Posts:16
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| 29-03-2011 9:05 PM |
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| Thanks for having me, Karyn — that was great fun. G'night, g'night. |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 9:06 PM |
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15 pages is great! Incredible work - blows my 200-300 words out of the water.
Thanks so much for sharing so generously of your time and wisdom - and I personally appreciate your insights into social media.
Please feel free to come back at the same time any other Tuesday as a Racer - we'd love to hear how your new book is coming along! |
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Karyn Markwell |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 9:11 PM |
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Goodnight, Everyone - thanks for Racing with us here tonight!
See you again next week.
Karyn |
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Karyn Markwell |
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meg
Posts:116
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| 29-03-2011 9:12 PM |
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WOw is that the time already?
Thanks a million - I got my whole lecture planned!
Really value your thoughts on social media, Benjamin. |
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Writing Racer
Manager, The Australian Writer's Marketplace
mamaguilt.wordpress.com |
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Karyn
Posts:334
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| 29-03-2011 9:15 PM |
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Goodnight, Meg
Thanks for joining us and see you next week!
Karyn |
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Karyn Markwell |
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