As a part time writer, I sometimes get lonely sitting at my
computer, staring at a blank screen on my left and the ruins of my last rough
draft on my right. The blank screen longs to be filled, and the rough draft
begs to be edited. Sometimes I feel like I'm being torn apart, and no one can
understand.
Words can't tell you that you're great or that it's okay that
you're wearing the same sweats you've been wearing all week or that your book
isn't as bad as the one you're reading on Wattpad. It can't be. Right?
So where can you go for help? Where is the safe place to
reach out and find that bolstering support that we all need in our creative
endeavors? Where can you discover thousands of "elegant little
compliments" that will be there for you even when your family has resorted
to slipping chocolate and soda into your
writing space through the cat door and your friends have backed away from your
house slowly after catching a whiff of the smell that's coming from your
office?
Social media. That's the answer. Facebook. Instagram. Snapchat.
Tumblr. Twitter...
These places are safe. They entertain you. They lift you.
They love you. Allow me to give you the top five reasons you should abandon
your creative endeavors and submit to the power and time sucking addiction of
social media.
1-I just need to relax my brain.
Seriously, sometimes ten minutes of thinking is too much. I
mean, if you hash out your story too much, then it turns stale in your head and
suddenly writing it sounds like the only thing worse than eating brussel
sprouts for breakfast. When this happens, take a break. Jump on Twitter and see
what the presidential candidates are up too. This is sure to brighten your day,
because obviously you have way more common sense than any of those idiots.
You'll be yourself in no time.
2-If I don't promote myself, then who will?
This is true. In this day and age, social media is a great
way to gain followers and fans. So yes, you should be on your platforms, saying
funny things and sharing great images about your characters or your kids or
your socks or your action figure collection. Not to mention trying to get the
Kardashian's attention on Instagram. Because if they like your comment, you
could be set for life. Life.
3-I must tell the world how I feel!
Once in a while, the strangest thing happens. The stars
align, your brain clicks on, you settle into your chair, you poise your hands
and you type the most amazing prose that's ever come out of you. Ever. This is obviously a crowning
moment and an achievement not to be trivialized, so it's only natural that you
should spend the next hour or two either looking for or making the perfect
reaction video on Tumblr. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, but one
of those Tumblr posts is sure to properly communicate your ultimate triumph to
the whole world. All six of your followers. Friends. Whatever they are.
4-I can't get left behind.
What if I miss that perfect picture or slide show on
Snapchat, and all my friends are talking about it, and I didn't see it? Not
acceptable. Constant vigilance! How can you be a world renown author if you're
not up to speed on every single pop culture reference in the world?
5-I just need a little help.
I mean, we're all here to help each other, right? And surely
there is someone who has posted a video on YouTube about the exact problem I'm
having. You see, my characters need to change a tire on a Hummer only using a
flamingo, a golf club and duct tape. I'll start with "Change Hummer
Tires." See! There are a bunch I'll just click on...ooh, there's a new
princess rap battle.
So you see, let those weapons of mass distraction lose in
your life. It'll be worth it. Really.
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