“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn’t happen much, though.” J.D. Salinger, 1951.
It’s fabulous how the internet connects readers and authors these days. Growing up, I read a lot of classic literature and romance. Many of the authors back then had already died, and the ones alive and kicking – well, besides some general information at the back of the book, I knew nothing about them. What kind of lives did they lead? Where did the inspiration come from? How long would it take them to write a book?
Honestly, all of those questions went unanswered. Nowadays, writers cultivate relationships with the readers. They write blogs, have Twitter accounts, and share pictures of their grandkids and family vacations.
Their reach has also benefited new writers. A lot of authors give webinars or seminars, speak at conferences and luncheons, and teach online classes. Some of them even offer editing services. They discuss the craft, writing articles about key elements and the like.
Someone wrote me; I believe this was the first time I got an email from a reader. It wasn’t a review (although I love those! <grin>) or a note from someone who knows someone who knows someone who told her to read a book because she’s my friend. It was a letter from a reader/aspiring author asking for advice.
C’mon. It was one of the coolest moments of my (very fresh) career as a romance author so far. Little old me, giving out advice? This contact also made me think I should really become more comfortable with social media and not only have an account on Twitter but also be more present. (Blog more often, for example.)
Yes, last year’s resolutions were (1) to blog and (2) to work out. The resolutions for 2013 are: (1) to blog more often and (2) to work out more often. Like, work out four times a week and blog twice a week. OR, work out twice a week and blog four times a week. That seems more fun. 
Either way, I have to figure it out. Because – lucky me – I have at least one person to hold me accountable.
Take care, everyone. Let’s all have a fabulous year!
Terrific post. I have always been an avid reader too and like that nowadays you can actually “friend” a favorite author on facebook and on occasion chit chat back and forth there or twitter.
How exciting that you have received fan mail, and mail from an aspiring author no less. Wonderful!!!
And I have to say I like the work out 2 times a week and blog 4 times a week! hahaha
Thanks, Christine!
I feel so blessed to be able to connect with everyone in general. I can only imagine how hard it was for the authors back in the day, not being able to connect with readers as much…
Have a great evening!
Great post! How fantastic to get such a lovely fan letter. I remember as a kid my class wrote to Dr Suess and we got a letter back. I couldn’t stop telling everyone about it for weeks!
I LOVE being able to connect with the authors whose books I read. My friends all think I’m crazy/obsessed when I say, “I told the author this…” or “I asked the author that…” on Facebook, etc…. I haven’t been a fan of fiction for many years and have only just gotten back into fiction. I was thinking the other day how different the world is now from when I read fiction when I was younger. If there was an author I REALLY liked, I MIGHT go to the trouble of sending a letter to the publisher in hopes she would get it – but I can’t recall doing it. (I may have done it once). Now, I have quite a few authors on my FB or I follow their blogs, etc….