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January 28, 2010
Where am I today? Please come visit:
Novel Sisterhood
wherein I discuss love, wickedness, and a pot of dirt.
RomCon, Inc
in which I confess to being confused as to the difference between Real Life and the events of my books.
KatieBabs
an interview with lots of fun facts, like how long it took to write TOO WICKED TO KISS, and why on earth I was riding a camel. (Er, not at the same time! *g)
Don’t forget to sign up for your 30 Wicked Kisses at 2wicked2kiss.com – the countdown begins Feb 1, and I have plenty of autographed advance copies of Too Wicked To Kiss to give away!
Also, coming soon:
WHERE ARE THEY NOW, featuring many of your favorite authors who were one-time Kensington Debut Authors!
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June 21, 2007
This week’s guest blogger is Shannon Aviles, here to answer your publicity questions. Shannon is a multi-media specialist and promoter. The questions she answers below were posed on this blog post, which also contains more information about what a multi-media specialist is and does. Shannon will also be appearing on a panel for the PAN group at RWA National next month, as well as presenting a workshop with Levy and Pam Nelson.
Without further ado…
Heeeeeere’s Shannon!
Finally! Here are the answers. I find it an honor and a privilege to be invited to do this with you and your blog readers. I feel terrible about the delays–but, I really enjoyed answering the questions below for your readers.
How much work/effort should I put into publicity vs. actual writing, at this stage of the game? I’m pre-pubbed–I know I’m close, but not there yet. Should it be 75% writing / 25% publicity? More/less on either side? I’m sure it’s different in every situation, but what’s a good ballpark to start with?
If you haven’t been published yet–all your time should be focused on getting published. You’re basically putting the “cart before the horse” to do otherwise. Becoming aware of how to promote does not hurt and creating a web site will not hurt either. But you must have a “product” to promote and a “Brand”–otherwise, you’re wasting time, effort and money.
Does most of the responsibility for promotion lie with the author?
Yes and No, it lies with the author and the authors respective Publishing House. However, due to the “realities” of the today’s literary lines of business–it falls to the author to “motivate” their PH to do more for them.
What are the biggest mistakes you see people make when self-promoting?
They are not thinking “saturation” and they are not thinking “big/broad enough” and they are putting all of their focus on cannibalism. Which means–they are placing their focus only in one market (ie Romance) which does not provide for growth.
Should branding be a concern for unpublished authors?
ABSOLUTELY! It is the MAIN focus! The “Brand” is the author’s name and also the “product” is their book–these are not an either/or scenario.
For authors with multiple (possibly branded) pseudonyms, are there pros/cons to having two separate web sites and/or being public to one group of readers that you are also the author for the alternate genre?
Separate web sites for each pseudonym confuses the “Brand” which is a HUGE mistake. Key and consistent messaging is the goal.
Sometimes authors take a pseudonym because their previous author name is tied up at an ex-publishing house or their previous series/line/genre/book bombed, etc. In these situations (where the author doesn’t necessarily want to broadcast that she was the original author) are there any special considerations for promotion? Or would it be like “starting fresh” with a brand new author?
There are proven successful strategies to fix these challenges. Anyone who wants to know what they are can contact me directly. The important thing to know is that it is fixable and/or manageable.
What are the top two things an author can do to self-promote?
Create a successful Web Site and make sure that it is SEO (Search Engine Optimized)!
When is it time to call in a publicist?
When you can afford one and when you have reached a certain position in your line of business that will allow you to market your “Brand” and “Product.”
How effective are banner ads on the various romance writer/reader sites? Does anyone notice them? Click on them? I personally don’t, but they seem inexpensive, and I was curious if they make a promotional impact.
Studies show audiences are “Banner Ad Blind” these days. I do not advocate them. As most are done very badly to begin with, it supports the studies.
Do you see very many common names with successful marketing, or is it better for someone with a name as common as Mary Jensen to use a pseudonym?
A name is a name is a name–a rose by another name would smell as sweet.(g) Although names are important–more important is the Brand and its placement.
When is the best time to start promoting a name or book?
When you are published (contracted).
I think although forums, blogs, websites and sometime loops can be good, online chats are pretty much a waste of time. Am I wrong?
Any and all exposure to wider audiences is all good. However, blogs, loops, chats, etc…. take a lot of time and the time is taken away from writing. If any author does these, I always advice them to be “guests” and to plan them a couple of times a month on their calendars (scheduled time) and no more.
How do you get your name out there without having to go on book tours? Is the internet the most effective way?
The internet is one of the most effective ways–but, if “time” is the concern–there is nothing to save time in “Promoting.” Time and money is a must to promote ANYTHING. Managing both is the “key.”
How much help can an author expect from the corporate world in terms of $ for promotion? About how much does the “average” author spend out of pocket to get out there? What’s the cheapest yet most effective?
Well, this is a loaded question as it is so DEPENDENT ON POSITIONING STATUS within your Publishing Houses. Political as is everything. No one has done studies on the “average expenditure in promotions by authors.” In terms of “cheapest and most effective”–this one is easy: “Viral Marketing.”
How soon should you have a blog and or website?
If you have signed a contract to be published–get a web site! First web site–then blog…
What pub/promo errors scream “Green newbie!” and keep everyone who’s anyone away from your book?
Heavy promotions of yourself before you’ve been published. However, do not let any of this deter your efforts to write and get published.
If marketing yourself makes you feel productive working towards your goal and you have the time and the money–do it. Never listen to anyone telling you to give up and not do anything.
However, REMEMBER–promotions and marketing are for sales of products. If you do not have a product on the market for the consumer to purchase–what are you marketing?
I’ve love to know about budgets. I don’t have a lot of money to spend, but know I need to self promote. Starting out, how much should I be allocating and where are the best places to invest? I’m e-pubbed so websites? Magazines?
Contact me and we’ll talk. Budgets are HIGHLY private and personal discussions and are TOTALLY individualistic. There are many things taken into consideration when planning any budget. There is no magic number out there and if anyone tells you so–don’t listen!
Is there a specific % of a budget that should be spent on publicity–hoping 100% is not the answer!
Well, a good strategic budget will incorporate not just Publicity–but, also Marketing, Promotions, Advertising, etc… Did I confuse you? I bet I did… Publicity is only one part of any strategic planning to promote a Brand and/or a Product.
What works to promote e-books?
Viral Marketing.
Sometimes I feel like my online promotion flops and I wonder if I’m wasting valuable writing time. Where should I concentrate my on-line efforts? Blogging, chats, banner ads, newsletters, or excerpt loops?
Doing a little bit of everything gets to be exhausting. Strategize. Create a plan for a period of time–4 months, 6 months, 12 months–whatever, you can handle.
In this plan, identify everything you’ve done in the past including costs. Summate what you’ve spent in the past per annum and break down by your decided time frame. Evaluate your final expenditures and evaluate all that you’ve done and then look to do something more moving forward and/or different if you decide that what you’ve done in the past hasn’t worked for you.
Adjust the future budget by the past and STRATEGIZE and PLAN! Don’t just spend money to do something that is called Publicity/Promotion/Marketing–because, you know you should be doing something. Most important–learn to ask questions–lot’s of questions and learn to research the “right” questions to ask before you spend another dime.
Should different venues be targeted in small chunks (all over the internet) or is it better to blow the budget on one big ad that reaches 1000’s (like a RT ad)?
Never and I mean NEVER spend your whole budget on any ONE THING! You’d be better off spending it all on ONE lottery ticket and hoping that you win big! In essence you’d be gambling your money away placing all your balls into one court. You should be “saturating” the markets–ALL MARKETS–not just one.
What does she think about characters blogging?
I’m feeling the “LOVE” everyone! Brilliant!
QUESTION: What are you doing to drive business to these sites??? And–are you competing with your own web sites? This is called “Cannibalism.” If this is done incorrectly, you WILL compete with your own promotion (web site) AND YOU WILL HURT your web site. If this unique idea is done well, you will drive business to your site, which will drive sales.
Does Shannon have a web site I can visit?
I will eventually. I intentionally stopped the launch as I am scheduled six months out with authors waiting to come on board. Web sites are for promotions to drive business.
All of my business started through referral and as I started doing “guest speaking, panels and workshops” locally and nationally in an effort to help authors–I quickly realized that the “fall-out” became unmanageable. I HATE disappointing authors and having them wait for my services. I want to be able to help everyone–I’m an overachiever and my health began to suffer.
So as I strongly advocate web sites for all authors to promote their brands and products, I found that this advice was not necessary for my business. Therefore, I’ve redirected the design for my web site to be informative for authors so that I can help as many as possible without killing myself in the process.
Is it possible to measure buzz impact on sales?
There are no “formulas” to measure “Buzz.” I am now going to turn the tables on all of you by asking you a question: Can any of you tell me your Publishing House’s ROI – which impacts your Royalties? …I’m waiting.. (g)…I’d bet you can’t. In fact, I know you can’t–why? Because, Publishing Houses will give NO ONE this information–not unless they are court ordered to do so.
Don’t expect any Marketing person to be able to provide you with an ROI answer for any campaign done on you and/or for you. In order to determine ROI (Return On Investment) you have to be able to provide the total sales figures from your Publishing House for each book sold.
Oh and by-the-way, Publicists/Publicity does not work in ROI as “Promotion/Publicity” has no dollar value on it as it is valueless–meaning PRICELESS! You cannot place a dollar amount on people talking “positively” about you and your books. You can however, measure Marketing/Advertising Campaigns–but, then we go back to the beginning of the discussion on ROI. =)
In closing…
I want to be able to help as many authors and aspiring authors as possible. Feedback is always a wonderful and appreciated thing…
Thanks, Shannon! I now open the floor to the readers… Questions? Comments?
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June 14, 2007
I first “met” Rob when I won a critique on an auction. At the time when I bid on the auction, I was finishing Witness, had just joined Mystery Writers of America, and thought I’d be pursuing a career in the suspense genre. By the time the auction ended, I was on to greener pastures–namely Touched and subsequently Trevor & the Tooth Fairy–the latter of which I ended up sending him. Like Julia, Rob had some great feedback and didn’t bat an eye about receiving a wacky Nether-Netherland romp instead of a suspense plot. (Or, if he did bat an eye, he did so on the other side of the fiberoptics cable, so we’ll never know.)
Here is a more formal blurb about Rob:
Robert W Walker, a graduate of Northwestern University, is the author of forty-three novels, including the acclaimed Instinct Series with FBI Medical Examiner Dr. Jessica Coran, and the Edge Series featuring Texas Cherokee Detective Lucas Stonecoat and psychiatrist Meredyth Sanger. He recently published the spontaneous combustion horror novel, Fire & Flesh, under the name Evan Kingsbury. City for Ransom is a historical thriller with all the atmosphere of turn of the century Chicago. Robert was born in Corinth, Mississippi, and currently resides in Chicago, IL. In between teaching, lecturing, and book touring, Robert is busy tackling his next novel. Web site
He has graciously agreed to come and answer all your burning questions (and, as always, one lucky question-asker will receive something fun and fabulous via USPS!) so here’s a chance to get some great answers.
Your Turn: Ask away! Questions about writing? Publishing? Promoting? Research? Tackling different angles of the same genre? The Call? Writing a series? Please post your questions in the comments!
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June 8, 2007
I first “met” Julia Buckley last year when I won a critique on Julie Kenner’s auction. She enjoyed reading TATTF, so obviously she’s *brilliant*. =)
AND, she’s agreed to hang out and guest blog to answer any burning questions you might have–please start asking! Answers will be posted between now and Monday.
Plus, as always, at least one lucky question-asker will win a fun prize! It could be you! (And even if you don’t have a question, you can always compliment her on having the great taste in enjoying TATTF and/or congratulate her on the wonderful luck/skill/talent to take her writing in a new direction–see blurb below for more info)
About Julia:
Julia Buckley made her imprint on the mystery scene last year with THE DARK BACKWARD. This summer she launches a new humorous mystery series with her first book, MADELINE MANN, which Kirkus Reviews calls a “bright debut.” She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and two sons, and she maintains her own blog at juliabuckley.blogspot.com.
Your Turn: Questions about writing? Publishing? Promoting? Tackling different angles of the same genre? The Call? Blogging? Please post your questions in the comments!
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May 18, 2007
I am pleased to announce SHANNON AVILES, publicist and multi-media specialist, will be guest blogging a week from today. The topic of her blog? Answering your questions regarding promotion!
If you are unfamiliar with what a multi-media specialist is or what a publicist does, you may wish to read an earlier post about Shannon Aviles, which I wrote following a fabulous workshop she put on for the Tampa Area Romance Authors.
This is totally paraphrased, but here’s Shannon’s awesome viewpoint on “competition”. I’d like to put on billboards everywhere!
Romance authors are not competing with each other. They’ve got to get that thought out of their heads and start working together. Any given author’s sale/promotion can only help. Jane Doe’s success in no way impacts yours, except positively. Readers go to the checkout counter with multiple books, not just one. They talk about them. They borrow them. They share them. Any author’s success brings more readers/interest to the romance genre. If you see a promo, a new sale, a new author, don’t be jealous. Rejoice! Their success paves the way for you.
As always, participation comes with prizes! Everyone who posts a question for Shannon (between now and when questions close at 7pm EST on Monday) will be entered into a drawing to win a free book.
If you post a note about the upcoming interview on your blog (whether you ask a question or not) you will be given another chance to win! I will be drawing 1 random winner from the question-posters, and 1 random winner from the comment-posters.
And don’t forget to check back next Friday when Shannon shares all her experience and insight with us!
Your turn: Please ask all your burning publicity/promo questions! Got a personal anecdote to share? Rumor? Innuendo? That counts, too. =) Dish!
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April 27, 2007
 I hereby give the floor to Cynthia Reese, who is answering all the questions you asked on this post.
She will also be giving away a copy of her new release to one lucky commenter!
(blog) (web site) (Harlequin author page)
Is this your first manuscript? How many manuscripts did you write before
you sold?
The novel this started out as was my SECOND completed novel (first one’s tucked safely under the bed), but I did have to do massive revisions on the book twice before it sold. So … um, I don’t know. Between the time I finished the first draft of THE BABY WAIT and the time it sold, I wrote three more novels and started on a fourth.
Did you target the market before you started writing or did you write and
then look for a publisher?
I targeted Harlequin/Silhouette because I knew (a) they took unagented material and I’d read beaucoups of their books.
Did you target your manuscript to a specific line at Harlequin before or
after you began writing the book that sold?
Actually, I started writing THE BABY WAIT as a Harlequin NEXT. It was only after a major revision and a decision from NEXT that it was good, but a Super instead of a NEXT that THE BABY WAIT ended up on the desk of my lovely and talented editor Laura Shin, who’s the head honcho for Super.
What do you do, exactly, to plot? Physical storyboard? Outlining?
Collages? Spreadsheets? A combo of some or all of the above?
You’re going to die laughing, but I, um, start with a synopsis. I kid you not. I write what I call a “movie synopsis,” and tell the story the same way you’d tell a friend about a movie. I usually start with a basic idea of the characters and their jobs and their lots in life – and their conflict, of course, and then I just … make it all up as I go in the “movie synopsis.” Once I get the broad strokes down on paper (and it’s very broad and very rough, mind you), I go back and do a chapter-by-chapter outline, sort of a how-do-I-get-there-from-here list.
On the outline, I do a paragraph summary of each chapter. It may or may not stay that way through the course of my writing, but that’s how I do it.
The good thing about writing the synopsis before you start writing is two-fold: (a) you don’t know all the twists and turns and it’s easier to lay out a clear character arc (which I think editors are really looking for) and write a short synopsis, and (b) plot holes SHINE big time – my CPs are great at showing me what plot holes I need to plug.
What was your foot in the door? (Query letter, conference pitch, contest
win, agent submission, etc.)
My foot in the door was two-pronged … I was lucky enough to be able to pitch to the NEXT acquiring editor at my local RWA chapter, which is how I got a request for a partial. But I actually came to the attention of my current editor through Harlequin’s EVERLASTING contest. I’d written a book that I THOUGHT was for EVERLASTING and was bummed when I didn’t win, place or show.
But then I got the letter back from the editorial assistant who worked for both EVERLASTING and for Super, and she asked me to revise and resubmit the story to Super. I did, and Laura Shin regretfully had to pass on that story because of marketing reasons. But I was on her radar, and when THE BABY WAIT showed up on her desk, she knew my name. So I highly recommend both approaches!
I would love to hear the story of your road to publication, just to
affirm once again that it really can happen.
I’d started a jillion novels and callously abandoned them all at Chapter Three, but in Dec. 2004, I decided that my New Year’s resolution for 2005 would be to finish the dang book. I finished that one, sent it to a CP who kindly told me that I had NO romance in it (a bit of a problem when you are targeting Harlequin, LOL), and I decided that I’d try my hand at women’s fiction – Harlequin’s NEXT line. I finished my second book (an earlier incarnation of THE BABY WAIT) and pitched it to NEXT’s then editor Jen Green at my GRW meeting in May of 2005.
In July of 2005, she called me and told me she liked my voice and liked the premise, but “the conflict is too predictable.” She offered to read the full if I would revise. I did – yanking out the last two-thirds of the book and rewriting. I sent it in the first of October 2005, and then a bit later found Jen Green had been transferred to Harlequin American.
At that point, I lost hope. But in December of 2005, Ann Leslie Tuttle e-mailed me that she was recommending the book as a buy to her boss. I was over the moon! I thought for sure I’d sold.
In March of 2006, though, my dreams came crashing down when her boss said, “You know, I think this is a Super.” So Ann Leslie, lovely lady that she is, sent it to Laura Shin, who read it, liked it, but said, “Eh … too women’s fiction. Can you revise?”
Of course! So I did. I sent it in not long before Nationals at RWA. But a few days after Nationals, I was feeling blue and down – I was writing a tough book, and my characters weren’t cooperating. I also thought that I’d made a mistake not to change the POV in THE BABY WAIT to third – I’d left it at first. It was like a big “please reject me” sign on the project.
But about a week after Nationals, I saw a strange number on my cell phone caller ID, and after business hours, realized it was Harlequin’s number. I spent a sleepless night trying to prepare myself for more revisions … screwed up my courage and called Laura the next morning, where she said in the calmest voice imaginable, “I’d like to buy your book.”
What did you do when you got the call that your book was being published?
I shrieked. That’s it. I just shrieked. Then called everybody I knew and shrieked some more.
What’s your least favorite part of writing?
Hmmm … least favorite part – the middle, like everybody else, although the first hundred pp are really tough for me – it just feels like I’m getting nowhere.
What’s the most important advice you can give about opening pages?
Start in the middle of the action – characters don’t need to be sleeping, talking, driving, or thinking – they need to be doing – and doing something that’s going to be the equivalent of a six-car-pileup on a major interstate – something that will make people (readers) rubberneck, slow down and not want to leave the scene.
I hear a lot of people saying a book has a category feel. What exactly
does that mean?
I have no clue. I know what it used to mean to me – that a book uses the more traditional hooks and that (sometimes) the author doesn’t take the chances on premise or characters. But I think that’s unfair in a sense – because I’ve read so many really great category novels that felt big and deep and complex – better than some STs I’ve read. I think that category writers have to fit a more compact story arc in a shorter number of words, so naturally the premises and conflict might not be as complex as a ST. I guess it would be like saying sit-com versus drama – but who could say that FRIENDS was inferior to ER just because ER was an hour long and FRIENDS was thirty minutes? They were different animals, right? Apples and oranges, and all that.
I hear you have two book signings this weekend. How did you set them up?
Are they your first? Were you given any advice (or do you have any advice)
on how to make the most of book signings?
First, DON’T do it like I did, newbie that I am. I sort of fell into these. I’d approached my area district manager of Wal-Mart to get permission to sign in-stock books, and he was so excited that he asked if I’d be willing to do in-store signings. So then he put me in touch with Anderson’s – Wal-Mart’s book supplier, who very gently told me I should have contacted Harlequin first. Who knew? So I would suggest asking your publisher first, then setting it up through the book supplier who actually provides the books for your store. And I highly encourage talking to bookstore managers directly – they’re usually thrilled to have an author come in. I know I’ve had to turn down offers to sign because I couldn’t balance it with my very busy day-job.
Can you tell us a little bit about THE BABY WAIT?
I can’t sum it up any better than the blurb on the back of my novel:
Sara Tennyson has it all planned. In two months she’ll travel to China to adopt the baby girl she’s always wanted. Even after a mountain of setbacks, she has the faith that one day she’ll hold her daughter. But that’s before the man she loves begins to doubt.
Joe is Mr. Fixit. The only thing he can’t do is get Sara her baby. Now, after all the disappointment they’ve faced, he’s beginning to wonder if their little family was really meant to be.
Sara can’t give up her dream, but what if waiting for her baby wait means losing Joe?
The only other thing that I might add is that a portion of the royalties of this book will go toward two different charities benefiting Chinese orphans. One is Love Without Boundaries and the other is Our Chinese Daughters Foundation.
What are the next book(s) we’ll see from you? When will they be coming
out?
My next Super, WHERE LOVE GROWS, will come out in October of this year. I’m working on proposals for more Supers, and I’m revising a ST women’s fiction project.
Any last words of advice/encouragement/etc?
Be open to revisions! I truly believe my willingness to revise multiple times helped me in my pursuit of publication. And persist in writing and submitting, even in the face of rejections — after all, as Charles Spurgeon said, “Perseverance is what got the snail to the ark!”
Thanks, Cynthia!
Your turn: Are you targeting (or if you’re published, did you target) a particular publisher or line? What are your thoughts on Cynthia’s many-revisions road to publication? Do you attack rewriting with vigor or do you prefer to move on to the next story? What about her method of starting with the synopsis–Do you make yours before or after? Are they easy or hard for you? Leave your comments below and you’ll be entered to win the free book drawing, results to be posted on Monday!
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April 20, 2007
I’m excited to announce debut author Cynthia Reese, Superwriter for Superromance, will join us to chat and answer questions. She has graciously agreed to respond to as many questions as she can. 
Here’s how the Contest & Guest Blog works:
* You have between NOW and 8pm EST on Monday, April 24 to post questions for Cynthia in the comments section.
* You may post as many questions as you like.
* You may ask about anything: writing, craft, the industry, the publishing process, the query process, getting The Call, the First Sale, etc.
* If you post a question this weekend and then post a comment/response on Friday, April 28, on Cynthia’s guest blog, you will be entered into a drawing to win the free book of your choice, as follows:
Your Turn: Please welcome Cynthia Reese! (blog) (web site) (Harlequin author page) Feel free to ask her any questions you might have, to congratulate her on her jump from PRO to PAN and her first book, New Release: The Baby Wait, hot off the presses this month. The floor is open to you!
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April 11, 2007
As promised, today’s blog post comes to you from my friend and CP, Kelly R.
Kel, you have the floor!
So it’s near the end of the day a couple of weeks ago, I’m in my office at work, the phone rings and I answer it as always:
Me: Hello, _______ ___ (insert name-I use my maiden name for work).
Caller: Is this the ______ (insert name) who went to the University of ___?
Me: ***thinking WTF??? Who is this calling me? What could they possibly want?*** But I don’t say that I say, “Yyyeeessss.”
Caller: This is ____ (insert name of ex-boyfriend who I haven’t spoken to since leaving college 15 years ago)!!!!!!!!
It takes me a minute to register the name. Not because it isn’t immediately recognizable to me (I went out with the guy for quite awhile), but it is SO ENTIRELY out of context. I mean I’m at work and I haven’t seen or talked to this guy in an age.
So the conversation starts out very awkwardly, and in fact I spend the first 15 minutes trying to figure out from him how the heck he found me.
The answer, you guessed it from the title of this blog: GOOGLE! He googled me. Frankly, *I’ve* googled me and didn’t think I could find me. Which is why I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how he found me googling. Seriously, he did go to a little effort. Which is a little unnerving. The fact that he called me at all kind of freaked me out.
Sure, I’ve thought about what happened to him over the years, as I’ve wondered about countless others who were friends or boyfriends or whatever. You know, in 30 second “I wonder…” blips in your mind here and there. I’ve even googled some people myself. But NEVER have I thought about or actually picked up the phone and called someone who I googled.
This all comes about 3 weeks after an old neighbor/childhood friend of mine tried to contact me through Classmates (although I’m really not registered there – or at least I thought I wasn’t-long story).
So this led to a few discussions among my friends: Why did this guy do this? I’ve got a few theories. Frankly, even though we talked for awhile and basically caught up on what people we knew were now doing, I never broached this subject directly. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I’m happily married, so to a large extent it didn’t really matter to me. I was over him by the time I left college, so… But why do you think someone does this? Am I just at that age where everyone becomes really curious about what happened to everyone else? I’m about a year away from my 20 year high school reunion (ACK!! It does not seem like that long!!) Frankly, I think I’d be more apt to contact a friend than an ex and there was a consensus among my friends that e-mail would be more appropriate than phone. My best friend from college and I agreed, also, that although we’re curious to find out what has become of people we knew, we feel more strongly that we don’t want to put our personal information out there for everyone else. Is it just us or does everyone out there feel this need for privacy?
I actually spoke to one co-worker who did google someone and then called them, but it was a very unique situation. Lots of unresolved issues in that scenario because they had been engaged, he was in the military and kind of disappeared off the radar, so she thought she was dumped, only for him to reappear later thinking they were still engaged (how he could think that with no contact???) but she was married and pregnant by then. So when she later got a divorce she did google him and called him. But I think that is a weird situation that makes some sense, not the random google stalking I experienced.
Amongst my writing friends, we’ve discussed whether google stalking lends itself better to a romantic comedy where the google stalker is the hero, or a romantic suspense where he’s the crazy stalker guy who is after our beloved heroine and looking to knock off our hero.
What do all of you think? I’m dying to know, too, whether anyone else has experienced the google stalking. So come on, give a shout out.
Thanks to Erica, for letting me use her forum here to satisfy my own curiosity.
Kelly
Your turn: Are you or someone you know a MySpace/Google stalker? Have you had good or bad experiences with locating people you know–or information about people you know–on the Internet? Has anyone found you–or information about you–online, and acted on that discovery? Do you think this could be a good hook/premise/plot point for a romance hero/heroine/villain? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
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Dead Aim
Lovers
How I Write
Kiss Me, Annabel