Wednesday, September 12, 2012

How's Your Karma These Days?

Are you guilty of . . .
  • expecting people to leave comments on your blog, but not "having the time" to visit other people's blogs?
  • giving harsh feedback/critiques of other people's work (because, dude, if they can't handle it, they're in the wrong business), but having a hairy canary if someone does that to you?
  • giving other writers the silent treatment when something good happens to them (because you're so green with envy you resemble Kermit), and then getting pissy when people don't tweet-up or congratulate you on your good news?
  • expecting writer friends to help you with your query/synopsis/opening chapter, but again, you conveniently "don't have the time" to help them (note: I realize real life happens and some people  really are hard-pressed for time. I'm referring to those who are just using it as an excuse).
If you answered yes to any of these, you might be running low in the karma department.  The word "karma" is associated with Indian religions, but the idea of it can be found in just about every religion.  Whether it's the Christian "do unto others" belief, or the Wiccan law that states the energy you put out (positive or negative) will get returned to you three-fold.  Basically, they all say the same thing--what goes around comes around.

That being said, I don't think you should do things just for the sake of getting something in return.  For example, don't be one of those people who visit three dozen blogs a day and leave comments like "Great post!  Visit my blog at www.pleasepleasepleasebemyfriend.blogspot.com"  Please, please, PLEASE don't be one of those people.  They're almost as bad as the people who follow you on Twitter, and then as soon as you follow them back, they send you a DM that says something like, "Thanks for the follow! My new book is available on Amazon!" 

People are more likely to respond to you in a positive manner if they think you're being sincere, and trust me, people know when you're being sincere.  Just for the record (in case there's any confusion), pimping your book out to every new Twitter follower is not being sincere; it's tacky.  The best way to get people to check out your book or visit your blog is to strike up conversations with them, be friendly, and most importantly, be genuine.  If someone tweets something that makes you laugh, let them know!  When a friend is feeling down because they got another rejection, pay them a kind word!  Did someone's blog post make your day?  Tell them!  People WILL notice these random acts of kindness, and soon they'll want to check out your blog, your book, or tweet you up when you get good news.

Of course, you can take the advice or leave it; but remember, karma can be wonderful, but she can also be a bitch ;-)

14 comments:

  1. lol, so true! Karma seems all the more prevenlent in the author world. And if you DM me about your book or facebook page I'll be sure to never buy or like you, ever. Anyway good to have friends who understand this and are genuine. I'll for sure be buying your book WHEN it gets published :D

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  2. Aww, thanks, Jen ;-) Yes, karma plays a HUGE role in the online world of a writer. I truly believe that whatever you put out there (good or bad) WILL get returned to you--maybe not right away, but eventually ;o) Needless to say, you've got a lot of good things coming your way, Jen :o)

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  3. Haha! This was awesome! And it made me feel a lot better about the post I wrote for tomorrow, 'Pet-Peeves of Authors on Twitter'.

    Now I know at least one person will be with me! ;-D

    BTW - If you ever need anything, I'd be happy to help! (And I have no life, so odds are, I won't be too busy.). ;)

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    1. Yes, I admit, I have quite a few Twitter pet-peeves, lol. I'm Looking forward to reading your post :)

      Oh, and I just might take you up on your offer . . . ;-)

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  4. OH, GAWD!! I hate when people have an auto-response on their Twitter that tells me to check out their book--ON SALE TODAY! Shut up! It's so impersonal! BLICK

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  5. The funny thing is, EVERYONE finds it annoying, and people are always making comments about how annoying it is. And still, there are a ton of people out there who continue to do it!!! Can't they take a hint?!?!

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  6. Great post!!! Visit my blog at www.alyndenrolland.blogspot.com!!!

    Hahaha... juuuuust kidding :) Seriously, this was great because I'm so sick of the people who tweet every hour on the hour to go buy their book... which was self-pubbed a year or two ago. This is another instance when I would flick the computer screen and hope somehow they feel it!

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    1. OMGosh, that would be so great! Even virtual flicking would be awesome! You know, kind of like how you can "poke" people on Facebook? Imagine it, some obnoxious author on Twitter has just tweeted about their book for the 137th time that day, and all of a sudden, a little message pop ups on their screen saying, "You've just been flicked!" Hehehe ;-)

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  7. So true, Angela! Sometimes I get in my funks, and I've been so busy with my new job that I haven't been blogging at all. Then I feel so guilty about being absent from Twitter and the writing world, and sad like everyone will forget about me! Haha. I need to learn to balance and to keep chugging forward with my revisions. Lots of writers work, and sometimes it's easy to throw a pity party. Here's wishing you lots of good karma and hoping I'll be back online soon!! :)

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    1. Yes, I hope you'll be back soon! I always enjoy your posts :)

      I know exactly what you mean about being in a funk . . . This has been an incredibly difficult year for me (which is part of the reason why I took the summer off from blogging). You shouldn't worry about taking a break from blogosphere, because no one could ever forget about you ;) Thats the thing about being a kind, good-hearted person--no matter how long you're away, people will always welcome you back with open arms :)

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  8. Angela, your blog's new face is GORGEOUS! :) And yeah, I used to have all kinds of writer's Karma built up. *sigh* But lately, I rarely have time to visit anyone's blog, much less update my own. And when I do post, I don't take it personally if I don't get many comments. It's my own fault. *cough*

    I agree w/what Rookie said, too, about following peeps on twitter then getting an auto response to check out their book. Sadly, that always gets them unfollowed immediately.

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    1. Oh, Anita, don't be silly! Your karma cup runneth over! ;o) You are such a genuine, sweet person that no one even gives your absence a second thought! Wait, that didn't come out right, lol. I don't mean you're not missed (because you are). What I meant was, everyone KNOWS how busy you are these days ;-)

      This post was basically for the lazies who always expect something without putting forth any effort. I understand some people really are truly busy. :o) *takes foot out of mouth*

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