First things first, I’m still learning my way around Facebook. Why is that site so confusing?!

Second, I’ve noticed a rather distrubing trend in recent weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I love making new friends. But I’ve had a bunch of authors friend me and as soon as I approve them they send me invitations to events and book releases. Or they post an ad to my wall. Come on people. That’s spam!

I don’t think Emily Post covers Facebook Etiquette yet so I understand we’re learning as we go. But let me suggest that you talk to me, engage me in conversation, ask questions, etc. before spamming my wall or sending me messages. I understand you’re exciting about your event/book/project. I’m excited about mine!

But I try to temper the amount of “buy my book” I post with genuine interest and conversation with my readers. Readers. Think about that. I’m a reader. You’re trying to entice me. But you spam me instead? That’s not a good way to start a friendship in my opinion and I will most likely unfriend you or tune you out. Sorry.

What do you think? Agree or disagree? Have you seen a good list of Facebook Etiquette? Let me know!

PS. Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Madison-Chase/1506624891

There’s nothing like looking at a page full of words that you’ve written and being less than enthusiastic about them. Or perhaps you have no clue where to go from here.

There’s a famous quote that says you can’t edit a blank page. How true that is…

Unfortunately sometimes I find myself just wanting to scrap everything and start over. And that is the first important lesson I want to share with you. Since I got The Call a year ago I’ve learned some things and taken to heart things that never made sense before. For what it’s worth…

• It’s okay to start over or try a new path. If something isn’t working try something else that might. Don’t delete anything though, you may need it later.

Other things I’ve learned this past year.

• Don’t be afraid to go for it… whatever it is.
• Don’t be afraid to ask question, no matter how stupid they may seem.
• Make friends in this business, not enemies. Network. Get to know people.
• Write, write, write.
• Promote, promote, promote.
• Have a solid marketing and advertising plan. Stick to it. Update it and expand it as you and your career progress.
• Don’t let others destroy your dream or steal your muse.
• Take your career seriously, even if no one else does.
• Write some more.

I asked a few of my fellow writers what lessons their learned since the got published and here’s what they had to say.

Paula Quinn (Lord of Seduction, Warner Forever) said:

• Not everyone is going to love your work the way you do. It’s ok. Write what you love anyway.
• The Recycle bin is not my enemy. It’s ok to throw away all those extra paragraphs I think are so good, but aren’t.
• Read read read. Read the genre you’re trying to sell. See what’s out there and working well.
• Listen to your editor. She knows the business, but don’t be afraid to ask questions and give opinions.

Amie Stuart (Hands On, Kensington Aphrodisia) said:

• Don’t waste time writing stuff you don’t love–it’ll show.

• The grass is often times greener on the other computer. Be sure you’re ready for whatever it is you want so bad, because I guarantee it has it’s own pitfalls and perils just like it does before you sell.

Sherrill Quinn (Seasons of Seduction – Volume 1, Elllora’s Cave) said:

• read, read, read–not just craft (how-to) books, but also in the genre you’re writing
• treat your writing like a business–that’s how publishers see it.
• don’t take rejection personally–learn from it and continue to grow and become a better writer
• if you don’t have one, get a critique group–people who won’t just gush and tell you how wonderful you are, but who will comb through your manuscript and give you honest (and kindly delivered) feedback.