To tweet or not to tweet

I have awesome photos of the calamity jack release party, but I've been working crazy hours on a deadline with the Super Secret Project, so I haven't had time to post them yet. Maybe tomorrow. In the meantime, a question: Should I join the growing hordes on Twitter? I have a facebook page, but I update about once a week and spend very little time there. I need to conserve where I spend my time, so family and writing take precedence. But everyone I know just raves about Twitter. What think ye, gentle readers? Worth the time?

Comments

[Hillary]

As one who has not been twitterpated, I would say skip this trend, spend the time on more worthwhile things. I guess I'm just greedy...I'd rather have more of your books than more of your tweets, although I'm sure they'd be great. :)

[Kristi Stevens]

I have a twitter account but I don't love it. It doesn't fill me up in a positive way. It's just another time waster. Your audience is large enough you can probably skip the trend and dedicate your time to things that matter.

[Ruby]

I completely agree with Hillary. I don't have a Twitter account and don't plan to have one. You can only spread yourself so thin. Go for what you can handle and leave off the unnecessary.
Can't wait to see what your "Super Secret Project" is!

[Laura Z M]

Be smart.

Don't start.

[Caroline]

I totally agree; Twitter is just another unnecessary thing. I'd rather read your posts on here!

[Je Reve]

It might prevent as frequent posts here, on Squeetus. If that is the case, then I vote nay. Can't wait to see your facebook, though!

[Meg]

Please don't jump on the Twitter bandwagon!
Here's what I feel like saying to people who are really into Twitter:
IT'S OKAY TO BE ALONE SOMETIMES! You don't need to know what other people are doing every second of the day and we don't need to know what you are doing every second of the day!

[Olivia]

I actually hated Twitter for a while, but quite enjoy how quick it is now, compared to Facebook.

What I have is an application on Facebook that when I update my Twitter it auto-updates my Facebook. So both say the same thing but some people use Twitter & hate Facebook, then some people use Facebook & hate Twitter. It won't take you anymore time than you are already doing if you do it that way.

[Angie]

Wow. I'm gonna go ahead and be the first one to say I love twitter and think it would be fun if you joined. You can managed your time as you like and spend as much or as little as you want there. It's very easy to fall in and out of the flow of conversation and you can meet so many interesting bookish folk there. Bloggers, authors, publishers, agents, we're all having a fun time. :) Hope no one hates me for it, but I really like twitter.

[Becky Williams]

Don't be a twit. Don't we all waste enough of our time on the computer with all of the other stuff?

[Jill]

Don't start twittering. Spend time with your family.

[Miss Erin]

I had an account for a while but ended up deleting it...it sucks your time and is kind of pointless all around. I'd vote no.

[Jenn]

Well, I'm sure you would be a very welcome voice to the Twitter community. You may have seen this, but author Lisa Schroeder wrote about Twitter from one author's POV on her blog: http://tinyurl.com/yaep3mr. You of course would fall in the Sarah Dessen category of writer that she talks about, but it still might be good food for thought. I haven't gotten into twitter myself because I worry about the time commitment, but it seems to me if an author is able to juggle blogging, Twitter, and Facebook they would connect with a wider group of fans since some people prefer one over the other. (Of course, finding the time to juggle those is the tricky part.)

[Miss_Tammy]

As a Young Adult Coordinator for a small library system in Kentucky, I've found Twitter to be a valuable resource. It puts me in contact with authors, publishers, and fellow librarians that I wouldn't have an opportunity to reach out to otherwise. It also helps me stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and what books are being published, read, and enjoyed. I believe that if you use it correctly, as a tool instead of a lifestyle choice, it can be very beneficial. Please, come join us.

[Ruby Diamond]

Like Olivia, I have my twitter account set to update my facebook account. So it is actually a time saver, instead of a time waster for me.

I think you should join, because then I could subscribe to you, and I wouldn't have to remember to check your facebook page. :)

Do what you like though! I don't think you're the kind that would let yourself get obsessed, so I don't think you'll have any problems.

[melissa @ 1lbr]

I myself questioned the wisdom of joining. I was convinced by the overwhelming comments of other book bloggers. If you want to read what they had to say, go to the comments on my post here: http://librariansbookreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/on-twitterings-and-followers.html

I joined and found it very easy to ignore or to participate, depending on time and mood.

[Wonderwegian]

Twitter is a great networking tool for authors/writers/etc. You can choose how often to tweet and what all you actually want to read from others. I personally only tweet once or twice a day. Between Twitter, Facebook, and my blog it is all about time/control. I actually blogged about this today.
P.S. I didn't know you were on FB.

[Emily]

I can't figure out why Twitter is so popular. It seems like a time waster to me.

[Michelle Teacress]

I agree with Olivia and Ruby. Just connect your facebook with twitter so when you update one, the other automatically updates. I love twitter! It takes far less time than fb (which I also have) and is much less complicated. Authors galore are on twitter and constantly update about their book tours/signings/writings. I vote yay. Only the setup will take time, since you'll want an awsome background of your most recent release. ;)

[Mrs. Mordecai]

I joined and didn't love it, and never use it. I can't see why anyone would need a blog AND Twitter AND Facebook.

[DaNae]

(In 140 characters or less) Just write and blog a bit. What more could we ask? Also I’m a Twitter nit-wit.

[Rinna-Girl]

It might be fun, but I'd rather read your Squeetus blogs.

[Debbie (Celes)]

Whoah! You have Facebook? *adds you as a friend* Um... while I have a Twitter account, I find the whole thing somewhat silly, so I won't be crying any tears if you don't join.

[Mandy]

Twitter = Time Waster!

[Shawna JC Tenney]

I just joined twitter. You don't have to go there very often. I just update when certain events are happening like one of my books just came out or I'm in an art show. You really don't have to get into it as much as most people do. It's just a good way to let people know what's going on in your career. Just keep it small if you do it. Plus, you can find other writters to follow and get some valuable information. You really don't have to look at it very often.

[Cate]

Truly, I think how you choose to use your Twitter account determines whether it is a time-waster or not. Because you can set up Twitter to link with your phone, updating is just as quick as sending a text message. Very time-efficient, if you ask me.

Using Twitter solely online, however, can make take up a chunk of your time. It's still fun to have conversations every once in a while though with others online. :)

[Amanda Norr]

I think this blog is the best.

[HeatherL]

I think twitter is best used by writers- they know how to write tweets worth reading. I'm sure your tweets would be worth a read! But if you don't want to join, don't: a twitterer who only joined because friends and publicists insisted on it is a sad sight, and no one wants to read forced, unhappy tweets. And it's usually best to focus on just one or two social media platforms, rather than trying to spread yourself too thin over several.

[Pussreboots]

I would follow you if you joined. Some authors send their characters to tweet for them. Send Jack. I'd read his tweets.

[Mel Leilani]

Hmm... So apparently I'm a twit if I tweet. I'm a writer, and I enjoy the challenge of twitter: be concise and say something of import in just 140 characters. Yes, people waste that space and write worthless things; you can say the same for any medium. Shannon, I'm a fan of yours and I'd love to follow your tweets!

As for all you peeps dissing on Twitter... No one's making you do it. If you don't, that's fine. But don't assume everyone who does it is a mindless idiot. Just about anything can be a time waster if you let it. I think Twitter a great way to keep up with things -- and quite quickly, actually. I follow several writers and producers, and there's a lot to learn; sometimes brevity is the best way to go.

[Natasha @ Maw Books]

Honestly. I love Twitter. I do. It's the only medium in which I think authors, bloggers, book enthusiasts, booksellers, and publishers can all share the same space.

But one must tweet responsibly. Family always comes first. I love seeing what our local authors are up to. I think that it's great for a sense of community.

[Laura Hartness]

I've been a Facebook member for a long time and still have my account, but these days I enjoy Twitter much more. The information and interaction is much more up to date and alive. And as a book reviewer/blogger, I've seen the power of the medium as authors and publishers are working to get the word out about their titles.

I enjoy following authors in order to keep up with their latest releases, because I don't always have time to check everyone's websites. I'd love it if you joined us on Twitter, @ShannonHale!

Laura Hartness
@LHartness
The Calico Critic

[Hannah]

I debate the same thing (as I did forever before joining Facebook) but right now am feeling like I don't need another excuse to be on the computer! (Or not "present" in real life.) I'm sure you're more self-disciplined than I, however.

Can't wait to find out about the Super Secret Project!

[DaronFraley]

For me, the jury is still out. I am not sure yet if the time I have spent is worthwhile. As a new author I was hoping for more exposure, but I am not certain it will work. My suggestion for now would be to setup the account, check in occasionally, and use twitter to announce blog posts. Then see what happens.

[Amy]

Count me as one of the twits that loves Twitter. I really enjoy following my favorite authors, publishers and musicians.

It doesn't have to be a time consuming form of communication if used properly.

[Libbi]

hey u have a facebook! huh. well, i wouldn't be surprised if u get a lot of friend requests after this.:) As for twitter... blech. It's pretty much the same as facebook but without the pictures so i mean... what's the point? I say dont go for it

[Libbi]

hahaha i actually just sent you a facebook request.... :) Sent you a really long message with it, too, informing you that i am not a complete stranger. If, that is, you read the comment section of your blog. :)

[Danylle]

Keep working on your Super Secret project, we don't want to interupt that process. Join Twitter, use it as a tool to get announcements out, link everything so a single post updates all your social networking sites, thus you reach a higher number of fans more efficiently. Of course we wouldn't mind a little tweet here or there whenever you are standing in line at the grocery store and have an amazing epithany that needs to be told to the world in 140 characters or less.

[Sondy (Sonderbooks)]

I'm on the bandwagon of asking you to be my friend on Facebook! I have been thinking about joining Twitter myself, and hadn't decided yet. Actually, these comments have convinced me it would be worth a try. At least any "conversations" won't be too long-winded!

[Douglas]

Yes, Twitter can be a waste of time, but so can reading books, scrap booking, and sitting around playing with your kids. I agree with Danylle. It's all in how you use it.

Shannon, Twitter is not just a fad. It is a new communications platform. I don't mean to sound evangelistic, but you need to be on it. It's like a mailing list on steroids. Powerful and useful. Many authors that you know are on it as well. When they have sudden changes in plans, nothing is easier than tweeting from their mobile to update interested parties. Learned a book of yours is up for a vote? Tweet the URL. Faster than blogging. Want feedback on something you're researching? Tweet it. Interact with other authors, editors, etc. Read what they're buzzing about.

Take it to the next level and you could provide content on Twitter with clever tweets, get retweeted, and build your audience.

The trick to Twitter is having a game plan. You don't have to tweet from the bathroom about how sick you are, or mindlessly share your thoughts about the latest reality show. Many pros in the tech industry set a certain time of the day to tweet. They log in, interact, build their brand name, then get back to providing content/products/etc. offline. They use their mobile to post relevant updates on the go. You may want to study how @brandonsandrson or @neilhimself (Neil Gaiman) utilize Twitter to keep in touch with their fan base and build awareness of the various projects they are working on. Same with @chrisbrogan, a tech guy who swims in social media like a fish. Twitter is great for building pre-release hype. I wouldn't recommend using it as @megcabot does (one way podium), however, but that's just as valid as any other method.

Ah, I'm going off again. I'm so excitable. Hope this helps.

[Heather Muir]

Twitter is pointless. Skip it.

[Stacey]

For me Facebook is bad enough for sucking up my time...twitter seems even worse!

I have not become twitterpated, and I'm proud of that!

But on the other hand, I have heard it is a great marketing place....

[Katie-wa]

Okay, the thing about Twitter is that it's either ALL the time, or NEVER. And for your lifestyle (that is, you have a life! LOL) I don't think Tweeting is gonna fit. It's so pointless, too! Just random messages about whatever. I think that the Twitter craze will die, except for a few people who really have no social life and therefore tweet about every insignificant thing in their existence. Yeah, I for one am not impressed with Twitter.

[hwalk]

No! It's not worth it, takes up too much time for so little results.

It is not for the busy, unless you love texting and can update with your phone.

I deleted my account.

[Q]

You'd be fine (and a lot less distracted) without a Twitter account. I was on Twitter for a little while, but it was taking too much of my time without giving anything meaningful back to me. I deleted my account.

[Jen]

Though my husband is a Twit-ter, and gets practical use out of his filters for camera tips,etc., I really liked Dave Barry's thoughts on the subject in his year end review for 2009:

"In an alarming technological development, hackers shut down Twitter, leaving a desperate and suddenly vulnerable America with no way to find out what the Kardashian sisters are having for lunch. The Federal Emergency Management Agency urges the nation to ``remain calm'' and ``use Facebook if you can.'' Twitter service is eventually restored, but most of the estimated 875 million thoughts that went untweeted during the outage will never be recovered, making it the nation's worst social-networking disaster ever."

If you do decide to join, I'll make my husband follow you for me. Tell the super secret surprise here first though!

[Christine Boyer]

Nooooo. Don't do it!

I like your blog. I don't follow Twitter, but ultimately it's your choice.

[Judith E. Torres]

Hi Shannon, I'm taking Rick's Publishing class at BYU and looking forward to having you come speak tomorrow night. I shared the stage with you at the Utah Arts Council Awards ceremony in 2008. Unfortunately that's were our paths diverged. I am still getting rejection letters from publishers & agents and you are a superstar! Thanks for being a beacon of hope for those of us looking for the light!

[Katherine Younger]

I have to agree with those in opposition. Twitter is just too much. We shouldn't need to know what you're doing 24/7. Your blog is awesome. Don't follow the herd. Stick to blogging. :)

[r.pinnegar]

Twitter is a networking and promotional tool. It is like being able to text message people you don't have cell phone numbers for. I advised my mom and my grandma not to bother with it, and I'd recommend against teenagers and college freshman using it, but I think you might find it a useful tool.

If you decide to try it out, take some time to look up blogs that discuss Twitter techniques and etiquette. Some of the posts are fluffy, others are very educational.