I have discovered you can completely change your life with Facebook Groups.
Okay, the title of this post could be a bit of a stretch. Not for me, though.
I’d say I’m a typical Facebook member with several hundred “friends” whose posts I enjoy reading. As a director and teacher, I’m interested in the day to day routine of people. You simply fascinate me.
At the same time I’m sort of a loner, too. What does that make me? An extrovertive introvert? or vice versa?
I’m self reliant. When I was ten years old I learned to be so and ever since, I take care of myself for most everything. Other than my husband, I go to only one friend when I have a problem I can’t solve.
I’m an indie author, too.
Enter Goodreads. (You thought this post was about Facebook. It is. Just bear with me.)
Goodreads bibliophiles are a large, diverse group. I admire people who will read any book put in front of them. I’m always impressed by how many books some people read in a month. I know voracious readers who read several books at a time. I’m trying that at the moment. I’m reading My Brilliant Friend before I go to bed and The Handmaid’s Tale during the day. Yikes! Next, I’ll read two indie author’s books simultaneously.
Through Goodreads, I ran upon an indie writers group. I’ve gained so much knowledge from this great group of authors, I only wish I had met them several years ago.
Considering my need for independence, I was reticent to join any “groups” –writing groups, primarily. One friend of mine suggested that I stay away from writing groups because he thought I might try to conform and change my writing in order to be accepted by the group instead of writing what I wanted. That is definitely a problem of mine.
Recently, I suggested to two young indie writers who are just getting started (I’m not that far ahead of them BTW), they should join a few Facebook writing and reader groups. In particular, I suggested the Indie Writer’s Cooperative.
These writers are hesitant to share and make friends just like me.
Before I joined, I figured there was some catch which I didn’t see. You know, a we’ll-get-you-hooked-and-somehow-manipulate-you-into-doing-something-you-don’t-want-to-do.
It’s been QUITE the contrary.
If you aren’t a part of a group on Facebook, I highly recommend you join some, even if your interests are basket weaving with goats. I guarantee you’ll feel more connected to people. Sometimes the only friends I have are through these groups. We’ve moved twice in eight years. We aren’t spring chickens. At our advanced ages, starting all over in a new town takes its toll on one’s desire to make friends. Again. But we persevere…
Let’s use the Facebook group Indie Writers Cooperative as an example. It began last year in October with 20 members. We wanted to have our own indie authors day in celebration of the national one. There were about twenty of us. Now there are nearly 600! This is not an open group, but anyone who writes can be a part of it. You just need to ask to join. No biggie.
Indie Writer’s Cooperative is a place for writers to field questions and concerns they have about their writing, find a shoulder to lean upon when writing isn’t going well or a group to cheer you on when something great happens.
We publicize our giveaways to each other and share each other’s posts as much as we can. Several times a year, we have indie author days which gives us an opportunity to work together for the good of the group.
Near Valentines day, we kept our page live for over twenty-four hours giving readers an opportunity to become acquainted with us all in one spot!
It’s a varied list as you’ll see. I’ve made some friendly, helpful contacts through IWC. We have members from all over the world.
Here are some of their names, their country or state of origin and a few titles of the books they’ve written:
Joanne Van Leerdam
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Victoria, Australia
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Books: Nova, Lear, New Horizons
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Genre: Poetry, Short Stories
Fiona Hogan
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Laois, Ireland
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Books: The Lights Went Out and Other Stories
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Mixed Genres: Humor, Romance to the Supernatural
Laurel Heidtman aka Lolli Powell
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Kentucky, USA
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Books: Whiteout (as Laurel Heidtman) & The Body on the Barstool (as Lolli Powell)
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Genre: Thriller (whiteout) and cozy mystery (Body)
Claire Buss
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Barking, England
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Books: The Gaia Effect
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Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi
Renee Gauthier aka RM Gauthier
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Ontario, Canada
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Brooks: Control
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Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery
Kyra Leary
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Lowell, Massachusetts
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Books: Earth No 104 & Earth No. 105: Birth
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Genre: Paranormal/Romance/Sci-fi
Susan Wee
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Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
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Books: Absence of Color, Spectrum of Color Book One
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Genre: Fantasy
Pamela Grusendorf Workman aka PDWorkman
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Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Books: Questing for a Dream
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Genre: YA/Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Diverse
Scarlett Van Dijk
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South Australia, Australia
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Books: Sky Stone (book 2 of the Sky Stone Series) Guardian Core (book 2 of the Sky Stone Series)
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Genre: Young adult fantasy
Marie Jones
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Sussex, England
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Books: Into the Shadows
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Genre: Romantic suspense/mystery
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Sherri Whaley Frontz
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Johnson City, TN
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Books: When the Morning Comes (Book one in the Land’s End Series)
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Genre: Mystery, Romantic Suspense
Jeannie JB Richards
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New Hampshire
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Books: Miriamne the Magdala
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Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Young Adult
And
Deborah Baldwin
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Lawrence Kansas
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Books: Bumbling Bea
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Genre: Young Teen, Humorous
Pretty cool, huh? It’s a terrific gathering place.
I’m not endorsing Facebook, per se but since I joined the Indie Writer’s Cooperative Facebook group, I signed up with several other groups. In fact, I don’t even know how many groups I’m a part of now– groups for writers, readers, teachers, retirees, political and arts lovers top my list.
I’ll call myself a social loner. If I spend a bit of time with my Facebook groups and I’m good to go again. Works for me!
Hmmm. I think I’ll go look for some more.
What Facebook groups have you joined? Do you see a benefit in them, too?
I’d love to hear from you. Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net