Sometimes, when I discover a new, amazing read, I look to follow an author on Twitter for news about their novels, writing tips, tours, etc.
Sometimes, after following a favorite or new author on Twitter, I regret doing so.
Just like with books, there’s a certain expectation – or image – in my mind when I think of/picture my favorite authors. And, just like with books, sometimes those expectations and images aren’t met or are ruined. And sometimes this causes conflicting emotions:
1. Oh. So THAT’S what you’re like.
2. Oh, wow. You’re kind of a jerk. …But your writing is so amazing! …Should I keep buying your books? …No. I’d be supporting a not-nice person. …Well, wait. That upcoming book looks irresistible. *pre-orders* *feels guilty*
3. I thought I would like your book. I REALLY wanted to like your book! But oh, man, I really disliked your book. But you’re so nice and charming and you help make Twitter less suck-ish.
4. You post WAY too much. You’re taking up my entire timeline. I already know you like cats.
5. You’re so cool and down-to-earth! …Look! You’re having a bad day just like any other person! …Oh, wait. No. No, you’re not. You’re whining. A lot. Every day. I don’t know what to make of this.
6. Oh… you only post advertisements for your book(s). That’s… nice… *unfollows*
Don’t worry, buddy. I feel ya.
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Ahhh, yeah. I’m actually really careful about who I follow on Twitter (author and blogger alike) so I don’t have to save myself from unfollowing them later.
I’ve often compared the author/reader relationship to the teacher/student one. I think a lot of what you’ve written here applies to teachers as well. It is almost as though we hold authors and teachers up to a higher standard than everyone else. We expect them to be a certain way, and when they’re not, it’s awkward.
Exactly! And, like with the teacher/student relationship, there’s a fine line between between being personal and professional.
YUUUUUUP.
That’s the benefit — and the danger — of authors (and other celebrities) being so accessible to us nowadays. The line between their art and their personality becomes even blurrier. But it’s not like we can undo technology and go back to perfect separation. (And it wasn’t perfect anyway; there have always been tabloids to give us the dirt and muck up our impressions of famous folks. At least now we can draw our own conclusions?) So we have to live with the good and the bad.
WE personally like to give everyone a chance, but if they’re turning us off with their negativity or self promotion, we simply unfollow — giving us more time to hang with the awesome writers (and readers) who fill the blogosphere too!
(Also, interestingly, sometimes people are more annoying in one medium than another. Like, someone with a great blog might over-tweet. Or something who’s fun on Twitter might annoyingly self promote on Facebook. So we like to check out the different venues too.)
That’s true. I’ve found some are more tolerable or better on their blogs than Twitter or Facebook.
This is very true. Twitter can change your perception of authors and put you off their books (though it works in a positive way too – I’m always attracted to the books of authors who post funny tweets!) :P. But it’s the same with most people as well – whether they’re authors, friends, family, musicians, actors – their tweets can put you off or draw you in an instant. That’s how things roll these days, I guess! :P
Yea, it’s really applicable to anyone. :[
So many of these have happened to me! The one I especially hate is the “I followed you because your book sounded AWESOME! and then I didn’t like it… Then I feel guilty like it was somehow my fault for not liking this really cool person’s book, which it isn’t but it still isn’t fun.
Like pretty much everyone else has said, these apply to everybody. For example if you’re a blogger who only uses twitter to get extra entries to giveaways, that’s an immediate unfollow. Anything less than that, and Ihate unfollowing, just because I’m constantly second, third, and fourth guessing my own tweets. I’d hate to unfollow someone because they’re driving me nuts if I’m guilty of the same thing, you know? It’s a fine line to walk…
Yes, that’s the other side, too – that is even applies to ourselves. But it’s really not worth getting caught up in both what you do AND everyone else does; you’d be paranoid all the time!
YES! Esp 3 & 6. For 3, I really wish the book reflected their personalities but it doesn’t. Le sigh.
Me, too. I think the only one who’s done that well is John Green.
Ahahahaha! YES! But there is the occasional gem where you’re like ‘I KNEW I LOVED YOU FOR A REASON!!’
BUT OMFG. YESSSS. It sucks… there’s a particular author I ADORED… until I started reading her blog, and one particular thing she posted… nwo I just can’t muter any enthusiasm for any of her work :(
I know! When they’re good, it all feels awesome. And when they’re not so good, it feels… awkward.
[...] Alissa @ The Grammarian’s Reviews wrote about the experience of following authors on Twitter. [...]