Friday, August 21, 2009

Sometimes it's the author not the story that gets my attention

*Reminder* Don't forget to enter my book for you, book for your library contest here!

I had this funny realization the other day. I have bought books based on what I knew about the author instead of just wanting to read the book. Who new? The prime example of this was Twilight. Let me just get this out there first - I am not a fan of vampires. Maybe it's the fact that I used to have this freaky reoccurring nightmare that involved a vampire when I was a kid, but I'm just not that into them. So it's no wonder I had no desire to read Twilight based on the fact it was about vampires (which as we know Twilight goes against many of the standard vampire ideas so maybe that's why I like it?).

Then I read an article/interview about Stephenie Meyer, then went and found her web site where she shares a lot of info on how it all began. Once I learned how she was a young mother of three and just sort of had this dream, wrote a book, and become a huge success I was intrigued. This was before the mayhem began (even before the last book came out - before I started writing even!) but late enough in the game that the world knew it as becoming a movie. Another reason I was curious. Love a book to movie.

It happened again when I started writing then blogging and discovered real life published authors were doing the same thing. Duh, right? When the awesome Beth posted about Carrie Ryan's debut The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I checked out Carrie's blog and site and instantly wanted to go get her book because her story was super interesting too. Lawyer turned YA fantasy writer? Love that. Did I also mention I'm not typically a big zombie fan? Yet I LOVED this book.

Most recently it happened with Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush. I'm not sure how I heard about it or if it was because I found her blog first then her site, but I wanted to read her book not only because it sounded amazing but because she seems like one of the nicest people on earth. Becca takes time to reply to what I am guessing are all the comments on her posts and is just so approachable you feel like you can ask her anything. Did I mention her book is AMAZING? It is.

I guess I'm a sucker for debut authors, especially ones who blog. It's like getting to know someone, and who doesn't want to pick up a friend's book? I sure do. In my mind blogging and other forms of social networking are a huge asset for both authors and readers. It helped me discover books I may have never read otherwise and boy am I glad I did. Lately I've been thinking about my time management (or lack thereof) and I just can't rationalize skimping on the time I spend reading and writing blogs or my growing interest in twitter because I love doing it and because I've seen how effective it is.

I'm far away from publication considering I don't have an agent yet, but the way I look at it is that I'm trying to do what I love seeing in authors. I'm recording my journey from the beginning. Even if I didn't want to become a published author I'd still do this because it's so fun and because of the incredible people I've met. For me blogging and networking is worth the time on many levels so I guess I'm going to have to find another place in my life to skim time from so I can write more and get other things done more efficiently. It really does come down to what is a priority for me. Sleep, showering? Who needs them? Kidding of course. Now cleaning under the bed or washing my car, they can wait.

10 comments:

MeganRebekah said...

OMG this is so true! So many books I've read recently are because of the authors. Like Jackson Pearce. Her blog and vlogs are so funny, I had to read her debut As You Wish (well worth it!).

And Becca is so sweet. I just got my ARC of HushHush yesterday, and even though I'm supposed to wait until tonight to read it, I've already been sneaking little bits.

Just this week I pre-ordered Jessica Bendinger's debut novel The Seven Rays because she wrote the movie Bring It On. What could be a better recommendation than that? I'm hoping her book lives up to the hilarity of the movie.

JESSJORDAN said...

Haha, love your list of priorities. I do the same thing from time to time. Becca Fitzpatrick is the one that first comes to mine, b/c she's so incredibly nice, despite how crazy busy she must be. It helps that her story interests me and her cover is amazing, but still. We want our friends to be successful, and we want to be a part of that success, so of course we want to read their books! :)

*goes off to google "The Seven Rays" b/c Bring It On = awesome.

Tana said...

I wonder if it's because we're writers? I'm doing the same thing a lot lately... With no regrets because the books have been fun to read as well!

lisa and laura said...

I think this is proof that social networking can really make or break an author. If people know you they want to read your book and if they like your book AND they know you they're going to tell all their friends.

MeganRebekah said...

And this afternoon I realized it also works the other way. I read an authors bio (won't say who in case you love him/her) and went Ew, seriously? And even though I had thought about buying the book the bio completely turned me off. I don't think I would enjoy something written by a person like that.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad I helped you find Carrie Ryan! :)

It *is* true though--I'm finding more and more that I look at the author's name as much as the book title...

Anonymous said...

I agree! There are soo many people who have awesome lives then write something so crazy and good! I absolutley love it!

If they can do it why can't we?

Plus I love how you document all this stuff! It's all real and true which is so important to see when trying to crack into the business! Keep it up girl--aspiring writers will be reading your journey one day! =D

Sarah said...

Here here! I love this post, and I totally agree. The more I can relate to an author, the more I want to go out and purchase their novel.

Rebecca L Sutton said...

Glad to see I'm not the only one that does this. Always a good thing to know you aren't too crazy, right? I just love getting to know the story behind the story because it truly does provide some sort of connection the author's books.

Oh and MeganRebekah I laughed when I saw your comment on not buying a book after discovering an author isn't the nicest or something. I would feel the exact same way. I think I'll post about something like that!

Thanks for the comments!!

kah said...

I hear ya girlie. I love knowing the atory behind the story. :) And I feel your pain about lack of blogging time. There just arent enough hours in the day!