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You done?
Alright, let's continue shall we?
Right, so, as of this morning, I now have over 200 followers on Twitter. STOP LAUGHING I'M TRYING TO TELL A STORY!
Look, that's a big deal for me, alright? I was hovering at just over 100 for the longest time. I was cool with that. I figured that the people following me were following me because they were at least vaguely interested in what I had to say. Having around 100 people vaguely interested in what I had to say was flattering enough for an completely unknown author. I was totally cool with that.
Then, starting last week, I got another follower. Then another few. Then a few more. I shrugged them off. To be honest, I thought they were the followers you get who follow you merely to get a follow back. I don't do that. That's not how I play.
It's probably not the best way to make friends online, but if I'm not interested in what someone has to say, I won't follow them. So, beauty gurus, you're wonderful and all, but not my cup of tea. That armourer over there, however, I'll follow the shit out of that person. This is because I don't find information about cosmetics even vaguely interesting. Armour design and construction, however? That stuff is golden.
I figured that these new people would drop me pretty quick. And you know, some of them did. But some of them, many of them, in fact, stuck around. And more followed. And stuck around. And now I have over 200 followers that I have no idea how to entertain.
*puts on top hat* *grabs cane* *attempts to dance* *falls down*
Um... Hi, new people! Thanks for following me. I hope I can keep sending interesting stuff your way.
I find the new surge in Twitter followers funny, as it comes at a time of falling Facebook likes. I wonder what the difference is?
In any case, I am very glad for it. As a completely unknown writer, people following out of genuine interest is probably one of the best things that can happen. Why? Because it's word of mouth that gets people reading. There are few things more powerful in the book community than friends giving reading recommendations to friends. That's really how books move into the collective consciousness. All the advertising in the world is only a fraction as powerful as readers excitedly explaining a new book discovery to other readers.
In other words, it means something for an author to have people following her who are genuinely interested in what she has to say. It means more than something.
So, in all seriousness, though I am mystified by this new development, thanks so much for following me. I genuinely hope that you find some value in doing so, and I shall attempt to deliver interesting stuff to your news feed.
Much love to all my followers, old and new!
Now I have to break my brain with some Welsh lessons.
Ciao!
(P.S. If you didn't know I was on Twitter, you can find me HERE).