Sad 150th birthday for Rocky Mtn News – but hope

I received this letter today from InDenver Times, the courageous group of ex-Rocky Mountain News journalists who were attempting to keep local news balanced and vital in Colorado.  So, how do you envision the future of local news?  Are newspapers doomed and, if so, what will replace it?  Do you think broadcast news can fill [...]

How to Tweet safely – & avoid StalkDaily & Mikeyy

Because I’ve been writing so much about Twitter, I feel obligated to share a rather shadowy  aspect of Twitter that has recently surfaced.  It started from within my own family.  My sister joined Twitter last Saturday and, within two days, she had her PayPal account wiped out.  While she didn’t have concrete info that linked [...]

What’s in it for me? Etiquette and marketing savvy provide the answer

In a discussion about what is an appropriate or inappropriate post on a networking site, someone posed this question: Is there a source somewhere that lists social networking etiquette?
We all have “friends,” don’t we, who are like the kid at the back of the classroom, raising her hand, waving it furiously. “I have something to [...]

The joy of getting published

Thanks to Michelle Reynoso who asked, “How many people do you know who said I should write a book…”
Most of us have been inspired to write about our lives, our loves, our trials.  The world could learn much from each of us.  In the pursuit of reaching “The End,” however, a writer discovers that [...]

Top Ten Tips for Twitter

I had to share this.  ColoradoBiz’s on-line editor, Mary Butler, created these tips.  I’ve been Tweeting for 57 days now, and these tips ring true.  Love #2. and 10.  If you use Twitter, do you have some tips you’d like to add?  Please share in comments.
1. Thou shall not be boring.
2. Thou shall not spam [...]

Rocky Mtn Fiction Writers Contest now Open for Entries

The 2009 Colorado Gold Writing Contest is now OPEN. Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ annual fiction writing contest is officially open for entries. This is a professionally managed contest with a large stable of experienced, published and multi-published judges.
It also happens to be the contest that led to my first published novel, so I’m thrilled to [...]

How to tap Twitter’s strengths

Today let’s look at how some authors use Twitter, and what features they value.  I surveyed writers from Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and asked them how they use this fast-growing medium.
RMFW’s “Twitter” stars – survey results
Note:  “Tweets” means # of messages sent per day.
Christine Duncan.
Tweeting: 6 months.  Tweets per day: 2-3.  Followers: 130.  Tool or [...]