Hey there, 2020

2019 was all about visibility. I wanted to not only reach new readers, but be more visible to those already following me. I wanted to connect with those around me where I seemed to fail in the past.

what did I do?
I tried monthly blogging.
That didn’t yield results. I’d give away free things each blog if people would just comment. I’d share all over social media, and nothing would happen. So, after six straight months, I gave up.

I started back at book signings.
this was the best use of my word ever. I made new friends, created new partnerships, and overall just enjoyed being in a book obsessed setting.

I sent weekly newsletters.
While these were focused on recommendations, I usually had more - like a question, recipe and tons of giveaways. Did it work? Not really. My list of 2000 dropped down to about 1500 and I’d get maybe 2-3 engagement. Which, if it was you, I LOVED that!

I joined a boxset with new authors.
this improved my readership and my friendships as it launched the Hexed in New Orleans world AND hit the USA list, but it overall did not create the relationship with readers that I wanted. Do the books sell? Yes, but I’m after the engagement and fun more than the sales.

I posted daily on my business page.
Facebook algorithms are a pain. However, with over 10k followers I was certain if I posted daily, people would be interested in “hanging out”. Some days this worked, most it fell flat. I did giveaways, questions, fun things and more. Nothing stood out as working more than something else.

I tried to giveaway as many things as I could.
the goal? Entice someone to try something new. I never required more than a share to enter, and still, most went not entered.


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The takeaway?

What started on a high note as a key goal turned into a depression-like state after 7 months. Was Facebook causing some of it? Yes, but overall, it wasn’t. People didn’t seem to want to engage with me. Was it me as a person? Do my books sound shitty? Worse, do my books suck?

come November and December I slipped on deadlines and gave up pretty much everything. It’s not about fame or fortune for me, it’s about creating the communities I love as a reader. It became impossible to care because it feels (yes present tense), like no one needs the escape or wants the escape my stories bring. Writing grew tiresome, the characters didn’t stop talking, but I no longer cared if anyone ever knew their stories.
It’s not pretty, but it’s the truth. Without any indication my stories were enjoyed, it made no sense to keep pumping them out, no matter that I have 77 outlines waiting. And worse? If it wasn’t the stories no one wanted, it was me.

In my personal life, I’ve never cared if people don’t like or engage with me. I’m confident in myself. However, that disintegrates when my work is in question. It annoys me, but it’s what brings me to 2020’s word.

DREAMS

2020 is going to be about remembering why I started - to fulfill dreams. I am going to spend the year focusing on why I first picked up a pen in second grade to write a silly story about a snowflake.

I want to focus on the dream being the most important part - not on caring if people share my dream or believe in it.

2020 is about Lexi. It’s about the stories I want to tell, the worlds I want to share and to hell with caring if people don’t want them. I want them.

this is my call to action for you in 2020 - fight to love and live your dreams. ❤️❤️