You hear a great deal about the dangers of the internet. Correctly, children are taught to watch out for evil paedophiles posing as friendly teens. The internet is a place where you can find extreme politics and extreme porn, ugly views and ugly manners and you can never be sure who's watching you or who's contacting you.
However. You hear considerably less about the love you find on the internet. And I'm not talking about online dating - although it seems to me to be a quite reasonable way to meet someone, and a gentle exchange of emails, texts and phone calls leading up to a date seems infinitely preferable to copping off in a nightclub.
I mean the general warm and friendly supportiveness that seems to thrive on the web just as much - and possibly even more - than the evil stuff. The bloggers who give up their time to read, review and promote books. The writers who use their blogs, Twitter and Amazon to promote the work of new authors. The people who comment on blogs and become your friends. The feeling that we're all comrades in a new kind of democracy - a democracy which genuinely gives everyone an equal say.
Last week Yunaleska threw a fabulous on-line launch party for me and I can't thank her enough. And thank you everyone who twittered about Joe, signed up on the new Facebook page, mentioned me on their blogs, reviewed me, interviewed me and generally made me feel loved and celebrated. I can't thank you enough, and I promise to do the same for you. Very soon.
PS Don't forget the lookalike contest! Getting some great entries - still time to enter.
Hoorah. Though I actually think you warrant more love than most bloggers out there because YOU are all the things mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteStrange you post about this actually, because tomorrow I am posting about potentially dating another blogger...
plentymorefishoutofwater.blogspot.com/
Today I read a book that was recommended to me by a facebook friend and bought by another, whilst I have a French musical on at the moment, recommended by yet another. Last year I bought two books written by facebook friends, one written by another facebook friend's father and two more written by twitter followees (opposite of a follower!). Without the way that the internet allows views to spread I would only have bought one of the books because I wouldn't have known about the others. Mind you I might have had more time to read if I didn't spend any time online...
ReplyDeleteOoh Fish, can't wait to read.
ReplyDeleteAnne, you are the reason I got into Facebook in the first place. I'd set up an account, felt pretty lukewarm about it and then you friended me and we were back in touch after nearly 30 years and suddenly I saw what it was all about. And look at me now. Hopelessly addicted.
Probably the best thing about the internet is the ability to connect with people all over the world and make new cyber friends.
ReplyDeleteCame across your blog via Nicola Morgan's site. Have to say your book sounds wonderful. I'll definitely be picking it up and wish you luck with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo. It's out in the US in the autumn, or if you cant wait until then The Book Depository do free internatonal shipping.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of anyone that has written a book, but two...?!?! You are my new hero!
ReplyDeleteHah Rapunzel, better read it and see if you like it before giving me hero status...Then you can..
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about the magic of the interwebs! I was feeling 'meh' about it until a couple of months ago, when all sorts of wonderful people (including yourself!) walked into my e-life. Thanks Keren!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Writing is potentially a lonely life. I don't know what I'd do without my on-line friends to check in with whenever I stop to get a cup of coffee!
ReplyDeleteI have your book on order, Keren.
Ah what a lovely post to read on a cold and grey Monday morning. I'm new to the world of blogging but having been nosying about for the past couple of days I am definitely starting to feel the love!
ReplyDeleteKate x
http://search-for-the-perfect10.blogspot.com
The internet writing community is lovely <33
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. At a conference once this guy was doing a whole lecture on new technologies and he said the internet was built on love and now after becoming a blogger I understand exactly what he meant. So many people give up their time to share their knowledge, interests, hobbies through with a global community. I learnt how to do eye make up through Youtube. The internet is amazing because people are amazing. Love is awesome!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely perfect description of what's good about the internet, Keren. I spend far too much time on Facebook and now Twitter, but in return they've transformed my writing life; I've met so many new friends and there's nothing 'virtual' about the friendships except for the way they began. Mind you, perhaps I just need to be tempted online a *little* less often...:-)
ReplyDeleteStill waiting for WIWJ to arrive from Amazon, but as there's a snow mountain outside the front door I have to assume the postie is boycotting me!
Or he's inside the mountain..Gillian, get your shovel! The book could be there...(err, I mean,you could save a man's life!)
ReplyDeleteI'm increasingly impressed by the power of the blog and internet world. My other chums don't really get it, but I continue to get to know excellent people with similar interests or in some cases, completely different to me. That makes it all worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. i feel really lucky to have such a great group of bloggers that I genuinely think of as friends. Sending you a cyber hug
ReplyDeleteKate xx
http://secretofficeconfessions.blogspot.com
I find a lot of mutual support in the writers' community both on and off line. It's great to be a part of this community!
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