The importance of a web presence for aspiring writers is imperative in this fast paced society. Books, both paper and digital, can be purchased with the click of a mouse. As an avid reader, when I find an author that I like, I Google them as soon as I finish the last page. Thus far I have pushed my own web presence off to the side. If you were to Google my name, not one thing would appear in your search… until now. Not because I didn’t think it was important, but because of time. As a married woman who works full time with a young child, I have a very limited amount of time to write. When I do sit down at the keyboard, I want to immerse myself in the lives of my fictional characters. I find them much more interesting and entertaining than my own life! In the past year or so I started to approach my writing with a much stronger business perspective. I have given myself writing deadlines, most of which I have met, and I have been much more regimented regarding the time I spend writing. I have strengthened my networking skills at writer’s conferences and local writing association meetings. I even created a marketing tagline for my future professional writing career that I added to a business card that may or may not translate to my website once I finish building it.
Humorous Romance that Sizzles
Yet still, no web presence. The other day, my BFF and critique partner said “You really need to establish a web presence” in a tone that brokered no discussion. As I inch ever closer to publication I know that this is a problem. It is time. Immediately I thought Website…BFF shook her head and told me that it’s time to start blogging.
I will admit that the idea of blogging terrifies me. First, I am a relatively private person. This is the number one reason, next to time, as to why I have yet to establish the almighty web presence. I have vacillated for the longest time over whether or not to use a pen name. Dragging my heels on a pen name has become a form of procrastination. Until I establish my NAME, how can I have a website or blog? Until recently it was rare for me to let anyone outside of my writing social circle know that I wrote. What if I failed and was never published? What would they think of me if they knew I wrote…GASP…ROMANCE? What type of impact would having a mother published in romance have on my daughter when she is older? In order to move forward on my journey to publication, it is time to face those fears.
Having already stated that I’m a private person, I don’t plan for this blog to be about anything other than
- the pursuit of my dream of being a published author,
- observations I make in life as they relate to my writing and the publishing industry, and
- anything that inspires me to write.
I know that as I share my journey pieces of me will automatically seep through onto the page. It is inevitable, more so here than in any piece of fiction that I will ever write.
I will leave with one observation about my writing and the name I have decided to put on my books. I was born in upstate NY, lived most of my life there and in NYC where I trained for and pursued a theatrical career. I have lived in the state of NJ for 14 years and the books that I am currently inspired to write are set at the Jersey Shore. It has taken me most of my life to feel comfortable with who I am. I am RoseAnn DeFranco. I love my name. It was given to me in part by the two people who lovingly brought me into this world, and by the man who married me and gave me his heart. If that isn’t ROMANCE, then I don’t know what is.
RoseAnn DeFranco - Where Laughter, Passion and Love Bloom 
You inspire me every day, BFF. Without you, I would not be the woman OR the writer than I am today. You are going to make a splash on the web…we will do it together. I’m so glad that you finally took my advice. Welcome to the world of blogging! It’s fun here, I think you are going to love it. 🙂
Thanks for the push! Scary waters for me though! 🙂
Hooray! I’m so proud of you!!! Can’t wait to read more! And I really can’t wait to read your novel….WHEN it’s published!!! Way to go, Zann!!
Thank you for the support Mary. You have no idea how much it means to me!
You amaze me! I’m so proud of you, congratulations on the first of many. Love, TD
YOU amaze me! Thank you for the name and the inspiration, of course! 🙂
Truly inspiring! Your strength and growth is beautiful I want more! I want to read more more more! Please keep us posted as to your progress. So many people are behind you and can’t wait for your success…keep chasing that dream until it is yours to keep! Your not far off at all!
Aww…Thank you, Nikki! 🙂
I’m so proud of my little girl!
🙂
Awesome Roseann!!! Welcome to the web. Looks GREAT!!!!
Thanks, Chris!
Way to go, RoseAnn! The first post is the hardest and you did it!
I love the last four sentences of your post; as a married woman myself, I never thought of it that way, and it gives me a whole new perspective. A wonderfully, romantic thought, indeed!
Smooch!
Trudy
XOXO Trudy! 🙂
RoseAnn you are going to be a star! Great blog keep it going.
Thank you for the support, Gail and everyone!
Jesus, RoseAnn. You made me tear up…that was so touching and raw. Good luck on many more and…um…how the heck do you start a blog?
Hi Michelle – We’ll talk! Glad you liked it! 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving, cousin! By the way – I believe in you, too. I always looked up to you, and I always will.
Awww!!! Thank you, Lisa Marie! That means so much to me.
I can’t wait to see your name on the cover of your first published novel. Keep following your dreams!
RoseAnn,
The moment you told me about how you were writing late at night while everyone was asleep…I knew that one day I would be going to Barnes and Noble to buy one of your books (although Romance is not my preference). You are inspiring and always have been. I can’t wait to read your books!!! I love your blog!
Love T