Finding Your Online Peeps

Let me go ahead and apologize in advance. The original draft of this blog was a lot more fun, but apparently it didn’t fit in with the vision that some of “us” have for the Café.

As it was explained to me, not everyone’s idea of a “helpful online resource” involves gratuitous nudity. There was also some discussion about the appropriateness of promoting websites that depicted adults engaged in physical expressions of love that may or may not be legal in their various states of residence.

Prudes.

So here we are, my friends. Stand back. I’m about to go all mainstream on your collective asses.

My first bit of advice when it comes to online resources: Get thee to Twitter. And lurk like you’ve got an unhealthy obsession with a Hollywood starlet who would totally be into you if she just got to know you a little better. (Screw you, haters! It could happen.)

For all those Twitter skeptics out there, let me be honest. I was once in your camp. But I don’t think there’s any other venue out there that allows you to crawl into the heads of people you admire and just camp out for a while. There’s also the opportunity for interaction, or not, if you so choose. For a guy like me who both craves human contact and doesn’t have a clue how the hell to go about it, a Twitter account is a must have.  It produces the most authentic feeling fake familiarity I’ve ever experienced.

All snark aside, seeking out your favorite authors, editors, and agents on Twitter is a good thing for you. There’s always something to learn out there, and there’s a fair amount of inspiration and encouragement going on. You could find worse ways to waste your time.

Here’s a quick selection of people I stalk/follow, along with their Twitter handles:

• Joe Hill (@joehill) — A kickass horror writer who does anti-hero very well. I highly recommend you pick up one of his novels or comics.
• Bitter Script Reader (@BittrScrptReadr) — A gatekeeper of the film industry, he’ll tell you what annoys the hell out of him in the screenplays he reads. You’ll also get an opinion or two about the industry as a whole.
• Scott Myers (@GoIntoTheStory) — I freaking love this guy. He’s a screenwriter and screenwriting teacher who charts script sales and provides a constant flow of tips and techniques for anyone interested in writing for film.
• Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) — Hilarious writer who is both an excellent self-promoter and dispenser of advice. If irreverent is not your thing, do not seek him out.
• Drunk Hulk (@Drunkhulk) — He’s the Hulk, and he’s drunk tweeting. What’s not to love?

When it comes to websites themselves, most of what I read these days is a direct result of suggestions from Twitter. That being said, I do try to take regular peaks at the websites of Chuck Wendig (www.terribleminds.com) and Scott Myers (http://gointothestory.blcklst.com).

Ultimately, you’re going to have to make your own decisions about whose online advice you’re going to heed. My suggestion is to find people whom you admire. Find those that amuse and inspire you. Read what they have to say, and then get your ass back to writing.

Larry Jenkins

Larry Jenkins is an aspiring Word Pimp. Has laptop, will travel. Let's make this happen, people.