1. I’m writing this from a local coffeeshop, having just endured my annual Lady Appointment. Ladies, you know of what I speak. It’s just part of being a girl, but NO fun whatsoever. So I celebrate being done (and my bravery while getting stuck by a needle) I got myself a second breakfast:
And yes, that IS the biggest chocolate chip cookie EVER. My plan is to eat part and give the rest to my kid after her lunch. We’ll see if that actually happens. I know, greediness is NOT very ladylike.
2. In other lady news (I have no idea why I’m using that word so much, sorry) our hen Pretty Chicken, despite doing everything she could, was not able to hatch the eggs she was sitting on. Which is such a bummer, because she worked so hard and was isolated and suffered and then it was for, well, not much at all. (Can you tell I have become a BIT codependent with this chicken? No? Oh, good.) We still need more chickens, though, so yesterday my husband went out and bought eight more pullets (teen chickens) which are now in the shed, away from the rest of the flock until they get a little bigger. So cute, right?
My daughter has already named one Fuzzy and another one Peep. Personally I am lobbying to name some of them after my fave GMA folks: Robin, Sam and Josh. No one else likes this idea. But watch: I will prevail!
3. Here’s something NOT very ladylike: having a dirty mind. Which is what I was accused of when I said that the candle mold with my daughter’s new Play Doh bake set seemed, to me anyway, quite…male. My babysitter looked at me, eyebrows raised: “Oh my God, I never would have thought that!” Never?
I’m going to stop writing about this now.
4. My kid was sick earlier this week, and I had one of those not so proud parenting moments. If you’ve been there, you know it: for the second night in a row, it’s about 3 a.m. and you’ve already been up to bring water, check temperature, administer medicine about four times since going to bed at 10pm. You’ve JUST managed to fall back asleep and you hear it: “Mama!” I was just so, so tired. I looked at the ceiling, there in the dark, and thought, “I can’t. I just can’t. I’m done. I quit.” And again: “Mama!” And what did I do? I got out of bed and went to her. Of course I did. But it’s that moment before, when I just felt like quitting, that shames me now. Even though I get it, and I know I’m not alone. At least, I hope not. Like Mariah Carey famously said, pre-breakdown, “Sleep deprivation is REAL, people!” Indeed.
5. Finally, a question for you guys. I’m still trying to work out the BEST way to do this whole social networking thing, and I think as a result I’m doing too much. There’s Twitter, which I adore, and Facebook, which I don’t. Tumblr fascinates me, Goodreads is overwhelming. And then there is this, the blog, which I am TRYING to keep up but feeling less than enthused about. What are you, as readers, wanting to read online? Blogs? Tumblr posts? Tweets? Nothing? A year from now I’ll have a new book out, and by then I HOPE to have figured all this out. I think blogging is slowly petering out. Or maybe that’s just me? Anyway, any input would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks!
Have a good weekend, everyone!
I’ll read wherever you want to post! Whether it be Twitter, Facebook, blogging or Tumblr (or some other new site which hasn’t been invented yet)
DEFINITELY do not disappear from social networking altogether! Don’t you DARE, Sarah Dessen!! But personally, I follow you on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, so anywhere you post I can read. And honestly most of the stuff you post on this blog has already shown up in one of those other places anyway, so if you want to stop blogging, it probably wouldn’t be a big deal.
The blog works for me, since that’s the one I check all the time because Tumblr confuses me and Twitter is just too much but that’s just me, I obviously cannot speak for everyone else. But, it would be great if you could keep blogging. But, it’s all up to you since you are the one who is writing the blog so hopefully you are able to come up with a decision that is good for you and one you can feel comfortable with.
By the way, that cookie made me crave one =D
Sarah-
I look forward to your blog soo much, Im bummed that your only posting once weekly now. I don’t use tumblr, or twitter, or anything else. I suppose I am old fashioned, but I look forward to your posts every week, I hope that you will continue to blog!
1. BIGGEST cookie ever. I’d totally eat the whole thing. No shame.
3. I’m with you. First thing I thought…”why is there a male part on that cupcake?”
5. Tweet. But I love Facebook. And I disagree…I don’t think blogging is petering out at all. In fact, they’re gaining more and more clout. Bloggers are coming to be recognized as journalists, and I think they’re a big part of this new “digital revolution” we’re in the midst of.
Keep on keepin’ on. I’m looking forward to the new book, but Dreamland will forever be my favorite.
I personally look forward to reading your blog entry every week, and I don’t use Twitter…. that’s my two cents.
Every few months you worry me that you may stop blogging! I love your posts and stories. This is what I would rather see then anything else. Twitter and Facebook are so vague it scares me! I think blogs are creative and more expressive. Don’t stop blogging!!
Well, I always love reading your Tweets! …and Tumblr really can double as a regular blog too. I don’t usually read Facebook posts by anyone other than family/friends.
Also, I’m SO excited for your next book!
Nicole
Sarah- You are such an inspiration to me! You have made me what to start writing my own book
Can’t wait for your new book! To answer your question I like reading blogs and Facebook. I read The Five all the time.
I use twitter and tumblr to follow writers I like (although they are mostly of the comic book variety). It helps if you post links in twitter updates to your blog, so I can just click those and come here. I rarely follow individual blogs as I always forget to check them w/o the reminder in twitter. I used to read you all the time in LJ, but since you left there, I forget to come here unless directed to (I’m sorry, and I do miss your blog).
I’m not so much a blog reader, but I’m all about twitter and tumblr. Those are really the only two social media tools I use to follow authors anymore.
I definitely don’t want you to stop blogging. I’ve been following your blog since way back when!……way before you switched over to your website blog. I remember following your blog on LiveJournal when I was just 14 or so. I’ll be 23 this year. I completely understand becoming overwhelmed with social networking, though, and I don’t want you to start to ‘dread the networking’ ’cause then you’ll disappear! I enjoy your Twitter quite a lot.
I do agree with Lia^^, I don’t think blogs are going anywhere. I’ve found more friends through social networking and their book blogs than through facebook. A lot of the successful blogs are book reviewers. I am sure you’ll be able to make a decision and I know you’ve been feeling troubled over the blog for a while. I’ll still follow you on Twitter, though. =D
If you love Twitter, don’t deny yourself your tweets. As for the other stuff, I suggest combining your tumblr and blog. When you come down to it, they allow you to do the same thing. If you provided a link to your tumblr and started putting your blog posts there, I’m sure you’re followers would figure it out and learn to check that on a weekly basis just like we do the blog. Facebook can probably go by the wayside.
In the end you have to do what makes you happy and keeps you unstressed. Figure out what works best for you and your readers will eventually deal with it and follow. Good luck and have a great weekend.
Pleeease please don’t disappear altogether! I haven’t had much time to catch up on the blog but whenever I do get a chance to read it, I love it! Although I do understand why you’re not too enthusiastic about it. If anything, I say keep Twitter, without a doubt, because it’s the easiest way to update reader’s on what’s going on with you
We like to hear about you just hearing about Jimmy Fallon and President Obama being in town 
All in all, I say do what’s easiest for you, as long as it doesn’t involve disappearing (: <3
I prefer twitter the best, but I usually read some blogs, too.
Btw, loved the chicken!
I am too co-dependent on your blog! Please do not end one of my guilty pleasures. I don’t get out much.
My favorite way to keep up with people is via Twitter. I can’t really stand Facebook anymore. Tumblr is great. I love reading blogs, too, but I have a hard time keeping up with everyone’s posts regularly.
I’ve found the best way for me to keep up to date is to follow someone on twitter and then when they have a new blog post, I can simply click through when they tweet about it.
I actually love this blog and have been following it for years. I find that I can learn more about the author and engage with them more this way, but obviously, if you don’t feel doing it anymore, don’t force yourself!
I also love your tweets, which are HILARIOUS and so fun to read, so I really enjoy those
Good luck with everything! Can’t wait for the new book
I love your Twitter and blog, which is where I enjoy keeping up with you.
I use twitter and read blogs. As a YA librarian, I often will tweet and include links to author’s blogs from our library account. Just my two cents! I think you pick up a different audience with each media, but it’s important to divide your time wisely and do what you enjoy.
i like the blog a lot, and its actually a little better that you only do it on fridays, there’s less for me to catch up with if i miss one, but i like to have at least one a week. but i really do love having your tweets, they just help my day stay bright, even when its raining over here in washington state. i don’t do any of the other sites though.
I follow you on Twitter and would be so sad if you ever left there. After that, though, do what makes you happy! Tumblr can have longer blog-style content, too, so you could just have this blog address point to your Tumblr instead and then have the best of both worlds. (I’ve also liked seeing glimpses of chickens and boy cupcakes on Instagram, if you are interested in keeping that up, too.)
I really enjoy your twitter and your blog. I think Facebook is good for perhaps promoting your book? You could keep your Facebook and only post important ~writer things like book cover, release date, book tour. I think if you were trying to choose which social networks to use, I would suggest twitter and your blog
I love your tweets and blogs. They make me laugh and get me through the day!
I will read whatever! I follow your twitter and tumblr accounts, and have your blog bookmarked. So whatever you write, I can read it.
Though, personally, I love the blog.
I enjoy reading Blogs and Tweets. I’ve also become addicted to Pinterest. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by all the social networking as well, so then I just focus on the ones I like the most and visit the others less often (facebook, tumblr, formspring, etc.)
Hi Sarah, I look forward to reading your blog every week! However, if not blogging will bring you less stress and more joy, then I would be happy to just keep up with you via Facebook and Tumblr (I dislike Twitter).
Looks like you have to keep blogging, judging by this response! People listen to you when you put something out there so whatever you are doing is great, and effective. As a publisher and digital manager, my advice is to make sure your tweets and posts work hard for you by including links when you refer to things like your blog or your books etc. This means people can interact with you, and share things and discover more about you. Imagine all your readers are bees and you want to make it easy for them to spread the pollen around!
And for what it’s worth, I also felt a little disturbed by the cupcake.
I follow you on Tumblr and Twitter because those are my preferred platforms. I think there is a way to have your blogs post over to Tumblr automatically if you’re interested in doing that.
I read very few blogs; yours is an exception (though since I follow you on Twitter I don’t really need to look at your blog). I think you should keep it for your readers who don’t do Twitter, which rules MY social media universe. Facebook is for people you know; Twitter is for people you WANT to know.
I love your blog! (I might be biased as I would read anything you write though) I also follow you on Twiter, like you I’m not a fan of Facebook either.
Love your tweets!!! They are always so honest and make me feel like I know you! Facebook seems distant.
My favorite is the blog. Tumblr moves so fast for me that I miss a LOT, as does Facebook and Twitter. But I like being able to come to your blog, settle down, and read a nice long post. Unfortunately the blog is what you’re getting tired of!
Do what works best for you, Sarah!
And that candle TOTALLY looks like a male part.
I think we, your readers, would read anything you post. Be blog, tumblr, twitter, anything!
Take care and I hope your daughter is better!
I’m happy to read whatever you post, but your blog is my favorite because that’s where I feel like you write your most meaningful posts : )
I love your blog. Please don’t stop.
I love the blog! And I love following you on twitter!
3. Saw you post that on Twitter and couldn’t figure out how people didn’t see what you did prior to you pointing it out.
5. I am here because you mentioned the poll and thought I’d give my opinion. I only follow you on Twitter. I absolutely love how much you post. I find you completely endearing and genuine. Your love for GMA has actually made me start watching the show while getting ready for work in the morning. I also get super excited for you when Robin or Josh tweet you back! haha
I recently joined Twitter and I have to say it has my vote. I can get instant news about my favorite books, series, and authors. My only complaint is that I don’t think authors interact much with their fans on Twitter as much as they do their blogs. I don’t use Facebook to follow authors.
Speaking for myself, I follow you on Twitter, Facebook, this blog and pinterest (I think it counts) regularly, as well as checking the Tumblr periodically. I would be most disappointed if you stopped Tweeting.
Looking forward to the new book!
I love the blog and I also follow Twitter, goodreads, facebook, and Tumbler not so much.
Twitter and this blog! I love reading your blog entries.
I love both your blog and Twitter feed, and look forward to posts from both! I am a big blog reader, so I enjoy reading more in-depth stories there, and do hope that you continue to stick with it. And I love reading your daily tweets – you are always humorous and relatable, and I enjoy hearing what you’re up to! However, that being said, I will follow you wherever you go, and hope you find a balance you are happy with.
I really love your blogs posts, they make me smile. I really appreciate how honest you are about writing and being a mum. You once wrote about your daughter having a melt down in a cafe, about getting a cookie (I think?) and a lady advised you to ask yourself if that was the mountain you wanted to die on. I still think that line to myself when my two year old and I are in the middle of disagreement over something he wants.
So I really hope you keep blogging, when you can make time for it.
first off, I think its GREAT you mentioned publically about your appointment ( in a nice girly way). It is something that needs to be done & maybe you talking about it gave some fans courage to do so. Second, I say stay on all the sites (if you want & can keep them up) you might be reaching fans who dont use certain ones. Cheers sarah on a great post today!
Blog Blog Blog!!! Don’t leave the blog, i’ve been reading it for so long =)
I love your blog. It’s like being in your mind, and it’s such a nice place to be! I’m also following you on Twitter, and this is really nice too, because it allows me to know what one of my favorite authors is doing the EXACT moment I am stuffing my face with a vegetarian burrito. This is good.
Oops. ^That comment was from me.
I like the blog and tumblr and twitter!! i think you should defanitly keep those social networking sites!!
Love your weekly blog post, love the facebook, love the twitter, still figuring out the tumblr! Whatever you choose is great! Just keep posting!
~Teresa