It's more than just about you

In recent weeks I've done a lot of following of accounts in different social media but I've also done a lot of unfollowing. That's because to me, support is a two-way street. It has been that way for me for a long time because in the end, it's more than about just our own passions and if someone is kind enough to support, the least we can do is show interest and support back. 

Through my writer journey, I've met some truly amazing people. Every time I delve into a new social media platform, I meet more great people and plenty of people who offer support, whom I'm happy to support back. I think it's something basic, a like for a like, a follow for a follow. I like to keep things level and although I follow hundreds of accounts I do try and make time for as many people as possible, but I'm focusing more on the people who make time for me or make time for others. 

Here's the thing, I've seen a couple of accounts where users are all about their work. Them, them, them. They have followers, but they also have no time for anyone or so it seems. They always plug their work and it's all about them and after a while, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. That's why I've focused on supporting writers, youtubers, and people in general who look beyond their own work. Not necessarily because they're better people, but because we're more aligned. 

People would think that someone who is pushing their work exclusively is either an egomaniac, or an asshole, but that's not necessarily true. They are just focused on their thing, and that's fine, that's their right and by numbers alone, you can see that it works. For the longest time I've tried to contact and thank every person who follows me, reply to every comment, and also look into other people's work or what they're into. Do I want to be successful? Of course, but not at the cost of being an egomaniac. That's not to say I don't have pride in my work and what I do but it is to say that in my life view, I want to care about people and not just their attention and money. When people come to my booth at the Puerto Rico Comic Con, we can get to talking a lot and I really like that. Sometimes I do ask for a moment to see if someone else is interested in my work or has questions, but that has to do more with manners than it does with wanting their money. 

To clarify: Yes I do want to sell a lot of books. Yes I want to be successful. But I also want to offer support to the great people I come in contact with, be it an aspiring author, a fellow indie author, a young teenager who is just blossoming into who they will become, or a person with an abundance of beautiful words that just needed one nudge to share their work. I've supported each of those types of people and they make me proud with their work and their kindness. And that's what it all comes down to supporting each other and going for gold. 

I still have plenty of emails to write from my Puerto Rico Comic Con yearbook, and I will get to that in the month of October. During the PRCC, I had a notebook where people could write notes of encouragement and they could leave their contact on social media or email to keep in touch. I've replied to about half the people but life has been a little intense and I haven't finished, but I'm insistent on finishing because these are people that came to my booth, that talked with me, that bought something, and that cared, and the least I can do is care back. 

With indie authors, I've found some really wonderful people with such varied talents and personalities that you can't help but smile that such an eclectic group of people can be that kind and that giving. Yet I keep finding people with that focus of wanting to achieve their dreams but being happy to support other people. I'm talking about people who are as busy as busy gets yet STILL they make time for others. People with pride but without ego. People with talent and desire that inspire me to push harder, to write better, to share more, to dig deeper, and to look a dream in the eye and say, "let's do this." 

So thank you to each person who reads, supports, helps, inspires, motivates, and gives. 

Because it's not about you.

It's not about me.

It's about us.

Peace, love, and maki rolls.