I signed up to Instagram months ago on the recommendation of fellow writers. Followed a few people, but just didn’t get it. I’ve struggled to know how to use Facebook and Twitter, and Instagram seemed like just another social media platform that I didn’t have time to use. Until a couple of weeks ago…
Turns out I quite enjoy using Instagram and maybe I do “get it”. At least, I get how I can use it.
I drove down to York (taking our electric car which may inspire another post shortly) for the weekend to do some research for the sequel to Fallen Warriors. I wanted to walk through the city, remind myself of how it feels to be there, and scout out locations to use in the next book.
As you’d expect I took a bunch of photos, and thought I might share some of them on Instagram as the weekend progressed. I added some short descriptions, not really understanding the potential the descriptions gave, until I posted this one of Monk Bar: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxkwnuUBiF_/
I hashtagged it #FallenWarriors, wondering if hashtags work the same way as on Twitter. Turns out they do! And of course, descriptions are searchable…
I’ve tried posting photos on Twitter and on Facebook, but neither platform really seems to fit for what I’m trying to convey. Instagram does. I want to be able to post a photo that intrigues me, a scene that has captured my attention, and share a short sentence about that photo. I also want to drop clues about my books, things that only readers will understand. Add cryptic notes as hints towards what I’m planning to write. Maybe even lead people up a blind alley, after all, it’s all about the journey, right?
And there is no pressure. I can post one photo a day, or not, and regardless, everything I’ve posted will be there for people to stumble across. Unlike Twitter which feels every time I use it like I’m trying to drink from a fire hose!
So, if you’d like to see what I’m up to on Instagram, you can find me here: http://www.instagram.com/my100goals/
I intend to post at least one photo each weekday for the next month and then review. Look forward to connecting with you on Instagram!
I don’t use it a lot but it is a nice platform in that you can take a picture of anything, even with a minimal description, and throw it out there. People engage with pictures far more readily than written posts, and ones like the scenes for FW2 are a great idea to generate interest. There are filters and all that but that phase seems to be a bit passe now. Anyway you just post what you want, a filter can give you the effect you want without taking away from the picture.
That’s what I’m finding so far. I take hundreds of photos throughout the year, but hardly use any of them. I’m hoping I can just start sharing them and explain why I found it interesting. Throw in some hints and teasers along the way…