With dreams of one day becoming a published author, I am thrilled to count as my friends those who have made it. Authors who are self or indie published, those who are traditionally published, some who are New York Times best sellers or Amazon best sellers. I am a fan and these guys are my rock stars.

When I read a new author, especially someone I have been blessed to meet or get to know, it enriches the experience. I find myself seeking out books by authors I have met or following a new author on Facebook or twitter. I enjoy that connection to the author and I love to talk books. Hearing what inspired an author to describe a character this way or set the story here. Where the first seed of the story stems from to the fabulous quote that marks the book and lifts it to new heights.

But there is also a draw back to being a writer and a reader, there are few times when I am so engrossed in a book that I forget the mechanics of it. I cannot stop being a writer. I still love to read. I love the experience but before I became a serious writer, I simply enjoyed a good book.

As readers, do you follow writers? Do you go to their Facebook pages or websites? Do you subscribe to their blogs? How much of social media is responsible for your book choices? When you hear about a new book or author, do you check out their website or look them up on Amazon? I’m just curious. So much of our lives are on social media nowadays, what kind of impact does it truly have on our reading choices.

To the authors and writers I’ve come to know, those I simply follow and those I hope to meet, thank you for your inspiration, kindness and guidance as I follow my dream to be a published author.