#AuthorToolboxBlogHop Report on my FB Live Experiment in Life Storytelling

 

#AuthorToolboxBlogHop

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog and to the Author Toolbox Blog Hop #AuthorToolboxBlogHop which meets every third Wednesday of the month to share resources and tips for authors. Thanks to Raimey Gallant for hosting this venture. 

Please join us to learn more about the craft of writing and to meet bloggers who are dedicated to helping each other become the best writers possible. Click here to visit other blog hop participants.

🛠🛠🛠🛠

Wednesday Write-In on Telling Your Life Story and Memoir Circle

FB LIVE is another tool in your marketing toolbox. I started trying it out in 2018 at my FB author page, J.Q. Rose, Author. 

Last month I told you I would report back on the experiment I used at my FB Group, Telling Your Life Story and Memoirs Circle.  On Wednesday, July 15, at 9 a.m., I began the write-in challenge for three Wednesdays in a row.  The challenge was to begin writing about a topic for ten minutes, then the next week the challenge was for fifteen minutes and the third week was for twenty minutes on the topic I suggested or for one of the writer chose.

The first prompt was to write about food--your favorite to eat or prepare.

The first writing prompt of the write-in challenge.

I got the idea for this write-in from an online workshop presented by Leslie Leyland-Fields for life storytellers. The writers who participated in the workshop were enthusiastic about having ten minutes of writing time together to do our own thing. Leslie played music during the time, but I did not because the music she played was not conducive to my writing. I turned down the volume on my laptop. 

After the introduction to the suggested writing topic, I set the timer and moved out of the screen to let the folks write IF anyone was there. Turned out I had one live participant who said hi. After the event, I did get some comments from a few folks and 24 views. I had hoped to have some interactive discussion on how well this idea was received. Was it helpful? Did you get something down on the paper? Did it spark ideas for future writing?

I checked back several times to see if someone had shared their piece in the comment section, but at this writing, no one has. 

As I look at the video now, I see how insecure I was about using FB Live. I had used it 2 years ago, but I have been using Streamyard lately. The FB dashboard was different. Though I had practiced with it, I floundered at the beginning of the video, probably because of nerves. 

Let me just say, it wasn't exactly exciting video! 😁 In fact, it was boring. And so embarrassing that my ring light reflected in my glasses. Very distracting. I usually don't wear my glasses for video because of that problem. 

The second write-in writing prompt was to write about friends.

Friends was the suggested topic for the second FB Live video

The good news is the video was much better. I wasn't so hesitant and felt more in control. The bad news is I received no live participants and no comments and only 14 views. 

I know people are busy and finding the right time for everyone to get together and write is difficult. So for the third session, I just posted a note that the writers could set their timer for 20 minutes and write on their own. Honestly, I didn't want to put on my make up and do my hair and sit alone for 20 minutes. 

So, to sum up the experience, from 1 (horrible) to 5 (fantastic), I would rate it as a 2. I did gain some self confidence using the FB Live dashboard, but I really like Streamyard because it makes the banners to use on the bottom third of the screen. Maybe FB will offer that perk eventually.

One good thing to come out of it is I am now offering a writing prompt every Wednesday because I discovered that is one thing my life storytellers want. Writing prompts spark memories and that is our goal as life storytellers and memoirists.

####

 

Your Words, Your Life Story: A Journal for Sharing Memories 

by J.Q. Rose

Click here for more information at amazon.com

You're not sure what the difference is between life stories and memoirs? Click here to join us at the FB group to discover videos and tips on life storytelling. 

The group discussion is based on the journal, Your Words, Your Life Story: A Journal for Sharing Memories available at amazon.com

Have you tried FB Live or do you watch them? Please tell us about your experience in a comment below. Thank you.

Thanks so much for stopping in. I hope you'll visit more bloggers and pick up tips and inspiration along the hop. 

Click here to visit other blog hop participants.

Sign up for The Rose Courier

Click here to get the updates from J.Q. Rose, articles,  newsworthy events and giveaways in the Rose Courier. Delivered to your inbox once a month.   

Thank you!!