I can’t post the same thing that I'm typing on the computer, over and over again. So I ended up not doing it. And yes, I can post myself dubbing a soundbyte, or doing another trend, or an advice adding to the millions that were already online, but none of them are me. And as an artist, I take a lot of pride in my artistic taste. So I ended up not doing anything. I’d rather write.

They said the best day to plant a tree was years ago, but the second-best time to do so is now. I think marketing any artist's work as such. However, I also believe that this was the salt to the wound of writers who don't feel like marketing their work but knew that they have to (including me). Sometimes, it’s more of a rebellious act against the current state of society. More often, it's more like, I'd rather write or read, or do anything else except make content about my writing. I understand that some marketing effort was still required from traditionally published authors but half of the workload was carried by the publishers. The publication had a statement on its success as they view it as an investment, so they will close the marketing gap. It was a whole different monster when you're indie publishing it: you do everything. Some writers could easily make content while working on the book, sure. Their content creation versus writing ratio varies, usually skewed to the former. I've seen some of them either not finish any of the projects they started, have them on extended drafting purgatory, or simply lack in quality overall. And I want none of that. That is why I choose to focus on writing and editing, in making sure that the reading experience doesn’t feel like a potato chip stuck between the reader’s teeth.

In this day and age, splitting marketing from social media is like separating grains of salt from sugar. Since almost everyone was using social media (that is a fact I can no longer deny especially when I’m out in public), it only makes sense to promote your work there. But social media and the algorithm require sacrifice. The plus side is that the more you use the platform, the more the algorithm pushes your content to others. However, that translates to constant engagement and consistent posting. You could easily see your days disappear in your ever-increasing screen time, time you should’ve spent writing. Maximizing your success in virality means tapping into the rage algorithm, the final boss. If you want to play that game, a writer who wants to market their work would slowly become another influencer, no longer a writer. If you don't, then you'd be like me. The algorithm had long forgotten about me (as I had forgotten to use it) and it defaulted to suggesting content that was popular among my demographics, when I had already taught it my preferences months ago. I had a measly social media presence and my work was no longer getting shown around, leaving me with a whole lot of self-doubt.

Writer's block and procrastination were paved with overstimulation and burnout. Disillusionment is a death sentence to your creative self. You have to be more than resilient to be sane and survive in this landscape. That can start by simply redefining the terms.

The artistic process doesn't work on this digital business model. The way social media works was an antithesis to human creation. Don't feel guilty if you cannot keep up with the algorithm’s demands. Choosing to self-regulate has made humans survive for as long as we have. You can always lock your phone, close your browser, and go outside. Work on your craft outside the idea that it's only valid if you get recognition or income from it. If you need to earn money (we all do), consider taking in a part-time job at the very least. It's not a degradation to work a job while also working on your art. It's better to take care of your physical self because that's what's going to make your art for you. We want to make art, right?

Define what your terms are, what your boundaries are, and what your content should be. Don’t do trends that don’t resonate with you. Your content could simply come from your creativity, or your tiredness of it all. All of us who want to promote our work cannot leave social media behind. However, you can determine what everything else means. Make your bed nicely and lie on it. Then, push that boulder up the hill every day.

What's frustrating about writing a novel is that you don't have anything to show for it at the end of the day.

7/14/2025