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| I can't have Yoda as your profile pic, Matt. So this is what you get to live with. |
Now that I've gotten that out, let's hear from the bad ass himself:
Who are you (what do you write, what are your personal stats)?
I've only got one novel finished, which is actually not really done, because it's still in revision, but the working title is WARRIOR-MONKS, and I call it a YA Rural Fantasy. I'm not sure what you mean by stats but I have two Flash Fiction pieces published in the anthology Literary Foray, from Static Movement Press.
Where can we find you online (blog, twitter, facebook, etc.)?
Where can we find you online (blog, twitter, facebook, etc.)?
I blog at The QQQE, and you can also find me on Facebook, and Twitter.
When did you begin your online platform building?
When did you begin your online platform building?
I started the blog on March 3, 2010. Everything else has come from that.
What is your message, if any (is your blog about anything specific, for example)?
What is your message, if any (is your blog about anything specific, for example)?
Well my blog has always been about queries. It's evolved from posting my own bad queries, to sharing the successful queries of other writers, to most recently, critiquing the queries of other writers, now that I know what I'm talking about.
How have you built your followers? What have you done that has been the most successful?
How have you built your followers? What have you done that has been the most successful?
I think the most important things when it comes to building followers are these: read a lot of blogs, comment, and make your comments thoughtful. Be genuine, a lot of people talk about not covering certain topics, and I don't do politics or religion, but otherwise I try to be myself, because after all it's me that people are connecting with. Help others. By paying it forward, I can promote my blog without making it all about me. I get so tired sometimes of seeing nothing but promotion, but when I do it, people see I'm actually promoting helping someone else.
What have you done that has failed?
What have you done that has failed?
I used to put links to my own posts at the end of the comments I left on other blogs. It was too selfish, too pretentious, and too annoying. I actually got emails from a few different blogs asking me not to do that.
How much time do you spend blogging? Reading blogs? Commenting on blogs?
How much time do you spend blogging? Reading blogs? Commenting on blogs?
It used to be 2-3 hours a day. But I've started to cut back recently. I love blogging, but it's really been getting in the way of writing.
What else should we know about you?
What else should we know about you?
Not much. I'm a dad, I work in IT, but it's a dreadfully boring, soul-sucking day job. I used to be a DJ and own a record label, but I gave up on it, and now have about 2500 vinyl records in boxes in the garage. Other than that, and writing, I'm pretty boring.
Any additional advice for our readers?
Any additional advice for our readers?
Read everything you can get your hands on, and write like your life depends on it. But, there's no need to force it when the inspiration isn't there.
What makes you unique?
What makes you unique?
What doesn't?
Did I mention Matt's savvy? And sensational? And so super awesomely rockin'? Yeah, you already know it. He looks like he was a DJ, doesn't he? He probably rocked that job as well. Thanks for being here, Matt! Come by anytime :)
Did I mention Matt's savvy? And sensational? And so super awesomely rockin'? Yeah, you already know it. He looks like he was a DJ, doesn't he? He probably rocked that job as well. Thanks for being here, Matt! Come by anytime :)
95 comments:
Awesome interview. I love Matt's blog. I always learn from his queries and just his general advice about blogging and developing connections. I so agree with his advice on building followers though I'm struggling to cut back a bit too.
Matthew does it right! Agree with him on the links in signatures - I don't do it either.
Matt is definitely one of the good guys.
Awesome interview! And it's good to hear that putting a link to your blog at the end of comments isn't exactly a good thing. I was on the fence about it, but now I'm not making that mistake. (Isn't it better when awesome people make mistakes for you?) ;) Great post.
Oh Matt...fail on the "what makes you unique question." A true guy would say, "A Big d*ck!"
Matt is awesome -- and, like me, he must be online all the time, because he replies to emails so promptly. I was a little shocked by the photograph though. Yoda is SO fixed in my mind when I think of Matt, I can't picture him any other way. :D
This is good info to know. Thanks for sharing. I'll know where to go when I'm looking to query my next book. Am heavy into marketing now though. Hardly have time to write my own blog posts.
Matt's awesome :)
Hey, I know that guy! I keep bumping into him on the blogosphere. Excited for him to see him featured here.
I am really interested to know what YA Rural Fantasy is -- sounds like a cool genre!
-Mandy
I love that you used that old photo, Laura! I used to be so cool when I was young. LOL. I'll have to link to this on Monday, see if we can get some more people to stop by.
Just another one of the good guys.
Haha! "I actually got emails from a few different blogs asking me not to do that." And then became good friends with one of them ;o) xx
LOL on the last answer. I agree with the comments. Nothing worse than a generic response that makes you wonder if the person actually read your post. But no matter how much the temptation there is to do the same back, I still put thought into my responses.
I remember those days when Matt put his self promoting link in his comments. Every time I saw one of his comments, I would roll my eyes. :D Little did I know that one day he would be come a friend.
I forget how I first found Matt - it might've been during a stint on the Kessel Run - but I've followed his blog ever since. Top quality guy.
Okay if I come over and borrow some records?
Hah! Anytime.
It wasn't you, though we did go through something similar. Ah, the good old days.
It's kind of a play on words, a twist on Urban Fantasy, but it also really does apply to my story, since it's a fantasy, and take places mostly in the middle of nowhere.
I finally cut back my blogging time because it was all-consuming.
And Matt does look like a bad boy!
Interesting! I love the purple award. I've learned a lot from Matt and he's been super nice to me.
I'm so glad I haven't linked my blog on the bottom of comments--I have seen people do it, so it's good to have it written somewhere that it's a no-no.
One of the things I love and admire most about Matt is that he's so open about his own development as a writer, blogger, and human, which helps others learn from what he's been through and gained from those experiences. It was what initially drew me to his blog, and I'm so glad for that! Excellent choice for a feature, Laura!
Aww, Matt's links never bothered me. It was a quick way for me to get to his blog. :) Great interview!
Great interview! Hope you're making headway on Warrior Monks Matt!
I am ... slowly, but surely.
Thanks, Sarah! It's true, I'm very transparent, sometimes maybe too much. Who knows?
I should perhaps clarify. I have a friend - Southern Princess - who links to her blog at the bottom of every comment, but I don't think the way she does it bothers anyone. I used to do it in a much more annoying way.
Great interview and yeah read a lot of blogs, make valid comments and followers will rise.
Matt? Boring? JAMAIS!! Just look at that Rebel with a Ciggie face!?!? How could that face ever be boring!??!
:-)
Take care
x
Good stuff--thanks Laura and Matthew.
I have always appreciated Matthew's willingness to leave genuine and positive comments on the blogs of others. He is the best.
Thanks, Slam!
LOL. Thanks, Kitty.
LOL... hmm. Methinks there's not much to add. :D This is all true. Great work, Laura~ <3 Matt
I love Matthew's blog! I've learned so much from his query critiques & I've made some friends through his postings, as well. I might not always comment, but I never ever miss one of his posts!
Great interview, guys! Matt, I think this is the first I'm learning of your stint as a DJ, though I'm not surprised.
Hah! Am I that obvious?
Ha ha! Love the photo! Matt, you should definitely put that one up instead of Yoda and you'll get a hundred more followers just for that! So happy to have met you on your blog.
HI Matt and Laura! How did I not know about the record label and collections "stuff". Very cool!
I've been trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong over here when I comment and why it doesn't link back to anything (email, site), based on our previous conversation, Laura. Huh. But I also notice most of the commenters below me have the same problem (is it a Wordpress vs. Blogger thingy?). Oh well! Have a nice day!
I get your email sent to me, but I think you can't get the link to show up on my website unless you sign in with a Disqus account. Let me experiment. I'd like to find out the answer as well!
Thanks for that clarification, Matt. I think it's okay to have your blog address in your signature, but there are definitely more annoying ways of handling it. Like saying, "Visit me sometime at laurabwriter.blogspot.com"
I'm trying to leave comments as an experiment....
And here's another....
And one more....
I have the answer! When you sign in as a guest, click the tiny words that say "optional - link your website" Yay! we figured it out!
Okay, going to try again and see if it works, Laura (I know this is important to me when I'm replying back to people, so here goes)! Actually I am not signing in as a guest. It's asking if I want to post as myself (so maybe something in my settings?). Here goes...
I went in and added things in my profile under disqus to test it out again (just delete these if you want). Last try...
What did you do?? It worked!!
Well, it seems to have worked! Great detective work!
Every one of your comments, when I hove over your name, your blog (website) URL hovers in the lower left corner (Firefox) so something is working.
But how did you get a space in your Disqus user name? Disqus told me I had to use an underscore.
Disqus is sexist? Try again. It let me have a space. Maybe it was having a bad day. Or maybe they changed their settings?
OMG if I went back and tried to figure that out TOO, I'd be here forever! But I did hear it prefers females :-)
Ha ha! But I think I got it. Your user name is different than the display name. In Disqus where you can put your display name in where you edit your profile - the same place where you put in your website link.
He's one of the best. One of these days I'll get my query sent off to him. Just not read yet....
It's good to hear people's feedback on the signatures. I've advised otherwise before. Whoops!
I will truly celebrate with him when he gets an agent. He's so deserving. Thanks for the comment!
Love it when people make mistakes for me. Thanks for the comment, Madeline!
Ha ha! He took the lazy chicken way out on that one, didn't he?
So true about Yoda. And that he's online ALWAYS. He's a power blogger.
I know that feeling! Good luck with your efforts :)
Isn't he? Thanks for commenting :)
I know! He's everywhere!
So true...
Really? People told you that?? Well, if it was in the spirit of helpfulness....
Sometimes I'm not a good responder. I just want to say something to show support and am not always great at saying anything but, "cool post". But so true, the quality ones are best.
I'd love to see his record stash. You could give some away as contest prizes and we'd all be so happy :)
Yes, I had to put myself on a blogging diet. But I think I've gotten something that works for me now :)
That is the best part of him - his honesty. And humor. Thanks for the comment!
A girl after my own heart. I like convenience!
Thanks!
It's completely true. And takes so much time! But is worth it.
As you can see: it worked.
I love that pic! That's why I chose it :)
Thanks!
Doesn't he just seem like a DJ? He totally rocks :)
I do think that photo will draw in the women :)
Rock. And. Roll. Sometimes it takes a village of bloggers...
That Matt is sensational! Fun interview!
Thanks! Glad to have you stop by!
@Laura - Came over from Matt's blog, I was one of those that didn't have time this weekend. Matt always makes his readers feel welcome, and as he says, he promotes others. He seems to pay it forward quite a lot. He's on my list of 11 writing sites for 2011, since he's always helping others, and shares his knowledge of what works.
@Matt - good luck with the writing and revisions. Post when you can. There has to be some time for the Self.
from DG Hudson (appearing as cast29 on this blog)
Hers says "Visit my kingdom, anytime." and it's (obviously) a link, which I think is worded in a classy way, but I used to write something like: "shameless self promotion: visit me for blah blah blah."
It sounds worse than it is. I only did it on Friday's, and only because I was hosting some other writer, but ... looking back, it was a bit arrogant.
Great to have you stop by and what an awesome list - 11 of 2011. He is a truly amazing blogger and I'm glad to see him getting the props he deserves.
That's clever and classy. And something to learn from....
It's late in NYC but I made it by to check out the interview. I enjoyed the questions, the answers and the bad boy picture.
Thanks DG! I know you.
Thanks, Joe!
Anytime, Laura.
Love this interview. Nice to learn somemore about Matt. He really does come across as genuine, and that's one of the things I really appreciate about his blog.
"Read everything you can get your hands on, and write like your life depends on it."
I'm finding that out. I just wish I have more time!
Yes, I think an additional 7 hours a day would do it. :)
Hey, Yoda is totally rocking that cigarette! Interesting to hear how Matt's blog has evolved. Love his critiques and he almost makes me look forward to writing my next query---with the hopes that he'll have the time to tear it apart, of course. ;)
If you're looking forward to writing a query, then Matt really is magic!
Nice to learn more about you!! I love the term 'rural fantasy' :) I can't wait to read your book, ever since hearing you describe it at WFC.
I'm sure I will, Nicki! That's for visiting.
I miss those nights.
Great interview questions and answers. Glad to see Matthew getting some recognition.
I know, he totally deserves it :)
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