The Social Media Connection – 

I don’t need an alarm clock to get up these days because I have nerves of anticipation that tingle me awake each morning. Unfortunately, that comes with an illogical fear that whispers, ‘All can become undone at the last minute.’ I have been able to ignore that nasty voice but sometimes it feels like time is moving sideways for me, while it moves forward for everyone else. The final preparations for my book are being done. I’ll have the launch date soon. Then I’ll be able to tell you when to buy and how to order and where you can get it signed. Of course, every author wants to be an Amazon bestseller, so I’ll asking everyone to order my book – preferably on launch day – and I’ll be watching the numbers.

I’ll be able to reveal all the information with a click of a button. Technology has made our lives easier, but it’s also made it more complicated. In the past, I wouldn’t have been able to have a publisher in Australia and write in Mauritius but thanks to the virtual airwaves and networks it’s become easier. I think humanity has never been so well informed and yet so alone. We’ve never been so vulnerable while so safe. Never so isolated and at the same time, so open to hacking. Our doors are locked and yet we invite all manner of emotional beasts onto our screen.

For the last month, I’ve been attempting to understand social media. These days you can’t do anything without Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I used to be one of the paranoid-ers who stayed off the grid. I failed dismally at that. Now I look at my phone and I am spoiled for choice. I have a communication community of Skype, WhatsApp, chatWORLD, Signal, Zoom, Slack, Facebook, Messenger, Gmail, Yahoo and an email for enabled.WORLD. I have Outlook, Google plus, Hangouts and of course the normal ability to make a mobile phone call and SMS. With so many options, I tend to throw my hands up in the air and not call anyone.

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Now I’m not saying I’m old, but I am finding the tricks hard. No really, I just don’t know how people get anything done. It takes hours to notice every friends’ happy life and inspirational quotes. With Facebook updating by the second, let’s face it, you just can’t catch up. Then there’s answer, poke, prod and watch. I still can’t go past Trevor Noah without stopping to listen to his take on the world. Finally, you get to post on your own feed. A happy picture – a moment in time, or an observation to share. Before you know it, hours have gone by, and your coffee is cold. And for me, this all happens while I’m still in bed waiting for the day I get that final notice – not the one that says, ‘You’ve got mail,’ but the one that says, ‘Here’s the date’.

While I wait for the book to be printed, I have an interview coming up and I’m figuring out book launch ideas. I may not be able to tell you an exact date, but I can tell you that I have any number of ways to keep you informed so, guys, watch this space and please, remember to share.