*tap, tap, tap* Is this thing on?

Grinning, I plop down on the couch next to my sister. She raises her eyebrows so they almost look like question marks.

"I got a query rejection today," I say, still smiling like I used to on ice-cream day in kindergarten.

Her eyebrows now fall into a crease. She knows query rejections are usually followed by chocolate consumption, wallowing and/or a glass or three of wine. She is probably wondering if I've finally snapped. "Why are you --" she begins but, in my excitement, I interrupt.

"The agent said she recognized my name from Twitter and blogs."

"Oh," she says. It's all she needs to say. Because she's supported me on my writing journey since day one - and because she's my sister - she understands.

---

I put a lot of effort into my social media presence and I often sing the praises of twitter and blogging for writers. But even I have doubts sometimes. Is anybody really paying attention or am I just talking to myself on here?

So that little line in that email from the agent? It was like a warm wind filling my sails after several days of stagnant air. Yes, it's such a small thing to get excited about, but we really must celebrate even the tiniest of victories on this long obstacle-laden journey - if only to fend off cabin fever.

Critics will point out that I was still rejected. While that's true, I received a personalized email with a specific reason as to why. Which, as any querying writer will tell you, is golden.

What's my point? It's the same one I've been making all along: Social media can truly have a positive impact on your writing career, even before a book deal. It's worth it; someone is paying attention.

In the spirit of this post I invite all of you to post your social media links below - and to follow, interact with, encourage, build relationships with each other. I'll start.

Twitter @sarah_nicolas
My blog at www.sarahnicolas.com
My tumblr

And if you do go over to my blog today, I'm talking about a new interactive blog project I'm pretty excited about!