Trying something different… what do you think of video?

I’ve been on retreat in the south of France for the last three weeks and it’s drawing to an end. It’s been an invaluable visit (I’ll write about it properly in my next post) and, as well as being productive in my writing, I’ve also increased my headspace and enjoyed some thinking time.

One of the things I’ve been considering is my website and what interests its readers, so I compiled a list of most frequently asked questions. What I found was that they fall into two general categories:

What is it like to be a writer?
What is your writing process?

Both of the above are personal and different for every writer, and that could be why it’s so fascinating. I’m always delighted to hear about other people’s processes, experiences and routines; because you need to respond to your own body and brain to get the best from your day, it’s amazing how differently writers approach their craft.

I remember when I was a child, authors were mystical beings that you never saw or heard about. I love that the internet has helped to bring readers and writers together – but I believe that a writer’s online content should be just as appealing as their books.

So I was trying to come up with ways that give a more personal, rounded, and reachable view of a writer’s life. One of those options was video – and with today’s wonderfully advanced phones, I feel it’s an accessible form to try out. I’m hardly being innovative – just think of all the amazing YouTubers out there – but it’s something new for me.

To do video means overcoming a couple of things:

Getting over seeing yourself on video (I look too pale/short/my hair’s not good enough/what was that face I pulled? etc etc)
Getting over hearing yourself on a recording (oh god, my accent, *cringe*)

This said, I’ve given it a go and I’d like to know what you think. (I kind of cheated on problem 1 above, but hey, baby steps, right?)

What I’d like to know is…

Is there any value in short videos like this one? Does it feel any more accessible than a written post? Does it give more of a glimpse into a writer’s life?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts…