Why I'm Tweeting

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The short answer is: I don’t know.

The long answer probably has something to do with human psychology. Or, as in the title of my long-ago college textbook, Abnormal Psychology. I don’t really care. What I can say about Twitter after three days of tweeting is that it’s addictive.

I don’t think I have an addictive personality. I don’t drink or smoke or gamble. I have had a chocolate problem in the past (there was this one horrible night. I left my psychotherapy practice around 10pm and thought “Where can I get chocolate at this hour?” and I realized that even if I had to drive to the scary neighborhood where you could get drugs for exorbitant amounts of money and empty my wallet for an ounce of milk chocolate, I would do it. That was my wake-up call). And I do have a little problem with coffee. Oh, and SuDoKu. But aside from those few harmless habits, I really am not the addict type.

I frankly don’t understand Twitter, either. I haven’t figured out its purpose, at least not for the rest of the world. I have, however, figured out its purpose for me. It’s a place to put my itty bitty thoughts. You know, those thoughts that pop into your head and that you want to say out loud to someone but there’s no one there. Thoughts like “Someone should clip the toenails on those poor canaries in the picture above.” Well, that’s not a good example, but you understand what I mean. Of course, most of those thoughts are totally insignificant and unworthy of being put in writing, but I don’t care about that either.

I guess I’m tweeting just because I want to. Are you tweeting, too?  

7 Comments

  1. ronnie on May 14, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    I say it’s your America and you can do whatever you want so carry on. plus I get a kick out of your random thoughts. Did I just make this about me? I wanted it to be all about you…….

  2. Julie on May 14, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    I joined a few days ago. I haven’t yet really figured it out or decided what purpose it’s serving for me. It’s a little like Facebook statuses, but seems a little more impersonal. Perhaps that’s good if you don’t mind people following your thoughts, but don’t necessarily want them to see all your other stuff on FB if you don’t know them well. I haven’t had more than a few thoughts that seemed tweet worthy yet (and those were highly questionable). I can see it’s value for published authors, maybe, reminding people about booksignings or how their latest drafts are going or other things. Not sure just yet… 🙂 That’s the long answer for: Ummmmmm…
    Ha.

  3. Gina on May 14, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    Tweet, tweet….
    I’m a tweeter too. I’m really enjoying reading your tweets Diane.
    I think Twitter is fun. And, it can be addictive (at first).
    Glad you’re enjoying it so far.

  4. Denise on May 14, 2009 at 9:48 pm

    I opened a Twitter account but found that I really don’t have anything interesting to say. Lol But I am enjoying your tweeting so much, Diane!
    They’ve been discussing Twitter a lot on The View and on Ellen recently. Barbara Walters and Ellen love tweeting but Whoopie isn’t joining. Lol

  5. Diane Chamberlain on May 14, 2009 at 11:55 pm

    Hi Julie! We can be twitter newbies together. Gina, sounds like the novelty wears off, huh? And Denise. . . Whoopie won’t sign up? Uh oh. She’s the cool one. Now I feel uncool. 🙁

  6. Diane Chamberlain on May 14, 2009 at 11:56 pm

    Ronnie, how did I miss your post? You always make me laugh.

  7. Ingrid on May 15, 2009 at 7:04 am

    I didn’t “get” Twitter for the longest time and resisted even trying it. Now that I’ve been using it for two months, I can’t believe I ever didn’t see the value of it.
    I think it’s a wonderful resource for information. As a new author, I love all the free info about book marketing and promotion, news about the publishing industry, and to see what other authors are doing. I also love sharing my knowledge about cats, pet and human holistic and alternative health topics, and how to consciously create a joyful life for pets and their people.
    It’s a great tool for marketing if it’s done right, not by using a heavy-handed approach posting nothing but self-serving links, but by building relationships and engaging with other Twitter users. It’s no different than any other form of networking that way, it just reaches so much further.
    And yes, it’s fun! And yes, it’s also addictive….

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