How did the 30-day social media challenge go?

Social media – love it or not, has become an important part of the author adventure. When Meaghan helped me set up my Facebook page it was terrifying pressing the button to go live! I had no idea what I was going to use it for or even how to do it.

Four years later I’m still figuring it out and when picture book author and Share your Storydirector, Michelle Worthington posted she was going to do a 30-day challenge I signed up straight away in the hope I would learn how to use social media more effectively. She posted challenges each day and they have taken me so far out of my comfort zone.

I’ve looked at the other platforms and have decided to stay with Facebook. I have enough trouble trying to create content for the Facebook page and website and know the quality of my photos would probably crash Instagram!

I have learned that it’s all about sharing stories and engaging with my community and I’m working on that. The story behind creating Sophie’s series is special for me and I have started sharing it here on the Journal page and on the Facebook page. It will continue to unfold as the books are produced and sent out into the world.

Here are my favourite posts from the challenge:

My wedding to Peter in 1991 took place between two life-changing events. Seven months before our wedding I had a cornea transplant and seven months later I had another one. After many years of struggling eyesight, my eyes finally had brilliant vision and my life changed in so many ways.

Our family left Perth in 1996 and moved to Canberra and then in 2005 we were about to embark on another adventure and move to the country. I had some eyesight problems and it turned out my cornea grafts were failing. I was legally blind for nearly two years and it was during this time I wrote a story about a little girl going to school for the first time wearing her glasses. This story has now morphed into my chapter book series telling Sophie’s story. My vision was restored after a lot of surgery!

My picture book You can do it Joey! was written because our family took a chance and moved to a new lifestyle in the country. Sophie’s series was written because many years ago I said yes to life-changing surgery and to the proposal from the man whom I share these adventures with.

This is a special bookcase made by my dad. He was ill for many years and as a part of his rehabilitation he went to woodworking classes. He loved them and made many pieces for us. I have a chopping board and a bookcase.

My dad died 36 years ago and each time I use the bookcase I think of him. He knew how much I loved to read and would be happy to know it is still used all these years later.

I went to the football on the weekend. We don’t go often these days but when the siren sounded to start the game, the excitement and memories came flooding back.

We grew up around Aussie Rules, way before it was AFL. My mum and dad barracked for different local teams and it was always fun in the house the day their teams played each other! My friends and I had our favourite clubs and players. We went along to games most weekends and had grand final parties.

On the weekend I immediately immersed myself in the game and the experience. The thoughts which have been swirling around in my head disappeared and I was totally in the moment enjoying the game. Who would have thought that sitting amongst thousands of noisy football fans would give me the stillness my brain needed.

Keep an eye on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/kerrymaloneauthor for updates.

About the author

Kerry Malone