Connecting through Screens and Smiles

When I first started writing seriously, social media felt overwhelming. Platform after platform, each with its own rules, audience, and expectations. How could someone who preferred crafting 80,000+-word novels possibly master the art of bite-sized posts?

But I’ve learned that social media isn’t about mastering algorithms or going viral — it’s about building genuine relationships with people who love stories as much as I do.

Every platform offers a different way to connect with readers, share behind-the-scenes glimpses of the writing life, and celebrate the books that bring us all together.

Each social media platform has its own personality, and I’ve discovered how to adapt my voice while staying authentic.

Admittedly, I’m terrible at utilizing my platforms as often as I should.

(Seriously. There’s only so many hours in a day, and I don’t have a staff. I have a job, then there’s my blog, emails, and writing novels. I just haven’t found time to sneak in more than the occasional platform post.)

But that doesn’t mean I don’t know what to do.

Instagram lets me share visual inspiration — the cozy reading nooks that spark story ideas, the vintage finds that remind me of my Old Hollywood aesthetic, or snapshots of Hunter (my flame-point Siamese) claiming my keyboard as his personal throne.

Twitter/X becomes my place for quick thoughts, writing tips, and conversations with other authors and readers.

Facebook allows for longer posts where I can really dive into topics that matter to me, while also connecting with friends and family who’ve supported my writing journey from the beginning.

Now, let’s talk about emojis — those tiny digital expressions that have become a language unto themselves.

Confession time: I was skeptical at first. Weren’t words supposed to be my specialty? Why would a writer need cartoon faces and symbols?

Then I started using them in my email newsletters, and everything changed.

Emojis do something magical in written communication — they add tone and personality that plain text sometimes lacks.

When I write “Hope you’re having a great week!” it’s friendly. But “Hope you’re having a great week! 😊” feels warmer, more personal, like I’m actually smiling while typing.

In my newsletters, I use emojis strategically to create emphasis and entertainment:

They’re not random decorations — they’re punctuation marks that convey emotion and energy.

There’s actually an art to using emojis effectively. Too few, and your message feels cold. Too many, and you look unprofessional.

The key is finding that sweet spot where emojis enhance your message without overwhelming it.

It’s said that email open rates improve when senders include relevant emojis in subject lines. I’m not able to confirm or deny because I’ve been using emojis pretty much from the beginning.

But I can understand that sentiment. Readers respond to that touch of personality, that hint that there’s a real person behind the message who enjoys what she does.

Think of emojis as an email’s personality. They’re the finishing touches — the earrings, necklace, and makeup (aka the bling and flash) — that separate boring and stiff business memorandum from fun, personal letters between friends.

What I love most about combining social media with thoughtful emoji use is how it helps create genuine community.

My followers aren’t just numbers to me — they’re fellow book lovers, aspiring writers, and people who’ve become invested in my publishing journey.

When someone comments on a post about my latest writing struggle, and I respond with both words and a perfectly chosen emoji that captures my mood, it creates a moment of real connection. We’re not just exchanging information — we’re sharing experience.

Social media has transformed the traditional author-reader relationship. Readers can now peek behind the curtain of the writing process, celebrate victories with authors, and offer encouragement during challenging times.

And emojis provide a quick, universal way to express support, excitement, or understanding.

When a reader comments, “Can’t wait for your next book! 📖✨” I know exactly how they feel. That sparkles emoji conveys anticipation and magic in a way that words alone might not capture as efficiently.

Of course, maintaining authentic social media presence while building a writing career isn’t easy. There’s pressure to post constantly, to seem positive and engaging regularly, to turn every life experience into content.

And emojis can sometimes feel forced when you’re struggling to find the right tone.

But I’ve learned that authenticity wins over perfection (and consistency) every time.

I may not post very often, but when I do, it’s from the heart. And that’s how I write my novels — especially my A.J. Strickland novels — to provide a real-world perspective with authentic emotions, raw and unfiltered.

And if my followers like my novels’ honesty, then they appreciate mine about writing struggles, genuine excitement about small victories, and yes, even the occasional emoji that perfectly captures a mood I can’t quite express in words.

As both social media and emoji language continue evolving, I’m excited to see how authors and readers will find new ways to connect.

Maybe virtual reality book clubs aren’t so far-fetched. Perhaps we’ll develop even more nuanced ways to express complex emotions through digital symbols.

What remains constant is the human desire for connection and understanding. Whether we’re sharing stories through traditional books, social media posts, or carefully chosen emojis, we’re all part of the same beautiful, messy, wonderful conversation about what it means to be human.

So here’s to Social Media and World Emoji Days — celebrations of how we’ve adapted age-old human needs for connection to our digital world.

As an authoress, I’m grateful for platforms that let me share my passion for storytelling and symbols that help add personality to every interaction.

Whether you’re crafting the perfect tweet, choosing just the right emoji for your text message, or building your own author platform, remember that behind every screen is a person seeking connection.

And that’s the most beautiful story of all.