Ah, Twitter. What was once feared to be a 140-character wasteland of bad grammar and shameless self-promotion has actually proven itself to be a hugely influential source of news and insight. As an aspiring writer you may not want to turn to this social media platform for examples of great sentence structure, but you’ll miss out on a wealth of information if you ignore the site altogether.
With the news that Stephen King has recently joined Twitter, we thought it a perfect time to take inventory of which other writers use the website and we were impressed with what we found. The following scribes are all quite prolific on Twitter and, even better, their accounts offer great hints and tips into the creative minds of accomplished authors.
Stephen King
Though he’s new to the site, King is off to a fairly steady start. His tweets give his thoughts on the latest news out of Red Sox Nation as well as on what books he’s been reading lately.
Finished RED MOON, by Benjamin Percy. A werewolf epic. Can’t stop thinking about it.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 10, 2013
Neil Gaiman
Quite possibly better known to many as a Twitter icon rather than as an author, Neil Gaiman has nearly 2 million online followers. An avid re-Tweeter, Gaimen also posts original thoughts on music, comics and current hot-button issues.
“Not only has he spoiled Santa for them, a lot of them are now questioning the existence of the tooth fairy as well.” http://t.co/MFORMRk6Rj
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) December 12, 2013
Chuck Palahniuk
One of modern literature’s most unconventional writers actually has a fairly conventional approach to providing help and inspiration, offering lists of writing tips to follow and grammar mistakes to avoid.
Stocking Stuffers: 13 Writing Tips… from me! http://t.co/D5g8qIrxMp — Chuck Palahniuk (@chuckpalahniuk) December 16, 2013
R.L. Stine
If you stopped reading R.L. Stine when you outgrew Goosebumps you may be surprised to note how sarcastic and witty this author truly is.
Disappointed that I didn’t receive a Grammy nomination for my rap-reading of the Affordable Care Act on 32 discs. Maybe next time? — R.L. Stine (@RL_Stine) December 10, 2013
Judy Blume
Another childhood favourite who really needs to make your “Following” list, Blume offers up her thoughts on movies, cultural milestones and the craft of writing on her account.
Why am I not tweeting? Because I’m writing. Tweeting is more fun and less anxiety producing. But I’m determined. — Judy Blume (@judyblume) December 15, 2013
Augusten Burroughs
One needn’t follow Burroughs on Twitter for an insider’s look into his childhood and psyche – that’s what his books are for. Burroughs’ Twitter account is instead the perfect place to find out his thoughts on American society, of which he (unsurprisingly) has a lot.
If This Rich Kid Has ‘Affluenza,’ Then We’ve All Got ‘Negrobetes’ http://t.co/A3ptAjLNVf — Augusten Burroughs (@augusten) December 14, 2013
Margaret Atwood
This Canadian literary icon uses her Twitter to reflect on the current happenings in the world of art and culture.
Knocked out by @royalacademy Daumier exhibit! #London His Painting! was so Strange!+influenced so many.. Such an acute feeling for People!
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) December 15, 2013
Stephen Fry
The Twitter account of this British writer and comedian is a peek into his latest adventures, as well as being home to his thoughts on equality and modern society.
Today is #HumanRightsDay! Join me in starting an @uprisingoflove for #LGBT Russians. http://t.co/whBf9CvqL1
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 10, 2013
Salman Rushdie
Rushdie has a strong rapport with many other authors on Twitter, so his feed is a great way to see firsthand the interactions of some highly creative and intelligent minds.
Sunday thought. The books we love change the way we see the world. For me it all began with Alice in Wonderland. What books changed you?
— Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) December 8, 2013
“@RichardDawkins: @SalmanRushdie Doctor Dolittle.” So true. Never forgot that Pushmi-Pullyu.
— Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) December 8, 2013
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