‘Going Viral’ Advice and A Prayer For Bloggers

I have learned as a Jewish-themed short story writer that it takes time, work and luck to latch on to your internet audience.

Here’s my synopsis:

It takes patience to find the right story to catch the wind and sail into viral Nirvana;

Try to listen for the crack of the bat when your story hits the screen’s sweet spot and flies over the outfield fence;

Feel out numerous websites as to their receptivity—many do not want or deserve your stories;

Yes, remember dating—you win some, you lose some and your losses greatly outweigh your wins;

You experiment, you publish and you wait to see if your work of art has legs.

Of course, I started by posting my stories on my blog, mortlaitner.com and on Facebook, and on Twitter and in emails.

Praise—my reward for writing—slowly trickled in.

Then some of my stories found a home and a modicum of success in the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel Jewish Journal.

I found love and posted my stories on the Jewish Spirit and Jews in South Florida Facebook sites.

I had the good fortune to be accepted as a Times of Israel blogger with its three million readers. (blogs.timesofisrael.com)

This gave me the opportunity to reevaluate, reedit, rewrite and repost my work.

One of the greatest aspects about the net is that it allows you find brand new readers each time you post.

So after 11 years of casting my short stories into the sea of clouds, I waited for that big viral catch.

The one that would be “liked” by over a hundred and commented on by so many that my fingers would ache when I thanked each commentator individually.

So when I posted my story, “Sitting Shiva” on the aforementioned sites, I crossed my fingers and prayed to the Gods of the Internet, “Let this be the one!”

Yes, small streams do turn into the cascading rivers.

Here is my river:

So glad to see this post as a featured post in TOI.—Shira

I do not find the right words. It touches my heart.—Maria

How lovely and eloquently you write.—Ava

Wonderful saga of very trying times!—Steve

Now that is a story! Blessings to you.—Tania

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing this.—Yael

Thank you for sharing—Dayle, Marilyn, Alida, Izaak

Love this special story and say thank you for sharing this amazing story…Nellie

A wonderful story about your wonderful Dad.—Nancy

Thank you for gracing my imagination through your words.—Landie

Beautiful story…Cydney

May you continually be blessed by the memories of your Dad.—Wendy

You brought tears to my eyes. Maybe because I miss my dad too.—Ruthy

Just fantastic. I miss my father… Michele

Beautiful- may his memory be blessed…Carol

Fantastic story.—Joe

Beautiful, sir.— David

Lucky you.—Joyce

Sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing your personal story with us.—Clarita

Beautiful.—Francine

Sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing your story.—Judy

Thank you for blessing us  with these scared words and stories.—Donna

Your dad will forever be etched in our heart.— Richard

What a beautiful eulogy.— Susan

May his memory be a blessing to you and your family.—Alan

Beautiful priceless memories for you.—Gwen

You must be so proud of your father.—Miriam

So here is my blogger prayer:

May your posts be blessed with readers.

May those readers not be afraid to hit the “like” button.

May those readers be moved enough to write a loving comment.

And may all your stories go viral.