The Algorithm Is Not My Muse

A tired author’s rant about writing, visibility, and the ever-changing rules of social media.

Photo by Georgia de Lotz on Unsplash

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about visibility—what it means as an author, how much of it is in our control, and what it costs us to chase it.

The other day, I posted a simple update on Threads. Nothing flashy, just something to pin to the top of my feed so people could easily see what I write. A few book photos. A short caption. That was it. I didn’t care about engagement; I just wanted something recent up there.

But two days later, I checked in and saw that the post had only reached 31 people.

And I’ll be honest: it stung.

My “poor me” post on Instagram over this

Even though I wasn’t chasing numbers, that tiny reach made me feel invisible. It brought up old feelings—like being left out of the “cool kids’ circle,” like showing up over and over and still being unseen. I know it’s just an algorithm, but sometimes it feels personal.

Right now, I’m stretched thin. I’m working full time, leading my writing club, caring for my mother-in-law, and using every spare moment to finish my next book. I’ve been writing through lunch breaks and weekends, staying up late just to get the words down. And still, I’m trying to show up online in ways that are creative and compelling and true.

But lately? I just don’t have the energy.

Social media feels like a game where the rules change daily—and honestly, I’ve stopped trying to play. I'd rather put my creative energy into the work that lasts: my books. Not fleeting content that’s forgotten within hours (if it’s even seen at all).

For years, I’ve flirted with the idea of stepping back from social media completely. But there’s still this small part of me that holds onto hope—that maybe one post will reach one reader who loves my book so much, they share it with the world. And maybe everything changes from there.

I'd love to hear from you.

Have you wrestled with social media burnout? Stepped back? Found something that works better? Leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear what’s working for you (or commiserate if you feel like whining, too).

I don’t just write rambling blog posts, I also write love stories. Find them all here.