With the weather warming, spring fever has me in its grip. This gives the dandelions in our yard the edge. If you can envision a yard where the previous owners did no gardening, you’ll get a picture of the mammoth dandelion roots in my yard.

For a writer, finding readers is a necessity. The good news is that they are out there in increasing numbers. Here are some ways to connect with them.

In a recent Skype interview, one writer (who shall remain nameless) identified herself as a social media mentor but confessed “I’m not sure what branding actually is.” She went on to assure listeners not to take branding “too seriously.” This begs the question: Since she admits she doesn’t know what she’s talking about, how can a writer take her seriously?

As something of an abstract, the concept of branding generates confusion, suspicion and even skepticism among writers. And that’s a shame, because it’s not that hard to understand and neglected or inaccurate branding can have a negative impact on a writer’s career.

It’s been a tough week with the passing of a beloved family member. I take comfort that my mother-in-law lived a long, full life. We can easily forget as we go through the daily grind to look up and notice one another. Times of loss serve as a reminder to truly love and truly live. This weeks links:

You can keep readers informed by offering a toolbar with quick links to your blog posts, Facebook Page and recent tweets. I see an application for writers who already have an active fan base. The following brief video explains how to create your own toolbar and embed it on your site.

In the same way that trees endure and strengthen when buffeted by strong winds, I’ve survived a week of challenges. If you also face difficulties, plant your roots deep and let yourself bend to survive them.

This week saw a self-published author at the center of a flame war due to her response to a bad review. As artists, writers can be thin-skinned when it comes to criticism. Regular practice can help. I recommend all writers participate in a critique group or submit to a critique partner on a regular basis. Options are available both online and off.