Imogen Robertson is a British author who has written 3 historical murder mysteries. This quote is from an interview included in her book, Island of Bones. When asked what advice she would give a writer just starting out in his/her career, Robertson said,

"Learn your craft. Go to workshop, listen to working writers, take their advice and keep at it. Learn to be a constructive critic of your own work. And ignore any who says that the way to a book deal is hassling agents or publishers at parties. You're much better off staying at home and writing!"

This is what I love: just when doubt starts to creep in, my mother finds a quote like this that scoops me up out of the swamp and onto a dry tuft of grass. Because as my mother pointed out, I have done all those things, including not networking. I've said over and over that I'm suited to being a writer because I don't mind being on my own, I don't mind never leaving my house. Despite social media and the demands for platform (more on that tomorrow), I still believe that for me and my book, the old-fashioned way is the right way. Find an agent then a publisher and word-of-mouth will help sell the book.
Then and only then will I need a Twitter account.