And, let's face it, writers are insecure - it's part of our nature to wonder if what we're creating is up to standard. But then of course a pile of rejection slips that accompanies any submission process is enough to send anyone onto the rocks.
Here are the IWSG participants - 300 of us!
Today I'm not going to say how insecure I am (although you should see my chewed fingernails!), instead I'm going to think positively...
Having said I wouldn't whimper in your presence, just let me say that the word "promotion" (as in BOOK promotion) for me is right down there with "watching politicians debate" and "revising for a maths exam". In my opinion, promotion is tedious, against my rather shy nature, and is like driving straight at a brick wall.
To take my mind off this dismal image, here are a few examples of what makes me happy:
1. Slurp down a delicious smoothie for my breakfast to make me feel energized - red berries, Greek yoghourt, semi skimmed milk and honey. Whizz it all up. Yum.
2. See my pals at the Doughnut Club (I'm #3 Doughnut) for a natter and an excess of sugar and coffee.
3. Take an hour's walk or a 30 minute swim.
4. Suck 3 squares of dark chocolate one at a time...slowwwly...No munching!
5. Discover that, by carefully shopping in places that have loyalty cards and by using coupons, I don't spend any more on grocery shopping than I did before this hellish recession began.
7. And finally, I have to highlight that WRITING makes me happy.
Ha ha, promotion is hard work. There is a fine line between promoting, and annoying the snot out of everyone you know!
ReplyDeleteMmmm.... Dark chocolate!
ReplyDeleteAnd best of luck on the promotion! I wish you tremendous success with it (and that it goes smoothly with no insecurity-raising stresses)!
Oh, and being from mid-western USA, I had to think for a minute about your title, "Bu**er:* Um, 'Butter?' 'Butler?' 'Buffer?' 'Bug... -- Ah! got it!' ;^)
Hi Susan
ReplyDeleteGreat to find you. I hereby award you with the prize for following the most blogs. What an impressive list. I'll be sure to check them out but it will take some time.
I'm glad you found my blog so that I could find you.
LOL - I do follow a lot of blogs, it's true, but I think the advice I saw on yours today was probably the best I've seen for ages.
DeleteI like your fun list up there! Especially the chocolate technique. :) I'll check that book out.
ReplyDeleteSusan, thanks for your thoughtful comment on my blog today. I love your "happy" list. Writing makes me happy,too, which is why I'm so puzzled I'm not doing it right now.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Thank you Kyra - oh I can annoy the snot out of people alright - I'm very good at that!
ReplyDeleteLOL Chris. Yes it's b*gg**! (Is that a Brit thing?)
Mmm..chocolate, Lynn :-)
I'm sure you'll find the right way out soon, Karen :-)
you sound very health conscious!
ReplyDeleteno, Lynn - I eat too many doughnuts LOL
DeletePromotion is hard work. Or, at least I imagine it is. If all goes well, I'll be diving into that pool soon enough. And I'm pretty sure it'll be filled with bricks for me too.
ReplyDeleteDonuts sounds really, really right now.
oh yes you will! You can come and moan with me if you like!
DeleteI struggle with promotion too, but I love dark chocolate. Not sure I could suck it though - it gets chomped!
ReplyDeleteshhhh...so do I chomp it!
DeleteI like the list! I like the smoothie idea... mmm... delumptious! And the book looks quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on that! Promoting is just one step above going to the dentist.
ReplyDeletePromo -the necessary evil of being a writer these days, but Sue, you are so right!
ReplyDeleteAnnalisa - shhhh...I chomp it too. After I've sucked a bit LOL
ReplyDeleteMichelle - it's delish, really.
Alex - I forgot the dentist. Hmmm....nope, promotion beats going to the dentist (as a bad thing)
Cat - you're the Queen of Promotion right now :-)
Promo is the toughest part of the biz, for sure.
ReplyDeleteLove your list, and I feel your pain. I'm not quite finished with my novel yet, but I've been more open and out loud about being a writer this last year, and it seems like I rarely go anywhere anymore without someone asking me about my writing, and it really freaks me out sometimes. I've kept my writing life separate for so long that talking about it is a little unnerving. A friend of mine enthusiastically asked me to recite one of my poems to a group of people a few months ago, and I nearly ran out of the room. (I didn't recite but I didn't actually run either).
ReplyDeleteI like your happy thoughts. I hate that ******* promotion too.
ReplyDeleteI empathize! I like all your ways of coping and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteWe love smoothies made with fruit and Greek yogurt. Especially in the summer. Glad my kids like them as they are healthy and better than fast food shakes their friends like.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is Ciara :-(
ReplyDeleteTyrean - everyone expects you to be stinking rich and constantly full of imagination - oh, and creative in ALL the arts.
Thank you Susan and Brinda!
Smoothies are fabulous and just as good as the shakes you get in fast food places, Stephen
Love your approach, Susan. Being shy, I take a roundabout approach to marketing, too.
ReplyDeleteNow you've made me want a smoothie!
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ReplyDeleteI love your attitude, it is just great. Not to mention that the things that make you happy are great too. Thank you so much for stopping by and following my blog.
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude, and your list of things that make you happy. They would make me happy to.
ReplyDeletePromotion, yikes! But many writers appreciate where you're coming from, I'm sure.
I do the same thing with dark chocolate squares. They're like little bits of heaven.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I can't leave it all up to my publisher. they require I do some work on my own. And I know nothing about promotion and marketing. But one thing at a time. We'll get through it!
ReplyDeleteI ANTI really struggle with promotion. I feel like every time I open my mouth about my book, I'm a timeshare salesman. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteBut that said its something we have to do, and there's a right way to do it. I'm doing my best to find that way.
Hugs!
Angela
LOL Angela - a timeshare salesman!!! That's it exactly :-)
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you today on my blog!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at 3 squares of dark chocolate. I love an hour walk, as well. During the summer I take them late at night, by myself, but when the kids are in school I can take them during the day. I hope you're having a happy weekend, filled with chocolate and time with friends.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse, road tripping through the #atozchallenge participants!