I Also Can't Walk & Chew Gum at the Same Time

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I don't know if you've noticed this phenomena, but every time you declare something about yourself, the Universe tests your resolve. To wit: my announcement via blog, FB, and Twitter that I am devoting this year solely to working on my YA novel.

The Universe read my blog post and immediately said, "Oh, how cute are you??" and sent some job offers my way. A client I hadn't heard from in over two years suddenly surfaced with a request for website articles and ghost writing a blog. 

"Nope," I said, not even bothering to look up from my notes on character development. "I'm a novelist. Your job offer does not interest me." 

"Impressive," said the Universe. "But do you mean it?" And sent me what was practically a guaranteed job offer for a full-time position with our area community college. 

I looked up and sighed. "Can't you see I'm busy?" I asked. "Now please, leave me be." 

"One more," said the Universe, and up popped an e-mail from a former employer for whom I love working. It was a small itty-bitty job, just writing some copy for the landing page of a website. 300 words. How long could it take? 

"I'll do it," I said. 

"Ah-HA!" said the Universe. "I knew it!" And notified me that the proposal I'd sent in to be a speaker this fall at a social media expo had been accepted and paperwork, course description, etc. must be submitted, post haste. Which reminded me that to be seen as a valid speaker at a social networking event I might want to invest some time in, oh, I don't know... social networking?  

And so it comes to the fact that I have done no "writing" this week. I've stayed busy. In fact, I am a one-woman marketing machine, churning out press releases and sending out requests for promotional blurbs for WHO MOVED MY MOUSE, all while coordinating details for an upcoming blog tour. But that creative writing thing I said I was going to do every day without fail? It's not happening. And that worries me. 

I'm going to call this week a wash. Spend the next couple of days tidying up all these loose marketing threads I've pulled then regroup and try again. 

And when that Universe comes knocking at my door, I'm just going to curl into a tight ball and pretend no one is at home. 

Cheers,

Dena

Marketing Maven? Um, Not Quite...

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It's time to come clean. I can't live with the pressure of having to conceal the truth any longer. You may want to sit down or fix yourself a drink though, 'cause this is a biggee.

I'm not sure all my readers are aware of it, but I've taught workshops to writers for a number of years on how to best/better market their books or themselves. Get out from behind your laptops, I urge. Show your face! Embrace public speaking. Set aside one day a week just for marketing. Or 1 hour a day. Small steps lead to big results. No one is going to do it for you. Being your own PR person is what it takes these days to be a successful author. I could look out at a sea of faces and watch people scribble notes. 

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Yeah, I Snagged the Poster

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Is it egotistical to frame and hang the poster from your first Barnes & Noble book signing event on your office wall? If so, too bad. I nabbed the poster you see in this picture and have it framed and hanging over my file folders at home. Thanks to Melody Watson for thinking to bring a camera to the event!! ☺

WMMM signing at Greensboro, NC Barnes & Noble

Fox 8 Morning News Video

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Here's yesterday's interview on Fox 8 Morning News for family members and friends outside the immediate viewing area. (Could I say, "actually," any more times???) FYI, they got the time of the book signing wrong. I'll be at Barnes & Noble at Friendly Center this Saturday from 10 am to Noon and at Shakespeare & Company in Kernersville from 2-4.

Cheers!