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Friday
Oct222010

Shady Pines Home for Authors

AuthorLaura Toffler-Corrie DateFriday, October 22, 2010 at 1:44PM Comment21 Comments

This past weekend, I participated on a writer's panel and an interesting subject arose. Should published authors be out promoting their work? Should they be circulating out there in the public eye, doing panels, attending book signings, doing school visits, etc. And what about the pre- published writers. Should they be out spending time (and money) at writer's conferences and workshops? Or are all these events merely a distraction, an acceptable method of avoiding the one thing a writer should be doing, which is staying at home to write?

I remember the slow years, before I even had an agent. Days when I wished I knew more writers to shmooze with, where I had inappropriately long conversations with the dry cleaners because I was bored, when I'd go to conferences and workshops and hold my breath for inspirational speeches and good feedback., where all the published writers on panels looked like rock stars.

It's no wonder that now that my book, AMY F., is out in the wild, I've been getting pretty wild myself. I can't even count the number of events, panels and signings I've done in the last few months and how many more I have planned for the next few.

Because I think that getting out not only boosts a writer's morale but, for the published author, it boosts sales as well. It's very gratifying, and somewhat ironic, to now be the 'rock star' on the writer's panel (although I'm really not). It makes me feel good to push out of my comfort zone of eating fritos on the couch in torn sweatpants. It's fun to get out and shmooze with other authors and meet prospective readers. I like sharing my experiences and insights with newbies. I've even discovered that it's fun to read my work out loud, which is something I never thought I'd have the opportunity, or nerve, to do.

On the other hand, a writer has to know her strengths. She must ask herself: Am I better alone, just toiling away at the keyboard? Am I good in public? Do I like real people or am I more comfortable with my characters? Should I accept a gig on a panel about comedy writing, for example, when an audience causes me to mumble shyly into my lap?

At the Brooklyn Book Festival I recently participated on a writer's panel. Before it was our turn to speak, I sat in on the picture book panel that proceeded us. They were enormously entertaining. They drew, they joked, they even sang and danced. Now I'm not suggesting that every author needs to perform, necessarily, but the experience reminded me of a recent comment made by my daughter after having attended another writer's panel.

"That writer is so dorky," she rolled her eyes. "And what was up with her weird cartoon voice? I can never think of her book as being cool now. Maybe some writers should just stay home."

Hmm...stay home, indeed. Moreover, a writer friend who I think of as a traditionalist, had this to say about writers going out:

"Why should I spend hours at a book signing or on a panel when in the end I might only sell five books? Writers belong at home. At their desks and, or, in front of their laptops. After all, you're only as good as your next book."

Ultimately, she's totally right, about the next book part at least. But I guess, in the end, you have to do what's right for you and find that balance between going out and staying home to write. Not to mention that it doesn't hurt to watch out for possible dorkiness or squeaky voice elocution.

What do you think? 

 

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Reader Comments (21)

Found your blog from friends who told me about your cool kids' contest. Posted it on FB and then shared this blog with the Carolinas SCBWI website. Interesting thoughts... I understand that "I wanna be a rock star" mentality! Can't say that I'm there yet, but it sure is an interestin journey.

October 29, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCarol Baldwin

You've raised some interesting points! I have 3 kids, so booksignings would be very hard for me right now, but I would do everything I could to work them in...if they were going to help bring awareness to my book. HOWEVER - if I don't have the next book in the works, what good is it doing me to promote just one book? I don't want to be a one-book-wonder!

peace,
Donna (one of those weird PB authors who will probably sing and dance!)


p.s. thanks, Carol B. for sharing this on SCBWICAROLINAS site!

October 29, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterDonna Earnhardt

Thanks, Laura, for sharing this diverse problem of writing and/or promoting. Sometimes the two just don't mix. Other times the marketing, traveling, readings are more than worth while. I've learned to carefully pick when to go and where the limits are with traveling. Of course, no matter what I do, my characters are always with me. Since I write mostly YA historical fiction, and the young people are from the 18th century, they rarely cause a problem! They seem to know how to slide off their horses and into my car!
Blonnie

October 30, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterBlonnie Bunn Wyche

Dear Laura,
I enjoyed reading about finding your niche between writing and marketing. The gray font is hard to read. It's great that you are able to write while you travel. You have to believe in yourself and what you're doing. Do something good for yourself today. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
...Joan

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