I'm hanging up my author shoes for a bit and focusing on being a writer. What's the difference you might ask? To me, the author is about the business of writing, especially promoting. I've spent the last four years yakking, yakking, yakking about Orange Mint and Honey and two years blah, blah, blahing about Children of the Waters. I've blogged (this is my 600th blog post here! I've got another 118 over at my other blog), Facebooked and tweeted myself cross-eyed. I've talked by phone and internet to book clubs and reporters. I've flown (often at my own expense) coast-to-coast to attend book festivals, bookstore readings, industry meetings and book group affairs.
Right now, I'm eager to just write. That's what a writer does. Write and read and daydream about writing.
The irony is that before I got published I daydreamed about doing all this yakking and traveling and seeing my book in people's hands and the title in the newspaper (and on screen!). Those are all great things. Fabulous things! And I'll continue doing some of it. I've got a book club event tomorrow evening, another Sunday, next week I head to the VA Festival of the Book and later this month I do a local morning show. I'm grateful for every opportunity I get to try to sell one more book, especially in this economy. (For example, thank you to the OOSA Book Club for this profile.)
But truth be told I'm more interested right now in just writing. Not conferencing calling with my agent or doing interviews or trying to get one more person to pick up one of my poor little books.
Just writing.
So I'll be doing a little less blogging, Facebooking and tweeting for a while. A little less authoring and (I hope) much more writing.
15 comments:
I so get it! We wrote about the author/writer dichotomy over on shewrites.com--I think. With Uptown's launch we've done so many Q&A's, guest blogs, interviews, posts etc., it's hard to keep track of where we said what. But the author part of the job has asserted itself, claimed a spot and isn't giving up the position easily. We're so happy that your author gig has paid off so well, and hopefully she'll take this as a reward, time off for good behavior, instead of being miffed at being left alone while the writer resumes her rightful place.
We are now entering "full author" mode and don't expect to see the "writer" for a while but as always will look forward to her return!
The author(s) will see you Friday and we'll be sure to share the good time we know we're gonna have with the writer when we see her again!
Love the post and the differences. I'm pulling a Dr Jeckyl/Ms. Hyde because I'm on deadline to write but yet I have to be in author mode to promote my book that comes out in April. So within the course of one day, I'm switching back and forth.
We all need assistants so they can help with the author part--promoting, sending out emails, tweets, etc until we're able to be in full "author" mode.
VDB, Looking so forward to seeing you & Donna Friday night!
Sheila, I know what you mean. I was doing both there for a while too. It's insane. Good luck to you!
I totally get it. Sending you good vibes for your next project. I certainly loved 'Orange Mint..' and look forward to reading more
Loved this, Carleen, and it's what I need to do as well: Just Write!
Aww I'll miss your tweets, posts et. al. But yes, at some point the marketing aspect must get tiring.
That's why I have to move to Colorado and be your personal assistant au gratis! MAybe I can find a job in a record store? :)
Here, here! You've said it so well, Carleen. There's a time and place for the crazy promo whirligig, but there must also be a time and place to step FAR away from it... You go write, lady!
Thank you for the break down of the writer/author roles Carleen. Have fun writing.
I'm an aspiring author who had stopped writing. I'm learning to take the time and just write again. Enjoy your time writing!
Carleen I definitely hear you. I'm sort of wearing both hats right now and I'm a bit tired to put it mildly. So glad the muse has returned to both of us. Will miss your tweets and blogs etc., but with understanding and well wishes for your new work.
Ashe
Great post! I can only imagine how crazy it's been being the AUTHOR as of late. Glad to see the WRITER getting an opportunity to claim her spot and pen more stories.
Wonderful post and so well said. Thanks for the clarification. Writers write. Enjoy.
Wow, thanks everybody for your comments! Haven't had this much activity over here in a while. :)
I'll be around online...just not nearly as much. Or better not be as much. Hubby and agent will chew me out if I am. LOL
Smart woman.
Well said! Good for you...
Be sure to check out my new book if you have the chance.
Post a Comment