FIVE AUTHOR TRAITS I ENVY
Thanks Cindy for hosting me today!
I don’t spend much of my time envying the success of other authors because it’s a waste of imagination. But I do occasionally envy certain traits. Traits I wish I had.
Time Maven. I don’t know how some authors have a MySpace page, Facebook, twitter, blog, update their websites, write over three books a year, chat on numerous author loops and attend five conferences a year. Just looking at all they do makes me tired. While I admire their ability to do all things, for me doing five major things a week is enough.
Organizational Diva. Authors who come up with detailed outlines, binders filled with character profiles, background, history and color coded index cards fascinate me. I have folders with a label for the story. That’s it. It’s mostly filled with post it notes, scraps of paper and brief observations. Some actually have clean desks. The only time my desk is clear is when I’m not working and I’m always working.
Popularity Vixen. Some authors are very gregarious. They have cliques and seem to know everyone in the industry. I can’t even keep up with the people I know outside the industry. I am not part of a critique group, nor do I find a need for one, and more often than not I find knowing too many people exhausting.
Tech Whiz. I know of fellow authors who have created avatars, radio shows, games etc…. as part of their marketing efforts. I think they’re all cool, but I have no idea how to do them. Not that I’d have the time if I did. But wow what creativity. For me instead of trying to learn or do it all, I find someone who already knows how. For example I use someone to create my book trailers and recently a commercial (see it here www.daragirard.com). I did try a podcast once and that was it.
Chocolate Queen. Chocolate is a big thing in the romance industry. When I went to the Harlequin party at RWA in DC they had a huge chocolate fountain. It was fantastic! It’s common knowledge that people treat themselves with chocolate when disappointed from a rejection or a bad review. They also reward themselves with chocolate when something good happens or just to celebrate. I joke about liking chocolate so that I can fit in, but personally give me a bag of Twizzlers and I’m a happy girl.
I hesitated writing this blog because I realize that I’m revealing myself to be an unorganized Luddite with hermit tendencies who prefers candy to chocolate, but I somehow feel I’m not alone. So while I may never be a Time Maven, Organizational Diva, Popularity Vixen, Tech Whiz or Chocolate Queen the great thing about this wild and wonderful industry is that we can all make it in our own unique ways.
Are there any traits others have that you wish you did too?
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For more info about Dara and her books, please visit her website.
Here’s the situation. I’m a single mom and I’m taking my daughter camping (as you’re reading this post actually!) for the first time. Alone! Now big brother (and I have 3 bros!) is completely worried that I’m incapable of doing this. That I couldn’t possibly go camping…without a man. 