Work has been crazy busy. For a steady paycheck I'm employed by one of the oldest companies in Nebraska that works on repossessed properties in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri. I hover over a keyboard and gaze into double screens, trying to make sense of client requests and the resulting work completed by crews. Busy or not, I am taking the time to put my thoughts together and get back to writing. If you have ready any of my first published novel, Cowgirl Is a State of Mind (thank you!), then I like to think you'll be pleased to know I have started a manuscript that follows Cowgirl with one of the men as the main character. Personally I like surprises, so I won't say which man it is.
Someone recently summarized it well when they said to me that writers are introverts to begin with. 'Socially handicapped' is a good way to describe myself, preferring to avoid the general public if I can. But, it's up to me to promote my book, so I am having to change my ways. Promotion is a whole new world to me - I never gave the meaning of 'marketing' much thought before the book was ready to be published. But I am learning . . . something new almost every day so it seems. Anyone who has worked with horses (or any animal), and are any good at it, understands that the animal communicates many things, if we only pay attention. It should be no surprise that people are the same, if we only pay attention.
I interacted with a good number of individuals recently at the WPRA World Finals where I had a vendor booth, and wish I had gotten the names of at least a few that purchased Cowgirl Is a State of Mind. They gave a glimpse into their own lives of interesting stories to tell, and looking back it would have been wonderful to have the opportunity to keep in touch with them. Live and learn - I guess it's not a big snafu if I learned from it. There was the local woman working in the WPRA office for the weekend, the woman who colorfully commented on the opening scene of Cowgirl Is a State of Mind with her own real-life parallel, another who asked what inspired me to write the book and as I spoke I watched his eyes get big with understanding.
And then there was the man with the company selling WPRA coats and apparel, his booth within a wimpy girl's throw from mine. He and I did not start out on a good foot. It began typically enough with his casual 'Hello, what are you selling?' but it didn't take long for me to get the feeling he saw me as a diamond in the rough that needed polishing. A lot.
The first day, Thursday, he was selling WPRA logo jackets like it was cold out (it was) and I was sitting with my books, usually alone. Evidently he noticed. When his coats-like-hotcakes sales slowed, he approached with what I am sure was meant as well intended, superior leadership advice. I felt like I was standing in front of a used car salesman with five hundred dollars to spend. To say we mixed like oil and water would be an understatement.
But, like many less-than-ideal beginnings, the end of our four days within close proximity ended amicably as was evidenced with smiles, laughter and even a hug. He had listened to a few things I had to say, and I had listened to him. Neither of us admitted to agreeing with the other's opinion on anything, but we had listened. He bought a book and I bought some WPRA merchandise. And whether either of us acknowledges it or not, I like to think we influenced the other to the good, if even just a little bit.
No comments:
Post a Comment