Writing a book is pretty much a solo effort. Unless you're working with a team of researchers, I suppose. But this wasn't that kind of book. It's my personal story and my own perspective on the important issues of the day. So I've lived as an introvert much of the time, over the course of three years, to write it.
But when it comes time to promote a book, one has to transform into an extrovert. Get out there and talk to people, ask people on the phone to participate in events, speak in front of audiences (if you can swing it), and so on.
It's a huge effort, it seems, so I don't blame anyone who has been "writing a book" for years but somehow never gets around to finishing it or publishing it. It's a real job!
So now I realize that I've thrown myself so totally into it, I've neglected my own social life, to an extent. Yes, I'm still attending certain events, parties, and other gatherings, but having spent so much time and money on bringing this book to fruition, I'm a little low on financial resources (not actually broke, but my reserves are definitely down!). So no more expensive weekend workshops and a lot fewer Meetups with entrance fees that add up. And a lot less volunteer work. Charity begins at home, they say, and right now, I'm due. Anyway, my book is a kind of volunteer work. I didn't write it just for my own ego or to make a lot of money. I wrote it because I saw people around me struggling these days so I wanted to give them something to help change their focus from what's disturbing to what's positive; from feeling despondent and hopeless to feeling positive and energized.
Anyway, now that winter is coming, I find myself at home a lot in the evenings, making my own dinners (for both financial and health reasons). Standing in the kitchen preparing, then sitting at the dining room table, eating alone. (Occasionally my roommate, a graduate student, joins me, but often he's on campus working late, or upstairs on his computer.)
And no romantic partner for now. For over a year, I've been without anyone. Sleeping alone on one side of a queen sized bed. Wondering if I've somehow left no time for anyone in my life! How do I find a balance between promoting my book faithfully, and my personal life? After all, the clock is ticking! Once a book comes out, it's only "new" for about six months. After that, bookstores have moved on to newer books to promote, so opportunities for readings & signing events drops, and reviews online are harder to come by. So I have to soldier on, at least through the winter.
They say four hugs per day is an important part of "balanced emotional diet." I think I'm running a deficit.
But when it comes time to promote a book, one has to transform into an extrovert. Get out there and talk to people, ask people on the phone to participate in events, speak in front of audiences (if you can swing it), and so on.
It's a huge effort, it seems, so I don't blame anyone who has been "writing a book" for years but somehow never gets around to finishing it or publishing it. It's a real job!
So now I realize that I've thrown myself so totally into it, I've neglected my own social life, to an extent. Yes, I'm still attending certain events, parties, and other gatherings, but having spent so much time and money on bringing this book to fruition, I'm a little low on financial resources (not actually broke, but my reserves are definitely down!). So no more expensive weekend workshops and a lot fewer Meetups with entrance fees that add up. And a lot less volunteer work. Charity begins at home, they say, and right now, I'm due. Anyway, my book is a kind of volunteer work. I didn't write it just for my own ego or to make a lot of money. I wrote it because I saw people around me struggling these days so I wanted to give them something to help change their focus from what's disturbing to what's positive; from feeling despondent and hopeless to feeling positive and energized.
Anyway, now that winter is coming, I find myself at home a lot in the evenings, making my own dinners (for both financial and health reasons). Standing in the kitchen preparing, then sitting at the dining room table, eating alone. (Occasionally my roommate, a graduate student, joins me, but often he's on campus working late, or upstairs on his computer.)
And no romantic partner for now. For over a year, I've been without anyone. Sleeping alone on one side of a queen sized bed. Wondering if I've somehow left no time for anyone in my life! How do I find a balance between promoting my book faithfully, and my personal life? After all, the clock is ticking! Once a book comes out, it's only "new" for about six months. After that, bookstores have moved on to newer books to promote, so opportunities for readings & signing events drops, and reviews online are harder to come by. So I have to soldier on, at least through the winter.
They say four hugs per day is an important part of "balanced emotional diet." I think I'm running a deficit.
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