Dear Violets and Vinnies,
Robin and I had a marvelously productive lunch last week at Chateau La Belle talking all about YOU, and how much we love this growing community of introverts. We've evolved into a virtual iPod--oh, fine, that's already taken. iCommunity? Anyway, we want to stay fresh, inventive, relevant and responsive. We've got some new things coming down the pike! We invite (read beg) and welcome your feedback.
For those of you that haven't sold your work yet-- but you will-- marketing begins now, not after your first sale. It starts with your recognition of yourself as a writer . . . not a future one, a wannabe one, an unpublished one, but a bonafide professional writer.
You MAY and should call yourself a writer without cringing, blushing, or losing hold of your bladder, if you write regularly, take classes, read craft books/blogs/mags, attend conferences, participate in a crititque group, read others' work. Face it, you are a writer! Stand in front of a mirror. Rehearse it. Swirl that imaginary martini (or diet coke) around in its glass. "Me? What do I do? I'm a writer." Claim it!
Now, being a writer that hasn't yet been published can be a lo-oo-ng trek . . . lots of work without praise or payday. That's where our new feature Milestone Mondays come in.
We want to give you a chance to feel a bit of the limelight on your skin now, in easy, supportive doses. We want to herald and trumpet some of your accomplishments along the way. Time for you to let the world now that you are up and coming, baby!
We want to hear about a promising rejection letter, or the completion of your discovery draft, or a writing class, or your article in the Trader Joes flyer, or the time that Arthur Levine/Wendy Lamb/Jodi Reamer told you that s/he'd like to see your whole manuscript. Let's start the celebrating of you now, huh?
Ready to get 'yer feet wet? What do you say? Send your milestones to me at News for Milestone Monday. We'll run them once a month. If you have a website or a blog, make sure you let me know so we can post a link. Look forward to hearing all about you!
Ars longa, vita brevis--
(Art is long, life is short)
Mary Hershey
4 comments:
Of course, you realize you are asking introverts to step out of the shadows and toot their own horns ;-)
In the "cooperative" spirit you mentioned in your last post, maybe it would help to remind people they can brag about their friends' milestones if they find it too difficult to mention their own . . .
I've got three storytelling gigs lined up for one day. I've never done such a thing before, but I thought it was time to learn how to pace myself to peform these intensive kinds of schedules from time to time. My mentor used to play 6 musical gigs a night.
Great idea, Liquidambar Yes! Blow your buddy's horns, as well--
I hope, too, that some will be willing to use this as a gentle, supported, stretch goal for themselves to share their milestones here.
Wow, Alkelda, three storytellings in a day? You'll have to let us know who that goes for you.
:-)Mary
What a great idea! I love email. Now I get to brag without having to be in the room while someone's talking about me! :)
Post a Comment