Attention Introverts! Please Report to Your Charging Stations

Turns out that turkeys are not the only victims of the Thanksgiving holiday-- introverts are falling by the droves.  I just imploded in an LA Borders bookstore where I was trying desperately to do some Shrinking Violets research and fill my dry-as-dust well.  But there were people there TALKING-- not only to each other, and to people on their yellulars, but some were talking to themselves.  And there was loud music and a lot of extremely loud chewing coming from the cafe.

I fled.  Which is why I can't do the truly arresting piece I was going to do on the strange similarities in the marketing trajectories for Twlight and Fancy Nancy. And how you could use that to information to infuse your next book's marketing plan with the exact same kind of rocket fuel.  Man, it was going to be a good one!  I really hate for you to miss it.

But, I am now officially Out of Order.  Spent. Only one bar showing.  After four days of family time, celebration time, alleged "down time," I am face down, doing the Dead Woman's Float.  Thanksgiving is way harder than going to work. And, I didn't even cook! I made raw Bliss Balls, and salad, for god's sake. Didn't travel that far. Still it did me in.  We really should wear Medical Alert bracelets so that when we're found unconscious, our rescuers would know what to do.  Introvert Alert:  To resuscitate, remove from all sources of talking.

So, while you are missing some brilliant advice about promoting your work, I'm calling the gang all in.  Everybody!  Back to your charging dock.  We've got to get juiced up again. In case you're too far gone for self-care, here are some ideas to get you started.

Turn OFF all your psychologically-pleasing-rectangular-devices.

Find a closet, a flashlight and a good book. 

Nap with a cat or other self-possessed animal.

Play solitaire. (Instruct the Queens, Jacks and Kings that there will be no talking!)

Ballroom dance by yourself.

Go for a walk/hike/kayak/cross-country ski/Ididerod.

Put your hoodie on backwards and pull it all the way up.

Take yourself, a good disguise, and a big, fat magazine out to lunch. 

Climb a tree that has a lot of big leaves for privacy.

Go somewhere new and get lost on purpose. Revel in it!

Sit in an empty church, synagogue, mosque, or confessional.

Take a bath with the door locked.  Bolted.  Chair jimmied under knob.

Repeat as needed.

A word of caution, friends. We are just three short weeks in front of yet another flood of holidays.  Rest up!  You've got to pace yourselves. 

Reporting live from the Comfort Inn, which is way short on comfort, but blessedly quiet--

Mary Hershey

(Charging)