From Tyvek to silk…
Last Saturday and Sunday I was off in my usual corner of the boatyard, hidden in the shed and decked out in my usual attire: a Tyvek suit over Carhartt carpenter’s pants, a tank top and work boots, with latex gloves masking-taped at the wrists. My goal was to get all the overhead ribs secured in place and make it to Monday with minimal scrapes, bruises or epoxy on my skin or hair – and trust me, that’s no easy task. But I did it, and Monday night I was actually presentable enough to put on a cocktail gown and attend a party hosted by Amazon publishing, and then a dinner on Tuesday night. And though I was dressed for the occasion, this was my first venture into the world of socializing and networking with the book community, and I’ll admit, it was a strange new experience for me as I came to meet my editors and fellow authors first-hand.
During my time on this blog, I’ve read numerous posts from my fellow authors discussing the various writer’s conventions they’ve attended and the groups they’re involved in. I’d never been to a single one. Aside from Write on the Water, I’m not a member of any writer’s groups or associations, and I’ve never been to any gatherings where authors and publishing professionals converge. I started writing simply because I enjoyed writing. I’m a textbook introvert; in fact, if you look it up in the dictionary, I suspect you’d find my picture there. Writing worked well with my solitary, introspective ways, and was something I could do that required little to no social interaction. The first book was purely for fun, the truth is I never really took it serious in the beginning. It was something to pass the time, and if it sold, if it paid for a few boat parts, it was a win. But much has happened over the last year, and I’m also coming to realize if I want to move forward and build a career on my writing, I can’t keep going it single-handed. I need to take myself and my writing more seriously. There are benefits to meeting my fellow authors face to face, to networking and getting involved. And yet again I see another parallel between writers and sailors – while both engage in work that can be solitary and very lonely at times, ultimately we’re all part of a bigger community of shared experiences and knowledge, and we can all benefit from each other’s support.
And next weekend, this will be me yet again!
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