Writer's Retreat

When you’re somewhat of a recluse, aka shy, it isn’t easy being in the spotlight. With all the social networking and places to be for an author, it can be overwhelming. There are times when someone writes me and asks – girl where have you been?

Where?

Unplugged. Not online. Possibly hidden under a blanket or under my desk, maybe rocking myself in a broom closet full of dolls who talk to me, you never know.

Sometimes I have to retreat. Sometimes I have to be okay with not sharing news with the world. I’m a big fan of privacy. At the same time I acknowledge that in this career, I need to be accessible. Most days I don’t mind so much.

I remember when writers had a certain mystique. They hid out in the creepy but cool attic hunched over a spiffy typewriter, plunking away, pausing once in awhile to swear and fix the ribbon. They wore a mask of anonymity. I like that. I support that. Mystique is both a cool word, and cool.

Except now there's little mystique in these times of promotional circuits, personal blogs, guest blogs, platform building, author branding, critique groups, writing groups, chats, workshops, seminars, conventions, and social networking. For a somewhat shy person like me, it’s daily work to keep myself afloat out there. I take a deep breath and plunge in that deep end as often as I'm able. Even though I can't swim, am afraid of water, and am allergic to chlorine. I still do it.

When I do retreat – it’s to recharge and refuel. A time to gather myself and prepare myself for the next round.

To stay sane and out of that broom closet, I’ve joined groups such as Write Motivation and Write Campaign. I know there's support and helping hands to pull me out of that deep end when I've lost my momentum.

Still, there will be the times when I have to retreat. And I'm okay with that. I'm not totally alone. There are the dolls...

~Ann Cory