Tuesday, March 06, 2012

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

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Nooo. Not the dolls! That pic at the end seriously scares the crap out of me.

Jamie Dement (LadyJai) said...

<3

Valerie said...

*sigh* yes, there are days when it would be nice just to get lost in our worlds of words and not have to bother with the platform building stuff...but alas, i've been told recently that being apart of world is good for us, too. so i shall leave my own space kicking and screaming to join you. we can do it! (but i agree about the dolls - too spooky for me.)

Ann Cory said...

Lol! I know right? I searched for "creepy dolls" and just about gave myself nightmares last night for it, lol.

Ann Cory said...

Thanks for sending your love Lady Jai :)

Ann Cory said...

Kicking and screaming all the way for sure! But together is better than alone. So I'm good with that :) I think I can...I think I can... :) Thanks for stopping by Valerie!!

Susan Oloier said...

The life of today's author is so overwhelming at times. I think a retreat is an excellent idea.
But I don't know what's scarier: tweeting all day or sharing a closet with that doll.

Stacey James said...

I'm beginning to treasure my privacy more than I used to. And I am totally against interruptions now as well. I've learned to unplug from Facebook, email, etc- but it was difficult, I still have those urges.