Getting noticed

In good and bad ways

Not sure where to start here. With the conference looming large I can’t seem to think about anything else.

I got my beautiful purple business cards. I’ve typed up my presentation and I’ve been learning some more about Harlequin Mills & Boon and Ms. Fildew. Unfortunately I’m beginning to think my book(s) might not be the right fit for Harlequin, but another opportunity might present itself so I'm trying not to project my negative thoughts on this. I’ve also gone through the conference workshop list, highlighted the ones I’m interested in attending and am printing out the available handouts that go with those workshops. I also signed up to volunteer and will be moderating one of the workshops. Actually it’s one of the first workshops on Thursday afternoon. And it’s one I was interested in attending so that works out well. I thought volunteering would be a good way to meet some new people and make new contacts. You just never know about these things.

Getting noticed—in a good way…

The other day I was pumping gas and I noticed a young girl in the car at the pump next to mine. She was waiting in the car with her brother and mother while her dad was pumping gas. She noticed my glance and immediately started goofing around in the back seat. I had to admit I was amused and smiled at her antics.

As I thought about her silliness I realized that so much of what I was doing to prepare for the conference was about how to get noticed.

When you’re young you have no preconceived notions about what people think when you do a silly dance or sing a song off key to get someone’s attention. But as adults we realize that most people would think we were insane if we broke out in dance or sang off key to get the attention of a total stranger. But if you think about it on a base level, isn’t that what actors do when practicing their craft; although the dances are more choreographed and the songs on key. Perhaps they have found a way to tap into their childlike qualities in order to be an actor.

I belong to a writing website, which is like having one huge critique group, called fanstory.com. I post my stories and poems there for review. I have had some that I was totally offended by and some that were harsh, but true. As time has gone by I’ve learned from the harsher critiques and I’ve received some amazing reviews. I like the feeling I get when I see a five or six star rating (the highest levels) on something I’ve submitted to fanstory. I really like it when I get 30 or more reviews and they are all five or six stars. When I get a 5 from someone who has been a tough critic up to that point, I’m over the moon. I like the feeling of being someone special for that moment. And I think for that brief time that maybe I can realize my dream of someday being a published author. I’m really not looking for fame and fortune (although the fortune would be nice).

But why is it we crave attention?  Well, I’m not an analyst, but I know why I like attention—it just makes me feel good. Having my work validated by someone, and especially someone I respect, gives me a nice little endorphin rush.

So, even though I bought the purple business cards in an attempt to be remembered, or noticed, I really hope my hard work as an author gets noticed too. Maybe some of my childlike qualities will surface—no, no singing and dancing—and I will remember to have fun with this whole business and not get caught up in the need to be noticed, but can find someone who appreciates what I have to offer.

Being noticed—in a bad way…

A little aside for today—if any of you out there are facebook members, I've a little advice—go into your account and privacy setting and customize them and make it so the e-mail account you have tied to facebook is only visible to you, do the same with any other contact information you have. I have also changed my password on my facebook account and all my e-mail accounts. A friend’s facebook account was hacked into today and someone is phishing to get personal information from her friends. They are claiming they are her and that she is in the UK and in need of cash. But I knew that she wasn’t any place but home. I called her and she is frantic because she can’t get into her e-mail or facebook account. It turns out she some how ended up with spyware on her computer so the hacker could steal her info. Also might be a good time to up-date and run whatever anti-virus software you have.

Above all else practice safe internet surfing. It’s a big scary place out there.

Until next time

ttfn

mc


p.s. Out and about reading blogs and came across this one about getting published. It's really good—check it out—http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/How+I+Got+My+Agent+Boyd+Morrison.aspx