Do Authors Ever Go On Vacation?

Short answer is…no. At least I don’t. Getting away from my desk is a relief and something I look forward to, but my laptop is never left behind. What if the urge hits me to knock out a few thousand words? I can’t pass up that opportunity.

Although many authors recommend having a set schedule when they write, there is something refreshing about giving yourself a vacation from that “must perform” timeframe. I seem to get more accomplished when I am not writing under the pressure of a deadline. It makes me happy to write “ahead,” almost like I’m cheating by not really taking a break when I have allowed myself time to take a break.

The head-games authors play with themselves are maddening. Or is it just me?

If you are feeling the anxiety of writer’s block, a vacation may be called for. Get away for the weekend. Put yourself in a new setting. Use this time to do writing exercises rather than working on a set project. I love the exercise of people watching. Go to a restaurant, park, or coffee shop. Observe the people around you and make up a conversation that your fellow patrons may be having. Are they arguing? Do they seem suspicious? Who knows? This exercise may make its way into your next story.

Use this “vacation” to sit outside and describe all the sounds you hear. Do you hear animals? Insects? Cars rushing past? Come up with as many adjectives as you can for each sound. Save these for later use in your writing.

Use your nose. How does the rain smell? What about the heat? Yes, heat does have a smell if you open your mind to it. What other items can you describe by smell that you usually take for granted?
For ideas on more exercises, check out The Writer’s Little Helper by James V. Smith, Jr. I enjoyed this book very much and still pull it out from time-to-time when I need motivating. It’s an easy read with fun activities.

Making Book Signings More Comfortable

Do Book Signings make you uncomfortable?

It is sabook signings, talk, author, write, marketingid that many writers are introverts. (I’m an exception to that rule.) That makes it hard for them to do direct marketing. They tend to rely on the safety of hiding behind the electrons on the internet, or better yet, behind a person that will DO the marketing for them with electrons–a double layer of protection.

It is inevitable as a writer that you will have to do some public appearances. So start where you are comfortable. I love softball. You may have noticed from the 4 books I’ve written so far on the subject. I’m comfortable on and around a softball field. A natural place for me to set up book signings is at the ball park. I have a canopy, table, and sign. I’m ready! After getting permission from the park, of course, I set up shop where I can watch the games in between talking to readers. It makes me feel less vulnerable. I can talk to the folks that approach my tent, not just about my books, but about the ball games. It gives them a chance to talk about what they’re interested in, rather than just listening to a sales pitch.

When I do book signings at a store, I prefer to have another author with me. It’s more encouraging and you have someone to cover your table when you need a break. Some stores don’t like this, but with a little work, you can probably convince them. If someone approaches your table, looks, but doesn’t purchase, give them an easy escape. Don’t make them feel bad. I start by asking what they like to read. If they say history books, I say I don’t have any but have you tried such-and-such author? Even better if your table partner has a different genre than you do. You can cover more ground. I’m surprised how many people purchase my books as a gift, even after they tell me they aren’t interested in mysteries (or softball, etc). If you skip the hard sell, folks feel more comfortable talking with you. If they like you, they may buy simply for that reason.

Nothing seems to draw people to a table more than a giveaway. Create a basket filled with goodies that compliment your book. Romance? Try candles, a music CD, and lotion. You don’t necessarily want to put a copy of your book in the basket though. You want folks to BUY your book, not wait and see if they win it. Make it free to enter, but perhaps they get an EXTRA chance to win with a purchase. You can use the emails you collect for your own advertising, but I would HIGHLY discourage selling your lists. It’s poor form. Make sure to put it on the sign up form that you won’t share their information–then DON’T!

Do you have any ideas for book signings or marketing that you would like to share? Please do!! As authors or consumers, your input could really help a struggling introvert.