Links to the Rescue!
28 Apr
I come here for your help.
Save me from the boxes.
No, seriously.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, two more days and we’re actually on schedule with the packing! I must thank those of you who’ve been kind enough to blog over the last few days, because this has been my chief source of distraction during breaks– of which I take many since, you know, I’m trying to make sure my back doesn’t use this as an excuse to freak out on me again. So far so good, so thanks for all the good luck wishes! Your Vibe is solid with the universe, clearly.
Today’s post consists mostly of links garnered from my bloggy reading, unsurprisingly. First, from one of Jay Lake’s spectacular link salads, always a good meal, Tom’s Glossary of Book Publishing Terms. With the site redesign here, I put a “Word of the Week” bubble over in the sidebar, in which I will house a new word from Ambrose Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary every weekend, simply because it makes me happy to see it there. (This week we get something spectacularly dated, because I’m writing/trying to write, a historical horror novel currently. And I will use the word “blackguard”. Oh yes. Count on it.) This link is sort of the modern publishing version. Thought y’all would get a kick out of that, in case you don’t read Mr. Lake’s blog.
Consider it though, because he’s awesome. Just saying.
Second, I think I mentioned that I’m going to the Pennwriters conference this year, just for one day. This horrifies me somewhat, being the first time I’ll actually be face to face with a bunch of Writers, Agents, and other Publishing Types all at once. But at the same time, being weirdly busy for the weeks leading up to it doesn’t allow for a lot of dwelling, so I reckon I won’t be as scared as I should be by the time I get there. To a certain extent, it’s smart to be nervous– keeps you on your toes. Most of this whole conference thing, I’m okay with trying to wing, but then there’s the pitch session concept. Not gonna lie: this terrifies me. I’ve worked up my Elevator Speech just like everyone else, and I don’t have any trouble talking about my head people, obviously… just saying, this is different.
And then, along comes Nathan Bransford yesterday, discussing “How to Maximize Pitch Sessions”. I mean, I’m sure you all already love this guy, but I just wanted to say that he saved me some serious stress with that post. Sweeeeeeet. Maybe I’ll even de-lurk next time he does a de-lurking day!
(What? I’m shy! Okay, I’m not shy exactly, but I am an introvert. No, seriously. Hey, stop laughing, it’s true!)
—————-
Now playing: Super Furry Animals – Mt.
via FoxyTunes
I shudder to think what would happen if I had to pitch. There would definitely be stuttering.
I’m going to be honest, Cate: it’s times like these when I am really, really grateful for my upbringing, which involved a childhood spent at a summerstock theater. I’m pretty sure it’s the only reason I can fake my way through public speaking and situations like this without puking on my shoes, which is frankly more natural to my personality.
That said, I’m sure there will be stuttering. Your sympathy is appreciated.
May the Powers That Be be with you in your time of boxing. Moving is the second most evil thing on earth. If green peas ever become extinct, it will move up to the number one slot.
I used to like speaking in front of groups. I did it a lot in high school and with my job, but I’m not sure I’d do nearly as well if I had to speak about myself or my writing. I have a feeling I’d be doing a lot of ‘Ummm..’-ing and shuffling about awkwardly and trying not to tip over.
Congrats on staying on schedule : )
Katie – smile, nod when appropriate, and be brief.
And definitely, act. I don’t know where she would have heard it, but my gran told me (because I was painfully shy as a child, and still am… x-P) ‘fake it ’til you make it’.
Susan, I could not agree more: green peas, then moving. The gods invented these as horrible, horrible tortures. I’m also with you on the public speaking. I don’t get stage fright, because, you know, it’s not me! I’m someone else! But in this one, I’m clearly me. Your commiseration means a lot, as you can imagine.
Jodi, your gran sounds like a wise woman– unsurprisingly since I think there’s some kind of test they have to pass to become grandmas, or so my own experience suggests. I’ve been doing as much so far in life, but I always kinda wonder if it’s really that great of an idea. I feel better hearing it from you!
::takes away all the evil boxes and gives you vampires and horror::
It worked! I love you