Nothing gives me more
pleasure than to introduce my friend Rosemary DiBattista. This is one blog post
with a very happy ending. Be sure to read the bio ‘graf… —SP
By Rosemary DiBattista
As I was headed out the door one recent evening, my 18
year-old son flashed me a grin and pointed to my classic cardigan sweater and
scarf combination. “Is that your writer’s outfit?” he asked.
It was true that I’d stood in front of my closet looking for
an “up-and-coming author” ensemble, having a mini fashion crisis that led me to
question a fact universally acknowledged by writers—that even those of us who
dwell in the land of Almost There must begin creating a brand. And it’s not
just decisions about what to wear, but whether to blog or tweet or Facebook.
And let’s admit it: it’s more than a little awkward to go out there and promote
a book that exists only in your Word files.
Nevertheless, when I was invited to speak to a newbie writers’
group at my local Barnes and Noble, I jumped at it. When they asked if I
required a fee, I said absolutely not: other writers had helped me along the
way, and I wanted to pay it forward whenever I could.
And that was true, though I did hope to get more out of it.
My primary reason for saying yes was to get my name out there and garner some
hits on my website. But a funny thing happened on the way to my marketing
opportunity: by the time the evening was over, I was reminded of why I write in
the first place.
So, wearing my best
“writer’s outfit,” and armed with a stack of freshly minted promo cards, I arrived
at the store hoping for a decent turnout (and fluorescent lighting that wouldn’t
reveal too big a disparity between my postcard face and my real one.) From the
welcome the group gave me, you’d think it was Jennifer Egan who was joining
them instead of a not-yet-published wannabe. An eclectic group, there was a
youthful grandmother who had done some writing decades earlier; a technical
writer who explained that she “wanted to write something people might actually
like to read”; an attorney slash soccer mom; a middle-aged dad who writes
children’s stories; a twenty-something memoirist, and a young sci-fi writer.
After the introductions, the pretty grandmother leaned
across the table, her eyes shining. “So, we hear you’re launching your first
book.”
“Not yet,” I said cheerily, my writer’s heart contracting
just a little. So I explained what it means to have your work out on submission.
Then I had to define “publishing purgatory.”
I expected questions about the changes in publishing, finding
an agent, writing query letters, and handling rejection. But this group was
much more interested in the process of writing. Do I base my characters on real
people? (Hardly ever.) What do I do when I get blocked? (Get up and take a long
walk.) Do I actually hear voices in my head? (All the time.) How do I work out
my plotting? (Very badly.) What do I do about periods of doubt? (Ride them out
until I love my work again.)
When I finally looked at my watch, I realized I’d been
talking for more than two hours. I handed them some promo cards and wrapped
things up. They thanked me and tried to buy me coffee, admired my publicity
photo and wished me luck, assuring me I’d have a book contract in no time. Their
optimism was touching, and more than a little contagious.
As I drove home, I wasn’t thinking about whether they’d look
at my website or tell their friends about me or even if they’d buy my book once
it came out. Instead I was thinking about my next project and how soon I could
sit down at my computer again. For a little while, I felt just like I had at
the beginning—when nothing was more important than the story, and my writer’s dreams
were still bright and shiny as a new penny.
And that, my
friends, was worth a whole lot more than a few clicks on a mouse.
A Jersey girl born and
bred, Rosemary DiBattista left her heart at the shore, which serves as the
setting for much of her work. She happy to report that her stint in publishing
purgatory is officially at an end, as she is currently at work on the Casa Lido
mystery series for Penguin/NAL. The first book, Murder Marinara, is slated for publication in early 2014.
Rosemary is also the author of two Shakespeare-inspired romantic comedies and a
non-fiction book for teens. Visit her at www.rosemarydibattista.com.
Oh well said, Rosemary! Your description reminded me of the same thing - we do this for more than the publication. So glad you had such a good experience - and LOVE the photo!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura! I agree that we need to keep perspective about why we write.
ReplyDelete(And thanks, Sarah, for having me today!)
First, congrats to you Rosemary. I remember meeting you at RWA Nationals and you inspired me to keep writing the stories that I love, love along the cursed Jersey Shore, lol. I am so happy and proud of what you have accomplished. It gives me hope, you give me hope, and you probably gave many of those in your audience hope, too.
ReplyDeleteOh Charli, it's too early in the day to get me weeping! (We Jersey girls wear lots of mascara.) Thanks so much for the kind words, and keep that hope alight.
ReplyDeleteLovely story, Rosemary. You connect so beautifully with people, whether in person or across the screen. Congrats to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz--that's kind of you to say!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne!
ReplyDeleteLoved your story, Rosemary! It's so easy to get caught up in all the pub/marketing hoopla,that it's nice to get back to basics of why we do all this. Thanks for sharing and huge congrats on your sale!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest and inspiring post, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to you, Sarah, for the blog and all the resources you provide!
So inspiring. Thank you, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteI normally find the concept of that kind of in-person stuff to be intimidating, but that sounds really appealing! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Rosemary! Laughed at the line where someone asks if its your book launching party. At least one a month, a well intentioned friend asks if my book is published yet. I do my version of the publishing pergatory talk but it deflates my usual hopeful heart just a little. But once I return to the keyboard, I'm back on track. Great post.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Thanks, Sharon! And I wish I had a buck for every time someone asked me where they could buy my book--even now. My standard response: "Ask me again in two years."
DeleteLovely story! It is making me wonder how I will handle my first author-in-the-spotlight experiences. With a heart as big as yours I hope.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Ah, thanks, chillcat! I'm a big believer of what goes around, comes around. This is a tough business, and the most successful writers in it are also the most generous.
DeleteThanks for checking in!
Rosemary, that's brilliant. I'd like to quote you: "...the most successful [people] in it are also the most generous." You can substitute about anything there. Networking is giving, and those who give are the ones who receive.
ReplyDeletenice idea. thanks for sharing...
ReplyDelete