Author InteractionÂ
Let’s talk interacting with authors IRL (in real life) or online. This is your opportunity to talk about your favorite author readings that you have attended.
Yeah, so here’s the thing. I don’t want to talk to authors in real life.
It isn’t (entirely) because I’m antisocial. I just can’t think of anything that I would want to say to them. I’m sure they are nice people but whenever I think of talking to someone who lots of other people want to talk to I can’t think of anything remotely interesting to ask. I just envision mobs of people wanting to ask me questions (which is my real life actually) and it makes me want to go home and lie down. I start to feel sorry for the authors so I don’t want to bother them.
That’s the introvert in me coming out.
I have two almost meeting people in real life stories. I went to a reading by Jennifer Chiaverini. I bought the book. Then afterwards I looked at the long line and figured I could be home by the time I got to the front to get it signed. Yep, I’m a party animal.
Another time I was in the same building with James Marsters. I loved him on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel and I love his audiobook performances. I’ve listened to a whole series just because he was narrating. He does most of the Dresden File books too and they are wonderful.
Did I go to his signing or to get a picture with him? Nope. I took a picture from a distance -Yay for superzoom cameras – and left. I couldn’t think of anything I really needed to say to him or that he really needed to hear from me. It wasn’t like I had a message from God for him. And, it turns out that he is fairly little and if I got my picture taken with him I was going to look like a whale because no one thinks he is that small and I wasn’t going to be happy with that.
Seriously, if you are in any way introverted you have to read Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. You will embrace your solitary ways like never before.
I do follow some authors’ blogs but I have a horrible secret about that too. I don’t read their books. I’ve followed some for years. I love the blogs. But as much as I like the blogs I don’t like these particular author’s books. I’ve tried. I feel like I should like them. It is a bad feeling.
There is one exception though. I had followed Rachael Lucas’ blog for a long time. We both had totally different lives when I started following her. Then she wrote a book. I didn’t read it because of my horrible track record. Eventually I got a copy on a day it was free on Amazon and figured I had nothing to lose. How’s that for confidence? It was really good! It is called Sealed With A Kiss.
(just so you know, I had to sing aloud to the thumbnail image of The Little Mermaid. ^_^)
I absolutely loveeee this post. I absolutely can understand where you’re coming from about not wanting to meet authors. I’ve sometimes felt similarly…fine with seeing them IRL, like for a book reading, but don’t feel compelled to ask a question or get a book signed. There are times, though, when an author has a certain quality about them (perhaps it’s that I can sense the introvert in them, too?) when they are people that I’ve really wanted to speak to.
Oh, I totally get what you’re saying. Thanks for the reminder about Quiet, I’ve been meaning to get to that forever.
I can totally relate. As an introvert myself I have avoided meet-and-greet type events simply because I didn’t want to appear like a gushy fangirl 🙂 In the last couple of years with blogging I’ve been to a few more places and had the opportunity to meet authors I enjoyed reading, and I have to say they were all really lovely people and not the unapproachable gods I thought they were. I have a feeling they love hearing how much we enjoy their writing 😉 Great post 🙂
I’m laughing… I can relate. On the personality test I’m slightly above the middle between introvert/extrovert. Professionally, I can work alone great or in a team. I also prefer quiet and alone time. There is nothing wrong with that.
I kinda get it. I am actually a horrible agoraphobic. I haven’t ever been to any kind of events where authors would be and to be honest, I think I would need way too much Xanax if I tried. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to as much as I don’t think I can. I know, it’s not quite the same as what you are saying, but it is what your post made me think about.
Lisa @Just Another Rabid Reader
Hallo, Hallo! 🙂
*waving from the #cheerREADER Team 4 of #ArmChairBEA* 🙂 It took me a bit to understand the right route I was meant to take in the blogosphere, but now that I am here I am thrilled to be your 3rd visitor! 🙂 Wow. I must admit you surprised me with your answer because one of the things I love to do is meet-up with authors IRL! I also appreciate interacting with them online: via the book blogosphere, the twitterverse, tweetchats, blog tours, etc. I would have to say that I am myself am surprised that you would think you wouldn’t have anything to contribute!? Authors and actors are just like us at the end of the day. They enjoy hearing from those who appreciate them, and they enjoy engaging in everyday conversations. Next time you get the chance to meet one of them, may I suggest you just let them know you appreciate the work they are giving back!? Even if you do not stay very long, I am sure the note of thankfulness will touch them and you will smile knowing you gave them a bit of the joy they have given to you?
Otherwise, I respect your choice to be true to who you are and remain in the shadows, appreciating them from afar and letting them know in spirit that you were happy for what they gave. We’re all different. And, that’s okay!
I can understand your thinking. I’m an author and I’m an introvert. I just want to spend all day in my head writing my books but I can’t do that. I have to get out there and interact with the bloggers, other authors and readers. It’s fun for awhile but then I wanted to crawl back into my own little world again.
Haha! I love your meme. I tend to be pretty shy around authors as well, for similar reasons. It’s not like they really *need* to hear how you are their biggest fan ever, but I’m trying to break out of the shell more now. If I were an author, I would love to hear from fans of all ages, so I’m just going to assume that so does every other author!
—Brenda @DailyMayo