Finding Refuge in Thank You Cards, Vacations, and Books

Sometimes, during our bleakest withdrawals from social media, author networking, platform building, and most importantly, our passion, writing, we are given these unquestionably epic reminders about our presence and goals within this business.  It’s a cruel world out there, but in here, inside the heads of the performers, authors, writers, and influencers, we escape from the things that bind us to reality by engaging with our mind and getting lost within our imagination.

 

 

I must admit, social media can really drag me down sometimes.  I often feel torn between my time spent on Twitter, Facebook, the numerous blogs I love to read and comment on, and promoting while trying to spend time with friends and family or even enjoy everyday life.  Nonetheless, we all must hop in the band wagon; even if that means dragging our feet sometimes.

 

BUT here’s the kicker, in order to live my life to the fullest and never feel bad about the way I juggle my time, I almost always choose my author work over anything else.  Unless it’s a family event or vacation I’m submerging myself into, I stay focused on what ignites the energy inside of a permanent presence which can only be captured by my art.  I live and breathe through writing.  It penetrates my soul and pierces every single chord strung to an evanescence of my mere existence.  

 

And even though my heart and mind long to hold this talent always, I still have those dog days.  You know them… the days when you had enough with promoting and social media.  You send out countless tweets, host tons of blog tours, hook up with some fantastic reviewers for your release and other books, but still, the sales are not moving the way you long for on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. 

The reviews may be there but the sales and ranking, well, let’s just say we might be lucky if we can afford a fancy new pen and journal to write our boundless tales in.  Or maybe treat a co-worker to the 99 cent menu over at Wendys and if we are really fortuitous, maybe splurge on one single block of some fancy imported Spanish cheese accompanied by a bag of Stacy’s multigrain pita chips. 

And I know what you’re thinking… “Stop whining and get over it!  This is what this industry entails and you knew this once you thrust yourself down the rabbit hole of the unknowing which eventually led you to the knowing.”  Trust me, I tell myself this all of the time.

 

After the workshops for my children’s book author work wrapped up several weeks ago, I was feeling like I was on top of the world.  I can’t even begin to tell you how moving it is to be in a classroom and have students look up to you for mentorship and advice.  I felt proud to be an author; especially the kind who constantly tries to give back to the community by offering free services for those districts who can’t afford to have authors come spend time with them. 

When I received another package in the mail from one of the schools I delivered workshops to, my bleak eyes brightened with an anticipation you can’t even imagine.  I was suddenly lifted out of my dog days of loathing in networking and promoting.  My energy was ignited again as I opened the package and read 15 "Thank You" letters.  Here are just a few:

 

 

 

No matter how many books I sell or don’t sell on Amazon, as long as I am invited into the lives and dreams of these children, then my spirit is rewarded in more ways than I have ever dreamed of.  Whenever I receive an email from a child who I visited and they thank me for my time spent with them, it truly creates a new chord to the violin constantly being strung inside of my heart.  Whenever I feel the dog days of social media coming on, I just have to look into my heart and hear those sounds as they are continuously grow louder and louder with every chord being created.

We will always have them but it is whether we choose to reflect or be saddened by those dog days.   Thankfully, I was sent this awfully inspiring reminder of who I am and what my presence means to these kids and their dreams. 

Many of them wish to be authors and illustrators when they grow up but don’t think it is possible to become a J.K. Rowling or author a Christopher Paolini.  And this is where I step in to tell them, “Don’t ever think this way.  Keep writing, keep those journals and someday, you will become an author.  If you have a story to tell, you will find a way to tell it.  Never give up and just know how uniquely individual each one of you and your writing really are.  And most importantly, find your voice and stay true to it.” 

They also sent me a beautiful brown journal because they know I carry them around with me everywhere, often purchasing them in stores like Barnes and Nobles or Target:

 

Do you ever experience those dog days of social media?  Are there times when you wake up and don’t even want to open the computer because you know how many emails are waiting for you and how much promoting has to be done?  What do you to conquer days like this?

I’m leaving for Cozumel this Saturday and will be gone for a week.  Expect me back here in the blogosphere in three weeks.  I will be reading “Silverhills” by Sandra Cox and “Soul Cutter” by Lexa Cain on the plane and beach.  I've also added "Reborn" by Cherie Reich and "The Backworlds by M. Pax to my TBR list.  I will be looking forward to the upcoming releases of "Into the Fire" by Kelly Hashway, "30 Seconds" by Chrys Fey, and "Soulless" by Crystal Collier. 

I recently read “Moonless” by Crystal Collier and if you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend you do so.  It was thought-provoking and engaging with such an original plot that I couldn’t help but to fall in love with Crystal’s writing.

See you all back here in a few weeks!