Oddly enough, after three weeks of being an almost semi-famous published author, my life hasn’t changed much. No paparazzi. No appearances on Oprah. No calls from the Pulitzer Committee. Life is pretty much the same as it’s always been. Only scarier. Because now there are EX-PEC-TATIONS.
“So what are you writing next?” people ask. “When are you doing a book signing? How come you’re not on the NY Times Bestseller list?” And the dreaded, “Want to join our online chat room?”
Smiling grimly, I give my stock answers: “It’s a secret. When I feel like it. Because you haven’t bought enough of my books. No, because I’m a technophobe and I don’t know how.”
Be honest. How many of you reading this can define URL, or know what an OPEN ID is and how to get one, or what an AVATAR is (and I’m not talking about the movie), and what all those acronyms are that people toss around like flu viruses. BTW, BRB, LMAO, ROFL, IMHO, HEA—and those are the nice ones. Bet you didn’t know BLOG is short for web log, either.
OK, maybe you did. The point is, you can’t take a quasi-chronologically challenged person with a deep distrust of machines, toss her into an online chat room with twelve women all “chatting” at once about twelve different things and not expect her to get a GFH (giant freaking headache).
I much prefer guest blogs where you only have to answer one question at a time, and if you write something extra stupid, you get to edit it out before you post. Once you figure out how to “post”, of course, and what your OPEN ID is, and how to get it all to work. Which is how I ended up being “anonymous” for most of my first guest blog the other week.
I’m getting better at it, though. I thoroughly enjoyed guest blogging last week at Barnes and Noble. The string is still up, in fact, if you want to look (or laugh). Click here to read it. I was even able to use my real name! Well, sort of. Look for “KakiLynn” this time, not “anonymous”.
You’re not alone in being tech-challenged. I’m right there with you and have no idea what URL, Open ID or Avatar (if not the movie) are.
When my first book comes out, I think I’m going to be FAR too busy writing to join any online chats or techy things. This old dog will make her agent and editor happy by writing the best damn follow-up book I can.
My two cents ms Kakilynn
I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your book. It’s been so long since I’ve read a really great Western Historical. This had everything in it I love. Thank you so much. I, too, write Western Historicals, as yet unpublished. Reading your book gave me hope…if I write a really good book, no matter that it’s genre, maybe I will be published too.
I wouldn’t worry over much about the techno thing. You do all I want you to do just by writing wonderfully. I can’t wait for the next book and the timing is wonderful.
Toni
Theresa: Old Dog? Don’t make me laugh. Or bark. And keep writing. This is your year.
Toni: Another Western Historical writer! Great! We need more. And I’m so glad you enjoyed Pieces of Sky. I had a wonderful time writing it…which I think is an absolute necessity no matter what genre you’re in. Please stay in touch and let me know when your debut book comes out. I’m all over it.
Hi Kaki!
I’d love to read your Barnes and Noble gig, but it’s taking forever to come up on my computer. Any chance you could post it directly here, or copy it and post it, or something?
Oops–I just asked you to do something I would have no idea how to do myself. But reading of your technophobia always makes me feel less guilty about not knowing these things!