Hello there!
Gosh, I almost don’t know how to begin a blog post without first apologizing for not posting in so long! 😉
During the first weekend of December, I was lucky enough to attend Tallahassee Comic Con as “professional,” meaning my lovely publisher paid for my writer’s table at this event. This was my first con as an author, and my head is still spinning from everything I learned.
I’ve been writing for over two decades, but this was the first time that I felt like I got to truly connect with my audience. (I have an audience?!) Most folks who stopped by the table got to hear my spiel, (which was pretty good, if I may say), and some of them even expressed an interest in my work – yay! A few more were kind enough to sign up on my mailing list, (hello, new friends!) And some people…some people had actually READ my work – and liked it! This concept still blows my mind, but I’m slowly starting to understand it’s a reality. Other folks who had never met me or heard of Catalyst Moon were incredibly kind, taking the time to share their experiences in this industry and encourage me to spread my own wings. I’m still overwhelmed by the generosity of these strangers. The whole experience itself was overwhelming – in a good way, one I hope to repeat one day.
One of the best parts about this event was the presence of my editor and longtime dear friend, who came all the way from Germany to revel in geekery be totally professional with me at the con. (Though, let’s be honest; we both fangirled out over all of the amazing costumes!)
A couple other things came out of this adventure that I wasn’t expecting. For one, I now have an Instagram page! (@lalogawrites for interested parties), and I’m enjoying it. I always thought Insta (is it too hipster to call it “Insta?”) wasn’t useful for authors, but it’s actually pretty fun to post pics of my characters, pics with story or inspirational quotes, and pics of my various forays into the Florida landscape. But I’m still looking for folks to follow, so let me know your Instagram name-thing, and I’ll follow you back. 🙂
Another thing that came about from that weekend – and I’m still trying to tease this concept out of my muddled brain – is the realization that I have A Dream, and I need to invest in myself in order to achieve said Dream. I have no qualms about investing time and energy into my writing; that’s as much for my benefit as for love of the craft, or ars artis gratia, or whatever strange compulsion drives me to set words onto virtual paper.
But investing in myself, in Lauren L. Garcia the author…that’s not something I’d really considered before. I always hoped the work would speak for itself, with the occasional blog post or tweet helping the process along. The thing is, I want to write for a living. I want to quit my dull desk job and spend my days weaving stories. But to do that, I realize that I have to invest in me, not just my writing.
I’m still not sure what form this understanding will take in the real world; all I have now is a vague concept and a thread of an idea. But it’s a thread I intend to follow.
Stay awesome,
Lauren
PS: Yes, that’s R2D2 in the flesh…er, circuits! He stopped by my table. Apparently he’s a fantasy fan. 😉
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