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The Grind
My diary is shifting its focus a bit. You will notice that one particular category is a bit sparse now. It was time to move on toward a new "me" so to speak. I'm still the same person on the inside, but I need to be mindful that as the months have gone on, I've come into contact with a lot of people.
I appreciate all of you who follow my daily journeys and lessons -- your comments have been very supportive. But like Sarah in the Labyrinth, I've got to take these next steps on my own.
But guess what? You will be able to learn a LOT more about writing and publishing than ever before! Dudes, I am so remedial when it comes to publishing and promoting. It's like being the head of your class at the urban neighborhood school, then you transfer to the magnet high school in the suburbs and you're like DAMN is it REALLY this hard?
So, considering I have a little anxiety type of problem, sometimes promoting is a big deal. I don't talk about it much, but I get really edgy in large crowds. So yes, THAT explains why I was so wound up at the DC Gay Black Pride Festival last weekend. All those people....that HUGE cavernous space. I held up quite well, all things considered. I think that's because there was constant mental stimulation (distraction, if you will) and I was able to FOCUS: on the sale, on the customer, on networking, on the performers, etc.
But now I have to travel a whole lot more than I would have to in my normal life and face bigger crowds, bigger caverns, and more danger strangers. lol.
This is the life I chose, though.
These are the things I would get if I were an independently wealthy novelist:
A publicist. Someone to hold my hand and lead me down a red carpet when crazy people are trying to talk to me. "I gotta go," I say. "I'm sorry, I gotta go." Someone to arrange my tours, interviews, personal appearances, all that. On one hand, those are the more fun things about promoting, but on the other, that's just one more damn thing to do.
A personal assistant. Someone to sit next to me for those six hour shifts of book-sellin' at festivals. Someone who understands just how tightly I get wound up and figures out the right things to say to calm me down. Someone who can be my hype-man or hype-woman. The person who my suitors would have to get in good with before they can holla. Someone who can help me keep my life together.
A driver. I hate public transportation. The driver can't be the personal assistant, because the personal assistant has to keep me entertained. But the driver can be entertaining too. I dunno, like Garrett Morris or somebody. But from 30 years ago.
That's about it. I'm sure there are more.
So I go to Lambda Rising Bookstore here in DC today. The goal was to meet James Earl Hardy and give him a complimentary copy of my novel. Well, long story short, it seems as though the people at the store weren't sure if he was really coming or not because it wasn't an official signing. So I was like "fuck that, yo" and I left a few copies of Lazarus there and my card. The cashiers I spoke to were Miranda and Dane (Dain?). Dane was saying he really wished I had gotten in Lambda Rising BEFORE last weekend -- because people came to the store requesting my novel!!! I was like are you serious? And he was like yeah. I was was like how many? And he was like five. So I was thinking okay, more like three.
I was excited about that.
Now, the reason I have not put my book in Lambda Rising yet is not a good one -- I just hadn't made the time. But the fact that potential readers were loking for it AND the fact that I saw books from other authors I met in MY section (the black section) I was shamed into getting on the ball and taking the necessary steps to get my book in there.
Again, no particular reason other than not having/making the time. But that will be changing.
I dunno y'all....this is the life I chose. Though the road is bumpy, I think I am doing pretty well. I'm not on the grind as hard as Alphonso Morgan, God bless him. But I am doing more than many. Hell, I did more than many by writing the damn thing, lol.
Posted by Rashid on June 5, 2005 8:11 PM
Comments
Hope you have a wireless PDA, wi-fi laptop and all the other gizmos that can make your life manageable (not necessarily easier). My advice is do what you gotta do to stay in control of your life, but remember to make time to take care of Rashid. Heed the example of Keith Boykin who is taking some months off to rejuvenate. Thus, your life's work will remain spiritually fulfilling.
"When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music." - Kahlil Gibran
Commented by Ken W. on June 5, 2005 8:55 PM
Hey if you need assistance,
Ask, Seek , Knock.
Recieve, Find, Doors will open.
As always in Parting,
I came in Peace and in Peace I leave.
Commented by Kenneth on June 5, 2005 11:00 PM
Hmmm. The things you would get if you were independently wealthy when rolled into one person would be a "stay-at-home, life partner"?
Commented by Ken W. on June 5, 2005 11:11 PM
Wow there is so much going on in this post. Can I start by saying you need a hug? *HUG*
Man I say handle your business. You will appreciate your accomplishments better by through this process. Caesar’s Motto - Moments of sacrifice for a lifetime of paradise. I must admit - a personal assistant would be nice. Your biggest battle is getting over your anxiety of crowds. Once you handle that, you will do well. I will tell you that your work speaks for itself. The people will come to you, just be open, honest, and true and things will fall into place.
No need to be Alphonso Morgan. You are handling you handle as you do best. Of course there are ways in which you can improve. Every master had to start somewhere and always can be taught a new talent. Just do YOU and be the best Rashid Darden you can be. Besides AM don’t have anything on Rashid Darden.
Good luck! And remember – Handle YOUR Handle!!!
Commented by No 4real4real on June 6, 2005 7:39 PM