A friend said, “I love you dearly, but I don’t know if I should read one of your books. How could I ever look at you the same way again? You’re so quiet, so shy, so sweet, and your books are so....”
This isn't the first time I've heard this reaction. I blame Barbara Cartland for dictating her perennial best sellers from a fainting couch while togged out the the max. Dictating is out of the question for me. My brain only engages when the fingers are connecting with the keyboard. Obviously, I don't look the part of a glamorous erotic romance author. Note to self: stock up on feather boas and backless pumps. On second thought, never mind. I'd feel silly and probably trip over the boa.
Naturally, I murmured something to my friend about how I wouldn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. And while I don’t see myself quite the same way my friends do, my real life persona is quiet, shy, and a bit dull, especially when compared with my characters’ adventures.
Most writers are introverts. Who else would choose such a solitary profession? We do tend to be a shy and sensitive lot. And yet we slave a way at an occupation guaranteed to thrust us into the spotlight (if we succeed)--a shy person’s worst nightmare. One of life’s ironies.
So why do we do it? There are probably as many different answers as there are authors. I can only speak for myself. The characters I write about are very real to me. They are the children of my imagination. I am protective of them. I struggle to bring them to life, and then I fight to give them the very best possible chance at finding a home in readers’ hearts.
Virtual motherhood is a strange, empowering phenomena, one that turns an otherwise mild mannered woman into lionesses willing to brave harsh critics and scandalized friends and family in order to protect and nurture the offspring of her dreams.
What would your friends be surprised to know about you?
