Coming Out of My Shell

by C.R. Guiliano

As many know, I’m one of those introverted, shy authors. Which begs to ask, why all the conferences/retreats this year? Simple, to get my name out there. I have already been to two conferences and one workshop in 2014 and much to my surprise, at RainbowCon, I was told “everyone knows who you are”. My first thought? Then how come I’m not selling more books? Their answer? “Because you are all over social media.” Now, I wonder if that is a good thing, or a bad thing.

Yes, I’m on social media a lot, primarily Facebook and I wonder if I should be embarrassed by that. I’m a hermit at home. I don’t go anywhere, except to the store for necessities. There are no opportunities to meet new people. So, my friends are all online, many of whom I’ve now met in person. Most are on Facebook. Hence, I spend a lot of time there. So, is it a good thing to be so active? Does that get my name around? Will that help when I have new releases? I hope so, but that has yet to be proven.

And then, I wonder. Perhaps it’s not a good thing to be on social media so much. After all, my time would be better spent writing. Don’t get me wrong, I write a lot, but maybe not enough. Will I ever be as prolific as some authors I know? No, despite the fact that I write fast. My plot bunnies ensure that I have multiple manuscripts to work on, but that doesn’t mean I will be finishing them in days instead of weeks or months. I learned long ago, quality over quantity and I hold to that belief.

Thanks to a windfall, I am able to write full time now, and attend more conferences than ever. Which leads me back to my initial comment. Even introverted and shy, I know that I have to put myself out there, be seen, interact with readers, to make a name for myself. It’s good business. It’s also extremely hard when you want to hide from the spotlight. I have another workshop, and two more conferences, plus two Pride events I’m going to before the year is out. More opportunities to put myself out there, and put up the mask I must wear to be able to do that.

I confess, I tend to rely on friends at these events to help me. Is that wrong? Probably. They are there for the same reasons I am and many are as introverted as myself. It takes a lot of energy to cover the nervousness, to hide the anxiousness, to shield the sensitivity. Most of us can only handle large crowds, and that spotlight, in small doses.

But what I have discovered about myself, is that I can do it. I can hide my jitters, and interact with others…and be a better person for it. I adore my readers, am floored when they come up to me and gush how much they like something I wrote. And I’m humbled by their enthusiasm. There is nothing like the butterfly feelings you get when someone praises you on something you did, that came naturally. I love to write, secretly, I think I’m pretty good at it. To get that validation from someone else? Priceless!

So, yes, I am traveling a lot this year, RainbowCon, Dreamspinner Workshop, OutlantaCon, Colorado Workshop, DragonCon and, of course, GayRomLit. I missed going to Atlanta for GRL 2013, and am looking forward to seeing many of my friends this year, and maybe a few new readers. My name is out there now, which means my mask will have to be firmly in place. I was an unknown at GRL 2012, having only been published for two years. I suspect, this year, it will be a bit different, because “everyone knows who you are”. I’m looking forward to seeing if that is, indeed, true.

About CR Guiliano

CR Guiliano is an avid reader which logically morphed into the love of writing. She writes in many genres, but is most happy writing the love between two men (or more!) She makes them work hard for their HEA and considers herself an expert in angst. CR finds her favorite form of writing is in serials, where she can continue to write about characters who have captured her heart and hopes have captured her readers as well.

You will usually find CR cuddled up to her laptop creating stories to entertain, inspire and bring your emotions to the surface. CR has a huge warren of plot bunnies that is growing every day and can’t wait to fill out each story idea and share them all with her readers.

CR was proudly nominated in the Goodreads Best Anthology Nominations and was thrilled to be included with the many talented writers from the same Anthology.

CR is a committed advocate for the GLBTQ community and does her best to change society’s attitudes, one mind at a time. You can learn more about CR Guiliano and her stories at the following locations and feel free to drop her line as she loves to hear from anyone interested in her or her writings:

You can find CR on her Facebook Author Page, Facebook, Blog, WIP Blog, Website, Twitter or email her at pernwish@gmail.com.

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