While skilled at advocating for others, I find it very hard to promote myself and my work. As a self-published author without an agent and a publishing house, it's up to me to find ways to promote my book.
I have made a commitment to myself to try one new approach a week. That may not sound like a lot to people who are innovators or early adopters, but for someone who still likes to write long, chatty letters and send them through the post office, it's a big step.
Tis the season for craft fairs, and I have signed up as a vendor at a local fair. This evening, I set up the displays and, with help from a friend and from my husband, will be staffing my booth tomorrow and Saturday.
What, you ask, am I selling? I pitched myself as a craftsperson who makes jewelry - earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. I use Swarovski crystals, mostly in large cubic shapes, high-quality pearls, natural and man-made, and loads of shiny sterling silver. The shinier, the better. I sometimes pair these up with squaredells or rondelles for added glitter. I recently started making jewelry with resin materials in lime green, electric pink, plain purple, and fire-engine red. Each piece has a twist built into its design.
For the craft fair, my neighbor recommended I incorporate the colors of ECU - Eastern Carolina University - the local university. This explains my foray into gold chains adorned with amethysts and citrine cubes.
The same neighbor likes my jewelry designs, but doesn't understand the connection between writing fiction and making jewelry. That led me to reflect on what both crafts have in common. When I write, I use my brain and I intentionally engage my senses. I begin with a thought and I expand on it. For me, it's a logical process where I try to 'see' what I am imagining, 'hear' what is in the background, find something tactile to touch, inhale in search of uncommon scents.
When I make a piece of jewelry, it's as if I am using a different part of my brain. I don't follow an outline or plans from a handbook on how to design jewelry. I don't think analytically. Instead, I open my color-coded selection of crystals and semi-precious stones, smile appreciatively at the bright colors, and pull out a few trays or bottles of beads. I gather silver pins or silver wire and dry-arrange the beads and wire as if preparing for a construction project. Sometimes my initial instincts are spot on. Other times, not so much.
When I'm on a roll with my writing, I lose track of time and space. My fingers race to keep up with the words forming in my head. I experience a similar feeling when I am making a piece of jewelry.
When it comes down to it, making jewelry and writing fiction are creative forms of expression.
This brings me to finding a new way to promote my new book. The earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are on display. So is my book, resting on a black velvet tablecloth and offset by posters advertising it. We'll see how it goes.
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