Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Writer Wednesday: Authors Are Human

Something that always amazes me when I go to an event, whether it be a conference, a convention, or just a one-author book signing, is that people look at authors like they aren't regular people. Some might argue we aren't exactly normal (and I'm okay with that), but we are in fact human just like everyone else.

I've seen teens gush about meeting authors, and I've gushed about meeting authors, too. But when I gush it's because I'm in the presence of someone who's book changed my life in some way. Not because I thought this author was actually a superhuman posing as a mere mortal.

Now, those of you who follow me on Facebook or who read my most recent Monday Mishmash post know I had quite the accident-prone week. I had to laugh because my mom told me I had to stop posting about my accidents online or people might think I'm not the most intelligent person. There's a reason I post these things for all to see. These little quirks about me show I'm human. I'm not a robot sitting behind a computer screen typing away my latest book. I'm a real human being who tends to hurt herself and embarrass herself quite often. But I have a good sense of humor and I can laugh at myself. And I graduated college with honors, so I'm not worried about my intelligence either. ;)

I'm just me. I want people to see the real me and know they can approach me. That's why I love interacting online. So will I continue to share my little quirks online? Yes, I will. How about you? Do you share your imperfections online for others to see?

*If you have a question you'd like me to answer from the other side of the editor's desk, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll schedule it for a future post.

32 comments:

  1. Yup, I gushed when I met Alice Hoffman and Salman Rushdie.

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    1. Even when you are an author, it's tough to remember you favorite authors are people too. ;)

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  2. Truthfully, I'm not sure. I don't try to hide things, but am I showing my weaknesses or foibles? Hm. NO! I do. When asked in an interview how I do it all, I responded: I usually don't. Several people commented about how they appreciated that honest answer.

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  3. I think my imperfections shine through no matter what I do. :)

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  4. I walked into a school with two other authors for a school visit and the woman working in the office gushed for about five minutes. "You guys are real authors. Wow. You write real books. That's amazing. How do you do that? How did you get published." She was older than us, but she acted like the concept of an author was completely foreign to her!

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    1. lol It is foreign to so many, though. I usually have someone who asks me how I got my book published. They have no idea how much goes into it.

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  5. I've gushed a couple of times, particularly when someone has a lot of success or their book has moved me. I love seeing a glimpse into an author's life.

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    1. Me too. I have my idols and I'll always gush over them.

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  6. When teachers, librarians, parents, or kids contact me through my website -- or through my Facebook author page -- and I answer them (usually within a couple hours or even a few minutes), they gush with surprise and gratitude that I would take time out of my busy, busy day to interact with them. It's nice that they put me on an author pedestal and view me that way ... instead of as a demented internet addict who has to be physically pried away from my laptop or phone. I go into withdrawal if the wifi goes down or my phone has no data bars or if my husband demands I close the laptop for family movie night.

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  7. I haven't had that yet, but I get a similar reaction when someone recognizes me because of my photoblog.

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  8. I get tongue tied and shy when I meet some author whom I really admire!

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    1. I either babble or get tongue tied. It can go either way. ;)

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  9. Aw, sorry about your mishaps. But you're absolutely right, it only shows you're human :-) I've met more than one author (shall go unnamed) who seemed to truly believe they'd achieved sainthood, thus negating the whole experience of meeting someone I (once) admired. I'm glad you don't do that:-)
    You always seem to have a secret simmering on that busy stove of yours! Can't wait to hear the latest!

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    1. Oh, that's such a turnoff. :( No one should act like they're better than other people.

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  10. I think it does help when others see an author as just another person, not perfect, but with flaws as well as good things. Being honest with others is best. Glad you tell it like it is. I'll trade bruises with you. :)

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    1. Oh no, did you get hurt too? I hope you're okay.

      Honesty is best. I don't care for fake people.

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    2. Nothing serious. Just the usual klutzy me. Walked past the coffee table and bumped my knee. Always leaves a bruise. You'd think I knew the thing was there. :)

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    3. Oh, I do that too. Usually with the kitchen counter. ;)

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  11. excellent point!I feel like we all try so hard to brand ourselves we forget to show the cracks. I think I show the most sides of myself on Twitter! and I'm SUPER accident prone too lol

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    1. I show the most sides of myself on Facebook. I used to be on Twitter more but in the past year I've found I gravitate more to FB.

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  12. Oh dear, I just read about your accidents. Hope you are recovering well from your cut, bump and possible fracture, Kelly. As for posting these snippets on social media, don't worry. Anything that is human will connect you to more humans (i.e. more readers/followers/possibly even friends). :)

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  13. Could be you are showing us, and not telling us, how to present character flaws? Sorry to hear about your accidents. Hope the heal soon.

    I do have a thought for your "other side of the editor's desk." I sometimes read books of others and leave reviews. I know that errors can slip through the publishing process, but should these be mentioned to the author? Is it fixable in the ebook version? Can it be fixed before the print version is printed? Or is it something the author probably already knows about and has to accept?

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    1. The funny thing is that my agent and I were just discussing how if I were a character in the novel I would be very unbelievable. Most people would not think that a character would have that many accidents. Lol

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  14. The part of being real to your audience is true and you do that by being transparent and sharing parts of you that may not be desirable as a trait for others, but they make you who you are.

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  15. When I was a little wee one I met a famous person, (as in internationally famous, and in the history books) and she made my mother and me some tea in her kitchen and apologized for the store-bought cookies. I think it was good lesson about how larger than life"names" have a human dimension no different from anyone else I know.
    You, however, are awesome, Kelly. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise...

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