I am a loner.  My friends know me as a "raging" introvert.  And I don't mind being alone.  In fact, I spend great quantities of time at my desk. If writing was "just writing" I'd have it made.  But if an author wants readers, well it's a different ball game these days.  One needs to learn how to market.  I'm not one easily coaxed out of her comfort zone. Not long ago in an effort to learn more about marketing tools, I attended a seminar for self-published authors attempting to promote their books.  One of the women attendees from New York stated she had dressed up as a chicken and stood in front of a large bookstore in Manhattan to promote her latest recipe book. There was no way that I could do that.  No that wasn't me.  I left early.

Yesterday I took a walk in a local park near my home.  On the lake in the middle of the park I observed a Canadian goose swimming slone.  He was gorgeous--the understated colors of his taupe, white and black feathers reflected in the blue lake waters.  He sort of reminded me of myself in a way.  I wear a lot of taupe and black in the winter and taupe and white in the summer.  I don't like standing out with bright colors.  Give me pearl stud earrings and a pair of black leather Bandolino kitten heel pumps, and I'm good to go.  Just enough to be fashionable, but not enough to draw a lot of attention.  And surely, please don't even think of seeing me dressed as a chicken. Yet I want readers, so I must market myself in some way.   The other day I wrote in my journal and even "tweeted" that it is important for an artist writer to know who they are NOT to keep moving toward their creative destiny.

As I rounded the corner of the pathway I walked, I saw to my delight that the lone goose had been joined by another.  I sensed that the Lord comforted me with this image, assuring me that He would bring the right people, the right supporters, the readers that I need as I take the risks that He nudges me to take in the book marketing world.  I'm gradually taking steps forward.  This time last year, I still had a flip phone and rarely texted.  This year I have a smart phone that I know is smarter than I am, but I'm using it.  I'm even on Facebook and Twitter.  God is helping me day by day.  The fact that I'm sitting at the keyboard and blogging feels like a miracle.  And I didn't have to dress up like a chicken. In fact, i have on my pearls, and sure enough the T-shirt I'm wearing is taupe.  So, today, dear artist, if you feel as if you're swimming alone, link up with yourself and know who you are NOT, then take the next step and surely others will join you.