Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Narcissism or Marketing?



I HATE drawing attention to myself. But with the publication date of my midgrade fantasy novel, Whispers from Forbidden Earth, drawing closer, here I am blogging. I’m also tweeting and (gasp) actually have more than two followers. I’m on Google+, created my author’s page on FB and Goodreads, and I’m on Linkedin. I guess Pinterest is next. I’m told that this is all a part of marketing my book and, by extension, myself as an author. Truth be told, I’m very uncomfortable doing it.    

Blogging doesn't come naturally. I’m happiest taking long walks with my wife and dog through the woods, or kayaking the Conemaugh River or Crooked Creek, or backpacking through the backcountry with close friends. By day, I’m a software engineer, not on glitzy websites, but on boring back-office processing at a bank, handling millions of account records each night. I still program in COBOL for crying out loud! For anyone under 50, you’ll find a description of COBOL online near instructions on how to construct a mnemonic memory circuit using stone knives and bearskins. [maybe I’m out of my Vulcan mind! :-) ]

Pushing my name and picture and book out to the web doesn’t feel right to me. At times, I feel like I’m stroking my own ego, screaming LOOK AT ME with flaming neon arrows. Many who grew up in the social network revolution probably don’t understand this. In my heart, I’m a private person. No one has to know what store I’m walking into at 2:00 PM or what I’m having for lunch.  

Before I created my blog, I thought no one would care one whit what I had to say. Surprisingly, I’ve had nearly 600 page views between April 29, 2013 and July 31, 2013. I guess some out there find my posts entertaining (I hope so) . . . or maybe you’re all tuning in just to see what the crazy bald guy from southwestern PA is ranting about now.

I guess I’ll have to keep up with the marketing, even as I struggle with the narcissistic aspects of it. Thanks for stopping by!  Live long and prosper.              


6 comments:

  1. Interesting read, Mark. I understand that feeling of being narcissistic. I think it's more about sharing your vision with the world, to rally others towards a cause (or a book) then just simply beating your own drum.

    In marketing for our company, this was the best resource I found:

    http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading and thanks for the link. I'll check it out. Sharing one's vision is definitely a different way of looking at it.

      Thanks again!

      Delete
  2. Hey, Mark, how can people read your book if they don't know about it?

    I believe God gave me this ability to write and put this story in my heart. It's not about me. It's about doing what He's called me to do. No matter how much promotion I do, the results are in His hands.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This may sound a little cliché (and I know how much you hate those, Mark) but I do know exactly how you feel. Being involved in all this social media, and updating everything, to me it felt... conceited. One of the reasons I sit in a corner and jot down notes in my notebook at, let's say, a party is because I don't want to draw attention to myself. I'm happy in my own little world. I console myself with the thought that it's all part of the job. With writing comes advertising/social media. To me, they are a package deal. So while we may be introverts by design, do not ever feel like your posts make you look desperate. They don't. They are always interesting, and people really do enjoy reading them.

    -Grace

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice blog article, Mark. I, too, feel that sense of unease at all of the social media and self promotion. It is so uncharacteristic of my inner self, that quiet person who sits and writes, who does not like crowds, and who lives inside her head most of the time. But, like Susan mentioned, I believe that my book was a blessing, a small miracle (well, maybe not so small) that God sent to enable me to survive my grief at losing my mother. Perhaps if HE meant it to help me, it is meant to help others, as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words. I know your words and stories will be a blessing to others.

      Delete