If you’ve been reading my Bloggity Blog, you know some basics about me. You know I’m —
and I completely botched up the Tooth Fairy Gig!
My whole life I’ve been getting caught. Messing up. In school, my report card always read, “Straight A Student, BUT….[Always the “But”] she talks too much in class!” Ask my parents. I should pay them for all the years of teachers’ complaints. My list of run-ins with authorities stretches around my block; you already know my picture decorates the Traffic Court wall under Most Wanted. Actually, that’s my traffic court buddy’s mug shot up there. Honestly [I use the word loosely here,] that was my first felony…in a long time. Sure I wrecked my parent’s car nine times in less than nine months in college, but I assure you, I’ve changed my ways.
All this to say, when someone, ANYONE, catches me doing something good, I have got to let my peeps know. There is hope for me! In all seriousness, [Yes, I can be serious,] a well renowned Author, a SOMEBODY, thought to write his October CFOM’s article about…you’ll never guess? ME! I know? Makes no sense, unless, he’s writing something that begins with “How not to…,” but the story is a surprisingly positive one. Made me wonder when I first read it, “Does he have the right guy?” or Girl in my case.
Apparently, he does. He sees the Superhero in me! Superman is just your average nerd when his cape comes off. Spiderman can’t win a girl for nothing without his red and blue webbed getup. And Wonder Woman [She’s my favorite] looks stunning in her see-through jet. Can’t remember her out-of-costume flaw, but just had to mention that I wore her crown and silver wrist bangles all day as a little girl. Similar to these Superheroes, James Rubart saw past my faults and sensed my potential. And wrote about it. If you choose to read the story, keep in mind two things:
Apparently, he does. He sees the Superhero in me! Superman is just your average nerd when his cape comes off. Spiderman can’t win a girl for nothing without his red and blue webbed getup. And Wonder Woman [She’s my favorite] looks stunning in her see-through jet. Can’t remember her out-of-costume flaw, but just had to mention that I wore her crown and silver wrist bangles all day as a little girl. Similar to these Superheroes, James Rubart saw past my faults and sensed my potential. And wrote about it. If you choose to read the story, keep in mind two things:
- Anything good in me is 110% the Grace of God!!! That’s my Super Power! 🙂
- You too possess a dormant Superhero within you that begs awakening…in this lifetime!
Enjoy reading, and a heartfelt thanks to my new friend Jim and his wife, Darci, for their generously sweet and encouraging words about me — Rajdeep, call me “Raj”, Paulus.
A.K.A. “Newbie Arch Girl.”
ARTICLE BELOW:
Here’s the article! ENJOY!!
Making Your Dream Connection At Conferences
by James Rubart
October 2011
As you know, I’m fond of saying we market (ourselves) in every moment. At writing conferences this means marketing ourselves to agents, editors, and readers.
Since was at the ACFW conference at the end of last month I want to ruminate for a few moments on what I thought was masterful marketing-in-every-moment from a conferee.
Darci Came!
My wife joined me for Friday night and Saturday which was of course wonderful and I had the chance to hang out in the lobby and introduce her to many of my writing buds. But by Saturday afternoon we wanted to grab a little time for just the two of us. So we wandered down to the St Louis arch to walk the park and see the gateway up close.
On the way there we stood on the corner waiting to cross with a conference newbie. (Her badge identified her as such.) We chatted for a few moments then crossed the street together. She was pleasant and engaged in conversation but as soon as we reached the other side she excused herself quickly saying, “I don’t want to take away from your time together” and walked away. Which made us like her immediately.
In The Lobby
That night as many from the conference hung out downstairs in the lobby Darci and I noticed this lady chatting with people briefly, then moving on to others, always with a smile and a relaxed attitude. She wasn’t trying to sell anything. She wasn’t pitching story ideas. She simply hung out and enjoyed the people around her.
Soon she was chatting with an uber agent and then … she was talking with one of the most powerful individuals in Christian publishing, Allen Arnold. How dare she!
You Were Hanging With Allen? What Were You Thinking!
A writer at the conference told Darci and I, “I saw you guys hanging out with Allen Arnold in the lobby. Wow. I wish I had the guts to do that.”
“Why wouldn’t you go up to him?” Darci said to the man.
“Because he’s Allen Arnold. I know I’d be flustered. I wouldn’t want to bother him.”
I understand what this author was saying. It can be intimidating talking to agents and editors who (you think) can make or break your career.
And while it’s true that when Allen puts his pants on he leaps into the air and puts both legs into his jeans at the same time, but other than that he’s a regular guy.
My Wife’s Perspective
Because Darci isn’t immersed in the writing world she doesn’t know who the supposedly important people are. She saw everyone as the same. And I think that’s the way God would have it. And the way the agents and editors would have it as well.
Our conference newbie who we met at the arch must have felt the same way. Or she didn’t get the memo which said you’re not supposed to engage and make friends with people like Allen. How refreshing. (And Allen liked her.)
I understand editors and agents are gods at conferences and everyone wants a piece of them. But if you can put away your elevator speech for a few moments and hide your one-sheet behind your back, and simply approach them as someone you’d like to meet, you’ll go along ways toward making yourself likable (and memorable since everyone else is in constant pitch-mode).
I Know It’s Tough, But Try
I know it can be tough not being nervous. But try. Be like Newbie-Arch-Girl. (BTW, even published authors get nervous sometimes when approaching the gods of this industry.)
The powerful people in the writing world are just people. (WARNING: Shocking statement coming up). They are downright ordinary folks with hopes and dreams and fears just like you. And here’s the cool part: Most of them are there because they like writers and want to help aspiring wordsmiths get farther along the path of publication.
So at your next conference get bold, go crazy and walk right up to that agent or editor or agent and say, “Hi, nice to meet you.” I can almost guarantee they’ll say hello back.
But don’t try the leaping into your jeans two legs at a time. I tried it. It hurts.
Newbie Arch Girl to the rescue!!!