Comfort Zone
As part of the promotion package for my second novel. my publisher requires us to create an "About the Author" paragraph.
The problem is, I find it hard to write about myself. To finish the task, it helped to keep the following things in mind, and I find them useful whenever faced with something difficult:
First, it benefited me to acknowledge that I felt uncomfortable. One might think giving something 'negative' attention keeps you stuck in the problem, but the opposite is true. By validating my feelings, I stopped fighting my thoughts of how difficult the task is. It was like I no longer had to be heard–– I was heard–– and now I could move on.
When faced with a tough situation, after acknowledging you're having difficulty, start the task knowing that it's important to be true to yourself. Everyone has a unique way of expressing things, and this difference is often interesting. My essay may not give information about my family or my favorite books to read, but it will sound authentic.
My last bit of advice, when doing something outside your comfort zone, is to be open to criticism. Listening to someone else's opinion does not mean you have to do what they say. But, if you keep an open mind, they may have some wise words about how to improve what you've done. My editor told me, I really should add something more personal. I put this in at the end, and I agree it improves the piece.
I'd like to share my "About the Author" paragraph below. All critiques are welcome. I'm always open to suggestions, especially when writing something out of my comfort zone.
A story can be born out of an image. This is where my stories begin. A site that intrigues me will hold my imagination. I enjoy writing Science Fiction and Fantasy. ‘Sarana and the Dark King’ was imagined from a mental picture of the Great Lakes. The proximity of these bodies of water and the land that surrounds them lend themselves to the formation of separate kingdoms— at least they do in my mind. My challenge as a writer is to take this intriguing setting and create a plot that is both clever and surprising. I enjoy creating characters with depth. I have a master’s degree in social work, and my education has taught me to analyze why people act the way they do. I’m also an animal lover. Books and movies with a man vs nature theme are my favorite. I’m not certain this qualifies, but I’m obsessed with “Grogu” (“Baby Yoda”).
The problem is, I find it hard to write about myself. To finish the task, it helped to keep the following things in mind, and I find them useful whenever faced with something difficult:
First, it benefited me to acknowledge that I felt uncomfortable. One might think giving something 'negative' attention keeps you stuck in the problem, but the opposite is true. By validating my feelings, I stopped fighting my thoughts of how difficult the task is. It was like I no longer had to be heard–– I was heard–– and now I could move on.
When faced with a tough situation, after acknowledging you're having difficulty, start the task knowing that it's important to be true to yourself. Everyone has a unique way of expressing things, and this difference is often interesting. My essay may not give information about my family or my favorite books to read, but it will sound authentic.
My last bit of advice, when doing something outside your comfort zone, is to be open to criticism. Listening to someone else's opinion does not mean you have to do what they say. But, if you keep an open mind, they may have some wise words about how to improve what you've done. My editor told me, I really should add something more personal. I put this in at the end, and I agree it improves the piece.
I'd like to share my "About the Author" paragraph below. All critiques are welcome. I'm always open to suggestions, especially when writing something out of my comfort zone.
A story can be born out of an image. This is where my stories begin. A site that intrigues me will hold my imagination. I enjoy writing Science Fiction and Fantasy. ‘Sarana and the Dark King’ was imagined from a mental picture of the Great Lakes. The proximity of these bodies of water and the land that surrounds them lend themselves to the formation of separate kingdoms— at least they do in my mind. My challenge as a writer is to take this intriguing setting and create a plot that is both clever and surprising. I enjoy creating characters with depth. I have a master’s degree in social work, and my education has taught me to analyze why people act the way they do. I’m also an animal lover. Books and movies with a man vs nature theme are my favorite. I’m not certain this qualifies, but I’m obsessed with “Grogu” (“Baby Yoda”).
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