The Writers' Life: Personality Type (Introversion and Extroversion)

One of the biggest challenges facing writers is self-discipline.  Rather than giving up and thinking we don't "have what it takes" to be a writer, perhaps part of the problem is that our work space and schedule are not compatible with our personality type. 
     The Myers Briggs personality test was developed to help people determine their personality type or temperament.  The test identifies four pairs of temperament types: Extroversion vs Introversion, Intuition vs Sensation, Thinking vs Feeling, and Judging vs Feeling.  In this blog I'm going to look at the first pair: Extroversion and Introversion. 
     Extroverts (E) feel energized by being around other people. This makes it difficult for writers who are extroverts to work alone at home, especially for long periods of time.   If you are an extrovert, consider working part of the day at the library or even in a busy coffee shop.  At the end of the day reward yourself with social time.  As an extrovert, I find I do my best work if I've scheduled in social activities with friends and family in the late afternoon or early evening.  It gives me something to look forward to.  Extroverts are also energized by belonging to a writers group and getting live feedback.  However, they need a group where the energy is positive and constructive, since extroverts prefer a harmonious environment and place a high value on what others think.  
     Introverts (I), in contrast, prefer solitude or being with only one or two other people.  They may even feel a sense of loneliness in a crowd.  Most writers and artists are introverts.  If you are an introvert set up a writing space in your home that is away from other people and activities.  Try to set aside a time to work when others are gone.  Some introverted writers get up early in the morning before anyone else to do a few hours of writing.  If working at home is not an option, consider finding a quiet space away from home.  Many libraries have quiet rooms.  While extroverts tend to find live writers groups energizing, introverts may balk at joining one, preferring to "write for themselves."  If you are an introvert, consider joining an online writers' group rather than a face-to-face writers' group.  The rise of the Internet, where one can "meet" with other people while being alone in one's home, has given a boost to writers who are introverts.  In addition, many publishers and editors now interact with their writers almost exclusively by email and other electronic media. 
     If you are not sure what your temperament is, the Myers-Briggs test can be purchased online.  It is also available at most college career offices.   It is generally best to do the test with a professional who can help you interpret the test results.  If this is not practical, an alternative form of the test, known as the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, is available in the book Please Understand Me II: Temperment , Character, Intelligence by David Keirsey. I like this book because it has detailed explanations of each personality type. The book can be purchased from Amazon.com for under $20.     
     In my next blog, I'll be looking at the next two personality types: Intuition (N) vs Sensation (S).  I'll also discuss how these traits are influenced or modified by extroversion and introversion (EN, ES, IN, IS).
    

The Writers' Life: Book Signings

Except for the top-selling authors, publishers no longer spend as much time as they used to publicizing books.  It is up to you, the author, to promote your book.  There are several venues for book signings including bookstores, libraries, book fairs, and conferences.  In this post, I will discuss book signings at bookstores.

      Before approaching a bookstore for a book signing, check the Internet or call ahead to find out the name of the manager or appropriate contact person.  Once I have a name, I visit the bookstore in person.  I always bring a copy of my book to give to the manager along with postcards or business cards. 

     If the bookstore is not already carrying your book, drop off two or three copies for them to sell on consignment.  Most bookstores like to carry books by local authors.  I have never had a bookstore turn down a request to carry my book on consignment.  Set up a time for the book signing during the visit.   

     Once you get home email the manager of the bookstore to thank him or her and to confirm the date and time of the book signing.  Also, email the manager a publicity notice with the picture of the book cover, a summary of the book, and the details of the signing so it can post around the store and on their website. 

     While bookstores generally announce book signing in their newsletter and/or through posters in the store, the author is usually responsible for notifying the local newspaper.  You should also post information about the signing on your website, Facebook page, and Twitter. 

     Arrive early on the day of the signing.  Dress appropriately.  You may want to dress in costume to call attention to the theme of your books, such as a long dress if your book is set in colonial times.  I have a penguin shirt I wear since my book is set in Antarctica.     

      Bring a poster to call attention to your table.  I also bring my collection of ceramic penguins, which I set out beside a bowl of wrapped candy.  Check with the bookstore first to make sure they allow food.  Some bookstores actually supply snacks and drinks for book signings.

      Bring extra books as well.  At my last book signing, we sold all of the bookstore’s copies as well as a dozen extra copies I brought with me.  All sales should take place at the bookstore register.  Keep track of the books that you brought with you so the store can give you your cut of the sales (usually 60% if you supplied the books and they did not have to pay for shipping).  Checks for sales of consignment books are usually sent to the authors twice a year.

     Also, have plenty of postcards or bookmarks to hand out.  Some people may show interest in your book but are not ready to purchase the book just yet or would prefer to purchase the eBook online.  I have a QR code on my postcard that takes them directly to the page for my book on Amazon.com.

     Once the book signing is over let the manager know how many books you sold from your own supply of books.  If the book signing went well you can request the bookstore to purchase your books through a distributor such as Ingram.  While you will probably make less of a profit on each book, this saves you the hassle of having to supply bookstores with copies and having to keep track of bookstore sales.

    Finally, send a thank note to the manager and offer to be available for future books signings or other events.

UFOs over Antarctica? Neumayer UFO

An unidentified object was spotted recently over the Neumayer research station in Antarctica.  Some speculate that the object was a UFO.  Other argue that it was most likely a weather balloon.  For more on the Neumayer UFO go to http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/13/ufo-spotted-over-antarctica/

This is not the first "sighting" of a UFO over Antarctica.   Reports of UFOs in Antarctica date back at least to the 1990s when they are said to have appeared over Lake Vostok, a large sub-glacial lake, shortly after drilling began to reach the lake. 

Writer's Life (Writers Groups)

 Being a professional writer requires not only writing skill, but just as importantly, self-discipline.  As part of my attempt to become more disciplined (and accountable), I've decided to write a blog at least twice a week about what I did in the past few days that facilitated my writing as well as what got in the way of my writing.  So, here goes!

Belonging to a writers' group provides valuable feedback as well as accountability for those of us who want to become published writers.  My advice for the day?  Beware of writers' groups that only flatter you.  Writers' Digest writes that if you don't go home and cry after having your work critiqued (at least some of the time!), then you need to find a new writers' group.  I bawled my eyes out after receiving quite the criticism of my short story "The Cornfield."  After recovering from my "humiliation," I sat down at my computer and revised the story, taking into account my group's comments.  And--lo and behold--"The Cornfield" got accepted for publication in Blood Moon, an anthology of short stories!

"The Cornfield:" Short Story

My short story "The Cornfield" is appearing in the book Blood Moon, an anthology of short stories by New England mystery writers.   I've been creeped out by cornfields ever since seeing the movie "The Signs."  Who knows what lurks among those rows of stalks? I wrote the story as a sort of therapy but instead I'm even more creeped out by cornfields now!  You can purchase the book from Level Best Books for $15.95.

Book Signings

I am having book signings for Deception Island on November 3rd from noon to 2:00 at Wakefield Books, and on December 6th from 5:30 to 8:00 at the Brown University Bookstore.

Hope to see you there!  

Deception Island in Hard cover

Deception Island is now available in hardcover for $24.99.    So far the novel has benn getting very good reviews.

Deception Island ebook $9.95

My novel Deception Island is now available on ebook for $9.95.   I'm thinking about a sequel to the book if any of you have any ideas. 

Near-Death Experience

Several years ago I had a near-death experience (NDE) during an automobile accident.  It was a snowy night in Maine and I was tired and anxious to get to my destination.  As I started pass a large snowplow, my car hit a patch of black ice under a thin coating of newly-fallen snow.  The car went into a spin and was heading into the blade of the plow.  I was terrified and sure I was going to die when a voice from over my right shoulder said, as clear and distinct as any I've heard, "Let go of the steering wheel."  It's the first time that I can recall that I've acted with no doubts or hesitations.  I let go of the wheel and was drawn up into a "white" light into a place that's more real and beautiful than anything I've ever known.   Have any of you had similar experiences that you'd like to share?

-81 degrees F at South Pole

It is currently -81 degrees F at the Amundsen-Scott station at the South Pole; pretty cold even by Antarctica standards.  Most of the 200 people who work there during the "summer" have left and and only a few dozen winter-over people remain.  Autumn (and winter) are setting in and the sun is low on the horizon.  After the solstice next week the sun will not rise again at the South Pole for another six months.  And we think we have it tough!

Old Antarctica Explorers

I just got accepted at for membership in the Old Antarctica Explorers Association since my trip to Antarctica was a working trip to research my novel!  I'll be attending my first meeting this month and bringing my book with me.  The photo with this posting was taken late at night when the sun hovers just below the horizon during the Antarctic summer

BookSigning

There will be a book signing for my novel Deception Island at the West Bay YMCA on Wednesday, March 14th from 5-7 p.m..   The profits from the book sales will go to the YMCA scholarship fund.  Hope to see you there!

Tropical Antarctica

 

Think things are heating up now with global warming?  It may be time to start thinking of looking for a vacation home in Antarctica.  It is now believed that for most of the past 100 millions years Antarctica was a tropical paradise.  While it was once thought that the warm spell took place before the great while continent drifted to its current position at the south pole millions of years ago, scientists now think it may have been no more than 6000 years ago when the current deep freeze began setting in.  In fact, the 1513 Piri Reis map of Antarctica shows the coastline ice free. 

UFOs over Antarctica?

 Are there UFO bases in or near Antarctica (other than in my novel Deception Island)?  It's rumored that Wikileak's Julian Assange uncovered  secret US military documents about UFO in the vicinity of Antarctic.  By the way, the picture you're seeing is an artist's rendition, not a real photo of UFOs over Antarctica.,  But, who knows what might be going on down there?!



The Sparta, a Russian fishing boat which stuck ice while in the Ross Sea in Antarctica was rescued after 12 days by a South Korean ice breaker.  The ice tore a hole in the bottom of the Russian boat forcing crew to evacuate in case the boat sank before they could be rescued.  Pretty scarey!  When I visited Antarctica on the cruise ship Marco Polo, a small red helicopter, which was kept on one of the decks, would fly ahead and check out the icy waters before the ship ventured in.

Deception Island Review

Following are excerpts from a review of my novel Deception Island that appeared in the December 2011 PrimeTime newspaper:

"I picked [Deception Island] up and couldn't put it down... The novel is a fast-paced read that jumps from one adventure to another with a bit of a love story thrown in.  There's a pendant with seemingly magic powers, a frozen body and some eerie antagonists to deal with before all the pieces are put together.  I enjoyed the many realistic references to Antarctic, as Boss mixes fantasy and reality to create suspense and intrigue at every turn."

Japanese Tsunami hits Antarctica

Gentoo penguins at the Chilean station on Paradise Bay, Antarctica, watcing an iceberg drifting by.  The tsunami that hit Japan in August extended as far as Antarctica causing several massive icebergs totalling 48 square miles to break off.  Not quite as big as Rhode Island (the universal measure of area for all natural disasters), but it's pretty amazing that the tsunami reached as far as Antarctica. 

Springtime in Antarctica

This is a photo of Ushuaia at the tip of Argentina where our ship departed for Antarctica.  It is springtime in the Southern Hemisphere right now and a balmy 41 degrees at Palmer Station on Antarctic Peninsula and 52 degrees in Ushuaia.  To get to Antarctica we passed through the Drake Passage, one of the roughest stretches of ocean in the world.  It was quite an experience!

Deception Island at Spring Street Books

Deception Island is now available at Spring Street Books in Newport.

The novel is also available at Symposium Books in East Greenwich, Oatley's Country Store in North Kingstown, Emporium Books in Kingston, Books on the Square in Providence, and the Brown University Bookstore as well as on Amazon.com. 

Deception Island Penguins

Penguin chicks stay in creches, which are like big, raucous nursery schools with adult caretakers, while the parents go out fishing for dinner--mainly krill.  When the parents come back from a busy day at "work" the more assertive chicks (like the one in the photo) will chase the exhausted parent around until the parent feeds them.  This is a photo of a chinstrap chick on Deception Island taking regurgitated krill from its parents mouth.  (WARNING: Don't try this at home!)