That’s one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies. Jessica Lange, as Julie Nichols, says that to Dustin Hoffman’s “Dorothy Michaels” about the television cameras he’s facing for the first time in the movie Tootsie.
It also sums up my feelings about my upcoming book signing this evening.
So why am I doing it? Good question. I think because I was just so flattered to have been asked—and, quite frankly, it goes with the territory. Writers have to do this sort of thing. But it really does work against the basic nature of a writer. Think about it: in order to do what we do, there has to be a little bit of hermit in us. And there’s plenty of it in me! Like I told my CP’s at our critique meeting last night, I don’t like being put on display like that. People will be looking at me, talking to me. I don’t like people! LOL. Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind it so much if I were in a group book signing at a conference—people there would probably be romance readers and writers and if they happened across my table, hey great! But this is a coffee shop in a little suburb. People won’t be coming in specifically looking to buy a book. No, with the temperatures expected to be in the upper 80s today, they’ll be in search of a cool drink and a little R&R.
Sigh. The last time I was this nervous—dreaded being on display this much—I was in a white gown and veil.
And that turned out all right.
So maybe this will too.
I’ll be back tomorrow to let you know.
I will be signing books and trying to make intelligent small talk tonight from 7-9 p.m. at the Starbucks Victor Cobblestone,