RWA – Evelyn M. Hill

…in the hierarchy of importance, pretty stands several rungs down from happy, is way below healthy, and if done as a penance, or an obligation, can be so far away from independent that you may have to squint really hard to see it in the haze.
– You Don’t Have To Be Pretty

Put a true picture of my actual self on my Twitter profile.

This is what happens when you search for ‘Hot Chicks’ on Wikimedia Commons.

Lost four followers.

Coincidence? I think not. Maybe I should have googled ‘Hawt Babes’ and stolen synergistically leveraged one of their pictures for my profile.

Seriously, that is something you risk when you put yourself out there for all the world to see. They might not like you. Then again, they might. You can’t tell beforehand.

It’s probably good practice for my book being published. Not everyone will like it.

Things to do today:

Write 2000 words in my new manuscript.
Refrain from checking Twitter followers!
Watch Julia Quinn’s speech from RWA 15.

I should probably make a confession.

That headshot of a kitten?

Not what I really look like.

It seems that authors need to promote themselves, not just their books. So when my local chapter of the Romance Writers of America offered a photo shoot opportunity, with professional hair, makeup, and photography, I decided to go for it.

I had my hair done, then makeup was applied. Finally, a photographer put me under the spotlight and Took My Picture. Argh.

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Um… I wasn’t argh-ing the photographer or the make up and hair stylists. All were very professional. But I HATE HAVING MY PICTURE TAKEN. Plus, it was about 90 degrees outside, and with all the bright lights in the room it was hotter than that inside. And makeup always makes my eyes turn bloodshot, which is not my favorite look. I kept the Visine handy.

This is a necessary part of my transition from a hermit, who sits in her cave typing up words that no one has ever read, and an author, who wants people to read her book. So it’s something I’m going to have to get used to. Eventually.

Maybe I should try channeling my inner Drama Queen.