You Might Be a Shy Writer If...

Please welcome romance author Jill James to the blog. Jill recently sold Tempting Adam, a contemporary romance, to The Wild Rose Press.

You Might Be a Shy Writer If . . .

(Borrowed shamelessly from Jeff Foxworthy)

. . . You use your children to ask questions of the salesclerk at the store.

. . . You need your husband to give you lessons on how to talk to people on the phone.

. . . You think a few drinks at RWA National to loosen you up are a good thing.

In my case, all of the above is a true statement. For years, my painful shyness caused me to use my children to ask questions, to not be able to talk to people on the telephone, and to think a drink or two or more was a good idea.

Any true introvert knows that the extrovert that comes out after a few drinks is not a good one. A true extrovert is friendly, outgoing, and knows how to act in public.

At my first RWA National in Reno I was painfully shy. I used to joke that I would rather face a firing squad than speak in public. That doesn’t mean a speech. I’m talking about talking to others in public. Unfortunately, some introverts are not experienced in the public arena so we say stuff and do stuff we wish we could desperately take back.

So, some hints to be just a little extroverted.

1. Ask others questions that they will like to answer and leave you free to just nod and listen. For example: what are you working on? How are you enjoying the conference?

2. Compliment their wardrobe. Be sincere. Mean it when you say you like a necklace, earrings, or dress.

3. Be confident. At any large gathering of writers, we introverts have the numbers. Remember lots of agents and editors are introverts too.

So, readers, what hints do YOU have that make you feel more extroverted and outgoing?

Jill has loved to write since she first began putting on puppet shows in her garage for a nickel a person. Her first love was poetry until she picked up her first romance novel, after that it was all romance. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. She is a member of RWA since 2004 and a member of the From The Heart chapter, Black Diamond chapter, Kiss of Death chapter, and ESPAN chapter. She has been writing romance for a few years with a few poetry contest wins and a published short story, Lunch Break. When Jill isn’t writing you will find her reading, her other passion. She lives in Northern California with her husband, who is the inspiration for all her heroes.

You can find Jill James at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.