I’m in hibernation mode lately, hair growing out of my face, not wanting to leave the house because I feel like I should be working constantly on the book. But you know, there are some things you feel in your gut you should do — not social obligations, but paths that you know are the right ones to take, the avoidance of which will mean an irretrievable loss (loss of the chance to do good, loss of an opportunity, etc.). I’m learning that I should follow these instincts.
This evening was such an occasion. I worked late into the afternoon (having fun writing a Coach article at a café), then had a rushed dinner and had to take a cab, but I knew that bailing out was not an option.
The event was a talk by two presenters, Bob Cant and Ann Marriot, as part of the LGBT History Month here in Scotland, sponsored by Word*Power Bookshop. I was compelled by stories they shared from both the personal and political realms about the evolution of rights for same-sex-o-philes in this country.
None of the other audience members seemed to want to speak afterwards, so I jumped in to ask questions of the presenters. They asked me what I did, so who was I not to tell them? And that led to some interest in what I do, and talk about publishing, blah blah blah. (Like my dear mither, I was conscious of not wanting to dominate the conversation, but neither was I going to give up the opportunity to connect with like-minded people just to be polite.)
So afterward I gave Ms Marriott my book (because I always carry a copy now), gave an audience member my e-mail address because he said he was looking for something to read (oh, how I love those words), then talked with Elaine, the bookshop’s owner about doing some workshops in her new space. (She’s just expanded into the building next door.)
Yay me! Being a public persona does not come naturally to me, but I’m finding find there are ways to get into it that feel authentic and non-icky.
