Today’s blog is personal, anecdotal and a classic example of why a writer needs a sense of humor.
Yesterday I was a guest speaker at a local service club. My topic was, “Changes in the Publishing Industry.” About 25 people attended. The free lunch was a plate of “rubber” chicken which, being a vegetarian, I didn’t eat.
During the meeting, a woman asked If I wanted to buy a $10 lottery ticket for a worthy cause. I forked over my money even though the event was one I wasn’t interest in and wouldn’t attend if I won. Soon after, I stood for the pledge of allegiance, listened to numerous group announcements and was then introduced by the host. He admitted he knew nothing me and hadn’t bothered to find out, so I ended up introducing myself.
Happily, the speech went well. The group was alive with questions and then, after another ten minutes, the party was over. Everyone drifted away. I drove home, a round trip of 60 minutes, having sold just two of my books.
In sum, I spent $10 on a raffle ticket I didn’t want, used an hour of gas driving back and forth to the meeting place, and lost half a day that otherwise would have been spent writing my next novel. I do not include my preparation time in drafting and practicing the speech. My net gain was $18. That isn’t even minimum wage.
Want-to-be writers, be warned. Life on the rubber chicken circuit is no picnic.
(Courtesy of www.wtfprinterest.com)
