Friday, September 12, 2014

Playing At Being An Extrovert

I stepped out of my comfort zone AGAIN yesterday evening by going to a book signing/meet the author event at a bookstore not too ridiculously far away from my home.  It involved driving in rush hour to an unfamiliar place; and finding parking in a parking garage (I hates parking garages); and then sitting next to lots of people I don't know and trying to look as though I DO have friends, just none of them could make it out this evening.

I explained to Larry that I wanted to go because the featured author was a local blogger I follow, and he asked, "What does she sign?"

And I said, "What?" because, seriously, we've been married 24 years and I swear we do not ever speak the same language.  Misunderstandings R Us.

And he said, "What does she sign? An IPad?"

And I said, "What?" again, because - apparently - that's how we roll.

And Larry said, "You said it was a Meet-the-Author thing and she is a blogger. So WHAT does she sign?"

And finally a light bulb went on over my head and I said, "Oh, no, she wrote an actual BOOK."

No wonder the kids hate listening to us.  And it's only going to get worse as we get older.

Where was I?  Oh, yes, so I went to hear Anna from An Inch of Gray talk about her book Rare Bird -and, uh, no, I haven't read it yet, because the publisher insisted on issuing it in hardcover and I really hate reading hardcover books - anyone else find them not comfy enough?  Kindle just won't cut it either, because I know I'll want to share it with you all, so I am waiting for the paperback version.

Anyway, when Anna asked if anyone had read the book yet, the only 4-year-old in the audience piped up with "I read it!" which of course brought down the house.  I figured, hey, a 4-year-old can come to book signings and speak up, why can't I?  So, later, I stepped even further out of my comfort zone by asking a question during the Q&A.

I know! It's as if I were turning into an extrovert or something.

Incidentally, the only other book signings I have been to have been for the Yarn Harlot, and half the people in the crowd are knitting as she talks.  So I didn't think twice about sitting in the second row and working on the pair of socks I had just cast on at home.  Not until I left did I wonder whether that was a faux pas.  Thoughts?

5 comments:

  1. I've never been to a book signing but there are a few authors I would really like to meet in person :)

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  2. I would have knit too- so of course I think it's okay! And while I don't *mind* hardcovers, I do like paperbacks for the feature of being able to hold them one-handed while eating. Whereas, hardcovers have to be propped on something (usually another book) on the table.

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  3. I'd never take offense to someone quietly knitting in any kind of setting. That's as benign in my mind as nursing a baby or doodling on a sketch pad. It doesn't bother anybody, it's quiet and not distracting.
    I'd buy a hardcover if I couldn't wait, but I see what you mean.
    You and Larry should text each other. Might lessen the confusion?

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  4. So... what was the question that you asked?
    I not only want to read Anna's book, I want to buy it for someone I know of who has lost a son in a drowning accident. (Yes, the age and cause of death are eerily similar.) I was hoping for paperback but I may end up springing for 2 copies in paperback.

    I agree with Green Girl: quietly and competently knitting is as benign as nursing a baby in that setting.

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  5. As long as you weren't knitting "I hated your book", you were probably fine. There's a local author here in town that taught a writing class that I took years ago. I've seen notices of his appearances here and there, but never had the nerve to go see him. Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone.

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