As part of my MA we are encouraged to attend The London Book Fair in April. So I have booked the flight and accommodation- all I have to do now is finish the 30,000 words of my book.
I also need to learn to say out loud ‘Hi, I am Joan Mitchell and I’m a new writer’. Easier than it sounds?
The other day I went to a new optician and when she asked my occupation I almost told her my life story.
Redundant; Previous job title; State of economy in Ireland; MA; Written features for newspapers; Published
So god love her after feigning interest in my extensive back story – she said ‘Why don’t I put down writer?’ – I was delighted, if somewhat embarrassed.
Networking isn’t something that comes easy to Irish or English people – we’d far rather slag ourselves off, or shrug our shoulders and belittle our own achievements. I remember being asked while I worked in Sydney ‘Are you any good with excel?’ – when I replied ‘Not too bad’, I was surprised when he smiled and walked away. I could hear him repeat the same question to someone else – his reply? ‘Excellent!’.
So now I have been practicing ‘I am a new writer’ (firm handshake). ‘Hello, I am Joan Mitchell, I am a new writer’.
Doesn’t matter how many times I say it I still feel like I am 15 and waiting on a call from a guy at the school disco!!
I have two months to practise being a writer- mind you I will probably be outside Earls Court repeating the same mantra over and over!!
