Customer Reviews

THE SHY WRITER: An Introvert's Guide to Writing Success

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Who is considered a shy or reserved person? He/she is an introvert, someone who loves details but hates talking to people. Extroverts are fast paced, demanding, throwing out quick thinking snappy answers, they group brainstorm, and easily adapt to constant change with excess energy to compete. Introverts thrive in just the opposite atmosphere - where they are energized by thoughts, ideas, and perceptions.

In today's world you can't get what you want in life without networking. The Shy Writer helps readers to identify their "natural" trait -making a lasting impression.

Clark has designed this book mainly to point out that there's nothing wrong with being shy. It also provides step-by-step advice for overcoming one's shyness and fears. Specifically when marketing one's work. Clark covers such topics as: Telephone conversations, audiences, book signings, promotion, gimmicks, interviews, media and more.

Sooner or later every writer will need to face the reality of self-promotion. Clark's, The Shy Writer may just help make the transition of feeling self-confident in a room full of strangers a bit easier! The book will also show how you also need to reveal things about yourself - to followers, and the best way is by telling fun and interesting stories that make you look good.

This is one book certain to help any writer who suffers from stage fright or marketing frustration. Coming from one who had to overcome these very fears - I wish I had found this book sooner! The Shy Writer is truly a treasure to add to any library collection.

Reviewed by Betsie

"Sell your words, not your soul." ~ C. Hope Clark

When I first heard about C. Hope Clark's THE SHY WRITER, I was overjoyed! At last, a book to help writers with their public persona! As a shy writer myself, I have struggled many, many times when put "on the spot" or "in the public eye." As with most other shy writers, I do my best work while I am alone or in a small group. I do not function well while in a large group. That doesn't mean that I cannot function in large groups or when speaking in front of an audience, it just means that it is very difficult for me to do so. THE SHY WRITER helped me to realize that many, many authors feel just as I do.

Author C. Hope Clark takes a unique approach to the "shy writer" dilemma. She does not advise reader to "get over it" or "reach beyond" but instead coaches on workarounds. Clark realizes that a true introvert may not be able to "get over it" - instead the author sympathizes and offers solid solutions. These solutions range from simple ways of making a public event easier to bear to creative marketing ideas that avoid the limelight all together.

And, THE SHY WRITER offers an added bonus. Writers with disabilities that may not allow them to compete well in the public marketing forums of the publishing world can also benefit from reading Clark's book. Many of the solutions for shy writers would be applicable to them as well.

C. Hope Clark lives up to her name - she offers hope to shy writers everywhere. As a professed shy author herself, Ms. Clark has written a compelling and informative guide to easier marketing for the socially impaired.

Too often writers fall into believing that we have to follow someone else's formula for success without realizing it may not match our personalities, comfort zones, strengths and creativity. C. Hope Clark has written an excellent book for the "shy" writer, building on the introvert's strengths and learning how to use these to your advantage. While all the advice is excellent, I especially liked the last chapter on "Your Safe Haven" which challenges the reader to find the balance in their writing life between writing and marketing/promotion.

Non-shy writers will also find this a very helpful, easy to read resources full of speaking and marketing tips.

A lot of writers are less than apt at dealing with other people in social events and public circumstances. This shyness will prove a decided handicap in getting published by the major houses who require their authors to go on speaking tours and take an active, public role in promoting their books. C. Hope Clark has written The Shy Writer as "how to" book for aspiring authors who want to spend their time writing and avoid or at least minimize the hard-pounding, palm-sweating, throat-choking that comes with a fear of performing in public. Beginning with defining and understanding shyness, and then discusses "Reaching Out Reaches In" through examples of singers, comedians, and actors who deal with that form of shyness known as "stage fright". The Shy Writer also deals with one-on-one and large group scenarios. Herself a shy and self-published author, Clark goes on to deal with book signings, the press and media, reviews, writers groups, and all the other experiences common to writing professionally. If you are an aspiring or published writer who dreads the publicity, promotion, and marketing aspects of being a professional author, then give a close and careful reading to C. Hope Clark's The Shy Writer -- it can make all the difference between success and failure in your chosen career!

Some of us need people to recharge our batteries while some of us need solitude. As one belonging to the latter category, I immediately resonated to the title of this book. Just as I love "comfort foods," I found this book to be "comfort reading" as I identified with many of the shy individuals described in this book who were able to attain their literary goals in spite of their innate shyness.

I also appreciated the positive and practical suggestions Ms. Clark shared to help make potentially uncomfortable and stressful situations more comfortable and more manageable. This book is a valuable resource for any writer, but for the shy writer, it is an absolute "jewel." Highly Recommended!

As writers, we spend a great deal of our time locked away in the dark, behind the bookshelves under the stairs of our cave. It is this nature of the writer's life which makes us feel comfortable, safe and secure. Plus something must be said for the behind-the-scenes world so many of us hold.

But all work and no getting out and sharing isn't as profitable as it could be. So what's an introverted Gemini to do.... Did I mention indecisive?

With Hope's book "The Shy Writer," there are things we the silent majority of writers can do... and feel comfortable (kinda) about doing it. None of the suggestions,ideas or activities are all that difficult or stressful, but you gotta want to do it. Once you see the reasoning behind why you are doing what you do, and what taking a few simple chances can bring, you'll be more than happy to be a not-so-shy shy writer.

P.S. Reading the book in public is a good start to get we writers out there in the world around us.

This is a great how-to on book promotion, be the reader a shy writer or gregarious. Hope Clark packs the book with tons of tips and frequent qualifiers about choosing what works for your personality. She encourages writers to step through their fears, especially if they believe in their work but also maintains a gentle tone that helps all of her suggestions seem quite doable.

A really wonderful book for encouraging us "shy" ones to peer out from under our bushels. Not all of us writers, after all, are comfortable with leaping about, pointing to ourselves, and crying "Look at me!"

And so: a kind of handbook for us mere writers who fall short on the practical and business end.

And then how wonderful to write, freed of such "practical" constraints as pay Mammon more regard even than our own personal Muses.

Just one writer's take on the matter, and five stars to C. Hope Clark for having given me the opportunity.

Great insights and advice on how to manage (even embrace) your shyness, leverage your strengths and promote your writing in a way that feels comfortable and right.