Sunday, December 14, 2008

Reinvention or Evolution?

“When you are through changing, you are through.” -Bruce Barton

While at the FWA conference in November, I met with Penny Sansevieri of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. The company concentrates on internet promotions and Penny had some excellent ideas she passed along that hopefully I’ll find the time to try soon.

One of Penny’s observations took me by surprise led to learning something about myself. After asking a few questions about The Ride, she said, “Essentially your main character, Barbie, was forced by circumstances to reinvent herself. Right ?”

I thought a moment, nodded, and said, “Yes, I guess she was.” Her next comment almost made me fall off my chair.

“So you and Barbie have something in common.”

I looked at her with mouth agape and then a light bulb went off. “Wow,” I replied rather idiotically. “You are absolutely correct. Barbie reinvented herself and I am in the process of doing the same thing.”

Like Barbie, I knew what to expect on a day to day basis. I was comfortable in my role of ‘retired professional tourist.’ But once writing went from a hobby to a career, I was forced from my comfort zone. In order to promote my book, I had to reinvent myself. I’ve done radio interviews, book signings and other promotions that never crossed the mind of the ‘old’ Jane. New experiences bring about a new persona.

All through our lives we change ourselves to adjust to new situations, such as when we go from student to work force, from single to married, childless to motherhood, etc. So are all these modifications a result of reinvention or simple evolution?

According to Dictionary.com, reinvent is to remake or make over, as in a different form. The definition of evolution, from the same source, is any process of formation or growth; development.

Whether I am reinventing myself or evolving, I am enjoying the process.

What are your views? Is your life a series of reinventions or continuing evolution?

Thanks for stopping by.

Tags: The Ride, Barton, Sansevieri , Author Marketing Experts , reinvention, evolution,

2 comments:

Morgan Mandel said...

I've had to reinvent myself after getting my books published. At book signings, especially, now I have to be outgoing and initiate the conversation, instead of waiting for the other person to speak. Otherwise, they could walk on by and not stop.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://www.morganmandel.com

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

I know what you mean, Morgan. Becoming more outgoing is part of my reinvention as well. Although, I discovered some people STILL walk by without stopping!

Jane's Ride - Novelist Jane Kennedy Sutton's journey through the ups and downs of the writing, publishing and marketing world