I am jumping way out of order in this writing series to talk about a thing that comes long after you’ve finished writing and revising and editing: the book tour. I’m doing so now because I am right in the middle of my tour for The Frozen River and everything is fresh on my mind. So if you’ve ever been curious about what life is like for an author on tour, then pour yourself a beverage and find a comfy spot because I’m going to spill the beans.
“The best thing you can do,”
told me on December 5th, “Is smile and hydrate.”JT and several other friends came to my house early that morning to watch the Good Morning America announcement with me. It was a meaningful show of support and friendship, but also a bit of forced celebration. They all knew that I needed a mimosa and a high five. So they forced it on me and I will remain grateful until I die. You can’t buy friends like that.
Over the course of the morning we also discussed the next six weeks of travel plans—nine days of book tour, followed by the holidays, and then another nine days on the road. That second stretch will begin tomorrow as I embark on my west coast leg (if you’re in Dallas, Georgetown, La Jolla, or Scottsdale, I’d love to meet you). But I’ve thought about her advice every day since. Smile and hydrate. It is deceptively subversive for two reasons:
Smiling is easy enough. I’m a naturally smiley person. I like people. I like visiting new places and seeing new things. But that’s not why we smile on tour. We smile because it is an absolute-freaking-HONOR to go on the road and meet the people who read our books. It’s a privilege, not a right, and if you have a publisher who is willing to foot the bill (like mine) then you are ten times more fortunate than the average author. The smiling tells every reader who walks into every event that you see them. You are glad they are there. (Like the 140 people who came out in a blizzard last night in Huntsville). You smile and you thank them for giving you a piece of their time. The fact is, we wouldn’t have careers at all if not for the readers. A smile is the least we can offer.
Hydration is harder. At least for me. The reality of book tour is that you spend most of your time in transit. And not to be gross, but I hate guzzling a bottle of water in the airport only to spend the next three hours squirming in my seat as I debate whether to just go ahead and use the airplane bathroom or try and hold it. Biological realities aside, hydration is a reminder to take care of yourself while being ON for weeks at a time. It is self-care at the most basic level. And the fact is, if you’re going to pull off a successful, long-haul, multi-city tour, you have to take care of yourself.
Three things to remember on tour:
A) YOU are the entertainment for the night.
Years ago my husband and I took all of the boys to Mexico to an all-inclusive resort. I’d just spent six months on a grueling deadline for I Was Anastasia, and we’d promised them a fun trip if they could just hold it together while I sat at my desk for twelve-plus hours a day. After finally arriving at the resort, we went to dinner that first night and then meandered over to the on-site entertainment venue. I think it was Classic 80’s Rock Night. Regardless, the emcee for the evening got on stage, grabbed the mic, and shouted, “I need you to bring the energy!” (Pronounced inner-HEE).
Writer, when you go on tour and show up at your event for the night, it is your job to bring the inner-HEE.
(It’s worth noting that one phrase has become part of our family lexicon).
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