Who Are You?

Who are you?
At the last RWA conference in Orlando, I picked up an interesting book on social media by Tyra Burton and Jana Oliver. The title is Socially Engaged. If you’re looking for a book to lead you through the complicated waters of social media, I highly recommend this one. It is written in a conversational tone, simple and direct, and understandable.

This blog today is about one of the first tips I gleaned from these authors. Know yourself, not the bland, every day you, but the you that sets you apart. Yes, this is about branding, but it’s a great exercise for anyone who leaves their house once in a while. Here’s the tip: Think of three words that describe you. Not words like “nice” and “kind.” Think of words that have impact in describing who you are.

I chose these three: Sensitive, witty, and social.

I believe these words describe me and fit in with the tag line I use in branding my author name. “Writing about big hearts in small towns.” Along with sensitive (and who hasn’t been sensitive to the tragedies in the world these days?) I am nostalgic  about the past and openhearted to the suffering of humans and animals. By witty, I don’t mean standup comic hilarious. I mean I try to see the quirky side to every story, and  if I find it, I’m quite likely to voice my discovery, good or bad. By social, I mean I like to go out. I can’t stay in my house for an entire day. My son once asked me how I can talk to complete strangers. I didn’t have an answer except to say, the stranger is behind me in line, we’re both waiting, so why not strike up a conversation?

I’m wondering how many like-minded people are out there. Do any of my words describe you? Great, let’s be friends. What one, two or three words are more apt to pinpoint the real you?

The point is this: Once you arrive at your three words, and if they are good, positive words, try to keep them in the back of your mind and let them help you through social media, life, relationships, and everything else. If your words are negative, work on finding positive ones. We’re all good people here. We’re readers and writers!

Cynthia

I'm in here somewhere because I'm social

I think there's something funny about a tree protecting a hydrant


I cried when a hurricane destroyed one of my favorite Florida towns.

Can't wait for my February release, the first of a trilogy, Cahills of the High Country.
Watch for Carter's story.HIGH COUNTRY COP, after you read this month's Heartwarmings.



Comments

  1. I choose gritty for myself, and all that it implies: resilient, dogged, honest. And it looks like we share a release month, Cynthia!

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    1. M.K. just yesterday I showed my college students a TED TALK about having grit. Go watch it. It's very inspiring.

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    2. Gritty. I love that one. I wish I had more grit. Maybe I'll work on that.

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    3. I know that talk, Pamela! I remember thinking, "I'm that." Though people called me a 'plodder', it amounts to the same thing. Highly useful trait in this business.

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  2. I need to be sensitive but it's not my strong suit. I'm very social. And I'm witty enough that I laughed at your tree and hydrant. LOL

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    1. I remember taking that photo a couple of years ago. I thought, "through rain and wind and snow..." That tree does a good job.

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  3. I loved this post, Cynthia -esp. the tree photo - and it got me thinking. Always the sign of a good post, right? I think my 3 words could be sensitive, quirky (humour) and curious. Though my kids used to say, when they were teens, that curious equalled nosy! :)

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    1. Being curious (or nosy) is a great trait for a writer... and a mother.

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  4. Cynthia, I think maybe the talking to strangers thing is part of being a writer. My kids used to say, "mom, how is it we go into a public restroom and before we leave you have the life story of everyone in there? Strangers." Funny because we tell our kids, don't talk to strangers. I hope the word that most describes me is "caring", but maybe that's up to everyone else to say. Love your photos.

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  5. Great post, Cynthia! My three words would probably be compassionate, obsessive and shy. I love that tree photo!

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    1. I'm a bit obsessive myself. Used to be worse but I still obsess.

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  6. Interesting exercise. I pretend not to be sensitive, but I cry at sad commercials. I'm an introvert, although I sometimes strike up conversations waiting in line as well. I may be witty, although not nearly as much as my son. I'll have to think about who I am, but in the meantime, I'm laughing at that hydrant tree.

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  7. Enjoyed this. Agree with talking with strangers...how else can we create our characters? Our pastor talked once about people you like to hang out with and how there were some people if they asked if you'd like to drive to the dump with them, you'd go because you liked being around them. I hope I'm one of those people. :-)

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  8. Great post! The picture caught my attention, but the message held it. I'm still deciding on the three words that describe me. Hmmm...might that mean indecisive should be one of them?

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