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GLVWG "Write Stuff", Kristen Lamb, Rise of the Machines–Human Authors in a Digital World, Social Media Jedi
We are truly excited to have this ‘Social Media Jedi’ who is the author of several best-selling books, founder of the WANA movement and has helped hundreds of writers achieve amazing results with her savvy with today’s social media. Our conferees will have such an amazing opportunity to interact with her during this year’s conference because not only will she be mesmerizing us with her keynote speech “Boy Am I Glad I Didn’t Get a ‘Real’ Job” but she will be leading Thursday’s all-day workshop, one of Friday’s afternoon workshops and one of Saturday’s morning conference sessions.
So…without further adieu, please enjoy the interview between our very own conference chair, Phil Giunta, and this year’s keynote speaker Kristen Lamb!
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by Phil Giunta
What obstacles did you face in your transition from international sales to author and freelance editor?
Kristen Lamb: What obstacles DIDN’T I face might be easier to answer. LOCUSTS. The answer is locusts. There were so many external obstacles when I made the decision, like actually knowing how to um, WRITE for starters.
Who knew?
Back then publishing was a world where gatekeepers ruled and yada yada yada and none that is really salient these days.
External obstacles that ARE salient look a lot like family and friends. They couldn’t “get” why I’d leave a real job to become a writer.
My decision sounded a lot like, “Blah blah, throwing away a $45,000 degree and a lucrative job with an expense account to blah blah join a cult in New Mexico that’s promised to school me in the lost ancient art of Ninja Kegels blah blah…becoming a writer.”
I had a LOT of pushback from well-meaning loved ones and even had family members who didn’t talk to me for years. Others believed since I didn’t have a real job, I was therefore available to babysit at all hours of the day with no notice. This is why I blog A LOT about setting boundaries.
Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group 