The art of making new friends

I have been living in the Charlotte area, and I find myself with an unusual problem: I need to make some friends. I just don't know that many people here!

I haven't had to work to make new friends since I was in 5th grade. I just made friends. I can say I probably never had a lot of friends, but then I was always ok with that. I preferred a smaller, closer group.

So here I am in a new town, working from home with no natural friend-making opportunities presenting themselves and no one actively pursuing my friendship. Making friends as an adult is quite frankly, a little awkward. It is a balance between being interested and aggressive... and being too desperate. Maybe like dating... although I didnt do any of that as an adult either. ...Not only will my new friend-prospect need to like me, but they will have to like my son, and not annoy my husband too much. They will have to be intellectually interesting, but not too much of a smarty-pants.

Oh and the list goes on. As I write it I realize I have high standards. Guess that is why my friend list was always short....

:) -- well, I will continue to look for new friends and try not to overly freak them out with my awkward friend-seeking skills.

If nothing else the process is great research for my next book about introverts and relationships!

New Year, New Stuff--- and the same old same old, only better

Hello World -

Well it is a new year and I am looking forward to a fun and full 2008. Confessions of an Introvert is now sadly relatively unavailable (Call Kelly at Brambleberry Barn for whatever remaining copies are left - 585-383-5630) BUT--it will be re-published, and even better come this Fall through Sourcebooks. I am very excited about this because Confessions will now be distributed in greater volumes throughout the world. Very exciting (and VERY scary). I need to think of some good pre-marketing ideas to get ready for the release. (don't let me put this off!)

So I am a bit disappointed that the book has sold out for the most part (and happy too --so many have sold!) It is a bit sad that it isn't there for people to read, and as much as I find it a little embarassing that "my story" has been out there for people to read for the last couple years, I feel a little empty that it isn't out there now. I get so much nice unexpected email from people who have read the book, I have become addicted to their kind words and great questions.

In the interim, I am going to try to get some more writing out there and e-published: information for business people, introverts and young people. I love your feedback, questions and ideas, so send them along. I will continue to post here and if I get my act in gear, on some other blogs as well -- not to mention on my website.

A couple months ago I was interviewed for Yahoo HotJobs and I wanted to share that interview with you here. Those interviews are always fun, and in the next year I hope to do more too.

I -- like all of you, I am sure, have my New Year's resolutions -- more and less...

more time at the gym
less junk food
more writing
less aimless web surfing
more time with family
less waste
---Trying to be a little greener a little leaner a little stronger a little healthier.

To all of you - HAPPY NEW YEAR