As a writer with social anxiety I know how hard it is to send queries, do interviews and communicate with clients. Some times the stress is unbearable. There are some tricks that I use to get the job done, though.
- Do email interviews. This way you're communicating indirectly, taking the pressure off.
- Likewise, communicate with clients through email as much as possible. I rarely find a client that just has to talk to me on the phone or in person.
- If a client tries to insist on a phone call say, "It's my policy to do email communication so that I can have a written record of our talks. This protects both of us if there is a problem."
- For those rare phone calls make sure to allow yourself to be as comfortable as possible in a quiet room. Use a worry stone or try to write down as much as possible to take your mind off of your anxiety.
Thanks for the advice and reassurance. I have a real problem talking on the phone due to AS -- it's good to know that email interviews are a possibility.
ReplyDeleteYep, I've done them for years. Do be aware, though, that some editors require that you mention it was an email interview in your citations.
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