It’s happening all over again – I was so exhausted after publishing the bilingual edition in Korea that all my marketing activities have come to a standstill. Thankfully, however, I received a reply from the Korea Disability Arts & Culture Centre, and they kindly offered to include my book in the new library collection at…

Kjetil and I spent New Year’s Eve at home, alone with Oscar – we loved the peace and quiet, with no rush or fuss. Kjetil made Bœf Bourguignon for dinner. I reluctantly sent some PR emails to a few news channels in Korea. We watched a film afterwards and went to bed before midnight. ———…

These days, I seem to be spending all my time in front of my computer, updating my author website. I’m looking forward to focusing solely on writing Book II. ——— 요새는 매일같이 컴퓨터 앞에 붙어 앉아서 저자 홈페이지 업데이트 하느라고 하루하루를 보내고 있다.  빨리 제2권 쓰는 일에만 전념했으면 좋겠다. 

In Norway, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve, rather than on Christmas Day as it is in most other countries. I’ve been sitting at my computer all day, trying to unravel the mysteries of WordPress. for my author website. I suppose my vocation is definitely not IT! I should start getting ready soon to join…

English Summary: my continued fear of marketing – in stark contrast to my love of writing. ——— 지인들 몇명이 나의 책을 구입했다고 연락이 왔다. 누군가가 나의 책을 읽고 내가 그린 그림을 보아준다는 것은 정말 생긱만해도 너무나도 즐겁고 행복한 일이다. 아마도 우리 오스카의 털 감촉이 볼에 느껴질 때처럼 큰 기쁨 중의 하나인 듯하다.  그래서 아무리 힘이 들어도, 시간이 모자라도 계속해서 글을 쓰고 그림을 그리고자 한다.  하지만 누군가가 나의 책을 읽을 수 있게 하려면, 독자들에게 먼저 ‘이런 책이 있다’라는 것을 알려야 하고, 그렇게 하려면 결국 마케팅이 필수라고 한다.  그런데 솔직히 말해서 마케팅은 생각만해도 두렵다. 평생 ‘겸손의 미덕을 실천하라’고 배우고 살아왔는데. 항상 ‘내 자랑보다 타인의 장점을 보아주는 사람이 되어야 한다’는 미덕을 실천하려고 애써왔는데. 이제와서 나 스스로의 실적을 떠벌리고 동네방네 자랑하고 다니라니. 생각만해도 머리가 아찔해지고 온 몸에 닭살이 돋는다.  내가 촌스러운 것일까.