September 20, 2007
Fan girl
Written by RobynDeHart in Jaunty PostKim blogged last week about brushes with famous people and we ended up talking some about published authors. I don’t get starstruck so much anymore, since I’ve been going to writing conferences for so long. I went to my first RT when I was 19 (this was before I knew about RWA) and oh, wow, I was like a kid in a candy store. I brought favorite books with me and actually accosted Teresa Medieros in a hallway and then proceeded to run back to my room (up like three flights of stairs) to retrieve my copy of Once an Angel for her to sign. She was gracious and waited for me and didn’t once look at me like I was a crazy stalker. For years at RWA’s National conference I would wait in her line and buy her latest release (which frequently I had already purchased) just so I could be near her. I don’t think she ever put a restraining order on me and now I think she even knows my name and she’s always so very sweet. But I swear I get all stupid around her cause I mean she’s Teresa and I totally love her! And then there’s Suzanne Enoch. I read Lady Rogue when it first came out and I still remember the experience. It was just so much fun and I fell in love with her characters. The same has been true of ever Suzie E book I read and again I just make a fool of myself around her. She sat sort of across from me at the big book signing this year at National and she waved and I totally felt like the cutest boy in school had just waved at me across the cafeteria. I know some of you out there know what I’m talking about. Amanda Quick is probably the biggie for me and I’ve only ever gotten the nerve to wait in her big old line (again at the RWA National booksigning) once. I tried to think of something clever to say, but instead I just gushed like an idiot (which knowing what’s it’s like to receive gushing, it’s a rather pleasant experience, but still!). I wanted to be brilliant and instead I was a goof. Thus the only one time in her line. Then there was the time that Kathleen Woodiwiss who was at the National conference. I didn’t even get close to her, I never met her, but the woman stepped up to the stage and I burst into tears. And you know I’m really not like that, for the most part. I mean I’m fairly articulate and despite other people’s talents, I don’t tend to be impressed by someone simply because of who they are. I mean we’re all people, but some authors still trip me up. I think some of it is just overwhelming gratitude for writing great books and for paving the way for those of us who’ve come more recently. Whatever it is, there are still some authors who bring out the fan girl in me. So how about you? Who are you a fan girl for?
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Shana Says:
Um, I think everyone knows my crush (SEP). I won’t go into all the embarrassing details again.
Kimberly Logan Says:
Having only been a member of RWA since about 2002, I’m afraid I haven’t quite gotten over that starstruck stage. I still wind up getting tongue-tied around authors like Teresa and Lisa Kleypas. Never mind that they are both sweethearts and really go out of their way to make people feel welcome. I tend to go completely mute whenever I’m nervous, so I’m sure they both think I’m incapable of speech now, LOL.
Clarisse Says:
I made a total ass of myself in Dallas over Teresa. But in my defense she was the very first author I saw there and I came upon her without warning or time to prepare. I gushed and stammered and she was sweet (I’m sure she thought I was a little slow and took pity on me — plus she is just a wonderful person). Lisa was the fangirl experience I was hoping for and she did not disappoint either. I actually had to fight tearing up while I was waiting in her line and I haven’t teared up on meeting someone since I met Mickey Mouse at Disneyland (don’t ask! I’m a child of the 50’s and he was an important icon. It doesn’t matter that I was almost 40 when I finally met him)
AndreaW Says:
My most recent fangirl moment was when I met Lisa Kleypas back in March. I was really nervous, but she turned out to be exactly as others have always described her: sweet, gracious, and kind. Not to mention, gorgeous!
Dorothy Says:
I’ve only ever met one author and that was Mary Reed McCall and she was so sweet. I just loved her. I was nervous and probably chattered too much. My dream would be to meet all the Jaunties and the other authors of books I drool over. But unless they happen to come to the Albany, NY area, I don’t see that happening!! lol
Shirley Karr Says:
Oh Robyn, you crack me up.
I have never had a fangirl moment — I’ve always been totally smooth and in control when I’ve met my favorite authors. I didn’t get tongue-tied and blather when Jo Beverly signed books for me at RWA and our chapter’s event (same title). I have never uttered the supreme cliche’ of “I’m such a big fan.” I made intelligent small talk when I discovered the woman waiting for an elevator beside me was Bettina Krahn, and I was totally calm, cool and collected when Mary Jo Putney went shopping in the hotel with me at Celebrate Romance because I had just missed out on getting in the group dinner with her, and we had exchanged e-mails so she knew how much her marvelous book, The Rake and the Reformer, had made an impact on me. I didn’t gush even once.
Snort.
Lois Says:
I think I would be too afraid to let my fangirl out. LOL But I am hopeful that I can go to the NJ signing this year. . . and ah, well, Julia Quinn. Enough said. LOL
Lois
Georgie Lee Says:
I think my tongue would fail me too if I met Amanda Quick. I met Enya once on my way out of work and I’m a huge fan and I have been for years. As she signed my Dayrunner the only thing I could think to say was “I love your music.” I was in too much awe to come up with anything more original.
Bonnie Says:
My biggest fangirl crush is the actor Gerard Butler. I’ve not been able to meet any of my favorite authors but would probably be totally tonguetied if I did.
Helen Says:
I have had the pleasure of meeting two authors Stephanie Laurens who I met when she did a book signing a few years ago and I was really nervous but she is very easy to talk to and I have met Anna Campbell who is wonderful she is very witty and easy to talk to lovely lady. I would love to meet a lot more of my favourite authors but living her in Australia makes it hard so I do email them to let them know how much I like their books.
Have Fun
Helen
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