I really wish I was too cool for school...you know, one of those uber confident people who can just walk up to anyone and strike up a casual conversation. Who can meet a famous person and have an intelligent conversation. Who can actually manage to get words out.
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| Sarah Spicer X-Factor |
Sadly, I am one of the afflicted people who has fangirl moments that make me cringe. Like (fellow Lovecats Yvonne Lindsey and Sue Mackay will remember this) the time I saw my absolute favourite All Black hero Ma'a Nonu at an RWNZ conference. He was about a hundred metres away and I, literally, chased him down screaming his name then-once he'd given me a hug and told me I looked nice in my 1920s fancy dress outfit- I could barely speak. GAH!!!!!!!
Then last night I was at a swanky awards dinner for Auckland Rugby and, in amongst the hundreds of rugby players, I heard a distinct voice I recognised. The entertainment for the evening was a woman who'd been on NZ X-Factor last year. I'd thought then she should have won. So I took her photo (and not one of any of the Blues/All Blacks players)...and she caught me doing it! She gave me a smile and a wave and I just froze. GAH!!!!!!
I need help!
What to say to your hero?
Have you ever met your idol? Were they how you expected?
Hi Louisa
ReplyDeleteSorry no help I am just like you LOL I tend to get like this around authors I really like and am meeting for the first time I get there after a bit but at the start no way and I have met a few Australian cricket players and do the same :) wouldn't it be nice if we could just have something to say without freezing up
Have Fun
Helen
I wish there was a magic fairy dust we could scatter that would stop us freezing up, Helen!!!
DeleteI met the fabulous Kristan Higgins at an ARRA book signing a couple of years ago. I came out in a cold sweat, talked a million miles a minute and told her I loved her dress. She may have said things back to me - I can't exactly remember. But she must have because I remember she was as gorgeous and warm and lovely as you'd imagine.
ReplyDeleteOh, so jealous! I LOVE Kristan Higgins, but I'd be like you...no, I'd be worse! Actually, I'm sure you'd be just fine and warm and lovely just like her!
DeleteI shared an elevator with Kristan Higgins in NY in 2015. Somehow I found the courage to say how much we'd love to have her visit our conferences downunder. There were just the two of us in the elevator and we were both on floors in the 40s so somehow I managed to hold my sh!t together. At least I hope I did!
DeleteI shared an elevator with Kristan Higgins in NY in 2015. Somehow I found the courage to say how much we'd love to have her visit our conferences downunder. There were just the two of us in the elevator and we were both on floors in the 40s so somehow I managed to hold my sh!t together. At least I hope I did!
DeleteI've met lots of famous people( sorry, but I'm not going to name drop) but the one that stands out the most for me was a recent one where I was at a writer's festival with the thriller writer Michael Robotham. He was just lovely. And so was his wife. What was great about that festival was I was treated just like any other writer. There was zero snobbery about romance! Yay!
ReplyDeleteYay to the lack of snobbery, Melanie! I think most writers are lovely and there's something in common to talk about.
DeleteHi Louisa, i'm just a complete egg ;) i dont know what to say, but I liked meeting you at the RWNZ, you were super friendly and didnt make me fell like an egg hahahah
ReplyDeleteYou're not an egg, Tash, you're lovely!!! It was lovely meeting you!
DeleteI always chicken out, Louisa! Then snap pics on my phone from afar :-)
ReplyDeleteSnap!
DeleteI am hoping to have a fangirl moment in July.I have already told my boys that all I want for Christmas is a ticket to the RWA "meet the authors" night in Orlando and the funds to buy a bunch of books! In the meantime I live vicariously thru my older son, who meets VIP and Celebrities when he gives them personal tours at work (he is the Director of Rides and Attractions at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.) I am proud to say I hugged the guy who spent an afternoon with Paul McCartney and family! I think I was more excited than him!
ReplyDeleteWow, Laurie, your son must meet a heap of famous people! I guess he doesn't get all shy and speechless. Lucky man!
DeleteHope to get to meet you in Orlando-I have my ticket bought!
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ReplyDeleteHmmm... last time RWNZ was in Wellington I was running late to the cocktail party, but did see on of the All Blacks in lobby (he was signing autographs at the time). My response was to wish him luck with the following day's game but I don't think I would have been so calm had it been Richie McCaw or Dan Carter.
ReplyDeleteTrying to think who my 'heros' that I haven't yet met would be other than a list that currently keeps seeming to grow of authors. Based on experience to date, with the Kiwis that I'd love to meet, NZers are so down to earth that fangirling isn't embarassing. I think when I eventually get to RWA (America) that it'll be more nerve racking than anyone in NZ.
Probably helps that in my previous job in fast food we did have some highish profile sport players visit regularly - I know I served Stephen Fleming multiple times (different visits) and at one point I served Cory Jane (realised after the fact putting the credit card receipt in the till). Others apparently served Jonah Lomu regularly.
PS the reply after Laurie's appears to be spam.
Lyn...having the All Blacks at the hotel was amazing and they were all so friendly and nice (although I don't think I'd have been calm if I'd spoken to Dan or Richie! Or even Cory Jane!)
DeleteThis made me laugh. I am not one to offer any help in this area! Meeting a bunch of authors I truly admire at the RWA (US) conference last year just proved that the second I meet someone I admire my vocal chords freeze up. Yep, awkward turtle here.
ReplyDeleteLOL I know exactly what you mean, Stef! My vocal chords freeze up too-literally!!! I think it's partly because we spend so much time in our own heads and not speaking to anyone!
DeleteAh, I know the feeling! I remember meeting Susan Napier at a conference and being utterly starstruck. Fortunately she's lovely and understanding. After I got over my initial shock I'm afraid I probably gabbled far too much.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Annie I'm sure everyone is lovely and understanding, we just need to dare to approach them and say something vaguely understandable!
DeleteAnd then there was that time I met Louisa George at my first RWNZ conference and acted like an overexcited puppy....
ReplyDeleteI love that Ma'a story.
LOL, and you were so sweet, Kellie...and I was utterly stunned anyone had ever read one of my books or even heard of me that I was pretty speechless then, too!
DeleteAll my starstruck moments have been over authors I've always loved and admired. Sometimes I have fake conversations in my head, to practice just in case I ever meet them, but all my rehearsing went completely out the window when I met Linda Howard.
ReplyDeleteLouisa, I just love that Ma'a story. You were so cute and he was so lovely. My admiration of those men went up several notches that weekend.
All my starstruck moments have been over authors I've always loved and admired. Sometimes I have fake conversations in my head, to practice just in case I ever meet them, but all my rehearsing went completely out the window when I met Linda Howard.
ReplyDeleteLouisa, I just love that Ma'a story. You were so cute and he was so lovely. My admiration of those men went up several notches that weekend.
I love the idea of fake conversations and rehearsing everything, Yvonne! You just have to hope that they are willing to stand still long enough to hear you out!!!
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