A few months ago, I joined The Red Dress Club. In a fevered rush, I read every. single. linked. post. I read and commented and moved on until...I discovered my twin.
On a nice little blog with the clever title of Move Over Mary Poppins, I read a story that was so similar to mine that I immediately emailed the author to assure her that I didn't plagerize. Except where my story was a bit raw, hers was polished and so enjoyable I followed that email with several thousands tweets asking if I could pretty please with sugar on top be the President of her Fan Club.
Then I went and read her archive. Which meant that I was officially a stalker. Except I considered it padding my Fan Club resume.
As the tweets flew back and forth CDG became a friend, a mentor. She's funny. She's witty. She pushes me to consider all angles of a story. And she doesn't think I'm weird when I say I don't know what happens next, Henry hasn't told me yet.
Even better, reading about her goals and seeing how close she is to finishing her novel made me realize that now is my time to do the same. She's inspired me to let go of my fear and just write.
Please welcome the marvelous CDG and show her a little Mandyland love. I'm so very happy the Universe brought her into my life.
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Future-Card Girl's Dreams
Outside the nail salon my bag tilts and out spills my cell phone and my new lipgloss. I hastily retrieve them and shove them into the bag, smooshed between my shopping list and a purse-pack of Kleenex.
I have a moment's pause because I think I've lost my bottle of O.P.I. "I'm Not Really A Waitress." After searching amongst restaurant crayon boxes and Lightning McQueen toddler sunglasses, I find it wedged behind a hotel pen and my business card case.
I used to have business cards.
Now I just carry my husband's around, and occasionally use them to give my number to a potential Mom-friend on the playground.
And I always feel funny about it, since my husband is a contractor and I wonder if these women feel like I'm soliciting for bids.
I know I could get thumb cards or calling cards or whatever, but the sad truth is, I'm stuck in a weird limbo between who I am and who I want to be, and investing money in this version feels like a waste.
And how sad is that?
So, I sit in the pedicure chair, feet soaking, trying to read Rob Lowe's autobiography on my Kindle, and all I can think about is what my current business cards would say:
CDG
Nanny to a Family She'll Never Respect
555-867-5309
getmethehelloutofhere@ihatemyjob.com
versus what I so desperately want them to say:
CDG
Soon-to-be Bestselling Author of Books You Haven't Read Yet
555-867-5309
moveovernoraroberts@novelist.com
I'd like to say that I left the nail salon with a plan, a plan of attack. Truthfully, I left pretty deflated, but with an edge. It's time to grit my teeth and stop being the current-card girl. Time to reach for the future-card girl's dreams!
I also left the nail salon with this wry thought on the tip of my tongue:
You never know what you're going to find when you start rummaging through your diaper bag.
34 comments:
I adore both of you. It makes sense that great writers find other great writers. It's like magnets attracting...the talent and good finds each other.
As for our friend CDG...it's a matter of when. I will be proud to take one of those cards someday when her book tour goes through Maryland. And her signature on my hardback copy!
Dear, wonderful Mandy, that may be the nicest intro I've yet to receive. Way to set the bar! Thank you for hosting me. Hope the Mandyland audience enjoys... Huge to love to you (and an extra long snuggle for Henry--and yes, I know he's fictional)!
Such a great post and SO true, I hope, hope, hope you carry that second business card around. You certainly have the talent for it. And Mandy? I have to laugh at your intro, you are such a talker it's almost as long as CDG's post :).
I love both of you...my "writer heroes" ! You know CDG you are already famous to those of us who have read you and stand in awe of your talent (and yours Mandy!!) But I want you to keep reaching for that dream and keep writing, if for no other reason but to keep inspiring me.
I totally snorted at the "restaurant crayon boxes" - I'm loaded with those things because I'm always sad over the thought of a crayon being thrown out before it achieves its full potential.
I know.
As far as you, Ms. CDG, I don't have to shove you in my purse. Your potential will come to fruition, I'm certain of it. Your stories entertain me to no end and your talent knows no boundaries. Don't forget us when you hit it big!!
What is your real name, anyway?
(love you Mandy!)
Mandy, isn't it great who we can meet in the bloggy world?! :>
CDG, yup, rummaging through a diaper bag can produce some mighty interesting results. And I hear you. The diaper bag has been put away for a couple of years here, but I'm in that transition stage myself right now. Where I was, where I thought I'd be, where I am, and where I want to be are all weighing on my mind. Though, not sure I've ever had such colorful email addresses to tag them in my mind with. Think I'll have to add a few to my mental cards!
Always happy to meet someone who is a Soon-to-be Bestselling Author of Books I Haven't Read Yet! :>
Mandy, I too have a lustful admiration for Miss CDG and bask in the joy of seeing her reply to a tweet or post of mine. My love for her AND YOU run deep.
CDG: I love your ambition, your heart and your dreams. And also: I think the "I'm really not a Waitress" love was our first personal connection. Love seeing the reference here!
And girl, I will SO PIMP YOU OUT and SPREAD THE WORD of your writing. ....tap tap tap, waiting with anxious anticipation.
It's so nice to have a blogging twin. I have one too.
CDG, it's time for you to make those business cards telling Nora Roberts to move out the way.
I have a blogging twin too! It's awesome, isn't it?
Happy sighs. Two of my favorite people in one place.
Your second card? Perfection!
First of all I have to say that I love the phone number that you chose! It took me a second before I got it... clever... very clever.
And I love reading both of your blogs but to be honest it's more like stalking since I don't always leave comments. Sorry.
I keep singing it. lol
Imagine how happy I was when she agreed to guest post...I mean...now when I stalk her for an autograph she can't pretend she doesn't know me.
Wait. Where's your blog and how did I not know of it?!
Blogging twins rock!
Interestingly enough, I'm currently sporting "I'm Not Really a Waitress" red on my fingers and toes.
It's my all-time fave polish. Mostly because of the name.
You DO know of it, I'm pretty sure. For some reason it's using my name and not my blog name, MiMi! :)
I love all the people I've met. Seriously. Bloggy friends rock the casbah.
My purse if filled with restaurant crayons too. Oily little suckers that aren't near as good as Crayola, but still...they come in handy.
xoxox
You are way too sweet, my friend. :)
I KNOW!! I tried so hard to keep it short and sweet and then? When I hit publish? I laughed at how long it was.
Thank YOU for posting. I'm so happy that you visited.
And...ummm...Henry's fictional? But he seems so REAL!
You and me both! We'll be the rabid fans who gush about how much we love her.
You are both very generous with your praise.
I'll do my best to do you proud.
Thanks Jessica.
And is Mandy not the sweetest person ever?
Kir, your faith in me kind of humbles me.
Promise I'll do my bestest!
Thanks, Ash!
(and it's nice to find a crayon-saving soul sister)
Hi Karen!
Hope you like what Mandy's selling!
Mad Woman, my love!
My ambition, my heart, and my dreams rest with all of you--I wouldn't be this far without you!
I'm so cheeky.
If I get published, and her publicity machine finds this? She's totally coming for me with a claw hammer.
Especially one who writes about yummy Henry!
And my hero arrives.
Happy sighs.
It seemed the obvious choice for fake digits :)
And I love that you're reading. Even if you don't comment. So, thanks!
The second card is fabulous! Will I reach Jenny if I call the number? ;) Honestly though - I think that tagline is awesome and you should do it. It would be memorable!
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