In Which Our Heroine Will Meet Nora Roberts & Try Not to Pass Out

I have a disturbing tendency to fall apart when introduced to people that I admire. It’s happened to me on more than one occasion, often with hilarious results, culminating in humiliating stories which my friends delight in retelling. There was the time I met a certain Vice Presidential candidate and was so flustered that I forgot his name and said, “Good Luck…Mister…”

Even when I manage to introduce myself without having a melt-down, I inevitably turn and walk face first into a potted plant. Just yesterday, I met a woman I admired. She takes care of sixteen cats. And what did I say? Did I express my appreciation for people who give generously of their time and money to care for helpless animals? No, I said, “Wow, I thought I was crazy taking in three cats…”

Way to go!

Now, I have the good fortune to know a number of NY Times Bestselling authors, but I was lucky enough to have met most of them before I knew this fact so I didn’t have as much of an opportunity to crash and burn. However, this weekend, I will be signing books with a number of super-star authors, including Nora Roberts. Now, even if you haven’t ever read her books, you’ve probably heard of her. This is because she’s easily the most prolific and probably the hardest working author in commercial fiction today. And even though we write in different genres, I am awed by her, so chances are good that I’m going do something horribly embarrassing.

To add to the pressure, the event is going to be videotaped with a live stream interview. As part of virtual event, readers can pre-order books to be personalized by any of the authors in attendance, so I encourage you to participate and to send your good karma my way in the vain hope that I will remain cool & collected and that I don’t do something that will end up on YouTube as a cautionary tale…

15 Comments

Alexia Reed on February 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm

You’ll do great! No worries. If it helps, during the Washington Nationals I was too much in awe to even just stand in line for a book. She was the only one I avoided. Not because I didn’t like her. Oh no. I avoided her because HELLO, SHE’S NORA ROBERTS. lol. SO yeah, you’ll do awesome.

Stephanie Dray on February 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm

So, you couldn’t stand in her line but you think I’ll be fine…oh, you have too much faith ;P

Lisa Christie on February 15, 2011 at 2:57 pm

I have every faith and confidence that you’ll be fine. The thing to do is remember that Nora Roberts, and any of the other big name writers there, are just people. That’s all. People. Just like you.

In fact, very much like you – for they enjoy the written word so much that they’ve decided to make a craft and business of it. But, they have to cook, clean, eat, do dirty dishes, wash laundry, fears about their writing, and deal with the ups and downs we all face.

Beth on February 15, 2011 at 3:01 pm

Just remember, she put her bra on one cup at a time, just like everyone else.

Stephanie Dray on February 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm

Love that saying.

Erin on February 15, 2011 at 5:55 pm

I find it useful, whether I use it or not in conversation, to have a question about the person’s work to ask, that I really want to know the answer to. The pursuit of knowledge helps get me over my crippling shyness that results in sweating, stammering, and demonstrations of poor motor control– I stepped on Neil Gaiman’s foot, and nearly burst into tears.

Stephanie Dray on February 15, 2011 at 6:13 pm

You stepped on Neil Gaiman’s foot?! Haha! I love you for sharing that story.

Jessi on February 16, 2011 at 2:16 am

Don’t worry about it Stephanie, you’ll be fine. I’ll be there on Saturday rooting for ya!

Stephanie Dray on February 20, 2011 at 8:54 pm

*heart heart heart* You are wonderful.

Gabriele Campbell on February 16, 2011 at 10:24 am

Now there’s a risk of being famous. You’ll get stepped on your feet by fomblefooted fans. 🙂

Jackie Hessong on February 20, 2011 at 12:01 am

So Stephanie, you did wonderfully today with Nora Roberts. I was so very pleased to meet you. Wishing you much success……From the turquoise lady..hehe Blessed Be

Stephanie Dray on February 20, 2011 at 8:53 pm

Yes, Jackie! I’m so glad you found me online. It was wonderful to meet you yesterday at the signing. I was a bit awe struck to be in the presence of so many fantastic writers and readers. Also, I love turquoise. I’m especially looking for some great earrings, maybe round ones…
- Jackie Hessong on February 21, 2011 at 10:15 pm
  
  If you email me , let me know what exactly you are looking for. I will either make them or find them for you. I have so much turquoise. I used to have a campground in Cody, Wyoming and I was the host for the Plains Indian Pow Wow every year. Bought tons of beads etc.

Dawn on March 17, 2011 at 10:05 pm

I’m late to this post and realize there is a strong chance no one will see this comment. But I just have to say I can relate. I ran into Audrey Hepburn (yes, The Breakfast at Tiffanys, My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday, Hepburn), in the rain, with my umbrella, hitting her in the face. She was gracious and amazing and I was clumsy and couldn’t speak in rational sentences. As embarrassed as I was then, I now cherish this memory and will forever because she was gone only a few short years later.

Stephanie Dray on March 18, 2011 at 11:48 am

I love Audrey Hepburn! You poor thing for running into her that way but I’m sure you were memorable 😉 As for me, I managed to speak only four words to Nora Roberts: Hello, I’m Stephanie Dray.

Alexia Reed on February 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm

You’ll do great! No worries. If it helps, during the Washington Nationals I was too much in awe to even just stand in line for a book. She was the only one I avoided. Not because I didn’t like her. Oh no. I avoided her because HELLO, SHE’S NORA ROBERTS. lol. SO yeah, you’ll do awesome.
- Stephanie Dray on February 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm
  
  So, you couldn’t stand in her line but you think I’ll be fine…oh, you have too much faith ;P
Lisa Christie on February 15, 2011 at 2:57 pm

I have every faith and confidence that you’ll be fine. The thing to do is remember that Nora Roberts, and any of the other big name writers there, are just people. That’s all. People. Just like you.

In fact, very much like you – for they enjoy the written word so much that they’ve decided to make a craft and business of it. But, they have to cook, clean, eat, do dirty dishes, wash laundry, fears about their writing, and deal with the ups and downs we all face.
Beth on February 15, 2011 at 3:01 pm

Just remember, she put her bra on one cup at a time, just like everyone else.
- Stephanie Dray on February 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm
  
  Love that saying.
Erin on February 15, 2011 at 5:55 pm

I find it useful, whether I use it or not in conversation, to have a question about the person’s work to ask, that I really want to know the answer to. The pursuit of knowledge helps get me over my crippling shyness that results in sweating, stammering, and demonstrations of poor motor control– I stepped on Neil Gaiman’s foot, and nearly burst into tears.
- Stephanie Dray on February 15, 2011 at 6:13 pm
  
  You stepped on Neil Gaiman’s foot?! Haha! I love you for sharing that story.
Jessi on February 16, 2011 at 2:16 am

Don’t worry about it Stephanie, you’ll be fine. I’ll be there on Saturday rooting for ya!
- Stephanie Dray on February 20, 2011 at 8:54 pm
  
  *heart heart heart* You are wonderful.
Gabriele Campbell on February 16, 2011 at 10:24 am

Now there’s a risk of being famous. You’ll get stepped on your feet by fomblefooted fans. 🙂
Jackie Hessong on February 20, 2011 at 12:01 am

So Stephanie, you did wonderfully today with Nora Roberts. I was so very pleased to meet you. Wishing you much success……From the turquoise lady..hehe Blessed Be
- Stephanie Dray on February 20, 2011 at 8:53 pm
  
  Yes, Jackie! I’m so glad you found me online. It was wonderful to meet you yesterday at the signing. I was a bit awe struck to be in the presence of so many fantastic writers and readers. Also, I love turquoise. I’m especially looking for some great earrings, maybe round ones…
  - Jackie Hessong on February 21, 2011 at 10:15 pm
    
    If you email me , let me know what exactly you are looking for. I will either make them or find them for you. I have so much turquoise. I used to have a campground in Cody, Wyoming and I was the host for the Plains Indian Pow Wow every year. Bought tons of beads etc.
Dawn on March 17, 2011 at 10:05 pm

I’m late to this post and realize there is a strong chance no one will see this comment. But I just have to say I can relate. I ran into Audrey Hepburn (yes, The Breakfast at Tiffanys, My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday, Hepburn), in the rain, with my umbrella, hitting her in the face. She was gracious and amazing and I was clumsy and couldn’t speak in rational sentences. As embarrassed as I was then, I now cherish this memory and will forever because she was gone only a few short years later.
- Stephanie Dray on March 18, 2011 at 11:48 am
  
  I love Audrey Hepburn! You poor thing for running into her that way but I’m sure you were memorable 😉 As for me, I managed to speak only four words to Nora Roberts: Hello, I’m Stephanie Dray.