Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Ginger Simpson Dishes on Meeting "Stars"

First, I have to tell you, when I asked Ginger to blog for me, I sure didn't think she was going to blog about ME! It's a little embarrassing, mind you. My blog is usually about someone else. LOL Anyway, Ginger is a great lady who never fails to make me laugh. She remembers the details of our first meet, I just remember I made a great friend that day. So with no further ado, please welcome my friend, Ginger:

Imagine me, Ginger Simpson, making an appearance on Cheryl St. John’s blog. That’s like a local priest waving from the balcony at the Vatican. Everyone below is saying, “Who the heck is that? It sure doesn’t look like the Pope.”

Okay, so I’m not a mainstreamed published author, and you can’t find my books in stores along with Cheryl’s, but you know what? That doesn’t matter to her. Shoot, I wish it didn’t matter to me. Even though I really like her a lot, I’m getting a crick in my neck from looking up at her on the pedestal where I’ve put her. *smile* I’m more excited to say I’ve met her than I was to sit next to Clint Eastwood in a neighborhood bar one day.

Yep, it’s true. I remember it like it was yesterday. My then husband and a bunch of his off-duty police buddies had stopped for a drink. I got this frantic call from my husband. “Guess what? Clint Eastwood is here. You should come down.” So I did. I pawned the kids off on my neighbor and raced to the pub to see what this big celebrity looked like in person.

Mr. E sat at the bar with a friend. Actually, he looked pretty much like he does in the movies, but, in my opinion, my husband was much better looking. The guys wanted to buy Mr. E a drink but all were afraid to ask, so I volunteered.

I sauntered over, sat on the stool next to him, and tapped him on the shoulder. “Mr. Eastwood?”

He turned at scowled at me. “No autographs, please.”

I’m sure my brow furrowed into ruts. “I don’t want YOUR autograph,” I snapped.

Hell, I’ve never been impressed with a piece of paper with someone’s name on it. How do you prove who wrote it. Seems silly to me. How dare he assume I wanted him to scrawl his name on a napkin?

His jaw dropped. “You don’t?”

“No. What would I do with your autograph? Now if you want to sign a check…” I chuckled then pointed across the room to the group of guys with their mouths gaping. “Those fellows are part of the local police department and would like to buy you a drink.”

Mr. E. smiled and waved at them, then shook his head. “I’m afraid if I took them up on their offer, they’d stop me on the way out of town and ticket me for driving under the influence.”

His weak laugh and failed attempt at humor left me cold. After that day, I never watched another Clint Eastwood movie, although I’m sure he never gave me a second thought. So, now that I think about it, comparing Cheryl to him wasn’t such a compliment, but I think you get my meaning.

My meeting her was much more impressive. We met at a Romantic Times convention. I was a new author, published by a small Internet company, and to say I felt out of my element was an understatement. I’d never been to a gathering of authors, let alone one so big and impressive. I’m not a shy person, but I felt overwhelmed. I didn’t know anyone, but found myself impressed by the Mainstream names I recognized there. I sat in the reception room and mingled, put my promo materials alongside everyone else’s and tried to blend in.

Although we were all there for networking and fun, there were those who liked to look down their noses at what I believe they felt were ‘underachievers’. “Oh, you’re an Internet author,” is something I heard several times. If you picture a jumbo jet questioning a gliders ability to fly, you might understand how insulting it was. My books are available…you just have to go to a little more trouble to buy them. Some people actually think I’m worth it. *smile*

But back to the point. Cheryl and a group of her friends were in the lounge. I can’t remember exactly how we introduced ourselves, but I was impressed with her genuine friendliness, humor and how she made me feel welcome. She doesn’t realize what a big deal it was, but it’s something I won’t ever forget. She’s a role model but she doesn’t know it…she’s famous, and she doesn’t show it, and she’s one of those people who would probably say, “We all put our panties on the same way.” I’m not sure; I’ve never watched anyone else put on their panties. Do we?

I keep getting off topic. What I want to say is Cheryl is tons nicer than Clint Eastwood. Although I didn’t want his John Hancock, I do have Cheryl’s in one of her books. I can’t prove it’s her handwriting, but I was there when she signed it and that means something to me. Clint Eastwood has nothing on us. Heck, some people have even asked for my autograph, and now I see a whole lot more value in them. *grinning*

I really appreciate Cheryl for allowing me to blog today. In case you didn’t comprehend my rambling, the point of the post was to say how glad I am that Cheryl is my friend. And…any friend of her’s is a friend of mine. I’d be most honored to have ya’ll (that’s a Tennessee word) visit my blog at http://mizging.blogspot.com, and if you’d like to see what kind of work an ‘underachiever’ writes, please stop by my website at http://www.gingersimpson.com. The welcome mat is always out.

21 comments:

  1. Ginger!
    Hi from another 'wingie'. :)
    it's always great to see you around the web.

    Loved your Mr. E. story--nice guy. Guess he didn't make your day, huh?

    I agree with ya'll, Cheryl's definitely one of the best. Her days are much nicer.

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  2. If I ever see you and Cheryl in a bar - I'll buy you both a drink!

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  3. I loved the Clint story, too. What was he doing in a neighborhood bar, that's what I want to know? Was there an orangitan hanging out with him? "Right hook, Clyde."

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  4. *lizzie, where is your little picture, by the way?

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  5. Hey Ginger,
    Hi from another Internet author, loved the Mr. E. story, although I've never been a big fan of his, either...I'm more apt to be impressed meeting an exciting author like you or Cheryl, ah well, maybe someday, one never knows whom one will bump into at a convention...I happen to think you, Miz Ginger are a pretty swell lady, too, even if you did steal Y'all from the Okies...lol...Have a fun day...Hugz...Tabs

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  6. Ginger, Ginger, Ginger *wags her finger at you* this inferiority complex you have has just got to go away. Really.

    I loved the Clint Eastwood story, made me smile, and that's tough to do this early in the morning :)

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  7. Hi, Ginger, loved the story....though you crushed my dreams of being the next Mrs. E....lol. I wouldn't want to be with such an egotistical guy (though I guess I knew that about him already).

    Anywho, very nice comments and stories. They gave me a chuckle.

    Have a great day.

    Anna Kathryn

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  8. I see the checks I sent out to bribe people to visit on my day made it! *lol* Honestly, I have some awesome friends and you can see how well they support me wherever I go or whatever I do. I'm so blessed. I kid about my 'status' as an author, but I'm truly proud to published with small press. I have several works available, and I'm proud to say that I have a style uniquely my own. *lol*

    Oh, and Cheryl...Clint Eastwood was in Davis, CA that day because his best friend is a dentist. He goes there to have his dental work done...that is if he still has teeth at his age. *lol*

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  9. That reminded me of another story...
    But I'm going to go to my blog and post it. Sorry...if you want to read it, you'll have to follow me. Hey...I can't have Cheryl stealing all my traffic. *lol*

    http://mizging.blogspsot.com

    Ginger

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  10. Rebecca,
    I hope I get to claim the drink someday!

    Ginger

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  11. Lizzie,
    Hey fellow Wingie. Thanks for visiting on my special day with Cheryl.

    Ging

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  12. Ginger, *lizzie is my critique partner. Do you guys know each other?

    Now there is a friend, Rhonda Lee, who will tell you to get over it. LOL Seriously, writing is what we DO, it's not who we ARE.

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  13. Ginger you sound like such a blast, Cheryl is the best I love her writing and she is a good friend always there to help out with advise and good humor it wasn't for her I would not have made it through the last year.
    Ginger loved the story and will check out your site. Good luck !

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  14. picture? If I remembered any of my blogger accounts. How many have I had? Sheesh. I'll have to check that out. Oh, I do have a google account. names--passwords---arrrgh!

    I officially met Ginger at RT, too--through our publisher. I however, do just sit back and watch the world go by.

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  15. Cheryl,
    Thank you so much for inviting me to 'your house'. I enjoyed posting and reading the comments. It was fun and I hope to do it again someday.

    Hugz,
    Ginger

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  16. Ginger! I think that you follow in Cheryl's footsteps, by always being so open to helping and promoting your fellow authors.

    Very warm and funny blog! I love the Clint Eastwood story.

    Hugs from Lisabet

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  17. Thank YOU, Ginger! It's always a pleasure to hang out together. Let's do it again soon.

    Smooches!

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  18. Ginger, I loved your story about Cheryl. I agree, she's the genuine thing and doesn't look down on people like me, who can't write worth a darn. (But I sure love her books).

    Loved your Clint Eastwood story too!

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  19. Being a movie star doesn't give anyone the right to be obnoxious. I'm glad you talked back to him. He probably isn't used to it. Enjoyed the post.

    Elaine Cantrell
    www.elainecantrell.com

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  20. Ginger, I think your post is wonderful. It sure had me laughing.

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  21. People should read this.

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