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Guest Post – Confessions of a Fangirl + Giveaway!
Confessions of a Fangirl by Marquita Valentine
Unlike my sister (who meets famous people while merely breathing), I haven’t met very many honest-to-goodness television/movie stars. Okay, okay…I’ve met one. Maybe two if you count the time I got an umbrella autographed by local weatherdude, Skip Whathislastname.
However, I think I made up for it in spades by not only meeting, but by being HUGGED by Colin Firth.
Oh hai, Mr. Firth!
Despite meeting one of the best smelling men on the planet, I didn’t squeal like crazy or faint (that honor belonged to the random guy beside me.).
Maybe it was because I’d already acted the fool like a complete fangirl in front of one of my favorite romance writers evah—Rachel Gibson.
Notice who’s not in the picture.
A few years ago (last summer) I was at my first Romance Writers of America Conference, with my name tag, shiny PRO Pin and business cards left in my room at the ready. There were book signings dedicated to different publishing houses at different times and days, so I hobbled due to the five thousand blisters from the heels I’d been wearing skipped to Rachel G’s table. While waiting in line, I rehearsed this speech in my head, with such epic lines like: I love your work. I love your heroes. I admire you so much. I want to be as successful as you. I love your hockey series.
Nice stuff, right? Full of love, love, love. L-O-V-E, love.
See where I’m going with this
Unfortunately, as soon as it was my turn I just stared at R.G., then blurted out I love you. Not I love your heroes, or your writing or your anything else. Just a big ole
I.Love.You.
Ms. Gibson looked for security smiled, then asked me to pick out a book for her to sign. Of course, I picked out the one I already had instead of the one I didn’t, waited for her to sign it, and ran away thanked her.
One day I plan on meeting Rachel Gibson again, and have a very nice conversation about her novels—I hope!
Thanks for having me today, Sue, at Romance@Random! Have you ever met a famous person and done something completely fan-girly around him/her?
Remember, every week 5 commenter’s are chosen to win a random free book -winners announced on Sunday! Good luck!
Marquita Valentine writes epic love stories that just happen to take place in small towns. You can find her usually on Twitter (www.twitter.com/marquitaval), bi-monthly on LadyScribes (http://ladyscribes.blogspot.com/) and sporadically on Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarquitaValentine).
For years I was the Marketing Director for NC’s largest non-profit performing arts theatre. Our director was famous, we had a revolving door of famous guest artists in productions, the director’s daughter is a MAJOR Hollywood actress. Heck, I was even invited to the Governor’s inaugural prayer meeting–and she was historic as NC’s first female Gov. But the only time I lost my cool was when I got to work with a member of the Theatre’s Board of Associates, a retired anchorman who was in his 70s at the time, but I remembered him from my childhood. Charlie Gaddy … Every single time I saw him or had to call his house when we needed a little clout and advocacy, I just completely goobered up. It was completely mortifying (and a long standing joke with my mother), but I was discombobulated every time. I met Joe Montana with a confident smile and nonchalent air; I interviewed Mike Commadore from the Carolina Hurricanes IN THE LOCKERROOM after practice with the other players around the corner showering and kept my cool (though wanted to climb up the front of Commodore). But Charlie, OMG. He wasn’t even, like, a dashing sexy reporter in his prime. Who know what the appeal was/is; he just made me incredibly nervous. It still makes me giggle hysterically.
LOL love it – thanks for sharing Dolly!
Thanks. Funny that yours is Nora Roberts (my mom’s fave). It’s terrible when you have quasi-regular interactions with folks like that because the mortification lingers. At least the Colin Firth fans don’t have to face his inward groan EVERY time he sees them.
absolutely – when I see her at conventions today I just smile & hope she doesn’t remember my babbling encounter with her — probably would still babble to this day
I have met some famous people but never went all fan on them. IN fact, I said nothing.
That sounds like me — I just grin
You lucky, lucky girl- Mr. Darcy!
My big fan girl moment was actually a few weeks ago. Even though I am lucky enough to know her already, I send a HugsandHearts email to one of my favorite authors. I had downloaded a novel I had been wanting to read for a long time, and I was so blown away by it, I HAD to send her an email! Luckily, Claudia Dian is as gracious as she is talented, and wrote back how much she loved hearing about my enjoyment…instead of calling for a restraining order, lol!
I’m sure if I meet Julia Quinn or Lisa Kleypas, though, I’ll only be able to stutter incoherently….
Fun – most authors are so gracious!
Well, you know my crazy fangirl moment since I was there with the lovable, smellable, and so soft-spoken Colin. I’m still embarrassed by the way I acted. I really thought by this age I would have at least some self-control but oh well. I guess there’s still a little girl in there somewhere! : )
You should never be ashamed, Michelle. It was totally appropriate, I think! And it was soo much fun.
You can always console yourself with the fact that you didn’t tell him that you loved him. hee!
I think if I met Colin Firth, I would absolutely just babble. He is so gorgeous. I’ve never met a celebrity. Not many hang out in a small town in Alabama. I did shake Richard Nixon’s hand when he came here in the 70′s. Thanks for the giveaway.
I live in a small town, too, Shelley. Luckily, there are some really big cities (at least to me) nearby where lots of stars come to film movies!
So here’s how it went. My police officer husband calls me and says, “I just got a memo that Colin Firth will be filming on blahblahblah street (can’t remember)in Raleigh on blah blah date. We’re closing down several blocks for them to shoot.” Giddy as a preschooler at a Wiggles concert, I tweet that the delicious hunk of hide, Colin Firth (a fave of several of my chapter mates), will be within our evil clutches soon. Twitter blows up as my ladies prepare to capture, er, try to catch a glimpse of him. We tweet about what time to meet, where to skulk, I mean, wait patiently, and who should bring the chloroform (wait. That might’ve been just me). The problem? I’m the only idiot who couldn’t go! I had an appointment I couldn’t move (believe me, I tried) and missed him. That’s as close as I’ve come to a celebrity. My only consolation is Marquita’s awesome picture. No justice, I tell you. None. ;}
You can borrow the shirt I was wearing that day anytime you want, Andris. It’ll be like he’s hugging you. lol!
Oh you cheeky tart. Did you wash it? Does it still smell like him?! Bahaha!
Fan Girl moment for me was meeting Nora Roberts — I don’t think, to this day, I’ve ever said anything that made any sense to her
LOL! I can’t imagine you being tongue-tied around anyone, Sue! But Nora Roberts *is* NORA ROBERTS!!!
Oh my gosh, I wouldn’t be able to speak either! I love Nora- I think I’ve read (and own) everything she has EVER written, lol… That’s a crazy amount of books, now that I think about it. I have BOXES of book in my attic.
I’ve met famous people and have seen some in public, but so far I haven’t done anything outrageous. Just treated them like the rest of the people I’ve met.
Very good thinking, Leni!
Oh I feel your pain. I met author Lorelei James last year and was barely able to remember my own flipping name much less my husbands (who was quite perturbed to have to indroduce himself). Everything I wanted to say and ask came out sounding like a stammering teenager and sounding like a complete fool. My (jerk) husband explained tht he doesn’t let me out in public much for this reason.
LOL — thank God I’m not the only one
Fangirl – I have never met anyone famous, and would probably seem like a tongue tied ninny when and if I ever do. You did good to not trip over your shadow on the floor (I would probably do that too).
Enjoy the rest of February!
Cleo
Thanks, Cleo. No tripping for me that time! You would probably be fabulous–unlike my fangirl moment.
I haven’t met anyone famous in a while, however I did just move to a burb of Nashville so maybe soon! Come and visit and I know where to go to supposedly spot them!
whooop – Blake Shelton would make me babble
So says the chick who met Joshua Jackson aka Percy from Dawson’s Creek while grocery shopping…please!
I bet you email me tomorrow with some random star encounter. ;p
I met Yul Brynner when I worked in a medical facility in Boston in 1981. He was a very nice man and always made his appt’s at the end of the day. One thing was sure, we knew when he walked in the door as his voice was so deep and commanding. He was a truley down to earth man. I never felt like I was treating some larger than life snob, he was great.
Oh, I LOVED Yul Brynner, Linda! You lucky lady.
I met John Glover. At the time he was starring in Smallville (loved that show!) I had questions I wanted to ask but just stood there looking stupid! I felt like such an idiot after.
Seize the day, Lynne!
It is hard though, and believe me, I felt like a complete fool when I met Rachel Gibson. She was really nice though, and that made me feel even more embarrassed. But I’m determined that I won’t go all fangirl again!
I’ve never met anyone famous.
Idaho doesn’t get much lovin, lol.
Maybe one day, Tiffany!
But you know what’s nice about Social Media–you can “meet” your favorite author or celebrity, and actually converse with them like a sane person. hee!
This is hilarious, Marquita, and so cute! I was almost as tongue-tied when I met Rachel Gibson, actually. I walked up to her table all ready to be calm and professional, and stood there starry eyed telling her I loved one of her oldest novels. I mean, I love all the more recent ones too! But I couldn’t get more than a sentence or two out before my throat closed up. Since then I’ve met her several times but I still can’t manage to get over that first pathetic choke. I hope you do the next time you meet her!
Katharine, it’s so easy to be starry eyed when meeting Rachel Gibson!
I hope I get to meet her again, too–if only to redeem myself!
I used to date a gentleman that took me to charity functions, you never saw so many celebrities from acting, sport, and writing in one room. I mist say that Tom Clancy and I had a debate, which I look back a smile at thinking was I out of my mind. I also dated a politician, which allowed me to meet interesting people from the White House to the Senate. I was jealous because my sister met John Stamos at all places Dennys in Orlando. Personally, I was more excited about you meeting Colin Firth than my experiences, I would have turned into a giggling mess, probably stare at him until he thought I was in need of medical attention.
Growing up, I had a crush on Uncle Jesse aka JS! Your sister sounds like mine. She met Jack Hanna at Subway…
And believe me, Carla, on the inside I was a raving lunatic about meeting him.
Sue- Nora has a great little shop that you can catch her in, I used to live near it. Her son would often be in there and see had all kinds of signings from her and other authors.
I’m not sure if this counts….but, my son is a sports “nut” and one summer he and I took vacation time and drove to each and every baseball training camp in Florida. Now you can’t JUST go there, you have to attend games and practices and get AUTOGRAPHS!! My son is very shy so good thing that Mom is along. The problem is that Mom doesn’t know the players. LOL You have no idea how many times I embarrassed myself getting HIM autographs…. and when I looked around for him he was always hiding someplace. You wouldn’t believe what a nice collection my son has!! LOL
Betty, you are a super-duper mom! Your son is so lucky to have you. What great memories y’all must have (and I’m not just talking about meeting the baseball players).
I with you though on sports people. The only ones I know are Tim Tebow, Micheal Jordan and Tom Brady. There might be a few more, but my mind’s drawing a blank.
I met country singer Ronnie Milsap once and was so mesmerized by him I told him I came from the first city that popped into my head and not the city I was really from. Go figure….
LOL, Gail! We all have our moments.
I have somehow managed to meet a LOT of awesome celebrities, and I have yet to figure out how to play it cool. In my head, I’m all “Hey, what’s up? You know, I think you are a very talented actor/writer/basketball player. You must be really proud of your body of work.”
In real life, it comes out as “Gaw, uh, wow, I-I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!” What?!? *Hides face in mortification*
That’s what happened with Colin Firth, Julia Quinn, James Marsdon, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Eloisa James, and many others. Luckily, when I met Gerard Butler, I was too awestuck to say *anything*, so I actuality managed not to make a complete cake of myself!
The way I look at it, if I ever am on the other end of a fan encounter like that (fingers crossed, lol!), I’ll have total empathy for them and assume that they are normal human beings in everyday life
Lucky lady to meet all those stars–literary and film alike!
I know you will Ms. Knightley (be on the other end of the fan encounter!).
And I know you’ll be sweet and gracious just like Rachel Gibson. 
Well, I’ve met a number of football coaches and players… But I can say that I’ve not gone all goo-goo on them.. I worked in a university athletic department… so you saw the good & the not-so good moments.. people are people..
WHA?!?! @ Erin… how do I become you? lol… and I’m also named Erin! “luckily, when I met Gerald Butler” pleeeze…
I’ve never met any one famous
But I’m pretty sure I’d be a tongue tied mess.
LOL – It’s a combination of dumb luck (Colin Firth) and friends who know people (Gerard – yum!). Oh, and the ability to make a fool of myself on command
Have no fear – you never know when you might walk by a celeb and have your chance!
That was not dumb luck, Erin. It was careful stalking…I mean planning! It was fun though!
What a cute story! I met Peter Gallagher before. He’s very nice and friendly.
Thanks, bn. Peter Gallagher was so good in While You Were Sleeping, even if Sandra Bullock’s character ended up with the other guy (as she so deserved to).
So glad it was a good experience for you!
I wish I could have met Colin Firth. I’ve seen a few celebrities on the street, but never had the courage to approach them for a picture or autograph.
Colin actually came over to us, Janiec! But I’m with you, it would be hard to just walk up to a person and ask for an autograph.
I have never met anyone famous before not even an author. Always wanted to be it never has happened yet.
Quilt Lady, I bet it will happen when you least expect it. That’s usually how things go.
I saw Jack Benny in an airport. I just asked for his autograph and he gave it to me without saying anything. He wasn’t friendly at all.
Oh no, Carol. Maybe he was having a bad day. At least you got an autograph to remember him by.
I’ve been lucky enough to meet quite a few authors at book signings since both RT and RWA were held in Orlando in the last few years. I didn’t do anything crazy, but I sure had a great time. I’ve met a few other celebrities, including Kirk Douglas and Ali McGraw when they had written books and had events at my work (at the time I worked for a book distributor), but I kept my cool then too.
Kirk Douglas *and* Ali McGraw, Barbara? That’s so cool! Before I joined RWA, I didn’t even know about RT or RWA’s big conference.
One day I hope to go to RT; it sounds like such fun!
Marquita,
You touched Colin Firth? Mr. Darcy? So jealous.
The first and only time I met Sandra Brown, I blurted that I loved her. I was so embarrassed that I blurted that I loved her dress, too. Then I grabbed my book and ran away. I think I spent the rest of the conference hiding from her.
Take care,
Rachel
Hiiiii Rachel!!!
Okay, so this is my chance to redeem myself, right?! So here goes: I love your heroes, your heroines, your plots…everything. I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! You inspire me as a writer, and I hope to be as successful as you one day!
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by here. It really means a lot!!
Can’t wait for Vince’s Story, Rescue Me. May seems so far away!!!
Your fan forever,
Marquita
PS I STILL LOVE YOU!!!!!! hee!;)
Fangirl – the true definition of
Thanks for making Marquita’s day Rachel!
I work in retail; one day I had this nice young man at my cash buying I can’t remember what and offered him our loyalty card which he accepted. Very nice man!!!m our loyalty. After he left I noticed my co workers gaping and staring and asked the obvious: something wrong?
It seems the nice young man was a very popular hockey player, in fact the captain of a big team. Oh well! he was very nice…
That’s too funny, Diane.:) I think that probably happens a lot–especially in places you wouldn’t think celebrities frequent.
So glad he was nice!
Never met a famous person. Ever. Not even like locally famous. Am I a dud or what?? LOL
LOL! No way, Lisa, I won’t believe that you’re a dud!
I am so jealous you got to meet, much less hug and get a picture of Colin Firth Marquita!!
I met actor Kate Walsh of Private Practice/Grey’s Anatomy fame at an event she was doing at my school. I babbled incoherantly and made an idiot of myself, but thankfully, as she was mobbed by many other adoring fans, she probably forgot all about it.
I also fangirled when I met Tessa Dare last year at the Lit Signing at NYC. But she took it in stride, bless her heart. I’m just thrilled I didn’t scare her off completely!
Lisa, maybe I should send the shirt I wore in the picture on tour or something?
I bet there was a mob of fans. Grey’s is so popular. Tessa Dare seems like the nicest person! I follow her on Twitter and she tweets really cute things about her family.
I didn’t meet the person face to face but I’ve gotten twitter replies and such from folks I follow and I always squeal. It just gives me a smile for the next hour or so. Every once in a while I want to continue tweeting with them as if we are now best friends but I usually realize I’m not that cool and never hit send. Embarrassment averted
Twitter is so much fun, Shannon. And I’ve done the same thing when I’ve gotten replies from some of my favorite peeps.
You know, I bet they wouldn’t mind if you did hit send. Social Media is for socializing and connecting with people…so I say go for it!
Can I tell you about a time I DIDN’T get awestruck and tongue tied? I went to hear Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor speak at the school I was attending. As I was walking in I ran into one of my old law school professors whom I adored and said hi and we caught up. She was with a group of people who politely stood there until we were done. I went into the auditorium and who should walk on stage but one of the women who was standing waiting–you guessed it, Sandra Day O’Connor! I felt like the world’s biggest idiot. In my defense she looked a lot different in person. Really, she did.
Holy Moly, Samantha, that is something! And how cool is that to have the Sandra Day O’Connor speak at your school?!
That’s a really good defense by the way. People *do* look different in person.
As a librarian, I’ve had the good fortune to attend a lot of conferences where noted authors present and/or sign. I was pretty star struck by Isabel Allende (she’s such a favorite of mine), but I was probably the most floored by Neil Gaiman. I could not say anything except “hello” and “thank-you” when he signed The Graveyard Book.
I’ve seen tv/movie stars who were Grand Marshalls in our Battle of Flowers, River and Flambeau parades during Fiesta. I did finally get to meet a Cassidy!:) Patrick Cassidy who was doing a “Broadway on Tour” of “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Now all I need to do is meet his big brother Shaun, my teen idol love!
Not really. I’ve met a few really big authors who were nice as can be and set me at ease.
Debbie Macomber What a sweetheart!!
Never really met anyone famous but I did touched Tim McGraws hand when he and Faith were walking through the isle after a concert.. lol
I have never met a celebrity, but I do have a fangirl moment when I had the honor of meeting and assisting a soldier injured in Afganistan who was on his way home after receiving medical care and was in the USO canteen where I volunteer. He was with his mom and their plane was delayed so I arranged some transportation for them. I was in the company of a very young hero and I will never forget it.
Yikes, look at my grammar. My bad.
i remember when i meet my fav actor (he is name Kwon sang woo) while he is come my country (indonesia)..i cant see anything when i meet and dinner with him..iam speechless,,OMG OMG..this is real iam meet him,,,i cant believe,,but is true, iam sit and dinner with him,after dinner iam take picture together..^^
thanks for the giveaway
I never meet the one famous… but if I met Giulio Berruti, maybe I can faint in the floor so he could give me CPR. LoL.
When meeting face to face, I have surprisingly kept my cool. But in a crowd, at a legit fan event, mob mentality takes over and I am a crazy screaming fan girl. Everyone has their moments, right?
I know I’m late on this but I had to reply because the very essence of my soul is “fangirl.” My most long-standing, passionate fangirling is reserved for U2 and Bono in particular. I met him for the first time in a completely random way. I was in Chicago to see my first U2 concert and I saw Bono riding a bike while I was running around in a swimsuit with a T-shirt over it. So, yes, I looked like I was pantsless. I also felt like I would throw up on him if I dared open my mouth to speak. The whole crazy account is at my blog here http://bollywoodfangirl.blogspot.com/2010/04/meeting-bono-or-crap-where-are-my-pants.html
I am never going to be able to have a normal conversation with the man but I swear I will keep trying until one of us gets a restraining order.