Being an indie author whose career is spent mostly behind a computer screen, I rarely get recognized randomly out in the world because people know me from my books. It does happen on occasion though, and I tend to remember each time it happens. The most memorable is the very FIRST time I was recognized. I think it was within a year of Just Ella being published. Just Ella was my debut novel, and it did much better than I had ever dreamed it would right from the outset, but those were the days before I got on instagram, so my online presence was small, and when I posted, it wasn’t usually something with my face attached to it. So imagine my surprise when a stranger did recognize me.
I was at the Discovery Center of Idaho with my two boys, who were one and four at the time. We had a family yearly pass to the Discovery Center, and it was one of my favorite places to take them. Lots of hands-on science experiments. Tons of fun stuff for them to do. They even had a little kids area, filled specifically with toys and games appropriate for younger kids. That’s usually where we camped out, and I was sitting on the floor, helping my littles do their thing when I noticed another mom and her daughter in the same area. I remember the little girl had a unique name, and she and my boys were interacting once in a while, so the mom and I were doing the parallel mothering thing that you do in these kinds of situations, but I didn’t try to strike up a conversation because that’s not always in my comfort zone.
So after a while of playing in the little kids area, we went out to explore the others exhibits, and some time later, a woman came up and put her hand on my arm. It was the mom from earlier. “I’m so sorry,” she started, “but is your name Annette?”
Me, puzzled. “Yes.”
“And are you an author?”
Me, realizing what was happening, and getting super excited about it. “Yes.”
“And did you write Just Ella, one of my all time favorite books ever?”
Me, completely elated. “Oh my gosh, yes! That’s me!” I squealed and then I reach out and hugged her in my enthusiasm and excitement, which is not normal for me. I’m not usually that effusive, but this was AMAZING! She had read and loved my book, and was familiar enough with my small online presence to recognize me in real life??? Best. Day. Ever.
Her name was Jana (I remember because I have a sister named Jana, and it’s not a name I run across very often). We took a photo together, which she asked for a few minutes later after we’d gone our separate ways. She came back and said, “I’m sorry, but can we take a picture together?” And of course I was MORE than happy to do that, and it made me feel so legit.
I wish I could find that photo, but my photo library on this computer doesn’t go back that far. 🙁 And to be clear, I spent probably a couple hours looking for it in my social media as well. It is lost to the abyss, I fear.
So there you have it. My first taste of “FAME.” I’m fairly certain I was more excited that she recognized me than she was.
Clean Romance Highlights
Be First to Comment