One Author’s Fangirl Moment (In Other Words, The Day I Met David Gandy!)

As many of you know, I may have a teeny tiny crush on David Gandy (okay fine, it’s more like a full blown, back-to-the-days-of-Tiger-Beat fangirl crush) but what you might not know is how I first came to discover the world’s most successful male model (a story you can read here), that he inspired not only one but three novels Amy K. Rogers and I published with Penguin Random House, or that I had the chance to meet with him this week on my first ever trip “across the pond”. 

Now of course I took in all the usual sites: Tower of London, Big Ben, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey (where I shamelessly marched down the aisle pretending I was Princess Kate), Harrod’s and the South Bank just to name a few.

But I also visited Marks & Spencer’s flagship store at Marble Arch and let me just tell you ladies, forget Disney World, the men’s department at M&S is the happiest place on earth. 

I also discovered that I LOVE all kinds of meat pies (a meal smothered in mashed potatoes or inside a pastry? Yes, please!) But I digress, what you really came here to read about was the day I met my muse…

Everything had been pre-arranged through David and his publicist for us to meet at one of the shows he would be attending in conjunction with LCM (The semi-annual four day event put on by the British Fashion Council). When the big day arrived the London rain finally stopped, the gray skies turned blue, and the sun began to shine. (In the Disney version of this squirrels and birds would have helped me get ready, but the fact that my straightener didn't blow up until the next day is magical enough for me!) The time came for us to meet and…my phone rang. David’s publicist was calling to let me know that due to their hectic schedule (and London’s crazy traffic) they wouldn't be able to make it to that show after all BUT…they were still on their way to meet me. Yes, that’s right Gandy Girls, our guy is not only handsome but a class act, something I’m sure you already know but it still bears repeating.  

About ten minutes later Charlotte found me in front of the venue. She was alone so of course my first thought was “Where is David?” but I didn't have to wonder for long because as we started to walk I looked down the street to find David Gandy casually leaning against one of those green metal electrical boxes. He was dressed in a three piece suit with his friend and LCM companion Joe Ottaway standing at his side.

photo credit @StyleduMonde @NYTFashion

That's not my photo. I was far too excited to have the presence of mind to snap a picture. In fact all I could think was “Holy Sh*t, that’s David Gandy, looking like he just popped out of a magazine, and he’s waiting for ME!” (as opposed to me chasing him down the block, which quite frankly would have been a lot more believable haha)  

He greeted me with a smile and the traditional kiss on each cheek (thank you European culture!) and we proceeded to spend the next twenty minutes on a London street chatting about anything and everything, from the three novels Amy & I wrote to how amazing his assistant Laura is to what hotel I was staying in to the weather in London versus the Windy City. 

Since posting these photos I’ve received many questions…the most frequent of which was “How did he smell?” While I didn't think to ask the name of his cologne, I can tell you it was quite nice. As for the others…yes, his accent is swoon worthy and yes, his eyes are an amazing shade of blue. No, I didn't accidentally call him Hudson Chase but yes, it was incredibly surreal to meet the man whose picture adorned our laptops while writing the series and yes, he really is that good looking (even more so in person!) But what stands out the most when meeting David Gandy is the fact that he is so humble and kind and despite having a million places to be on one of his busiest weeks, went out of his way to spend time with an American author and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you, David, you are a true gentleman. 

How Twitter Has Kept Me Sane (And the blog post I never thought I’d write)

First of all, I thought this day would never come.

Writing a post about a book deal seemed like a distant dream…like oh say, having dinner with David Gandy. (You didn’t actually think I could write a post without mentioning him, did you?) But now that the day has finally arrived, I’ve determined that writing an announcement post is HARD. Like writing the first chapter of a book hard! Because no one out there wants to read about how long it took me to get published (years!) or how many tears were shed in the process (I should own stock in Kleenex!). What they really want is for me to tell them when their day will come and no matter how much I’d like to, I can’t. But what I can do is offer up a list of people who helped me survive the last few years with my sanity intact. Well, some of it at least.

So while I’ll include the announcement at the bottom for anyone who missed the dozen or so times I mentioned it on twitter, what I’d really like to do is introduce everyone to a few of the people who make up my twitter “neighborhood”. And yes, I now have that Sesame Street song stuck in my head…Who are the People in Your Neighborhood…

There are people like @andrewtshaffer & @danielkenney who no matter what find a way to make me laugh every damn day.

There’s @juliebstroop , and @KayleeSim13 who never once stopped believing in me and whose DMs of encouragement got me back in front of the computer more times than I can count! And there’s @DeniseJTompkins, who sends the absolute BEST emails letting me know in no uncertain terms that failure is not an option.

There’s best selling author’s like @jcharbonneau who, despite being on tour, calls to see how queries are going. Or @lolashoes & @seeCwrite, who not only never met a stranger, but are the type of gals to spend a five hour lunch chatting about the rollercoaster of publishing with a writer who feels like giving up. Or @alice_clayton who won’t just recommend a book over dinner, she’ll buy it for you.

There’s @Partlyhazy & @MelissaWrites2 who are the best lunchtime support group a girl could ask for.

There’s @ddmarxbooks, who can meet a person while walking into a conference and by lunch time is saving her a seat, @DinaSilver whose marketing expertise never ceases to inspire me and @officeladyprobz who after years of tweeting became my new BFF on a sprint through the streets of Chicago!

There’s sites like @50ShadesSource & @50Latersbaby whose support has been both amazing and unwavering!

There’s Aussie @Juliet_Madison and Brits @JosieGiggs & @JaneWriting1  (we’ll say they live waaaay at the end of the block) who not only want you to come visit but send sightseeing tips!

There’s uber re-tweeters like @AntShellie & @PinkiePixieJo who never let me down when I fear there will be nothing but crickets on the TL. Or @nicsigni , @HeatherMarieYA, @Fizzygrrl, @snarkychicklet , and @lizlincolnwritr who are quick with replies that always make me smile.

There’s @AndreaBerthot, @SarahLBlair @writeforapples , @JackieHennesse1, @KarenCarro & @jillcahr, my sisters in arms. I have no doubt their day with come and when it does I’ll be shouting it from the rooftops.

And there’s @br_myers , @_RScottWhitley_, @LynnMontagano, @MeganWhitmer, @ViviBarnes, @MrsTomSauter , and @cecyrobson. This group has been a near constant in my life since I opened a twitter account. I would have never made it through the past two years without them and I hope someday we’re all at a conference together. First round is on me!

Of course none of this would have happened without my writing partner and best friend in the whole wide world *arms stretched out like a toddler* @Amy_KRogers! I would have never started another book if it weren’t for Amy. Her creativity astounds me and I can’t wait to take this journey with her by my side!

So without further ado…my first sale:     

      

Win a Date With…George Clooney?

Last week I overheard a conversation between two teenagers who’d just watched “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!” for the first time. After discussing the merits of Josh Duhamel and agreeing he was “definitely the best part of Transformers”, the talk quickly turned personal. “Where would you go with Harry Styles if he showed up to take you to lunch?” one girl asked the other.  The entire conversation made me smile because whether it be a quirky film about a starstruck grocery store clerk, two teens debating the best restaurant to dine with a member of One Direction, or a grown woman imagining a romantic evening with David Gandy (you know who you are), one thing remains the same…we’ve all entertained the fantasy of “what if”.

Josh Duhamel and Kate Bosworth
star in 2004's "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton"

Well for one lucky woman, the fantasy of winning a date with her celebrity crush became a reality. Earlier this month, single mom Jean Allen won a date with George Clooney. And brace yourself…it only cost her ten dollars! Yes, that’s right, for a mere ten dollar raffle ticket, Jean was on George’s arm as he walked the red carpet for the premiere of his latest film.  And the best part? It was all for a good cause with the proceeds from the contest going to Clooney’s charity, SatelliteSentinel Project.

Now you’re probably asking yourself how you missed the chance to buy a ticket because lord knows I was wondering the same thing. Turns out there is a website called Omaze.com which auctions off once in a lifetime experiences ranging from riding in a tank with Arnold Schwarzenegger to brunch with the cast of “Scandal”. Be sure to check it out. And in the meantime if you hear of any other charity auctions, say with a devastatingly handsome British model or the members of a popular boy band, be sure to share with readers by posting the details in the comments section below. 

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Casting Your Novel (And how did I NOT know about David Gandy?)

The other day I was weaving through Macy’s - trying to reach the exit while avoiding the perfume sample assassins - when I ran straight into the most gorgeous man. Brown hair, blue eyes, white Speedo (did I mention he was a life size cut-out?) With the exception of his clothing, he was the epitome of the leading man in my WIP (work in progress).

We’ve all done it. Cracked open a book and before long we’ve cast the main characters. Whether a famous actor, a model or just a kid we knew in high school, by the end of the novel more than a few characters have taken on familiar faces. It’s no different for writers.  While it’s true authors use words to describe the characters they envision, when asked, most will admit they’ve already cast the motion picture version of their novel.

Never mind my next book isn’t finished, let alone sold. If Hollywood wants to make a movie out of my new novel, they can look no further. I’ve found the man! His name is David Gandy and according to one of my friends, I’ve been living under a rock not to know this “sexy beast”. So  without further ado, meet the leading man of my dreams...

UPDATE: I am thrilled to announce that the Chasing Fire Series will be released in April, July & October 2015 by Penguin Books. 

So tell me fellow writers, who is the “dream cast” of your novel?

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