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Chance To Win $15.00 Giftcard
15
Feb
10
Jennifer Lyon Icon

Last week I did the Author’s Tea at the Huntington Beach Library. It was a blast! I always enjoy talking to other people who love books. As it happens, I also knew the other two authors, Susan Squires and DeAnna Cameron. All in all it was a good day.

Except for one thing—I didn’t do as well as I’d like with my speech. DeAnna and Susan were great! Seriously, they each played to their strengths and were very good.

Me? Not so much. I am irritated beyond belief by this. I know I can do better. But here’s the part that is totally cracking me up. All my friends and my sister asked how’d it go, the conversation goes something like this:

Them: “How was the tea?”

Me: “Very cool! They had lovely little sandwiches, delicious tea and an assortment of cookies and scones. Two of my author-friends were speaking so it was great to see them too!”

Them: “What about your speech?”

Me: “I didn’t do very well. Just wasn’t on my game.”

Them: “You always say that. I’m sure you did fine.”

Me: “No really, I never loved the speech I wrote, and then I lost my place, skipped around, just couldn’t the rhythm until the last third of the talk. Not my best day.”

Them: “Jen! I’ve seen you speak, you’re always too hard on yourself.”

Me: “No really, I…”

And this is where I realized I AM INSANE. Who else tries to convince their friends that they did a bad job at something? I’m going to blame it on stress, burnout, insecurity and three weeks of insomnia (that has now cleared up, yay!).

It’s clearly time for something different (especially since I just wasted two hours trying to come up with a blog and failed).

Instead, let’s play a game. I’ve been in the business for almost a decade and have had a few experiences. For a chance to win a $15.00 Barnes and Noble Gift Card, your challenge is to fine the experience that DIDN’t happen to me.

Got that? Which experience DID NOT happen to me?

1) Turned down an anthology contract with a New York Times Bestseller.
2) Ever have a “fan” start a conversation with, “I killed a guy when I was eleven.”
3) Have a (almost) Janet Jackson Wardrobe Malfunction.
4) Had one of my books optioned for a movie.
5) While giving a workshop on Sex Intimacy and Character development, have Stephen J. Cannell walk in while just as I was talking about alpha men and sex.

Take a shot—ALL comments are in the drawing, whether you’re wrong or right. I’ll announce the winner over the weekend.

© 2010, Jennifer Lyon. All rights reserved.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 1:00 am and is filed under Jennifer Lyon. Tags: . You can feed this entry. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Award winning author, Jennifer Lyon, always wanted to be a witch. Since her witch-powers never materialized, she went onto Plan B and now she creates magic in her books. In her new series, the author of the acclaimed Samantha Shaw Mystery Series (written as Jennifer Apodaca) introduces the Witch Hunters, legendary men who must overcome a curse to team up with witches and fight evil.

62 comments to “Chance To Win $15.00 Giftcard”

  1. 1

    all of them happen to u
    great giveaway
    sounds like good expericnecs

    by kh February 15th, 2010 at 2:09 am
  2. 2

    I think all of them happened to you! Weird things happen to people that want to be a witch!

    by Quilt Lady February 15th, 2010 at 2:17 am
  3. 3

    If one of them did not happen, I’ll guess 3).

    Did 2) seriously happen? That’s kinda awesome!

    by B February 15th, 2010 at 3:59 am
  4. 4

    I’m going to pick:

    1) Turned down an anthology contract with a New York Times Bestseller.

    I bet your speech was great.

    by Maureen February 15th, 2010 at 6:48 am
  5. 5

    I seriously hope it’s #2 !! But then strange things do happen…
    Now for the the Janet Jackson thing… it did happen to me a few time so I imagine it’s not that. ;-)

    by Emmanuelle February 15th, 2010 at 8:58 am
  6. 6

    Hi Jen,
    I’m also guessing all of those things happened. And if so, are you kicking yourself about the anthology, or are you glad you didn’t take on too much at once? Just wondering. Congrats on getting through your public speaking gig. Those things make me so amazingly nervous I can hardly sleep the night before.

    by Laura Griffin February 15th, 2010 at 9:12 am
    • 6.1

      Laura, I try to look at the anthology as a learning curve, you know? I was afraid I couldn’t write it fast enough. Now I’d probably do it because I have more experience.

      by Jennifer Lyon February 15th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
  7. 7

    I’m going to guess #2 because everything else seems more likely to be true. (Although with the loons in the world today, #2 wouldn’t surprise me.)

    And Jen? I’m sure your talk went fine, but sometimes it’s hard to believe the best of ourselves – even when other people say we’re good. So, :hugs: cut yourself some slack.

    =o)

    by B.E. Sanderson February 15th, 2010 at 9:13 am
    • 7.1

      B.E., number 2 really happened. I’ve had a few experiences that are mind-blowing.

      Thanks on the speech. I’m just trying to shake it off. In the scheme of life–not a big deal. Plus I had a good time meeting everyone there!

      by Jennifer Lyon February 15th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
  8. 8

    Good for you, for recognizing you can be your own worst critic – and slapping that baby down! I’m just exactly the same way. Every time someone asks me how an event went, I laser-focus on the things I did wrong – the point I was trying to make that got all tangled up, the person whose name i forgot in the middle of signing her book….ugh, I can turn anything into a disaster.

    Also I often try to talk people *out* of buying my books. I say “Just wait a few more months, it’ll be out in paperback and you can save some money” – - my friend Martha has now set a fine, where every time I do this I have to pay her $20. This has finally cured me :)

    by sophie littlefield February 15th, 2010 at 11:05 am
    • 8.1

      Sophie! I laughed so hard when I read your comment! I did the same thing when I was in hardback! Booksellers wanted to smack me!

      I love your friend, Martha’s fine! Very effective!

      And I must stop using exclamation points :-)

      I really appreciate the empahty on the speech.

      by Jennifer Lyon February 15th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
  9. 9

    I’m going to go with #1. I think that one is quite possible, so maybe its a trick option!

    by Jennifer D. February 15th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
  10. 10

    Aw, Jen, I know how you feel. I gave a speech at a Friends of the Library dinner where I was the guest of honor, and I realized when I got up to the podium that I had targeted my speech for a group a little… younger, maybe, than the crowd that had shown up. I felt sort of derailed a third of the way through and I know I didn’t make them laugh nearly as much as other speeches I’ve given. As soon as I felt “off,” it was hard to recover and get back into the rhythm. Weirdly, I had a lot of people think it was great… only I knew I could have done so much better. I think that’s pretty normal, though.

    I’m not hazarding a guess on the contest, but #2 would have freaked me out. ;)

    by toni mcgee causey February 15th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
    • 10.1

      Toni, I bet they loved you! You’re always funny, and very articulate. But we are so hard on ourselves.

      I had a delayed response to Number 2. My first goal was to make the situation go away, it was only later that I realized the full extent of what had happened.

      by Jennifer Lyon February 15th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
      • 10.1.1

        But what DID happen, Jen? How did it go? What did you say? Did you tell someone??
        I’m really interested in the whole story! :)

        by B February 15th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
        • 10.1.1.1

          Aw, Jen, thank you. But yeah, I was definitely off. When you see half the crowd doubled over laughing, and the other half… not, and there’s a distinct age gap… you know you’ve not got the right mix for that group. But, hey, I batted 500, which ain’t bad.

          And yeah, I’m really curious what you *did* say in that moment. :)

          by toni mcgee causey February 15th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
        • 10.1.1.2

          Oh and Toni, I really get what you’re saying. Reading the crowd is big in public speaking and when we feel we’re not reaching half of them, it’s disconcerting!

          by Jen Lyon February 15th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
  11. 11

    Hi Jen,
    I’m guessing that #1 didn’t happen to you.

    by Jane February 15th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
  12. 12

    Movie option didn’t happen, though it should! Dude, I would so totally freak if Cannell walked in ANYWHERE I was, speaking or not. I seriously want to hang out with you. The coolest stuff happens to you!

    And yes, you are way too severe in your self-criticism. Just sayin’! Now, where are the appletinis? Forget those little sandwiches and tea. ;)

    by Silver James February 15th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
    • 12.1

      Silver, so glad to have you back!!!

      Very good guess!

      On Cannell, I remember it vividly. I just kept talking about sex and the alpha male :-) What else could I do? LOL! He was super gracious, walked up to the very front and sat down. Then later complimented me on my talk. He really is a nice man.

      I could totally go for appletinis. Who ever thought up Mondays? No one should have to deal with a Monday unless appletinis are involved.

      by Jennifer Lyon February 15th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
  13. 13

    I think we all need to give ourselves a break sometimes, even if you think you did bad I’m sure you didn’t.

    I’m going to guess that #4 didn’t happen :)

    by Janel February 15th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
  14. 14

    I am going to guess #4.

    by CrystalGB February 15th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
  15. 15

    I’m going to say #3 Have an almost Janet Jackson Wardrobe Malfunction.

    by Leni February 15th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
  16. 16

    I’ll guess #4, but you should consider that if most of these on your list already have happened, you’re leading a strangely charmed life! Fun column.

    by GSM February 15th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
  17. 17

    I guessing number four too! Your books would make good movies though!

    by Quilt Lady February 15th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
  18. 18

    Quilt Lady, aww thanks! Good guess :-)

    by Jennifer Lyon February 15th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
  19. 19

    Jen, I’m sure you did great, but man, I know how you feel.

    I guess #2 –

    by Lori Armstrong February 15th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
  20. 20

    I’m going to guess 4 but I sure as hell wish your Samantha Shaw series were turned into movies. I could kinda see Reese Witherspoon as Sam.

    In my opinion, standing up in front of a group of people and giving a speech without turning bright red from embarassment is winning.

    by HollyD February 15th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
  21. 21

    I’m gonna say 3 because you don’t seem wardrobe challenged. But if I’m wrong, I’d really like to know how 3 happened!

    by Shizuka February 15th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
  22. 22

    Hi Jen
    I’m going with 4. Stephen J Cannell-how cool. Brings back fond memories of watching The A*Team. Loved that show

    Catherine C

    by Catherine February 15th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
  23. 23

    Im going to guess #4. But if #2 really happened it would completely freak me out.

    by Donna S February 15th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
  24. 24

    I’m going to guess #4.

    by Amy S. February 15th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
  25. 25

    I’m guessing no 4 ? got to read all the comments first though to get the hint :)

    by Mariska February 16th, 2010 at 12:25 am
  27. 27

    Hi Jennifer!
    I tried to eliminate and thought one would remain, but with that options it was hard to choose *sigh* so I will go with the others and say it’s number 4, but that’s a real shame…
    greetings, Ina

    by Ina February 16th, 2010 at 5:24 am
  29. 29

    #4 because everything else seems like it couldn’t happen so I’m sure it has lol.

    by Ladytink_534 February 16th, 2010 at 7:44 am
  30. 30

    I’ll pick #1.

    Great contest. Thanks.

    by Sue Brandes February 16th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
  31. 31

    None of those events happened to me, but I know they’d make great fodder for the journal. I always have a few stories to mull over and they usually strike when I’m driving. It’s pretty hard to write at stop lights. I think the movie one hasn’t happened yet, but look out for the future.

    by Sunnymay February 16th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
  32. 32

    I’m guessing #4.

    I like the sound of your new series.

    by Patricia Barraclough February 16th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
  33. 33

    I could never get up in front of alot of people and give a speach so your one better then me.I pic “3″ I’n just guessing could be number “5″ but no I will go whit “3″
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

    by stacey smith February 17th, 2010 at 1:27 am
  34. 34

    I would also have to guess 4! LOL, my powers of deduction and all!

    by Sharla Long February 17th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
  35. 35

    I would say number two. You never had e a “fan” start a conversation with, “I killed a guy when I was eleven.”

    Gosh, I sure hope I’m right, otherwise…wow, that’s some scary stuff.

    by Lisa B. February 17th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
  36. 36

    LOL! I’m guessing four, although I can imagine that your books would make excellent movies, too! Maybe that just hasn’t happened YET…

    by Fedora February 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm