Tuesday, I attended the AOL Build Series with author Jane Green hosted by comedian Lisa Lampanelli. For those who don’t know Jane is a New York Times Best-Selling Author, and in her 15 or so years of writing, she has sold over 10 million copies of her books.
Her first published work and one of the developing forces behind the genre chick lit, was Jemima J. It was around the time of Bridget Jones’ Diary where every female was journaling about their issues on dating, secretly being in love with their playboy boss or co-worker, and in dire need to drop those last stubborn 5,10, 30lbs. I at the time was a 13-year-old heading into high school with the unrealistic belief that these four years would be the best years of my life – partying on weekends, dating my first year before settling on a dreamboat from a completely different “clique” than I for the remainder of my HS years than breaking things off in college, driving to school and pumping loud music with the windows down, while maintaining a social/education balance only made for films. My life, or what I thought and hoped my life would be, was formed by TV shows, films, and most of all, chick lit.
And it wasn’t because my life was so horrid I needed to escape to a world of fantasy. I grew up pretty sheltered but very vocal. By the time I was in 7th grade I was a diehard feminist constantly yammering on the inequality of men and women, was tied in first as a goody two shoes along with one of my closest friends [who will remain nameless to save her the embarrassment], jammed out to an eclectic mix of sound mostly focusing on 5ive, Spice Girls, and S Club 7 [go ahead and judge me], and found solace in writing.
Writing allowed my imagination to run further than reality could take me. The world could literally become my oyster when that pen hit the paper making my personal character flaws of being too trusting, unbelievably naïve, and foolishly gullible ideal descriptors for a carefree protagonist.
Now when I first met Jane, it was at a Biore event for the launch of her book A Walk in the Park. When I interviewed her, she left me with a reminder that inspiration can strike at any moment and that writing every day is a must. So when she spoke at AOL Build with the same honesty and conviction as the first time prompting us to write for ourselves and not what you think the rest of the world wants to read, it felt as though the universe was giving me a much needed embrace.
And that’s what makes Tillie’s Corner so different from the rest of the site. It’s not written for anyone in particular as it’s filled with random stories ranging from awkward life moments to zany antics witnessed, so when people choose to be patronizing, condescending, or deaf, they’re not attacking my work, they’re attacking me. Moments like this leave me stuck between a rock and a hard place wishing I could “throw them fingers up” à la Beyoncé, and tell him “boy bye”. Yet, it being a member of It’s Tillie!, I need to respond to whomever, professionally. But isn’t it self-serving when one chooses to intentionally (or unintentionally. It could just be in their character to be unabashedly juvenile) go off, knowing me reading them for filth speaks more volumes on me, than on them?
Grrr.
Until the next time someone tries to tell me… actually, they’ve had enough rent-free time in my head space.
Until Jane and I meet again,
xTillie
P.S. Jane Green released her final novel entitled Falling: A Love Story. My ordered copy has arrived, and will give you the 411 hun, once finished.