I was just awarded a tiara by Sabrina York, one of my fellow writers in the highly (and still) successful anthology of all SEALhunks, Hot Alpha SEALs. It was a thank you because one kind reviewer said the person who brought this group together deserved a crown or tiara. I guess that would be me. Well, it started with me, but then the whole group did so much to make this a smashing success, I hardly feel like I deserve it. But I do consider myself somewhat of a princess from time to time. So like they say, "If the boots (I've been to Nashville) fit, wear them. I rather like the way this tiara sits atop my head so I'm claiming it.
I had many years selling real estate, as most of you know, and so many stories that will someday get into a book, but one of the funniest ones came to mind when I was unwrapping Sabrina's package. One of my dear Realtor friends from the D.C. area had a game she played with her staff. It got her office meetings off to a great start in the mornings. They had a big bin of hats and each person would choose one and wear it to the office meeting. I think the requirement was that you had to pick one that most closely matched your mood. My friend was always being accused of having a Princess complex, and so she chose the tiara. They had their meeting that day. Her staff puts away the hats and Jane went to her office, picked up her listing file and left for her appointment.
I think she was meeting with a new senator that day. She had a great rapport with the couple, all the while noting they were examining how she was dressed, smiling, including her hair. Jane thought to herself that she must be especially good looking that particular day (and she usually was impeccably dressed), especially her hair. Until she got in her car after the appointment, and, looking in the rear view mirror, she noticed she had never taken her tiara off.
I've done things like this before too, like hold the open house in the wrong house (which became the basis for my Chapter 1 in Accidental SEAL, the audio book is on special), and although I didn't meet a hunky naked SEAL on the bed, I have found naked men sleeping when I was showing houses. A writer can take inspiration from anything, so I combined these two events into one. The pantyhose never happened. Well, only in my dreams!
I've listed property being at the wrong address too, so sure I had an appointment there, insisting they'd forgotten the appointment, don't you know. Because I'm a princess. I'm perfect. Only after writing down the notes and double checking the address finding I'd just listed someone's condo who had never made that appointment with me. I know what you're thinking, "Sharon's dangerous." Well, I was the No. 1 agent for a time north of San Francisco, for the No. 1 company. You don't get there by being squeaky clean.
But when I am confident in myself I can do anything. What about you? Do You have a similar story where you did something you would have never done, had you known you were making a mistake? I was lucky that the couple wanted to move, just like Jane was lucky the senator and his wife had already made up their mind to hire her. Who knows what they thought, but Jane had the confidence to go forward and because of her confidence took their extra scrutiny as a compliment. Had she been fearful an opportunity could be lost. And then there was my friend the Realtor from Utah, a former Miss Utah, USA contestant, who lost her front tooth cap into the client's fountain and had to do the presentation to them practically toothless. Another story for another time.
Having confidence in our writing, our stories, keeps us in good mental health. Writing is a marathon, not a sprint. We have highs and lows. We make mistakes, sometimes really big ones. But in the end, we just keep on plugging along, our butt in the chair. I hope I never stop laughing at myself. I'd love to hear your stories too, if you have one, or have one you've heard.
