so my bamboo painting was a gift
for neil gaiman. he’s teaching at clarion
this week and i was so excited to learn
that he’d be doing a signing at mysterious
galaxies, limited to one hundred people.
i was number 85.
he did a fantastic half hour or so reading
from the yet unpublished graveyard book.
he did voices so well and was wonderful to
listen to. than answered some questions
and proceeded to sign books.
i became decidedly nervous and excited
as i approached the front of the line.
i gave him the painting first, and he was
so so gracious. and said that he could
find a place for it. and yes, i did tell
him about my debut novel coming out
next year (i think i perhaps babbled
quite incoherently–moonie knows what
i’m talking about =) and he ended the
conversation by saying :
have your editor send a copy to me.
and what did i say?
i know how many books you get.
ACK!
i’m such a buffoon!
here he is being gracious and
i go and say that.
ACK!
i rewind and take it back.
of course i’d love to send a copy
of my novel to you!
i know how busy he is and have
no expectations. but it’d be
an absolute honor!!!!
i mentally kick myself. i do.
silly babbling mouth.
one of the reasons i wanted
to give gaiman a painting is not only
because i admire his writing, but more
so because he comes across as so
nice and genuine on his journal.
and he is exactly that in person.
i sort of stood like a lump next
to him for the foto and he pulled
me in for the shot!
i’m still smiling.
*you can’t tell, but my lips were trembling
while this foto was taken.
i was that excited!!
36 Comments
Man he is so lucky to get that painting! And yeah for you getting a nice picture with Neil Gaiman!!! How cool is that?! But I still think he is luckier to get a Cindy original.
Someday I’ll be a famous author and get a Cyn painting!
Neil is a great example to follow for behaving on the blog as well as at book signings.
So cool you got to meet him!
How exciting!!! And what a unique gift! Absolutely send him your book! :)
you guys are so sweet. i’m *still* over the moon about it!! and still kicking myself for my stupid comment. ACK!
That’s pretty damn awesome, grrl.
He seems like a cool guy.
That is SOOOOOO cool!
Good for you!
Awesome, Cindy! I’m impressed that you could even say anything. I go completely mute when I’m nervous and excited.
Wouldn’t that be wonderful if he gave you a blurb…
cat, he is so cool! love him!!!
jen, thank you! eeee!
julianne, omg, i don’t even think that’s a possibility. and yes, i was quite the incoherent giggly speed talker. yikes! haha!!
and josephine, you hit it right on the head. i know i won’t ever have gaiman’s fan base, but i will use him as an example of how he treats his fans. seriously.
How very, very cool. Neil is tres cute, as are you, and I love that photo of the two of you. And how lucky he is to have a Cyn painting!
Writers pay it forward. Really. The good ones do. The kind ones do. They remember how hard it once was and they come through for others. At least that is my experience. Bask in this excellent light. Peace, Linda
WOOT! WOOT! I am soooo jealous. Congratulations, Cindy.
Catephoenix (Verla Kay)
Wouldn’t just be my lips trembling if I had been you!
Would have been totally a-quiver!
i see that trembling upper lip, cindy :O lol
nice pic of the two of you… glad he liked your grafik and asked for your ms, you are on your way!
linda, thank you. and yes, i do want to pay it forward!
cate, WOooHHOOooOOO!! =DDD
b, hahahaa!!!
LW, yes, i’m on my way…to morphing into a puddle of fangirl. haha!
That’s so exciting! You’ve had such a huge year!
thanks, maggie! sending oodles of good luck your way, too! =DDD
I could feel your nervous energy coming through my computer screen!
oh my god. that is so cool!!! I am beside myself with jealousy right now. That rocks harder than death metal.
-Kevin
sheri, i know, right!!!
kevin–*does molly shannon rock star pose**** YEAH!!! =D
“morphing into a puddle of fangirl” lol!
I’m so glad you were able to get in and meet him! :-)
perfect! :)
OMG NEIL GAIMAN!!!
It is official. You are the luckiest person I have ever known. LOL
amber, i’m the happiest number 85 there ever was! =D
LW, yay!
*grabs jkb’s hands and jumps up and down**********
iiiii’m tuning in late to this, but you are SO CUTE!! i hope he blurbs for you. he is a lucky thing, though, to get his hands on one of those paintings.
wow! wow! wow! i don’t know what else to say, but wow!
can’t be as bad as when i was babbling so hard and being such a retard in front of nicole krauss that she put her hand on my arm to calm me and went, “it’s okay.”
no seriously, she said that.
p.s. im in sd now, looking for an apt. it’s total hell.
moonie, no, YOU are so cute! =D and i think he simply gets too many books.
9, weeeeee! =DDDD
angelle, hhaha! that was nice of her. at least she didn’t hand you a paper bag.
and good luck on the apt search!
Oh, I just hate being star-struck – but I would have babbled incoherently too. I mean it was Neil!! You’re allowed. I think your reply sounded just fine, btw. Nothing to worry about! And yes, you are officially the luckiest person I know too – and obviously very talented! Congrats on the amazing book contracts – can’t wait to read!
:)
e
e, thanks for you kind words and also for taking the time to visit and comment. yes! it was *neil*. =D
I want a picture with Neil Gaiman. Sob sob sob sob.
Apparently we’re meeting a writer today in class. I’ll update you later, Cin. With all the juicy details.
i’m so excited for you, sophie. and i bet you’ll get your foto with mr.gaiman in the future!!
I have a huge grin stretched ear to ear, remembering a conversation we had a few months ago when you said you’d love to meet a mr gaiman….amazing stuff *and* a lovely photo :)
What a great photo!
crimson, i don’t even remember this. but i’m grining from ear to ear…still!
gina, thank you! i was over the moon! so cliche but so true!
Cindy, you were far more eloquent than I’d have been. I’d have been all, “Um…*giggle*…uh…*giggle*…uh, okay.” Hahahaha!
trish, i think you basically just reenacted my encounter. were you there? haha! and wow, i’m still getting comments on this post weeks later! what can i say…it’s *neil*. =D
Wow… I remember staring like a slack-jawed yokel at one of my own personal heroes and daring to say absolutely nothing. Neil Gaiman?? That’s one great photo!