JENNY: Sometimes It's Tough To Remember I'm a Diva

.I have a coffee mug that proclaims I am the "Queen Of Everything" and my writing critique group members and I call ourselves "The Divas." You may think I'm delusional but, really, these are just ways to remind myself that "I am worthy." Like Garth and Wayne in Wayne's World, sometimes it's easy to think otherwise. Whenever Rodney Dangerfield would say, "I don't get no respect," I sympathized. When you're a writer it's easy to let yourself feel beaten down by editor and/or agent rejections, negative book reviews, ho-hum sales figures and a jillion and one other spirit-bruising things that are an every day part of this business. Other things in life can beat you down. too, if you let them. I'm sure you can name a few yourself.

I'll never forget a weekend I spent with a woman who knew how to keep her inner diva alive. On Saturday we had a fantastic multi-author booksigning at a Dallas bookstore and afterward, had dinner at the house of the woman -- our hostess -- where we were spending the night. After we ate, she told us all to put on our pj's and meet in the living room. Once we were comfy, she gave us all tiaras and rhinestone crown necklaces that we wore while sipping sangria. (Yes, we really wore tiaras! I still cherish mine. Note the photo of me running the vacuum.)
Six grown women sat up until one a.m. talking about writing, books, friendship, husbands, kids and assorted other topics, and the tiaras stayed on until the end! I loved it! My friend the hostess gave us all a wonderful gift that weekend. By the time I flew home the next day, I really did feel like the queen of everything!

Life can be tough at times. Treat your spirit to some tender-loving care on occasion. Remind yourself and your friends that you are divas. Life is also short. Laugh. Be silly. Have fun!