About four years ago I found the blog of one of my favourite authors and saw that she had an email address. For some reason I felt the need to email her and tell her how much I love her books and as soon as I hit send I was so embarrassed. I couldn't believe I'd sent such an overtly mushy email that one of my idols could turn around and laugh at.
She emailed me this the following day:
"Hi Sarah
I think this is the first time I've actually replied to someone,
instead of sending out a bounce back email, which directs them to my
blog. Though, I should point out that it's a very detailed, caring,
FAQ-containing bounce back email. Mainly because of time constraints,
mainly because I've learnt that it pays to be circumspect.
But you, you lovely girl, I had to just let you know how much your
email really touched me, especially as it came in the middle of a
really icky week. It was great to hear you talk about the stuff I used
to write for J17. I was incredibly proud of what we achieved on the
Sev, in it's little golden monthly renaissance, though recently I was
flicking through a couple of issues that I hadn't looked at for years
and I was amazed that we got away with what we did or that we had any
readers at all!
So I just wanted to thank you for writing, it really gave me a boost.
I think you were far too kind but as I'm just about to spend the rest
of the year at home trying to knock my adult novel into shape or
manage three chapters at least so I can get an agent (nope, I don't
have one of them!) I shall read your email at least once a day to
remind me why I do this.
And I do this solely because of the girls like you who get it. Who
totally get it. So, hey, let me thank you!
Take care"
Two years ago I was coming to the end of my relationship and having a bit of a shit time. I'd been reading the blog of an Etsy seller who I'd gotten a little crush on and one night when I was drunk and had some trouble over boys, I messaged him. Again, the following morning I was mortified. But he replied as well.
Nowadays he's my best friend. I went to work for him in NYC for the summer and realised he was gay and that I didn't fancy him in real life although he is incredibly handsome! We absolutely adore each other and could easily be brother and sister. We got asked a lot in NY if we were boyfriend and girlfriend and we used to scrunch up our faces and go "Eww no! He's my brother!" haha
A few months ago I emailed a high profile blogger who was having a rough time to offer some encouragement. I felt embarrassed again.
I didn't get a reply. I felt even more embarrassed.
Today I emailed a blogger who's blog is just amazing. She's been getting hateful comments from an anonymous person and instead of emailing to say how great she is, my email consisted of a profile of her commenter as a sad little man with a tiny willy and horrendous body odour. I'm so embarrassed right now. I'm thinking of all the reasons she'll hate my email.
The internet makes people too accessible these days. Which makes it so much easier to embarrass yourself. But from past experience I know that two times out of three it works out ok. Well, amazing really. I also know that if it were me, I'd really appreciate a word of encouragement from a caring stranger. So I'm going to continue doing it. Even though I can't bring myself to look at my inbox right now.
