Please choose a place to go within my site:

The Carolina Moon Tour - Janice O's Story

Want to share your memories about meeting Nora? E-mail me with your story.

How to begin. I wish I had the writing talent of the ladies on this board, but I will do the best that I can.
First, the signing started at 7:00. I was going to try and get there at 6:30 but my dinner wouldn't cooperate : (. I didn't get there until 7:10. I walked into the bookstore and saw only about 5 people in line. What is wrong with the people in Atlanta I was thinking. I bought Carolina Moon and WID and asked the nice people at Waldens where I was suppose to go. This nice gentleman took me to the end of the line. GASP!!! He walked me out into the mall, past Waldens, past a yogurt shop, past Nordic Track, past the Disney Store, past Gymboree, past Cache until I was at the end of the line. Needless to say there was a great turn out. Four more people got in line behind me and then they cut the line off. Talk about cutting it short. I would estimate that there was about 125 - 150 people in front of me. I will have to say that Walden's was very organized. They had everyone roped off out in the mall and only let 5 people at a time go into the table where Nora was. This way she didn't get swarmed. I had a great time in line, though. It was fun talking to all of these men and women about Nora's books. She really touches people in such a special way.
Okay, an hour has gone by and now it is my turn to be one of the chosen five at the table. Again the Walden people were great. They had everyone write down on a piece of paper what they wanted inscribed. I told them.....Janice O. He did look at me kind of funny when I said that. So now it is my turn. Nora looks at the sheet of paper and starts writing in my WID book to Janice O., while she is still talking to the lady in front of me. I am thinking....darn that doesn't register with her and now I am going to have to explain to her who I am. The lady finally mosies on her way. Nora starts signing on Carolina Moon and stops, looks at me and say JANICE O? She came around the table and gave me a hug. I am getting misty just thinking about it. I get my picture taken with her by the nice gentleman behind me. What a thrill. She goes back around the table and finishes autographing my book. I ask her how she is doing and I tell her that everyone says hi. She says hi by the way . I ask her if I can take her picture and of course she agrees. That is when I notice that my hands are shaking like crazy. Here I thought I was being so calm, lol. So I talked to her for a few more seconds about important things...you know like her shoes and stuff and then I leave the store. I go next door and buy a coke. I am still shaking at this point. And then I go what the hell am I doing? I just stood in line waiting to talk to her for an hour, she's almost through and I am leaving....I don't think so. So I walk back into the store. She is graciously signing a fellow board broad's entire collection so being the consumate book addict that I am, I score three more books (2 of Casey Michaels and 1 Julia Quinn. I take my time at the checkout making small talk with the Walden's guy and keep looking Nora's way. She is finally finished and looks at me....motions to me and asks me if I have a minute!!!! I think I am going to faint. I go over to her and we start talking about the boards, about Sue and Nancy D. It was so great!!! I mean she knew who I was!!! It is time for her to leave and we are parked near each other. So here I am walking down the mall with Nora Roberts, walking through Dillards with Nora Roberts. Talking about chocolate, diet Pepsi (I brought her both, BTW) with Nora Roberts. It was possibly one of the highlights of my life. Now I have to decide what to type in Sanctuary because Sue may add it to ADWOFF, not that that is any pressure . I guess I will have to sleep on it. But that was my audience with the queen. I hope yours goes as smooth.

Janice O.
(jodom3@aol.com)

Return to Meeting Nora

Graphics on this page courtesy of
.