To Be. . .or Not to Be. . .
So many times, life gives us the opportunity to star in a new “role.” Take, for instance, the time I was asked to play the role of bridesmaid for the first time. I happened to be 45 years old at the time. Yep. My first-ever bridesmaid experience came in my middle years. Still, I took to the role with ease (and joy)!
Stars Collide
We are often offered roles that take us out of our comfort zone. While writing STARS COLLIDE (the first book in the BACKSTAGE PASS series), I decided to make my heroine a sitcom actress. She has a starring role in one of television’s most popular situational comedies, Stars Collide. But she’s also got a very real “role” going on as the would-be girlfriend of the show’s male star. Only one problem: they don’t want the other cast members to figure it out!
Here’s a blurb about STARS COLLIDE: Happily-ever-afters abound in the opening act in Thompson’s new Backstage Pass series. Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy are the stars of the hit TV sitcom Stars Collide when they realize that their own real-life pathways have begun to sweetly entwine. Couple this burgeoning romance with the on-screen marriage of their fictional television characters and with the escapades of Kat’s somewhat confused grandmother, and hilarity ensues. Surrounded by well-intentioned friends and relatives who sometimes seem only to make matters worse, Kat must somehow manage to uphold her chaste reputation, keep the paparazzi at bay, and hold on to the man whom she has begun to fall in love with. An eclectic mix of the sort of zany characters Thompson is known for adds levity to this modern, star-studded romance. Glimpses into a Hollywood television studio and a series of lively comedic events make for a contemporary low-key inspirational romance that will appeal to readers who enjoyed the setting and humor of Rene Gutteridge’s Occupational Hazards series. --Elizabeth Ponder/Booklist
The next time I’m asked to play a role (or bridesmaid or otherwise) I’ll think of Kat Jennings! She would know what to do and would surely offer sage advice!
I’ve played many roles, that of mother of the bride, mother of the groom and bridesmaid. The most humorous (yet sad) weddings I was in was the one I was asked to be a bridesmaid in 4 years ago. I was a 49 year old bridesmaid. The maid of honor ended up in the hospital having her baby, the other maid of honor was bumped up and I was bumped up to “honorary” matron of honor. The junior bridesmaid got bumped up to bridesmaid. All in all, an interesting experience. Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to read Stars Collide!
Kathy, I was in my forties the first time I played the role of bridesmaid! I’d do it again, if asked. It’s so much fun! Hope you enjoy Stars Collide!
Hi Janice! I’ve been a bridesmaid ONCE…in my sister’s wedding. She’s 7.5 yrs older than me, and I wasn’t of legal age so she had a matron of honor. I’ve never been asked to be in anyone else’s wedding…although my cousin (who is many years older than me) tells me that I was a flower girl in her wedding! I don’t remember it at all.
I’ve never been the mother of either the bride or the groom…but I’ll be experiencing that in October for the first time! It should be interesting.
One interesting aspect of my own wedding…I didn’t have any bridal showers, as I got married in Tulsa, OK which is 700+ miles from my home town in Minnesota…I was working full time in Tulsa, all of my friends were college students. Students had to be moved into the dorms on a Friday in mid-August, register for classes that weekend, and classes started the following Monday…so we got married on Sunday, thus taking away excuses for being too busy to come to the wedding!
Even though I had no bridal showers…I had 3 wedding receptions! We had the cake/punch reception after the wedding at ORU. We went to San Diego (my husband’s home town) for our honeymoon, and his parents hosted a reception for us at their church the following weekend. We returned home to Tulsa, worked all week, and then drove to Minnesota for a Mass of blessing (I was raised Catholic) and ANOTHER wedding reception there! So while I didn’t have the lingerie/kitchen gadget/home-maker showers most girls get, we did have 3 wedding receptions (and there wasn’t ONE iron or toaster at any of them!)
Oh, wow! THREE receptions? I’ve heard of two, but your story takes the cake! Congrats, by the way, about your upcoming mother-of-the-bride status. I know you’re excited. Been down that road SO many times now!
I do find it interesting that I was never asked to be a bridesmaid until I was in my forties. My youngest sister got married in another state and I couldn’t attend because I’d just had a baby. My second-oldest sister got married when I was pregnant with one of the babies (can’t remember which). I played the piano and sang, if memory served me correctly. Wasn’t in my brother’s wedding at all. My best friend eloped. So… I missed my opportunities!
Oooo, you mentioned being a flower girl. I WAS a flower girl once (in Humble, Tx). I think I was ten at the time.