Sandi Shilhanek | Who Is Your Best Friend? Real or Imaginary?

Sandi Shilhanek
May 16, 2010

Comments

31 comments posted.

Re: Sandi Shilhanek | Who Is Your Best Friend? Real or Imaginary?

Yes I did have one. I guess in many ways I still do, since I tend to find myself talking to myself. ROFL.

As for authors, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jude Deveraux, some of Judith McNaught's book, Toni Blake's Destiny Series, Larissa Ione, Donna Grant's Highlanders(um exactly how many times rereading one book does it take before you are labeled insane? There is a difference in readig the print and ebook verisons though right?), Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Collen Coble,...........there are others, tons of them. Carly Phillips Hot Zone books always make me laugh..... but yeah if I need a friend I'll often turn to books for that need.

Some books I swear I know more about them than I do real life people. Is that bad?

hugs,
WendyK
(Wilma Keel 11:11am May 16, 2010)

When I'm too tired or stressed to deal with a new book, I pull out my old favorites for comfort and (imaginary) friendship. Going way back- Jo Beverly, Loretta Chase, Evelyn Crowe, Jennifer Cruise. More recent favorites are Robyn Carr and Shelly Laurensten.
(Maria Munoz 12:06pm May 16, 2010)

I've never had an imaginary friend...I've always had books. How fortunate is that?
(Cindy Ferrell 1:01pm May 16, 2010)

Sandi--as always an interesting topic. I did have an imaginary friend. I grew up with three brothers so I needed one! Not sure when she left. I also always had books. Now-a-days my dh and dd are my best friends and I still have my books. I would have to say Linda Lael Miller and Nora are best friend kind of writers. They never disappoint and one of their books is always available to read. As for new friends, I would say Donna Alward,a new author who I recently discovered.
(Mary Perry 1:43pm May 16, 2010)

Never had an imaginary friend that I can remember when I was growing up! I had a best friend though from a very young age! Now I think my books are my best friend, they intertain me!
(Gail Hurt 1:59pm May 16, 2010)

I never had an imaginary friend, but I had many imaginative day dreams where I always had certain friends and of course the ever faithful hero/friend.

When I want to recapture those feelings I often am pulled toward heart-tugging books by Sharon Sala, Catherine Anderson and some new authors such as Robyn Carr and Christy Reese. Their books always include tortured souls and Hero/Herione like stories. If I had a talent for writing I would write in a similar vein.

Plug for Christy Reese- newish author who I absolutely love. She has written two trilogies with tortured characters who come out strong and independent.
(Tina Sporer 2:16pm May 16, 2010)

My husband is my best friend. We have married for 25 years and I don't know what I would do without him. I love him more each day. He is always there for me. He would do anything for me.
(Julie Swaney 2:29pm May 16, 2010)

I do not remember having an imaginary friend... I was big on playing out characters, but do not recall an imaginary friend.
(Colleen Conklin 2:29pm May 16, 2010)

Dude, wait... you mean they're supposed to go AWAY? LOL But more seriously, my imaginary friend turned into my very favorite character to write about as an adult. The best part is, my real-life best friend has grown up with me and my imaginary friend... so it's a lot of fun to still have them both around. :)
(Amy Inholt 2:36pm May 16, 2010)

Although I didn't have an imaginery friend, my imagination took off on adventures anyways to make regular life more interesting. My best friend is one who wants to hear my news of the day and in turn, I hear hers. It's a comfort thing.
(Alyson Widen 2:49pm May 16, 2010)

I never had an imaginary friend but I've always had books, book, and more books. Been in love with Mr. Darcy since I was 18! My books are my escape and I like too many authors to list. But I started with Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt as a teenager and young mother. Now I've moved on and read a lot of different authors and genres, historicals still being my favorite.
(Trudy Miner 3:22pm May 16, 2010)

I never had one. I was the oldest of the 'kids' (brother, cousins) and it was my job to take care of them. However my younger brother had a friend he called Koonkie (sp?). We even set a place at the table for Koonkie!
(Karin Tillotson 3:39pm May 16, 2010)

Not one imaginary friend but many, generally characters from books, movies & TV.
(Mary Preston 3:50pm May 16, 2010)

I had an imaginary friend when I was young. My sister had one too. I suppose we all need that place to go to in our hearts and minds where we are loved and accepted unconditionally.

My job is extremely stressful and by the end of most days, I'm exhausted and not up to any confrontation, problems or drama. I slip into the pages of my beloved books and think of nothing but the friends I've made with the characters and authors. I'd love a tight knit group of frinds as in THURSDAYS AT EIGHT by Debbie Macomber. They are just the best. I always know I'll enjoy my vist with my "friends" Lisa Kleypas, Susan Wiggs, Sherryl Woods and Robyn Carr.

A friend commented to me yesterday that books were my life. They may not be my entire life, but they certainly make it more pleasant.
(Jill Hayden 3:54pm May 16, 2010)

Cool! I actually got here on a Sunday. Hopefully it will happen oftener after this. {:-)

Wendy, you're not alone -- I always talk to myself, too, but they say you're okay until you start answering yourself. {;-)

Mary, I know Donna Alward personally, and she will be tickled pink to know that you consider her a friend. BTW, she's on facebook -- Donna Alward, Romance Author, if you want to look her up.

I'm not sure if I had an imaginary friend or not, but I did act out imaginary plots, etc. I love the hometown feel of Janet Tronstad's "Dry Creek" series, and Nora Robert's Donovan Legacy is another good place to "visit". I have so many favorite authors that I love to visit with there is no way I could list them all.

Julie, 25 years -- that's GREAT!!! My husband and I just celebrated our 44th anniversary last week. He totally surprised me by coming home early and taking me out to supper. {:-) I don't know what I would do without him, either. {:-)

Sandi, wonderful topic, as usual. I'd be ripping my hair out trying to come up with a new topic each week. You do a wonderful job of it! {:-)
(Donna Breitkreuz 4:12pm May 16, 2010)

Hi Sandi.

To the best of my knowledge I did not have an imaginary friend! Maybe my memory just can't dig up that information!! :-) My youngest daughter did have an imaginary friend. Like others here I turn to books to tune out the world or just because I love to read. Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors to reread as is Jill Shalvis. I don't reread much as I am to busy trying to keep up with all the new books by authors that I love!
One of my friends has been in my life almost 50 years, I don't know what I would do without her. We have been through marriage, divorce, children, step-children (hers), deaths of parents and or spouse and have remained friends through all the ups & downs. We celebrate big & small things and cry when something saddens us. It is great having a friend like that.
Everyone have a good week.
(Donna McClure 4:40pm May 16, 2010)

I had imaginary friends, they inhabited
the stories I made up and told my
siblings when I was a child. They are
still there in the stories i make up in
my mind today. Haven't made it to
paper yet. Maybe one day
(Patricia Barraclough 7:20pm May 16, 2010)

Myself.....
(Brandy Blake 8:46pm May 16, 2010)

No I can't remember having an imaginary friends. I had lots of Barbie dolls and loved playing with them, with cousins and friends, but that's about it.
(Diane Sadler 8:52pm May 16, 2010)

I didn't have an imaginary friend per se. I had books from my youngest age to lose myself in and dream of what might be. That is as close as an imaginary friend as I can speak of.
(Brenda Rupp 9:20pm May 16, 2010)

Nope no imaginary friends either.
Books always supplied
someone(Nancy Drew) to solve a
mystery with.
(Lisa Richards 9:40pm May 16, 2010)

(Gladys Paradowski 9:45pm May 16, 2010)

Yes I had 2 imaginary friends, I really wonder why since there were other children in the family & in the neighborhood. You are right about finding authors that create worlds & characters that we readers love to return to. I've never really thought of them as imaginary friends but why not!
(Pam Nolan 9:47pm May 16, 2010)

I never had an imaginary friend when I was a child, but I did know children who did and it sort of puzzled me because those imaginings seemed so real to them. But books are always my friends. I read all sorts of things and have recently read Robyn Carr's Moonlight Road, so I am familiar with the Virgin River you mentioned. I keep trying new authors and different types of stories. I enjoy most of them and I certainly enjoy reading.
(Gladys Paradowski 9:49pm May 16, 2010)

I did the imaginary deal. Don't think so much as one person, but more a generalization. Also, lots of playing Barbies by myself - the joys of being an only child who happened to be a bit hyper and very talkative. I did have books though, from a young age. Still my favorite escape. Nora R and Agatha C being my top favs and for laughs, its Peanuts! I am all about Snoopy:)

I have some long time friends I can always count on, plus my hubby and girls. I might not need an imaginary friend anymore, but would I possibly do without my books?
(Amanda Reeder-erdly 11:19pm May 16, 2010)

I don't recall having any imaginary friends growing up.
(Debbie Beverley 1:11am May 17, 2010)

I did have an imaginary friend when I was growing up. Sometimes I still wonder if I still have one now. Sometimes if I really enjoy a character in a book, they can at times be a temporary imaginary friend when I need someone to talk to.
(Michelle Sauer 2:35am May 17, 2010)

I did not have a imaginary friend but did have alot of brothers and sisters so I always havd a body to play with or a friens when needed we are a close family but now when I need to escape I lookto aithers like Christine Feehan ,Linda Howerd and Jean Johnson are just a few thatseen to take me away from my stresses when needed.I also enjoy Cheryl Brooks. Love this topic it made me think about how bllessed I am to have a great childhood :)
(Vickie Hightower 11:27am May 17, 2010)

I agree with the ladies that talk to themselves. That might raise some eyebrows to my children if i say i am not talking to myself--just to my imaginary friend. thank goodness for our book friends
(Barbara Studer 6:40pm May 17, 2010)

I had three sisters so no need for imaginary friends...lol
(Joy Hoormann 6:45pm May 17, 2010)

I never had an imaginary friend, but I imagined a woman who looked like and was born in the same place as the woman I married ten years later.

Ray
(Ray Getzinger 8:05pm May 18, 2010)

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