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Mary Sullivan | The Fishbowl of Fame
October 14, 2014
My eleventh Superromance, NO ORDINARY HOME, is currently on bookstore shelves. I can’t
believe I have eleven books out and ideas for more stories continue to pop into
my head! One of the themes I explore in this book is the question of how much of
themselves celebrities owe to the public. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a celebrity? To be so famous
that most people would recognize you when you walked down the street? I know I would find it a nightmare to live in that kind of fishbowl, and to have
paparazzi follow me everywhere I go. I can understand why some child stars have trouble navigating through tumultuous
teen years into adulthood…and why so many of them lose their way. Unfortunately
for them, their breakdowns are all too public. The media seem to relish exposing
their flaws. My heroine, Gracie Travers. has experienced the nightmare of living in a
fishbowl and has gone to great lengths to preserve her privacy and sanity as an
adult. In the end, through the hero, Austin Trumball, she just might lose it
all. Her fear of exposure is tangible. In her own words… “Do you know the press likes nothing better than for you to screw
up? They love child stars who become drug-addicted. It’s juicier copy than those
who stay little goody-two-shoes like I did. So they dig and dig and dig for
dirt. They are relentless, poking into every corner of your life. “These six years away, on the road and on the run, have been my escape, instead
of drugs or alcohol. This has been my delayed teenaged rebellion.” Austin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His tenderness had her yearning
for what-ifs again. “I get it now. I understand why you’re on the road. Sort of.
I’m guessing there’s still more to the story.” She nodded. “Imagine what they would do if they found out the child star who is
supposed to be worth millions is homeless, and that I’ve CHOSEN to live this
way? I would be hounded to death. I can’t do it again. I can’t go back to the
glare of the spotlight. It would kill me.” Austin stepped forward. “No it wouldn’t.” He didn’t get it at all. Nothing in his life could compare to her experience.
“I’m not being hysterical. I’m not exaggerating. You don’t know what it was
like. Hell, you’re a quiet man. Private. Imagine them doing that to you.” “I can’t. I didn’t mean it wouldn’t be as bad as you say. I meant it wouldn’t
kill you because you’re strong.” “No, I’m not.” She moaned. “I’m really not. I can’t go through it again.” He touched her face with a sweet caress of affection, while his gaze burned into
her. “You would survive because you’re tough. You made one simple, wrenching
decision to give up a life of luxury and to live on the road. Come on, Gracie,
you think everyone could have done that? No. Few would and few could. You are
exceptional.”
Many movie stars handle the pressure with grace. Recently, a friend saw Benedict
Cumberbatch at the Toronto International Film Festival and managed to get his
autograph. She said he was incredibly friendly and gracious. Would you like to be famous? Do you think you would handle it well? Or would you
run for the hills to hide? I know I would buy a cabin somewhere and probably
become a recluse. Thank goodness, I’m able to write anywhere. LOL Speaking of cabins, I’m currently working on a short Christmas story to send out
in my December newsletter. I’m fascinated by many of the romance ‘clichés’
including the one I’m using for my short story…a man and woman trapped alone in
a cabin in the middle of a raging snowstorm…no electricity…the only heat is
supplied by the fireplace, so…a shared quilt in front of the fire and, before
you know it, one thing leads to another. To sign up for my newsletter, which goes out only three or four times a year,
please visit my website. To thank Fresh Fiction for hosting me, and you for reading this blog, I would
like to give away a copy of NO ORDINARY HOME to someone who comments today!
Comments
21 comments posted.
Re: Mary Sullivan | The Fishbowl of Fame
I would never want to live the life of a celebrity. It must be awful to be hounded by the paparazzi.
(Cheryl Castings 12:23pm October 14, 2014)
I think that the celebrities have to give up nothing . I think they should have the privacy that we have although when they show up for an autograph signing I do thing that they should sign everyone who showed up at the time scheduled. Same with a concert if you have the back stage passes or are encountered going in I think they should sign. I know that we met Kenny Loggins many times and he was always so nice to my kids growing up from small 7 to when they were in their teens and I took them backstage again he was sweet and all the time and always had sodas and no drinking but we only stayed long enough for the kids to remeet him as he was my all time fav along with Barbara Streisand.I have never gotten her autograph or met her nor seen her . Now when talking about the queen or kate that would be diff as they are royalty so they are on a diff level.
(Peggy Clayton 12:41pm October 14, 2014)
I am a shy and quiet person... I would not want to have to deal with all of the craziness of fame. Love the sound of your book!
(Colleen Conklin 12:45pm October 14, 2014)
Like I said on another blog:
I have seen stars in malls, in cars driving by, and could have touched a few too, but I always choose to stay back. A simple hello in an elevator is the most contact for me. They deserve their freedom as much as possible, what with all the paparazzi, press, etc. They are "just people too". I wouldn't want to be in their shoes, as money isn't everything (although having just enough to be comfortable would be nice!).
Now if George Clooney gazed longingly in my eyes and whispered sweet nothings, I'd probably melt on the spot, but I haven't been affected by stars otherwise, LOL.
(Elaine Seymour 3:08pm October 14, 2014)
I could never be famous...having the paparazzi chasing you
everywhere and everything you do is criticized...no thank you
(Vanessa VanWagner 4:47pm October 14, 2014)
Wouldn't want to be following around like that. I'm a private person.
(Vera Wilson 6:01pm October 14, 2014)
Would love to win! Thank you for the opportunity.
(Karen Mikusak 8:23pm October 14, 2014)
Social media has been used to create celebrities as well as invade the privacy. Individual boundaries/attitudes differ with the use of personal recording devices. Laws will have to change.
(Susan Jang 10:10pm October 14, 2014)
I'd be a recluse.
(Mary C 11:50pm October 14, 2014)
I know it's weird, but I've often looked at celebrities
and am so glad that I am not one. People like Amanda
Bynes, who everyone knows clearly needs mental help, was
walking through the airport and there were flashes
everywhere! That alone would make me go crazy. Thanks
for giving us the opportunity to win!
(Val Pearson 12:58pm October 15, 2014)
I could not deal with people wanting to get up close and personal. I would be screaming for them to leave me alone.
(MaryEllen Hanneman 12:38pm October 15, 2014)
Your book sounds very interesting...I like my quiet,
uneventful life just as it is. Thank you for the opportunity
to win!
(Linda LaPoint 2:53pm October 15, 2014)
being famous would be a pain. no privacy and everyone trying to use you
(Angela Parrish 2:56pm October 15, 2014)
I like my privacy, so no thank you!
(Maria Proctor 11:53am October 16, 2014)
I feel sorry for those who become famous at an early age. They gain adoring fans and money but lose privacy. I'm sure they no longer know which ones are true friends and which ones are friends because of their fame.
(Anna Speed 12:34pm October 16, 2014)
The only good thing about being famous is the money!! If
you hit it big, you want for nothing but your privacy!! The
rest of it, as far as I'm concerned, is phony. That
lifestyle, as far as I'm concerned, is for the birds, and I
really wouldn't want a part of it. I value my privacy too
much to want to get involved in their society. Your book
would be interesting to read, however, and I would love to
read it this Fall.
(Peggy Roberson 12:46pm October 16, 2014)
What a great premise for a book.
(Denise Austin 1:25pm October 16, 2014)
I can't wait to read your Christmas story one when it comes out I love ones like that.
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 1:33pm October 16, 2014)
I would definitely not want the paparazzi hanging out all
the time. Not to mention I kind of enjoy people watching and
that wouldn't work very well if everyone recognized me lol.
When I see people walking down the street or in a store I
make up stories in my head about what they're doing and who
they are, it would ruin the story to have them run up and
ask for an autograph :P. I'm with you on this one, secluded
forest cabin would be far preferable to never ending
scrutiny.
(Emily Pearce 4:07pm October 16, 2014)
I prefer the quiet life myself. I would not want to be famous and be secretly photographed and have my privacy invaded. It's too annoying for celebrities just to go do their shopping of which they probably do rushed to avoid being recognized and followed.
(Linda Luinstra 6:55pm October 16, 2014)
I would love to read this book.
(Laurie Belcher 8:26pm October 16, 2014)
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