I’ve been stressed trying to decide what to bring to the blog today. All the other posts have been so witty, wise and just plain brilliant that I didn’t want to fall on my face and give you a big o’ helping of…nothing. Because I can be good at talking circles around absolutely nothing. It’s a valuable talent, I assure you. As the days flew by, nothing relevant came hurtling out of proverbial left field. I had good reason. You see, the current book I’ve been writing has consumed much of my life, and so I’ve been focusing all my creative energy on witty dialogue, heartfelt emotion and stirring conflict. This particular story has given me fits, and several days ago it occurred to me perhaps the book has been difficult because the heroine is such a drama queen. Now I don’t know what you think about drama queens. You probably avoid them, but I have a keen fascination with drama mamas because I come from a long line of them. But being a drama queen was never on my radar until several years before when I confronted the neighbor’s daughter-in-law.
It was a Friday morning and the kids and I were late getting out the door for school. We were squabbling over something (Don’t recall what because it was. Likely something silly like why my son wasn’t wearing a jacket in 20 degree weather) and I was very justly aggravated. I pulled out of the drive and proceeded down the street and up the hill of our neighborhood. I was in the middle of a standard Mom lecture about personal responsibility when I reached the summit where a very nice stop sign awaited me. I drive a large SUV mostly so I can carry around my kids, their friends and an enormous load of baseball bats, separated socks, school papers, lost toys and used batteries. The usual stuff. So as I approach the stop, intending on making a left turn, I realize I anticipated the turn a bit much and prevented an oncoming car from being able to turn onto the street. I waved a “sorry” but the driver proceeded to make a very rude gesture, yell something at me and then gun her accelerator as she blasted by me.
Okay. Normally it would be no big deal. I would have called the woman a dirty word in my mind and continued along my merry way. But something about this morning and this particular rude woman set me off. I mean really hacked me off. So I put my car in reverse. The kids started yelling, “What are you doing?” “Wait! Stop!” But in my mind I had become Dirty Harry. “You wanna come in my neighborhood and disrespect me, punk?” So I turned and followed the woman back toward my house. She pulled in three doors down, leaping out of her car and yelling, “What are you? Some kind of drama queen?”
I swear I almost laughed.
Me? A drama queen?
Crazy.
But after I’d made my point, embarrassed my kids and scared the woman a good deal, I started thinking…was I a drama queen? I’m certain I’m no diva. I’m not nearly self-involved enough. But drama? Yeah, I’m drawn to that. As I debated the possibility, I realized the apple does not fall far from the tree. I’m descended from a whole line of drama queens…not a calm, level head among us. We’re fiery, bold and sometimes annoying. We make mountains out of mole hills and exaggerate every family story until it becomes epic. Every freckle is cancer, every fight is a near brush with divorce and every tear a deluge of emotion. We take a smidgeon and create a bucketful. We’re total (gulp!) drama queens.
So it had me thinking…is being a drama queen a bad thing?
Probably.
But then again, drama queens are never boring. And quite entertaining. And sure to make you roll your eyes at times. But could a heroine in a romance book be a drama queen and still be likable? It would be a stretch for sure, but I do love a challenge.
So I gave birth to Scarlet. Had to give her the Queen of all Drama Queen’s name, didn’t I? She’s a flamboyant red-headed actress who is drawn to trouble like a buzzard is to road kill. If there is something she feels strongly about, she’s going to let everyone know. And that gets her in hot water with a sexy small town police chief.
So here’s to all the drama queens! Long live the drama queens!
Okay, I know you have a drama queen somewhere in your life, and if you don’t know one, you might be one yourself. So leave a comment and tell me about the over-the-top, just-can’t-stop woman in your life and I’ll toss you in a drawing to win three books – Vegas Two Step, The Way to Texas, and A Little Texas – my Oak Stand books.
55 comments:
Indeed, I have a drama queen in my life in the form of my wonderful daughter. When she was little we lived in S. America and if she was in full drama mode I kid you not, the babysitter would call it "un dia de drama" where everything elicited an over-the-top reaction. And the kid wasn't even 2 years old yet!
She's actually mellowed but I dread the teenage years which are quickly approaching...until then we'll try to enjoy the fact that she's got a strong personality, that she feels passionately about things, that she isn't afraid to show her opinion -- these are all good things if you look at them properly.
A little girl with a strong personality...isn't that so much better than a lump? I've seen those kids - do they move? talk? On the surface, it seems difficult to raise a child who "feels" so deeply and lets you know about it. I know because I have my own drama queen who happens to be of the male sex. My 11 year old needs a tiara. Sometimes he's so over-the-top I start laughing. Which really makes him angry. LOL. But really, it's like "All this over the way the hem of your jeans falls? Really?"
I think you have the absolute right idea about trying to see the glass as half full on her personality. I'm approaching teen years too. We'll wish each other good luck :)
Hello, Liz! Honey, Southerners invented drama queens! I come from a long line of dramatic, intelligent, piercingly humorous Southern women. My great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother were three very distinctive Southern Divas. Southern women wield a mean skillet and rolling pin : )
My all-time favorite movie is "Show Boat" (1951), with Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson. I have loved that movie since I was a girl, and only recently found out that Howard and Kathryn had an "on and off" love affair for many years. The same was true of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, another favorite screen couple of mine. My mother, grandmother and I would sing along with the movies. Mom had the high voice, mine was lower, and Gran did the "silly singing". When you watch the films that each pair made as a couple, there is that something extra, that depth of emotion that goes beyond acting. I realize that many people won't know who I am talking about, but if you truly love romance, it would be very much worth your time to check out their films.
My mother was totally enamored of the film "Gone With the Wind". I have truly lost track of the number of times that we saw it in the theater, and then again when it started being shown on TV. She thought Leslie Howard, who portrayed Ashley Wilkes, was quite a hunk! My most vivid memory of our "Gone With the Wind" experience was when it was shown at our local theater during my senior year in high school. Mom and I had to go, and we ended up sitting on the front row with two friends of mine from my high school class. We three girls spent as much time watching Mom and her expressions and taking in her comments as we did watching the movie. Many times through the years, my friends have told me that Mom made the movie memorable for them! I can still see her face, lit with an almost childish delight, and illuminated by the images on the screen.
Oh, Virginia, that brought tears to my eyes. What a sweet, wonderful memory.
I, too, grew up loving old musicals and movies. I've seen Showboat, but it's been a while. I may have to check that out. And as a girl, I watched Gone With the Wind over and over. That's another movie that I need to rewatch. The last time I watched it that 11 year old was 5 and he got a big kick out of Mammy. He'd walk around saying, "Go on, Mr. Kennedy, put yo britches in the burlin' pot." Where would that film be without Mammy? I loved her character. Thanks for sharing, Virginia.
Drama queens as likeable heroines, if anyone can do it, you can, Liz!
Are you speaking to your neighbor again?
I was born prematurely and was in an hospital incubator over Christmas. All the other babies had little angels over their isolettes while a little redhaired clown was hung over mine. Yes, I had red hair. Yes, I have lived up to it all my life. Drama but I also learned to seek peace. Make that PEACE, in definite capital letters. Ying and yang. So it has all worked out.
Peace and thanks for a great post, Julie
A clown? LOL. That's pretty funny, Julie. Yeah, you got set up for a life of adventure. Boring ol' angels.
I really never saw the girl I confronted again. I never apologized for scaring her. Her words. Not mine. She was rarely at her in laws so I never had to feel too uncomfortable.
Thanks for stopping by!
My daughter is the biggest drama queen in my life now. She just turned 12, so I am expecting it to get worse as puberty hits. Still, she is my pride and joy and I love her with all my heart.
Drama Queens, great subject. I raised a drama queen (male ) we called him Sara Bernhart, but we did it lovingly. Now, 30 years later, as life has a way of doing things, he has his own 4 yr. old Sara, its much funnier to watch a grand child drive her parents to distraction than to be raising one! Both Dad and daughter are loving, caring people and for that I can live with drama queens! Looking forward to your book.
Hey there!
The only person that comes to mind is a girlfriend I've had since Kindergarten (over 45 years now). She called me last week to bawl her eyes out because her husband (of 25 years) put a package of cheese (without its wrapper) on the arm of the couch (where their dogs and cats sit). When she (apparently) nicely told him he should use a plate, he got in a huff and stormed out of the room, (allegedly?) commenting that it was HIS couch and he could treat it whatever way he wanted. So my friend called me to cheer her up (as usual).
I do not "get it" as to how this can make someone so upset that they cry over it, especially when he has done it for 25 years now and he has always had a short temper. But everything is "over the top" with her. I just attribute it to her "meds" not working well, as she's either super happy or super sad.
As for your draw, I read VEGAS TWO-STEP already and just loved it. Thought Jack was great hero material. Loved your descriptions and smiled lots. Yup, it was a feel-good book and I look forward to reading the others too.
Thank YOU for stopping by, LOL!
I knew a drama queen in her 40's--she kept her attorney, dr. and accountant busy keeping her from charged with biagamy, keeping her healthy and out of jail. Something happened to her everyday her family, 2 ex-husbands, etc.
Liz! Great post! I smiled the whole way through it and could so picture the looks on your kids faces as you backed up the van. Too funny!
The mother of one of my heroines was a drama queen. She made a wonderful secondary character because I think we can all relate to having someone like that in their lives.
Have fun today. We get great comments on this blog, don't we?
Deb
Oh, gee, Liz...after reading your post...lol...I don't think I have an interesting "story" to report! But am even more anxious to read your books!!
Okay, Starbucks has been hijacking my Internet. Had to agree to use their wifi. Yes, Deb, great comments. I'm still laughing at Laney's friend and the cheese. I snorted so loudly everyone in Starbucks stared at me. Yeah, not sure on the bigamy thing. That's waaaay to much drama. Thanks for all the great comments. Keep them
Coming!
Well, heck, yeah, Jackie! I'm so glad I've intrigued you. But warning- my books are whacky... and a little sexier than most. I just wrote a scene where my heroine passed out into a plate of potato salad. Sometimes being a drama queen gets you a header into picnic foods! LOL
My aunt was a woman that could cause a scene. I was always a bit embarrassed by her outbursts, but when we were out shopping somewhere and I was bothered/attacked by a group of guys she sure draw a heck of a lot attention to it and gave them hell. Beating them with her umbrella and all. I was so proud of her (and grateful) that from that moment on I never again felt my cheeks turn red and became her biggest fan.
Great post Liz,
I never thought of myself as a drama queen, but I did get in a screaming match with my sister in law over condiments on the second day of a four day rafting trip.
And there is the fact that I get road rage over people who drop thier kids off in front of the no parking no stopping no standing sign.
But it's all in the name of research. I can't write conflict if I don't experience it, right?
I already have all three of your books. Loved 'em. Can't wait to read your next one!
First off ~ Please don't enter my name in the draw. I've only read the first book but I really enjoyed it. That's why I got the second one and will be getting the third one.
Drama queens. I'm sure some people might consider me a bit of a drama queen but I am really rather a shy person who talks too much to cover that up. I also have a quick temper which leads to some dramatic moments. I do know my own faults.
I do however have a niece who is a real drama queen. She is the baby in a family of five. It's been her mission in life to be the center of attention since she was born over 30 years ago. She has not had an easy life as her first marriage ended in divorce. She had a miscarriage during that marriage. She has a son and broke up with her live-in boyfriend, the baby's father. He is still in her life and comes to family gatherings as her son's father. My husband says she would be hard to live with. She remains friendly with a string of old boyfriends which must be hard on any new guy in her life. The one thing she has going for her in spades is she is a great mother. Her son is an awesome kid. I would hate to be the girl trying to win her son heart in the future as I'm sure she will be an overpowering influence in that regard.
Liz, I had to grin through your entire post, especially since I read it with your southern accent in my head LOL! There are several women I know who are drama queens. I'll have to agree about boys hitting their teens. I have two in that age group and I think of them as drama kings ;). Of course, between all those kings and queens...that makes teenagers royalty. They do run our lives to an extent don't they?
I already have all your books, Liz. In fact, I just finished A Little Texas last night. You had me in tears in the most 'fantabulous' way ;). Loved it so much. No doubt you can pull off any story...drama queen and all!
I loved your blog. I wish I had the nerve to do what you did but pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to. I tend to think of all the things I should have said or done after the fact. But on the other hand I guess I do have a bit of the drama queen in me. I love to debate or make a point and I do exaggerate lol. I love telling stories even about simple daily events (unfortunately my husband and some others just want me to get to the point) which I just can't do lol. I guess I always thought of a drama queen when it was always about themselves.
Oh, Kristen! you were saved by a Drama Queen. Hey, that's a great title! My grandmother once chased an older boy down the street with a broom when he tried to get me to go in the woods with him. So I can totally see your aunt :)
Kristina - a fight over condiments? Ha. Ha. Who one? And did it require anyone scrubbing ketchup off the face :)
Kalee - yes, she's got drama in her life, but see like my Scarlet, she has redeeming qualities. A good mother is the best one to have.
Thanks, Rula. I cried as I wrote that book. Took a lot out of me. Should have seen me trying to explain to my boys why I was crying. They were like "But you made that person up. She's not real!" Why do they become so real to us?
Catslady - I think drama queens don't have to be loud. Just dramatic. Think you're a born storyteller. Jeez, don't guys realize we have to set the scene?
OOps. That would be "who won?" not "Who one?" And I was once an English teacher! For shame.
Liz, great post. Scarlet sounds like she’ll be fun to read about.
I come from a long respectable line of women of covert passion—okay ice queens, but that doesn't mean we don't have a certain affection and appreciation for our sisters, the drama queens. The “dramas” are out there adding color and texture to life and letting the rest of the world know what us “ices” would often like to say, but don’t.
Hail to the queens!
LOL, my niece is a drama queen and my son is a drama king!!! Every little thing that happens to them gets exaggerated out of proportion to what really happened!!
Loved this blog, don't need to enter me in your drawing, I've read all three of your books! They do seem a little spicy for the Super line, but Super has been getting slightly sexier and spicy :) I really liked the three books I read am looking forward to this one :) I know it's been a real pickle of a book for you to write with all the other things going on in your life so wishing you luck with completing it.
Hey Liz, great post! You had me cracking up. I can totally see you going after that woman. Not sure I have any great drama queen stories to add, but I can't wait to read about Scarlet. I've read all yours, and you know I love them! Oh...leave me out of the drawing for the books, please, since I've already got them!
I suspect most of my afternoon will be spent trying to remember good drama queen moments from my past...
Mary- I so wish I could be an ice queen I mean to arch that brow and make a person feel like an idiot must be so satisfying. Me, I just throw things.
Snookie - yeah, I think we're seeing more variety in Supers which includes fresh and sometimes sexier writing. I'm a fan of books that make you laugh and sigh, so I feel really comfortable with what I write.
Kim- thanks for loving my books :). And you're a sweetheart but I bet you've got some good Dana in you. You'll have to let me know what you come up with.
Oops again. I'm on the iPhone in the orthodontists office. So that would be drama. Not Dana. Though I guess you could have Dana in you if you had multiple personalities. And then really, who needs a drama queen when you've got two or more people warring within your body.
Sorry guys about the typos.
Hi Liz,
Reading about you being the drama queen had me chuckling. But good on you for teaching the girl a bit of manners.
Now my drama queen daughter keeps reminding me that in four months she'll be eighteen!
My sister is a huge drama queen. I love her, but it can be exhausting being around her. Like you said, everything is over-the-top, like if there isn't strife in her life, then she's not living it correctly.
I like it mellow. No waves, please, but I've had to put up with the waves and can hang ten even though I'd rather float along.
Great post, Liz.
Waving hand. I'm a drama queen.
My niece is a little drama queen. She's going to be five in a couple months and I know she's going to get worse as she gets older. She's already a pro at making everything into a big deal and is known to throw a few temper tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants.
Yep my sisters are drama queens. They are always starting something or mad at someone it never ends. I think part of the problem is older sister trys to control everyone and younger sister want take it. Oh well that's life.
I don't know any drama queens, but I'm looking forward to reading about yours!
Nas Dean, I have a five year old niece who is so very precocious. She says the funniest things. This past weekend she told my sister-in-law that she nearly said a bad word. My SIL asked what, and she said "Dumb." My SIL said "I'm so glad you didn't say that." And my niece said, "Yeah, and then I was going to say 'ass'!" LOL. A preacher's granddaughter!
Shea, you do seem to have that mellow vibe down. I wish I could grab hold of that calm.
Kelly - that's what I love about you :)
Jane - Do we have the same niece? :)
Virginia - sounds like you're in the middle? I never had a sister or any first cousins. I had two younger brothers and that was it on both sides of the family. I was the only girl in the bunch. So, yeah, I'm the queen.
Estella - I have a few you can borrow! LOL
Hi Liz. My mum is a drama queen. Loves, loves, loves to make a mountain out of a molehill. Most of the time I find it amusing, but sometimes I get caught up in it and it drives me nuts. I'm a mental drama queen, if that makes sense. I always skip to worst-case-scenarios in my head, but usually I can talk myself out of acting on those thoughts!(I think this might be why most of my characters have very active internal monologues!!!) Sometimes having an active imagination is a killer, but I try to sit back and wait to see what life brings me before jumping to conclusions too much. But the world would be a very dull place if we were all the same.
Great post!
My 5 yr old is a drama queen. She takes after her 14 yr old cousin who has, at least, managed to put those tendencies to good use in musical theater - a legitimate place for her to be the center of attention and to be over the top!!
=)
Sarah - my mom is also a drama queen. She tried to comment today and sent me a message that it didn't work. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Beck - seems lots of five year olds are drama queens. Must be the age. And it makes me extremely glad I don't teach kindergarten. Can you imagine? Yikes!
I like all kinds of heroines. Maybe the drama queen feels misunderstood or as you experienced, disrespected, so it would be easy to have empathy for her.
Drama Queen? That would be our Kate (although my mom used to call me Sarah Bernhardt. Maybe? Nah!) Some gal had the audacity to throw a bottle or something at Kate's car in the middle of them having some words. Kate asked, "You want to bounce something off my car?" And proceeded to grab the girl's hair and use her skull. Yep, that's our Kate.
I suspect I am turning into a drama queen but I think its something to do with age and getting (in your words, Liz!) hacked off a lot more.
Actually, my kids would say its more hysteria, but I big to differ!!
Liz, I always find I'm a little fiestier coming off a book deadline...all the emotions closer to the surface. I think volatile is the word...
Sometimes I minimise human contact until I'm 'presentable' again.
Karina
I'm sure I have my drama queen moments *ducking head* but my cousin has to take the cake. She's an actress and has drama queen down to a fine art. It really is a performance for her, and something as simple as a lost mascara will generate hand wringing, hair tossing, announcements of how her day/week/life has been ruined. I think she loves the drama and sometimes is happy to have the chance to milk it.
A girl...wait she's in her 40's... a woman at my work. She goes on and on and on and on...well you get the picture. Everything is a BIG deal.
I often wonder if she's that way at home. She has a husband and two sons. Is she only this way around women?
Hey Liz--Wonderful post! I teach in a junior high, so I spend my days surrounded by drama queens and kings.
Laura - I think you are right. Drama Queens must be misunderstood...and let everyone know it.
Gwynlyn - LOL. That is a great line to go in a book...hmmmm. You may have to use that one.
Joanne - I suspect you are right. Ten years ago I wouldn't have the gumption to be so confrontational. Or...maybe I would. I blame my explosive French blood for my blowups.
Karina - deadlines and explosive temper. So that's why my children cringe when I come into a room? Mystery solved :)
Anita Joy - I should have gotten your cousin's name for research purposes. She sounds like a hoot!
Marcie - I sound like that woman. Okay, maybe not that much. But I have two kids. Oh, and the overly dramatic 11 year old? Should have heard the fit he pitched because I had to drop by the grocery on the way home from school. Epic.
Jeannie - you win. You know the most drama queens
You can use it if you like. Not much call for it in either the historical or sci-fi genres. ;-)
I have had my dramatic moments. I know that it seemed like in junior high I was crying every other day about something. I think that I have toned down as I have gotten over but I know I still have some dramatic moments. So I guess you could say I have some drama queen in me.
Love the post, Liz. I'm not normally a drama queen, but there was a whole lot of drama at work today and I was at the center of. Something I'd like to forget about. Nice to come home and unwind with a good chuckle over your story and all the blog comments.
Drama? I might know a little something about that. I try to come up with coping mechanisms to keep my drama from spilling out onto other people, but one of my coping mechs just went public by accident and... well, let's just say this is a really topical post for me. Can I have a rewind button? :)
Thanks, Liz.
Gwylyn - I may have to. That's just too good to pass up!
Laura - I think Jr. High brings out the drama in everyone. How did we survive?
Rogenna - I planned this post to make you feel better. See? Everyone deals with drama at some point. Hope tomorrow is better. At least it didn't occur with your family. They know where you live.
Ah, Viv, not having a rewind button makes us human. I like being human. So much better than being perfect. Let's channel some Pink here ;) I'm not _______ (you fill in the blank) perfect! I really like that song. Makes me feel better about myself.
Liz,
Sorry I'm late to the party. It was quite a day here with work and life. Anyway, I had to say that I love the idea of a drama queen heroine named Scarlet. So bold! I can't wait to read it.
We all take turns in our house to be drama queens - or, in the case of Daddy, drama kings. I have a theory that two people can't be cracking up simultaneously, so whoever starts the drama first, the other falls into pacifying mode.
pageturner345@gmail.com
I'm way late. I could tell you all about the latest drama that caused me to be tardy, but I'd hate to bore you!
Good luck with Scarlet's story. I can't wait to meet her.
Drama queen, me?
I would say not, but ask my husband or my work colleagues and you could get a very different answer!
I think it's great that you accept yourself as a drama queen and even announce it to everyone! I think most people (make that women) would deny being a drama queen. Like, you know, myself included! :) But ask my husband and he will say something else!
Our daughter is a drama queen and has been her whole life. We don't know how she suffers! How dare we laugh at her! As she has gotten older it has definitely gotten better but there are still DQ moments.
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