As an aspiring author, my goal is to let the world know about me. Ergo, the sign on the window of my Chevy van.
I love my sign. Mr. Man (my husband) even helped center and attach the sign to the window, carefully measuring every angle and smoothing the bubbles out. He didn’t think much about the sign after that—and then people began to take notice.…
Because I write under the pen name P.L. Parker (my maiden name), I leave gender out of the picture. (I read somewhere that just using initials can aid in bringing the male population in as fans.) My husband has been confused with me on numerous occasions and he doesn't always view it as amusing.
For example - he (nice guy that he is) took my van to the car wash. A very sweet young man approached him and asked if he was the romance author. My disgruntled husband growled "No. My wife is!"
The young man grinned. "Oh really," he said.
Mr. Man tried another car wash, same thing happened. Another time we were driving down the freeway and a truckload, literally a truckload, of cowboys drove up beside us. They were hanging out the windows on every side yelling, "Oh Yoohoo, Mr. Romance Man - yoohooo!!" His eyes straight ahead, my husband made for the nearest off ramp, growling all the while. I of course was laughing my head off.
Then there was the time his truck broke down (he manages properties) and he had to borrow my van for the day. He indicated later it was hard to be professional when all his contacts were eyeing the van, then him, then the van - and grinning!
I drive every day and seldom have any comments, but it seems as though every time he is out driving alone, the catcalls and comments fly. It is if he is cursed. Little by little, his love for the sign
diminished…and now has died.
Next year, we plan to trade in the Romance Van. Mr. Man has indicated that when the time comes and we have a new vehicle, my sign will go by the wayside. NO SIGNS ALLOWED! What is he thinking? Give up my sign? How will anyone know who I am?
But do not despair my friends! There are always opportunities…..
I have to say, Mr. Man is my best fan! He reads everything I write, has wonderful input and criticisims and he is actually the reason I started putting my stories down on paper (or computer :)). Being a husband to a romance writer can be stressful at times, but he's a staunch supporter.
How does your significant other deal with the stressors of the romance world?
