Imagined Conversations with Famous People

Months ago, I did a little survey for Matt's and my anniversary. Matt (mostly) correctly guessed that if I could be best friends with a celebrity, I'd choose Stephen King or JK Rowling. When Ana posted about her race with Christopher McDougall, it sparked a memory of that post. It got me thinking about what I would talk about if I were given the chance to run (or walk) with either of them.

Why SK and JR? Well, Stephen King is the author I credit with making me a reader. I could take or leave reading as a kid, but in 4th grade I selected Cujo from my parents' vast shelf of King novels and it completely changed my relationship with books. Suddenly I became a voracious reader and budding writer. I consumed every King book I could get my hands on and I read them without stopping, often finishing them within 48 hours.

I'm pretty sure this was the edition my parents had.

When I first started reading the Harry Potter series, I was in high school. My mom gave me the second book, telling me I could skip the first and not be too lost in the series. (Yes, the first time I reread the entire series, I finally read The Sorcerer's Stone for the first time and it may actually be my favorite. It's so much lighter and funnier than the others!) Anyway, the series obviously opened my eyes to social justice and gave me a smart, kickass female protagonist to look up to.

But the series did more. It helped me understand the genre I was interested in writing. I hadn't realized I was a fantasy/adventure writer until I read Harry Potter, and the revelation was welcome and comforting. JK Rowling made fantasy mainstream, acceptable, and cool.

So anyway. Stephen King actually has a house down the road from one of my high school friends; he was at the Women's March in Sarasota; Britt got to hear him speak - so jealous!

If I could go on a run (or walk) with him, I'd ask:

How did you silence the internal critic who told you your work was garbage?
How did you persevere and find a market for your novels?

Rowling is notoriously active on Twitter and trolls are no match for her British wit. I love watching her take them down. Here are just a few that made me laugh recently:

These are in response to DT supporters who are angry that she speaks out against him frequently.

She also donates absurd amounts of money to charity and began an organization that helps displaced children, called Lumos. If I were to walk with Rowling, I'd ask:

How do you get people to take you seriously being a woman best known for your YA fantasy series?
What can I do to positively impact people and change lives, as you have?

I'd ask them: How did you manage to achieve such success when you came from such broken, disadvantaged backgrounds, and how can I use your examples to inspire students?
I'd ask them: What would you say to someone who looks at the world and feels hopeless?
I'd tell them: Thank you.

I know now that reading and writing saved my life in many ways. I found solace in books and words; I found places where I belonged; I discovered that people who thought like me existed in the world and were successful adults. I didn't realize then how much I needed that, but these days, I know enough to be grateful.

If you could spend time with any celebrity, who would you choose? 
Why?
What would you ask them?

ABK

Things I'm Wondering Lately

How does prednisone affect my runs? My allergies have been really awful, so I'm back on a course of prednisone along with my usual nasal sprays and various allergy medications. Technically prednisone is a steroid (it's a corticosteroid, to be exact), so I sometimes wonder if it has any effect on my running at all. Not in the way anabolic steroids would...it certainly doesn't build muscle. But maybe it helps me feel fresher and recover faster because of the anti-inflammatory effects?

It's definitely making it hard to sleep, which made me put off my long run last Sunday morning. Blah.

When we're talking about effort during a run, do we mean the effort of our legs or our lungs? During Friday's run, I felt I was pushing myself but the pace was comfortably doable. I was breathing fine, but holding a conversation might have been a little difficult. My legs felt great except for some aches from squats Thursday. In total, the run felt moderately tough over-all, but what am I really supposed to judge it by?

Running in and out of sprinklers meant my pace was all over the place, but generally this run felt effortless and challenging!

Is it better to be a person who walks away from conflict, or someone who consistently speaks up? I've fallen into the latter category for ages now, and sometimes I think it's best to be the bigger person and let things go. But I also think that people (especially women) who choose that route end up looking weak, even if their intention was to be strong. In today's political climate, I can't help but be vocal because I feel like sitting quietly won't exact change. Maybe speaking up won't exact change either, but at least I can say I'm trying.

This guy called me a chump and followed up with worse in the next tweet. I chose not to respond; I'm worried he thinks he "won", but what's the point of engaging with someone like this?

When will I start to feel like an adult? Then again, does anyone ever really feel like an adult? Like they have it all together? On the same topic, is it bad that I feel the most adult when I'm spending money on furniture and home appliances? That's totally society, socialization, and conspicuous consumption/marketing getting into my head, isn't it?

Do I take too many selfies? I like recording my runs and workouts on Instagram for myself and for the support I get, but I don't want to come across as self-involved! I mean, really, though...what is a post-workout selfie if not self-promotion and involvement at its finest?

Followup: Is it a selfie if other people are in it? Is Elizabeth equally "selfied" if she doesn't technically take any of these shots?

ETA: Interesting timing for me to have posted about this, as the selfie debate continues. I think selfies have helped me feel more comfortable in my skin and more confident. Thoughts on that?

Are my consistent workouts actually paying off? I feel really good - I'm seeing a change in my pace, stamina, and strength - but I'm not seeing much change in my body. Clothes fit pretty much the same, and I'm not noticing any more muscle definition. When will I get to look in the mirror and be like, "Oh yeah, it's paying off!"?

Do you have answers to any of these questions?
What are you wondering lately?

ABK