Reading a friend’s book is fraught with potential difficulties… Letting your friend know you’ve bought her book and are about to read it puts your head well and truly above the parapet.
What if you:
a) Don’t like it, but know that others will. (this is the easy option!)
b) Don’t like it.
(Aaargh! You never lie or stretch the truth when a friend asks you a question straight out- Or you haven’t yet, right?)
c) Love every word (Will anyone believe you- including your friend?)
Well, I’m going to have to take my chances on this one, because I loved Jane Porter’s ‘Flirting with Forty’ to the extent that I had to take time out in the middle of a busy Saturday and take a bath in the afternoon just so I could have some peace and quiet to finish it.
It’s pretty well known that Penny Jordan was my mentor before I was published, and has remained my dear friend. What is not so well known is that fellow Presents writer, Jane Porter has been my friend through thick and thin.
I have always admired Jane’s Presents style, but was equally hooked by Jane writing in first person and grabbing my heart along the way.
Flirting with Forty made me laugh and made me cry… I can only see it chiming a thousand bells for women everywhere.
Congratulations, Jane! You rock, girl.
And here’s my competition question for you…
Let’s have a friendship question, always my favourite.
When in your opinion does an acquaintance become a friend? I’d love to read some examples, so keep those stories coming, ladies, and I’ll make sure the winner receives something special from me.
Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan
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I think an acquantaince becomes a friend when you are both willing to share your thoughts and beliefs. You can disagree but you respect each other’s opinions and you feel comfortable calling them at any time.
by Maureen
on July 10th, 2006 at 6:51 am
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I agree with Maureen. When you can share personal information that you don’t share with just anyone, but someone you trust. Sometimes these things can happen quickly, sometimes it takes months or years. You kinda know when you bond with someone - there’s that sense of understanding and caring that you don’t feel with everyone. Maybe you both have similar experiences or go through a tough time together, and based on that, you “know” the person enough to call them a friend.
by Stacy ~
on July 10th, 2006 at 7:20 am
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I agree whole-heartedly with Stacy and Maureen. Someone to share feelings and secrets with, someone who understands you and that you understand, someone who you can laugh and cry with. For me it is not an instant thing; it takes time to build a relationship; can’t put a number on the amount of time.
Very different question! A your question can pose quite a problem re a friend’s book.
by Pat
on July 10th, 2006 at 7:28 am
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I agree with all of you, and thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I had no doubt I would feel a connection with Jane Porter’s writing, because all the time I have known Jane she has never wavered in honesty, warmth and downright niceness. I just didn’t know how much I’d enjoy Flirting with Forty. There was so much in the heroine’s Jackie’s life that I could hum along to, if you know what I mean. It might not be my experience, but I could empathise entirely the whole way through her journey.
Sxx
by Susan Stephens
on July 10th, 2006 at 8:02 am
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I agree whole-heartedly with Stacy, Maureen and Pat. And it’s not an instant thing for me either. You might know right away you like someone, but it takes time to build a relationship.
by Minna
on July 10th, 2006 at 9:05 am
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When does an acquaintance become a friend? When you can share things with them, do things with them. Talk about anything with them, tell them anything and they won’t repeat it. And they stand by you no matter what.
by Tammy G.
on July 10th, 2006 at 9:48 am
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There are people I am immediately attracted to or feel comfortable with right away. Those are people that have the potential to become friends. Whether or not they become friends depends on the amount of time you both put into getting to know each other and developing the relationship.
by Cherie Japp
on July 10th, 2006 at 10:04 am
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When in your opinion does an acquaintance become a friend?
When you and that person feel comfortable enough with each other that you
can share your innermost thoughts(secrets and desires), tell each other that
they have crumbs in the corner of their mouth, phone them and talk and talk
and sometimes just ramble on about nothing and even have little to say or phone
when your world is falling apart and you need someone to listen to you and sound
off on.
by Robyn
on July 10th, 2006 at 10:38 am
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When you are not afraid to share your thoughts, beliefs, worries. You can relax around the person and just be yourself..have fun, laugh, cry, and hopefully share great books:D You can call this person when ever you need them!
by Maureen A
on July 10th, 2006 at 10:57 am
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Where I work is a huge rumor mill. It’s nice to be able to tell my friends things and know the whole place isn’t going to know about it. One person in particular is a close friend. We have so many things in common. I think TRUST is a huge factor in developing a friendship.
by Joyce
on July 10th, 2006 at 11:07 am
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When you meet face to face and can do things together. And when you can share your secrets.
by Melissa
on July 10th, 2006 at 11:28 am
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I think an acquaintance becomes a friend when you feel comfortable enough around them to just be yourself and not worry what they will think and you share who you are with them…your thoughts, beliefs, feelings…you trust them not to pass judgment.
by Jennifer Y.
on July 10th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
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i guess when you share your thoughts and go to lunch together and have fun.
by KIM H
on July 10th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
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It takes time for a relationship to grow. I guess it depends on the people involved to determine how quickly an acquaintance can turn into a true meaningful close relationship.
by Karen T.
on July 10th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
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When you can just be and not worry about entertaining one another or worrying what is going on in the other’s head.
If you know you can pick up the phone and call that person at 3 am and they will immediately come to you if you need then, you have crossed from aquaintance to true friend.
I have always love the quote that goes something like this:
“The supreme happiness of life is the conviction of being loved for yourself, or more correctly, being loved in spite of yourself. ”
When someone loves you in spite of yourself, then that is a friend!
by Angie
on July 10th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
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An acqaintance becomes a friend when you know you count on each other and will be there for each other. They accept you warts and all. I do believe it does take some time for a good friendship to grow. Can say how long tho’; it depends on the friend.
by Helen Mac
on July 10th, 2006 at 6:25 pm
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An aquaintance becomes a friend when you can accept each other flaws and all.Talk about anything and have your secrets kept. But especially be there for each other during happiness and sorrow.
by Estella Kissell
on July 10th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
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A true friendship forms when you can sit down and really discuss issues and relationships. Some friendships, such those that have been lifelong (since childhood), feel just like family. They are people that will always be in your life no matter what happens, good or bad. They know you better than you know yourself!
by Sandra M
on July 10th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
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“A true friend is someone who someone who thinks you’re a good egg even though she knows you’re slightly cracked. ”
I love the question! Friendships that last are the ones which are grown over a period of time. They need a lot of attention and love and care.
Susan, I am really glad to hear you enjoyed Jane Porter’s book, FLIRTING WITH FORTY. I loved it too. I think Jane’s found her niche with chick lit (even though I love her Presents novels!). I think she has the unique ability to put words on a page that really resonate within the hearts of many many women across the world. It’s a great book and definitely worth reading!
by Lee
on July 11th, 2006 at 1:22 am
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Wow! Hello everyone:D
It’s great to see so many friends old and new and to read your comments.
It’s early morning here in the UK, so there’s still plenty of time to enter, and I’ll be reading and enjoying your thoughts each time I take a break through the day.
If I had to answer this question I think I would have to say that friendship is like a plant that needs nurturing over time… but I have a lot of Christmas cacti and they always repay me with blossom, even when I neglect them more and more as the latest deadline closes in on me… and that sounds exactly like my friends!!
There’s a lot about friendship in Jane’s book Flirting With Forty that really chimed a bell with me… Just as the heroine, Jackie’s friends stick by her through thick and thin, I have to say my experience is that we love our friends as they love us regardless of our faults (just as well in my case!)
Back soon…
Sxxx
by Susan Stephens
on July 11th, 2006 at 3:23 am
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I’ve tried to post several times now but keep getting a “Word Press Error” page each time I hit the submit button. Going to try once more in case the computer gremlins are away and I get lucky. 8O:?
Susan, Flirting With Forty is awesome! I couldn’t agree with you more. I read the book and loved how the character, Jackie, could always count on her friends to be there for her. They didn’t always agree with her but they were loyal no matter what.
For me, that’s what real friendship means - loyalty through thick and thin. I think an acquaintance becomes a true friend over time because lasting friendships, as you said, need to be nurtured… like a garden. And true friends accept each other in our ‘as is’ condition….. warts, faults, insecurities and all.
Ann
by Ann
on July 11th, 2006 at 5:25 am
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I have many acquaintances….you say hi in passing, see them at the store, school, beach.. you know ….chit chat.
A friendship definitely develops over time…trust is a big element, as is compatability and finally how comfortable you are with that person to really be your true self…sharing your feelings, likes, dislikes and emotions. Friendships endure, emotional ties bind you together over seperations and life’s events both good and bad. A friend is someone you really care about and want to include in most things you do.
by Laurie G
on July 11th, 2006 at 7:18 am
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Friendship takes time to grow. You need to develop trust and to see what the other person is about. Like other ladies said, you accept each other, warts and all. A true friend will be there for you no matter what and vice versa.
by Joanne V
on July 11th, 2006 at 7:23 am
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Ann, I encountered the same gremlin you did when I tried to post. It seens to have gone now. Phew.
Lunchtime here in the UK, so I’ll be picking a winner at close of work today I can’t thank you enough for all your thoughtful answers; friendship means so much to me. I love it when we have this sort of topic.
Back later
Sxxx
by Susan Stephens
on July 11th, 2006 at 8:05 am
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I think a person becomes a friend when trust develops and each person is willing to share personal information with each other. You get past saying, Hello and making general conversation and start sharing aspects of your life with the other person.
by Crystal B.
on July 11th, 2006 at 8:32 am
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Hi Joyce!! And congratulations!!! You are our winner today.
Because all the responses were so fantastic and I couldn’t pick one above another I asked my youngest to pick a number and she said 10… and that’s you, Joyce.
So please send your snail mail address for your prize to SusanStephensContests@gmail.com
Thank you so much everyone for taking part, and don’t forget to pop back again on the 25th July for my next Blog and another chance to win a prize.
Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan
by Susan Stephens
on July 11th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
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wtg joyce
by KIM H
on July 11th, 2006 at 8:10 pm
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Hi Joyce… Don’t forget we need your snail mail to send out your prize!!
Just send it to http://www.SusanStephensContests@gmail.com
Thank you!
Susanxx
by Susan Stephens
on July 14th, 2006 at 2:56 am
