The Land of Stories 4 : Book Tour 2015

Jellyrolls wrote:So, here's my story from the signing today:

I'd guess there were at least 300 or 400 people there.  The line stretched out from the bookstore, and around the corner.  I was a couple hundred people back, and finally got to see him about an hour and ten minutes after the signing started.

When I got up to Chris, I handed him a confirmation of the donation I made to First Book, and told him how wonderful it is that he partnered with them to raise funds.  I told him that my sister is a school teacher, and First Book gave every teacher in her school system 100 books (later my sister told me it was only 50, but that's still a lot of books).  Both Chris and Alla seemed happy when I mentioned First Book going to the school.  Alla actually took the confirmation of my donation and took a closer look at it.  I thanked him for working with such a great organization.  As I started to walk away, Chris noticed that the receipt fell out of one of my books, and he said, "Wait.  Here's your receipt."  I thanked Chris and walked away.

Of course he was as sweet as ever, and it was particularly fun watching him interact with the kids.  Though he definitely appreciates everyone who is there, it is really great to see how much he appreciates the kids (probably because he knows that they aren't tinhatters

ETA:  It always amazes me to see how everyone feels they should bring him a gift.  I know I donated money in his name, but I didn't want to give him some gift that he probably doesn't really need or want.  He probably gets a dozen shirts at every event, and tons of other trinkets, and it's really just too much.

“What do you have to say to people with a dream?”
“Just try to fulfill it the best you can, I guess. There’s a quote in the bathroom downstairs that someone graffitied that says ‘Just do it or don’t do it. Either way you could regret it.’ I don’t know if that’s good advice”
Thank you Chris.

The way he looks at them.
It’s beautiful.

Book signing today I was surrounded by kids.
I watched a dad walk his adorable son down to the end of the line with his book clutched to his tiny chest.
Maybe it’s me, but I’ve never seen a father and son, on their own, in a bookstore or at a signing, and I wanted to cry. It was so beautiful.
I was in line behind a girl of ten who looked at me blankly when I told her If be seeing Darren next weekend, then asked me my favorite author. I didn’t get her name, which I regret, but her mom and dad were both there with her. They were a very sweet family, it was clear they loved each other and enjoyed each other’s company. The ten year old though, this kid was the most composed, articulate person I’ve met in years of any age.
She had thoughtful analyses of so many things, from the books to fame and beyond. She was a student of the world and the world will be her oyster of that I am certain.
The children behind me, 2 girls, 2 boys, alternated between reading and deep discussions of Alex’s inner dialog and how hard it must be to be her. They were roughly 7&8 years old. I wish I could say I’ve ever heard or been a part of such intellectual book discussions with adults.
I watched one very tiny girl sit and read, then set her book aside and take out a pad and begin a letter. I expected to see Dear Chris in fan girl curly script appear on the paper but instead saw “Dear Dragon,” and watched rapt as she drew a story in graphic novel style in the body of her letter. I regret I wasn’t close enough to see what the drawings said.
So say what you want about Chris Colfer and his writing (and really, until you write a best selling novel and have people lined up for your signature you just sound jealous) these kids are the brightest stars and Chris is contributing to that in a very significant way.
I am older than even most of the mothers in line and though I have no right to, I felt enormous pride in Chris. People talk about his influence in terms of what he’s done for the gay community but honestly that was him saying someone else’s words (beautifully) and choosing to live his life as his authentic self. His real influence and what is sure to become at least a part of his legacy, is what he has ignited in a generation of kids.

I met Chris Colfer today and I’m so happy ))

So after many, many years of waiting/trying, I finally got to meet Chris Colfer!
I don’t know how best to describe our conversation (and I use that term loosely), it was more like I word vomited my life story at him and he just sat there shocked… I talk a lot when I’m nervous. He handled it better than most.
I started by telling him I was from Nottingham and that I was excited about Robin Hood being in the books and that he did a really good job with the character. He thanked me and sounded relieved, he said he was nervous about how people would take to his version of the character, if he would get it right but I stopped him and was like, “No! It was really good, I loved it!”. He seemed glad to have the seal of approval. Honestly, you could see him physically relax once I reassured him. I kind of felt bad, I think maybe for a second there he thought I was going to chastise him for his characterisation of my ‘beloved hometown hero’. Although he did make a tiiiiny mistake with the Robin Hood story, I didn’t have the heart to tell him after that.
I then mentioned I was a teacher in Vietnam and that my kids loved fairy tales and just thanked him again for the books. He was shocked (you should have seen his face) that I had come all that way (”Oh really? Oh my gosh!”) and he said was he really glad they loved the stories so much and ended with another, “Oh my gosh, thank you for coming here!”.
He was an absolute angel. I love him. I really, really, really do.

Still in shock. Best day EVER.

Chris Colfer TLOS book tour!!! He’s so sweet and incredibly beautiful in real life.

He’s the cutest little nugget

Chris is so gorgeous. His hair is so voluminous and flawless and seeing him in real life was magical. Ever since like 2012, my sister wanted to get the word “courage” as a tattoo, and Chris is her idol, so she said, “I have a question” and he asked what and she asked him to write it for her and he was like, “oh my. please think about this for a long time.” And then he wrote it in sharpie, but he was like “no no it’s too thick” so he got a pen, flipped the page, and wrote it. What a sweetheart.

Chris Colfer with my sister.

look at this cupcake

Holy crap I was rendered dumb by the utter beauty that is Chris Colfer (and his magnificent hair) and forgot 99.9% of what I wanted to tell him. In other news he shook my hand. How is this my life where I get to touch Chris Colfer ?! :0 Also I gave him a little grumpy cat in a super hero costume and he loved it. I’ll write more later with video.