D’oh!
I’m going to go out on a limb here and share one of my “D’OH!” stories with you, in hopes that you’ll find it entertaining enough not to think I’m a complete idiot.
(Pregnant pause.)
Here’s the story:
A couple of years ago, I was helping a school organize a big 10th anniversary celebration. Some of its theme included generosity, growth, and trees. Well, naturally I thought of that classic children’s book THE GIVING TREE, by Shel Silverstein.
And while I was at it, the brilliant idea came to me that would be both meaningful, and make for a wonderful public relations event. At the celebration, why not invite the author, Shel Silverstein, to come and give a keynote address, and even do a reading for the children at the school. It would be a wonderful win-win, as we could invite the media, and give Mr. Silverstein a chance to meet the local community, and the school could also gain some inroads with the publicity of this event.
So, I went ahead and looked up Mr. Silverstein’s website, which looked very active, up to date, and fun. But I couldn’t find a contact button. No problem, a lot of authors like their privacy, and I was sure that someone as well-known as he would appreciate that. So I searched and found the name of his agent. I even got the agent’s email address.
Immensely pleased with the results of my research, I felt that things were going my way, and this might actually happen! So I sent off the email, and got ready to wait for a few days before worrying that it might not get answered.
Well, in just a few hours, I got a reply from the agent.
I was truly excited, but at the same time, I realized there was a big possibility that my request for Mr. Silverstein to come and be the keynote speaker at the event, and read to the children of the school would be declined. Anyway, I clicked on the email, prepared for anything.
But never in a million years was I prepared for the actual answer.
Here is what Mr. Silverstein’s agent said:
Shel Silverstein died in 1999.
Best,
Mr. Agent (name has been changed for this blog post.)
After I picked my jaw off the floor, and stopped slapping my forehead, I realized how grateful I was that Mr. Agent was kind enough to keep his reply brief and not further embarrass me.
I still laugh at myself when I think of this story, despite being sad that Shel Silverstein had passed away without my realizing. But it reminds me not to take my mistakes, or those of others too seriously.
So, what’s you’re “D’OH!” story? I’d love to hear about it in the comments section!
Joshua Graham is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, winner of the International Book Award and Forward National Literature Award. His thrillers include DARKROOM, LATENT IMAGE and BEYOND JUSTICE, and TERMINUS. Graham's works have been characterized as thought-provoking page-turners.
Legal Notice: All information on this website and blog are from Mr. Graham's personal experience and insight and should not be viewed in any way, directly or inferred, as qualified professional advice.
All creative writing on this website or Mr. Graham's books: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. (novels, short stories)
Planning my wedding from NH to RI was not an easy task. So many details to keep track of. Since there was no internet back in 91, it was quite a challenge, which I have my sister and friends to thank for pulling it all together.
After driving down the three hours and straightening the last few things, I realized I left my birth certificate back in NH! D’Oh!
I was stunned and started bawling. It was a good thing city hall was still open, as they were able to give me a copy right there on the spot.
We got married on time the next morning 🙂
In the 1980’s I wanted to be an author but lacked the confidence. I had a few different books in my mind, one consisted of a sequel to ” A catcher in the rye” It would take Holden Caulfield to his adult life as the catcher or lost souls.
In the 1990’s I wanted to develope this character but I was distracted by another prodject, Then 2000, now 2010’s. 30 years ago I wrote a lot of pointless nonsensical articles trying to get a laugh because the critism from a bad joke is easier to take than being torn apart for trying to pass as a serious writer.
My Doh moment has to be not doing what I should have done. pass or fail when the moment called . My UnDoh moment is that I’m writing my book and have an actual plan in place for completion. Thanks Iosh.
I forgot to add. I waited so long to get a book together that Mr. Salinger passed. I swore I wouldn’t title a book ” Houlden Caulfield” without his expressed permission. I guess sometime the worst action you can take is no action at all.
One of the cutest embarrassing things happened to my teenage niece a few years ago. Several of my friends were all dressed up and gathering to go to a “Mozart Festival.” When we told my niece where we were going, she said “I thought he died.” Peals of laughter could be heard down the block. I don’t know why it struck us with instant hilarity but my niece was mortified when someone said, “Yes, he died about 400 years ago!”
My husband and I were at the barber shop one day while running errands. There was someone in the chair being worked on, the barber and us. Someone started a conversation before the next customer came in. We continued the conversation not thinking anything about the subject. The second barber came in and took the man that just walked in. While my husband was in the 1st barber chair, his barber whispered to him that the man that came in second had a comb over. We were both totally embarrassed and somewhat shamed. But it did teach us to be more discrete and sensitive to peoples feelings.