If youāre going to be a writer you have to learn how to be a Diva. There are certain rules you need to follow or youāll stumble and believe me, it would be disastrous if you stumbled. You might never make top Diva status. Youāll be stuck with the stigma of only becoming a minor Diva. Iām shuddering at the thought.
Donāt for one minute think it will be easy, either. Only with help from my very good friends am I getting close to attaining Divahood.
Rule number one: Being a Diva has to start on the inside. Close your eyes and feel it. If you canāt quite picture it donāt fret. It takes time and patience. Practice every single day. Iāve found that sitting at my computer, incense going and a glass of wine close by, helps create the Diva mood.
Now, think to yourself. I am a writer, therefore I am a Diva. Tilt your nose ever so slightly, head high, shoulders straight. You might have to shake your shoulders to loosen up. Careful if youāre well endowed. I strained a shoulder doing this once. It really took away from my Diva moment.
Rule Number Two: Only after youāve achieved inner Divahood can you move to the next step. Yes, the outer Diva. Itās so easy to make a faux pas so I caution you to be extremely careful.
Start at the top. The hair-do. This is a must. It should be a little poofy, but not so poofy it hangs on tree branches or birds decide it looks like a great place to make a nest. It also shouldnāt be perfect.
Ahhh, I can see the raised eyebrows. I bet you were thinking every hair had to be in place. No, thatās for Top-level Divaās. For now, just concentrate on lower-level, believe me, it will still be worth it.
And remember, Iām cringing here—no, absolutely no, sparkle stuff in your hair. If it glitters, get rid of it.
Rule Number Three: Okay, Iām assuming you have the hairdo down so weāll move on to the make-up. Muted colors work well, but apply with a heavy hand. No blues (shuddering here). Soft browns and beiges work well.
Deep red lipstick is THE color of choice and always carry an extra tube in your purse. Then when you go to the lavatory (note I said lavatory not bathroom or can—learn the Diva words!) anyway, while youāre in the lavatory make sure you freshen your lipstick.
Especially if other women are present. You can make some very striking poses as you lean toward the mirror thus enhancing your Diva image. Another caution, sadly to say, I once saw a Diva Wannabe applying her lipstick and she leaned to far forward falling into the sink. Not a pretty picture. I doubt she ever fully recovered. Even worse, the dreaded wet line across your stomach.
Rule Number Four: This is probably the single most important rule. Always wear nail polish. Again, the deep red color works well.
Learn to talk with your hands. Flutter them to the right, flutter them to the left. I know youāre dying to try it so go ahead. Fun isnāt it? Another warning, though.
I know, itās so hard being a Diva. So much to remember.
When youāre fluttering your hands about be very careful not to smack the person next to you. They never fully appreciate when you explain youāre only being a Diva. In fact, they can be quite irate, but enough about that little incident.
Rule Number Four: Diamonds are a Divaās best friend. Two on the right hand and two on the left. You may count a wedding ring. And where might you get these diamonds, you ask. Wal*Mart. Unless youāve reached one of the Upper Crust Diva levels you fake it ātill you make it.
Think about it, if youāre a writer people assume you must have money (Oh Lord, holding side and laughing here) so the diamonds must be real. It doesnāt matter that you only paid $10 a ring.
Now, this is where we go back to the reason for rule number one. Remember the inner Diva? Yes, I can almost see the light bulbs going off. If youāve been practicing and working on the inner Diva you can wear fake diamonds and get away with it. You now have the confidence to do anything, dahling.
Rule Number Five: The clothes. They should be loose and flowing. When you flutter and wave your hands they should flow with your movements. Think butterfly—back and forth. You can practice with a tablecloth until you feel confident enough to make your purchases. Or you can pretend youāre Scarlet OāHara and use the curtains.
Rule Number Six: The shoes. Diva shoes are a must. Heels. Nothing sensible. If you donāt have the right shoes the rest of your ensemble will not work.
Rule Number Seven: The talk. Divaās speak soft and smile a lot. Not a wide smile. Show youāre interested in others but remember deep down itās still all about you, honey.
And raise your eyebrows a lot. But do not pencil your eyebrows to your hairline in the hopes youāll look wide-eyed. Youāll have the wide-eyed look all right. More like a deer caught in headlights. That can be really scary to non-divas.
Rule Number Eight: The walk. Practice at home wearing full costume. Place one hand out to side, palm facing the floor (one hand only!) two and you look like youāre walking down the runway of a cheap strip club. Chin up, but not too high. Too high and you slip into snobbery. You want to be able to see the little people not step on them. Now flowwwwww as you walk forward. Bright sunlight is better so your fake diamonds glitter. Donāt flash them toward high traffic areas though. You wouldnāt want to be responsible for a pile-up because youāve blinded everyone.
Okay, now youāre ready to go out and meet your public. You are a writer, you are a Diva. Now go forth and conquer the world!
Life should be about having fun!
Karen Kelley
Available Now!!! Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind/Brava
Romantic Times 4 1/2 Stars Top Pick!
09/07 Double Dating With The Dead/Brava
09/07 The Morgue The Merrier anth/Zebra
10/07 I’m Your Santa anth/Brava
http://www.authorkarenkelley.com
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