62 Comments
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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Fabulous. Perfectly told. I love surprises. And so glad there's another good J out there somewhere!!

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Everyone loves a benevolent J ❤️

Amy Bee's avatar

I'm sorry if you've covered this and I've forgotten, but reading your story is an option? As in, you're not telling it, you're reading it from the page? I didn't realize that. That honestly makes 4 minutes much more feasible. I've mentioned before how hard it's been for me to get a story that's told/performed (not read) down to FIVE minutes! Especially because performing it always seems to add at least 2 1/2 minutes, lol. But if it can be read . . . cool. Anyway, love what you're doing.

Nan Tepper's avatar

You can read! We allow people to be on book for sure. But, I'm curious. Why does it feel more feasible if you can read? We still want acting and emoting, and all the stuff! It's not just a straightforward read.

I will tell you from 10 years of storytelling experience that if you keep the story close to 500 words, you'll do fine. I think you should go for it, Amy Bee! xo

Amy Bee's avatar

Personal experience tells me it's more feasible! :) I get that you still emote and project and perform; I just didn't know you could read from the page. It sounds like A LOT of fun. And I'd like to support what you're doing. I'll be in touch.

Nan Tepper's avatar

Thank you! I'm thrilled. And we need all the support we can get, so yay! xo

Irena Smith's avatar

Janice is a rock star. So are you. xoxo

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

You're so kind, Irena. Thanks.

Irena Smith's avatar

Kind, schmind. Just being a truth-teller is all.

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

You are simply the schmest.

Nan Tepper's avatar

I love that! I was just on a call with one of my bros oldest friends and she gave me a message to give to him. I'm supposed to say, "Schmoopie says hi." Because it's an a name they've been calling each other for years. Such schmaltz! xo

Ruth Urman's avatar

omygod, that's a Seinfeld episode! Where Seinfeld and his girlfriend annoy EVERYone by calling one another Schmoopie! Ha! So great! Schmaltz is right!

Nan Tepper's avatar

That's right! I forgot about that (one of the few episodes I saw) because I wasn't much of a fan of the show, but now it makes even more sense. Thanks for the reminder.

Nan Tepper's avatar

She sure is. And she sure is! xo

Ouida Weaver's avatar

So good.

Nan Tepper's avatar

She is, isn't she?!

Eileen Vorbach Collins's avatar

Why am I crying?

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Perhaps because the writer has such a magnificent first name? ;)

Nan Tepper's avatar

I think it's because people can show up like champions, angels in disguise right when we need them, and it's important for us to remember that and have faith in others' goodness.

That's what came up for me when I watched for the first time. There's hope for us when we access our kindness. xo

Sandra Ann Miller's avatar

When the sisterhood comes together, it's a beautiful thing. I'm so glad you made your escape, Eileen. xo

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Women helping women make for great stories. Thanks for being here. xo

Paula Taub's avatar

Love this! What a good story and so well told! WBYYS is off to an amazing start!!!

Nan Tepper's avatar

Isn't this exciting? We've entered our 1 month countdown to the first slam on January 17th. Seats ARE limited to the live event...will keep all apprised of availability! xo

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Many thanks, sweet P. xo

Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Thank you, Eileen for showing us how it is done. Very well told and lived, good for you.

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Thank you, Prajna. I always love seeing you here.

Nan Tepper's avatar

She's great, isn't she? I love E's writing so much. And her stories! xo

Bryan Tibbets's avatar

I can relate to your story E, well done!

A CRONE WITH A BOTTLE. Or two.'s avatar

Beautiful. You should absolutely write a book about your life.

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

But then I'd have to remember things! It's all just bits and pieces. What a long strange trip it's been :) xo

Nan Tepper's avatar

You could absolutely do it in bits and pieces...I know it. xo

Nan Tepper's avatar

I agree. She should! xo

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

No one will ever convince me that the clickety-clacking Janices of the world aren't actual angels manifesting in just the places and at just the times they're most needed. Or maybe some folks are just better practiced at exercising their wings.

This was a shiny gift for my day. Thank you!

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Sometimes just knowing WWJD (what would Janice do) can inspire...

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

😇

Nan Tepper's avatar

I love your comment, Elizabeth. I think angels can be found more places than we realize. Often I think they're missed because we're not fully awake. I love the reminder of our inherent goodness when something like this pops in. We really are more capable of kindness than we know. xo

Lucy Conway's avatar

Love it

Chris Stanton's avatar

Awesome, Eileen!

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Appreciate you, Chris.

Wendy Wolf's avatar

You were so brave. And Janice was an angel.

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Angels that move among us quietly are the best kind ❤️

Wendy Wolf's avatar

I’ve been thinking about this ever since I read/listened to your story. It all started with honesty. If you hadn’t told her the real deal, it wouldn’t have opened the door to her help. There is power in straightforward truth.

Nan Tepper's avatar

Exactly. If we're vulnerable with others, it gives them permission to be authentic back. It's so good, isn't it? xo

Wendy Wolf's avatar

It is. It’s scary sometimes, and not always well received, but it’s the only way to make a genuine connection.

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

That's a good point.

Kill Hckman's avatar

This story was so very wonderful. I truly enjoyed every moment, thank you so much for sharing.

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

You're so welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Kill Hckman's avatar

This is very much unrelated but my family’s Matriarch is also named Eileen and I’m sure you despise this question but even with it’s foul implications I can’t help but Dexys Midnight runners “Come on Eileen” how do you feel about it? Save Ferris did a cover and I don’t know if it’s just because her voice is so lovely but it just feels less creepy, just curious! My Grandmom doesn’t even like it being mentioned in her company.

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

I tolerate it a lot at work. I get that it was the third most popular song of the 80s and a one hit wonder so it has some real staying power. And it's such a happy song, really. That said, it usually gets sung to me by people with no imagination and when it was popular the dj at our local club used to pretend to strangle himself when he put it on after multiple requests. So...it's complicated.

Kill Hckman's avatar

Haha yes so happy ya gotta love a song about some rando cis man begging a *barely* legal little girl for her flower 🤢🤮 I had no idea what the fuck I was singing to annoy her when I was a kid.

Marcia Meier's avatar

LOVE this story!

Eileen Dougharty's avatar

Thanks, Marcia ❤️