Star Struck

When this woman walked into my office on Monday I nearly fell off my chair. I had watched her interview on Andrew Denton's Enough Rope, and loved it so much that I re-read the transcript. I've seen her on Oprah, listened to her on Ted Talks and put her on my "I'd love to be like her when I'm older" list.

She's awesome because she's a feminist who loves men, a philanthropist, an amazing novelist and an incredibly passionate human being.

I told her that I loved her interview on Denton, and then later she stopped by my desk to chat. (!!!!!)  She shook my hand and told me she hopes I do become a writer - I may have gushed that I hope to be half the woman she is. (I have no shame.)

The girl from the company who had booked her interview slipped me Isabel's latest book (Island Beneath the Sea: A Novel) and I was so overwhelmed by the unexpected generosity of the afternoon that I cried.