I “met” Alan Dean, a Montgomery, Alabama graphics artist, through an online dating service.
He and I corresponded awhile and then came to the conclusion that we didn’t have much of a chance to develop the type of relationship we’d gone looking for in the first place.
I lived several hundred miles away from him. We both wanted to meet someone we could actually date in person. Besides that, Alan usually dated younger women and I don’t mean 3 months younger (like me). Also, Alan is a lifelong athlete who is into fitness. Let’s just say I’m not.
Once we’d gotten THAT out of the way, we began a great friendship and wrote lengthy e-mails to one another about what was going on in the dating departments. Somewhere along the way, we realized we’d met someone we could REALLY talk to. Sometimes fate (or the internet) brings someone to us that plays an unexpected and important role in our lives
When I met Alan I’d already begun writing WINKdotCOM. He told me some pretty good tales of his own internet dating experiences–from a male point of view. About the same time I met someone who lived closer by who I began to date exclusively, but he isn’t the kind of guy who thinks I can’t have male friends.
Eventually Alan came to town to visit and the three of us hit it off.
It was during this first (and thusfar only) visit, when we wandered into the New Orleans Artists Market. I wanted Alan to see the really neat Mardi Gras masks made there.
Ironically, it was ME who turned out to be most inspired by the masks. It occurred to me that a winking masked figure would be the PERFECT cover for THE BOOK.
When Alan offered to design that cover it became a special project.
Today Alan completed that project. As soon as my blog masters can get to it, the new cover will be on the homepage of this site and will replace the temporary art on the actual e-book. I know how to put the new art on a post like this myself, so here it is.
Please note the fleur de lis detail in the background of the book cover. And the authentic look of the eyes. I think this is is GREAT!
Alan will eventually re-do the art to make it more generic (no winking smiley faces) and we’ll offer it for sale as a limited edition, signed poster. Look to future blog posts for an opportunity to buy it.
I’m also doing a nationwide news release through PRWeb to let others know about WINKdotCOM. This should be sent out within a week or so. I’ll post the release on this site at that time.
The moral of this story is sometimes you join an online dating site and what you get is something else. I got a great friend with TALENT.
In New Orleans we call THAT langniappe (a little something extra)!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Rita,
Congratulations! I wish you great success with your book – and its brilliant cover design. And, I hope that you, your Enlightened Man, and Alan will be coming to a book signing here in Santa Fe one of these fine days too?!
Peace
Megan
I agree the cover design IS brilliant. I’m updating the blog to reflect the new cover art to the sales links. I’m also going to start a holiday sale as soon as this is accomplished, so the prices will be reduced. I want everyone to be able to purchase the e-book. With the economy, I think the price reduction is in order!
Rita,
The thing that I feel is the most exciting is that you offer your supreme writing services for people in the form of personalized profiles for their own dating searches. From personal experience after reading thousands of banal and completely worthless profiles, a profile that does not give any insight into who is on the other end is like throwing money into a river. If a person’s profile is identical to everyone else’s (and 90% are identical; they love walks on the beach, a sense of humor, dancing and NASCAR!) they are, essentially, invisible online. Additionally, your advice on taking a proper profile photograph is the ‘cherry on top’ for finding that ’special someone’. I am excited that your insightful and mesmerizingly amusing book is finally available so that the hordes of people wanting to ‘complete’ their lives can finally do so. Sign me up!
Peace Indeed,
Alan
Alan–It’s funny you should mention how just about every dating profile sounds the same. That was my experience as well when I was looking at these sites trying to meet people. When writing profiles for other people I always try to emphasize the uniqueness of the person. I also try to leave the door open for their potential dates to have something to talk to them about during that uneasy first few conversations. Of course, it’s always better once you do meet someone to try to steer the conversation towards THEIR interests. In my experience if you allow someone else to talk about topics THEY like to discuss you’ll easily be able to find out if they are intelligent, interesting and fun (or ignorant, boring and dull). Thanks for your kind comments. Please continue to read my blogposts and add your thoughts. Rita