Last week I met my hero, Caitlin Moran. And aside from all my fears and rehearsed conversations, I can honestly say she lived up to my expectations. In fact, she surpassed them. She came across normal, kind and human. Which made me love her that little bit more.
As a trainee journalist and aspiring writer, successful ones are no less than Gods in my eyes. I look to them for strength, knowledge and inspiration. The talented few who rose to the challenge of continuously filling the blank page and believing that someone would want to read what they had to say.
In Caitlin’s case, she has done just that, on repeat. Because she does not fear the blank page, she relishes filling it. Speaking her mind and shouting until she is heard. She is unashamedly passionate about what she does. A columnist, novelist, screenwriter and renowned feminist, she uses her position as a force for good. Fighting the good cause for women, the lesser heard and societal change.
On the night of our meeting, we were at perpendicular states - I was somewhat inebriated and she hungover. Fortunately, for me, this worked as a great icebreaker. Far better than my original plan of quoting Sex and The City 2′s (I know it was a shocker of a movie) meeting between Carrie Bradshaw and a fan.
Something that I had poorly rehearsed with my sisters and three-month-old baby niece on the train while singularly sinking a bottle of prosecco. Them nodding encouragingly and baby Phoebe serenely smiling at me as I relay my introduction: “So, we are the same person. I am a writer, I have two kids and used to hang around Camden.” In my vision, she would respond: “Hi Caitlin, nice to meet you.” And, we would both laugh and laugh.
But, what really happened was I got suitably intoxicated in response to my nerves and excitement. Not an uncommon state for a mum who rarely goes out. But followed rather beautifully with the family’s genetic response to the condition by laughing excessively and then beginning to cry.
By the time Emma Gannon’s interview with my idol finished I was spent. The very thought of ever meeting my hero sent me into a cold sweat and sent me to seek shelter in the Ladies toilets. However, this was not to be the fated end to my meeting my hero. My sisters issued a rallying cry, screaming across the auditorium: “Em, this is your moment. You’ve got this meet your hero.” While I looked down at my small perfectly formed niece and filled with guilt.
My baby niece Phoebe is the child that every parent wished for, a complete dream. She sleeps, eats and smiles. Nonetheless, even she has her limits and lying awake under a set of bright lights three hours after her bedtime miles from home was testing her to the limits.
It was at this point I came acutely aware of Phoebes’ power. Being the only baby in the auditorium, she had attracted quite a lot of attention. Including that of the event’s organisers one of which was a mother herself. Tuned into the situation the kind organiser made enquiries, sharing: “Caitlin loves babies, and this little one has been patient enough”. The events that followed happened at a fast pace. I was sent on to the stage brandishing Phoebe, presenting her to at the altar of Caitlin as if she was a gift.
The remainder of our meeting was a blur, a few prolonged hugs between myself and Caitlin and the possibility of my mumbling that I was a little sloshed. Irrespective of my hazy memory of our meeting the photographic evidence and witness accounts made it clear.
Caitlin Moran may be a God in my eyes, but as a person, she is a normal, kind human being who has nothing but love and respect for those who surround her. A fact that was visible in her meeting a queuing audience of fans.
Something that I hope I emulate in my day to day life when dealing with friends, family and strangers. Because kindness costs nothing but can be the instigator for significant change in people’s lives and the world in which we live.
“We can be heroes just for one day.” David Bowie
Emma Gannon interviews Caitlin Moran – How to be Famous
Friday 28th September at 7.30pm, The Forum, Bath
