When You're Reading a Book and Encounter...

...a person with the same name as one of the main characters.

In the early days of this blog, I'd have occasional posts called "Bryony Moment of the Day."

These would be those unusual coincidences that line up with the BryonySeries.

For instance, when interviewing one woman named Melissa, she told me her younger brother was Brian.

Another time, I wound up interviewing a woman by the name of Julie Drake. Of course, I had to tell her about the fictional Jule Drake. Even more wild, her husband's name is David.

We had a lunch a few times (we are overdue, thanks COVID) and still talk on social media.

So yesterday, someone who is reading Visage said he just learned a John Simotes works out at the same gym he does and then added:

Haha I mean what are the chances of that? Literally reading the book he's in and then this pops up this morning...coincidences happen of course, but the empathic/mystic sides of my brain are wondering what this could signify? 

Well that can only signify one thing.

My reply: The story is bigger than both of us.

May today bring you happy surprises and reasons to make you pause in very good ways.

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Will the Real Julie Drake Please Stand Up?

Monday, March 7, 2011

Will the Real Julie Drake Please Stand Up?

Last year, while writing An Extraordinary Life story about a local woman, my source, the woman's daughter, asked me to call her sister for additional information.

I agreed and asked for the sister’s name and number. I almost dropped the telephone when the voice on the other end said, “Julie Drake,” and proceeded to give me the number.

Of course, I had to tell Julie Drake about Bryony, because one of Melissa’s Munsonville friends is also named Julie Drake. Even more coincidental, the “real” Julie Drake has a husband named David. In later books, Julie’s boyfriend (and, eventually, her husband) is also named David.

“I can’t wait to read this book,” Julie said. “When I thought it was going to come out last December, I had told my two nieces about it because they love to read. When I first met Denise and spoke to her about, I knew we were supposed to meet. It was so comfortable talking with her.”

Recently, Julie agreed to let me interview her for the BryonySeries blog and see how she compares to the fictional Julie Drake, especially since both Julies grew up in the 1970s.