Jenn McKinlay: I had no idea punctuality was such a big deal, truly, until I wrote a character who was chronically 10-15 minutes late. Annabelle in WAIT FOR IT struggled through the entire book to get to places on time because she was an artist and easily distracted. This was based on my ex-fiance, also an artist and chronically late -- so much so that his father told him he was getting married an hour earlier than he was so my ex would be on time. We were still late.
Y'all, I had NO IDEA this was such a trigger for so many people. The negative reviews I received were all about Annabelle's inability to be on time and how it made her unlikable. Readers, simply could not get over it and I was like -- but you weren't even waiting for her! LOL.
I remember being at the hairdresser's on my wedding day and my mom got all in a fizz that we were going to be late and she was about to cancel her appointment. This was a strong indication that Mom is an "on time is late" sort of person. I was in the chair with my updo half done and I said, "I'm pretty sure they can't start without me. Sit down. Get your hair done. We're fine." She did and we were...right on time.
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| Someone is having a stroke reading this - guaranteed. |
These days I live in a house divided. Hub and Hooligan 1 are "early is on time" sorts, while I arrive precisely on time. I don't like to be early or late and schedule my life accordingly. Naturally, Hooligan 2 is always late just to keep our family events lively. Seriously, the tardy hotline at his high school called our house every evening to let us know he was late...again. In all fairness though, he has gotten better since leaving the nest. Somewhat.
I do have one friend who I meet regularly for coffee and we have an understanding that we meet at 10-ish. This means any time between 15 minutes before 10 or 15 minutes after. We're both readers so we always have a book on hand and neither one of us minds reading our book while we wait. Sometimes if the book is really good, I hope she arrives at 10:15 so I can get some reading in. LOL.So, how about it, Reds and Readers, which type are you?
Early is on Time.
On Time is Late.
I'll See You When I See You.
