Keri Not Keri
For the record: I am the evil twin.
I lay claim to the title by virtue of seniority: I have a good decade on Keri Ford, who is not me.
And I am not her.
See? Me:
No…wait. That one’s NOT me. No wrinkles. Hair with body and curl.
Let’s try again…
That’s more like it…but wait. I’m a blonde. Sigh. Once more into the photo files…
She writes sexy books with sexy covers (and a lot of them):
I do, too.
The Arkansas comes out when she talks. The Arkansas comes out when I drink a bit and talk (my people left the state a generation ago to move to the civilized north–in Missouri).
She’s funny, sweet and a wee bit twisted. I’m twisted, funny and a wee bit sweet.
She has a dog.
I have a dog.
No. These are not pictures of the same dog.
Our mothers both thought they’d be a little creative in the spelling of our names–and for the record, I want it noted, that at age 42, I am STILL the oldest K-E-R-I “Keri” I have ever met. I set the trend, dagnabbit!
We are both mothers of sons. We will both be The Mother-In-Law.
When I hit that stage, Keri will nod at me indulgently across the table in the bar as I speak my mind.
When she hits that stage, I will say, “See? I told you so.”
And as sure as my bathrobe is ratty and gray, I know those moments will come for us. Some of my life-friends are so different from me, I think, “Thank you, God, for opening my eyes to this big world.”
And some life-friends are so eerily similar I think, “No need to hit me upside the head with a two-by-four, God. I get it. I will share my cookie with her.”
What about you? Do you have friends who seem to have stepped right out of the parallel universe next door?
UPDATE! I am clearly the dorky evil twin, because I forgot one of the best things! Keri Ford just sold to Carina Press, which makes us both Carina Press authors (and I believe we’re even sharing the same fabulous editor.) Nifty, no?
Feb 15, 2013 @ 06:11:42
Wow, Keri-not-Keri, you do have a lot in common. Though I don’t think you’re *entirely* evil.
No parallel universe twins for me–that would be scary for the universe–though Natalie and I sometimes come close.
Gwen Hernandez recently posted..Confessions of an introvert
Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:07:33
every now and then we have a follower on twitter who is positive we were the same person. Good thing we really like each or that could get weird!
you and Natalie ARE close to universe twins! love that about both of you! it’s fun that when you look at friends in your life, you start seeing the similarities between you.
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:26:22
It IS good we like each other. There’s another Keri Stevens out there–she blogs on housekeeping topics for mainly Mormon publications. I learned about meal-planning from her. Not sure what, if anything, she’s learned from me!
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 16, 2013 @ 08:31:16
HA! This is what I thought when I read the question at the end of the post. “Well, there’s Gwen.” LOL!
I also tend to share a brain with Misty Simon, and for a long time I thought Megan Hart and I had similar DNA. She’s SO much cooler than me, though.
The funny thing is that I *think* like all of these people, but we’re so different! Gwen is brilliant and elegant. Misty makes instant friends with everyone she talks to. And Megan has that cool thing going. I am none of these. LOL
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Setting a Bad Example
Feb 15, 2013 @ 06:17:47
LOL Loved this post!!
I learned so much about you two. No twins here either. Probably a really good thing too. LOL
Melissa Ohnoutka recently posted..The Dragon Empire BLog Tour – Heather McCorkle
Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:08:06
LOL the only downside is we don’t see each other near enough.
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:27:07
No kidding! Any chance you’re going to RT in KC this year? Otherwise, it’s 2014 for us!
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 06:37:43
what a cute post! I’m trying to imagine having either of you as a mother-in-law! *shivers in fear*
Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:10:03
hey! we’re gonna be awesome in that non-want-to-sleep-at-your-house-rule the world way. If my future DIL can get son to take meds when he’s sick without fussing and feed him healthish food without him fussing–she’ll be a winner!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:28:09
I’m going to smile. A lot. All the time.
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 07:07:56
Wow, lots of parallels – especially the dogs!
I have a ‘writing twin,’ Anne Clelland. We met years ago at our local RWA Chapter. As rank newbies, we hung together, big-eyed and overwhelmed. We did submissions together. We achieved the following goals within a month of each other: Signed with an agent, sold a book, sold a series, got our covers, release dates — and, most recently, when she sold her audio rights, I said, “Oh good, that means mine aren’t far away!” Although I didn’t even know if my publisher was shopping them. This week I heard – audio rights for The Sweet Spot sold!
Spooky, huh?
Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:11:36
Funny enough, Laura, I would call our Liz Talley my writing twin. in the beginning, we critted for each other. we’d trade mss and have crazy similar things happening in our books–without having plotted with each other or told anything about our books!
and we both wrote regencies before we started in contemporary where we both found success!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:28:38
Very cool!
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 07:58:52
Ha! Loved this! My evil twin is Melissa Ecker. We have the same initials, joined our local RWA within months of each other, and signed our first contracts with the same publisher on the same day. She is tall and blonde and beautiful and I am…not, but when we get together, the devil trembles.
Margaret Ethridge recently posted..Monday Mayhem – Nervous Nellie Edition
Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:12:54
LOL it’s so fun when you have a partner in crime to go through things with. The day I found out I sold to Carina Press was the *same day* a long time twitter friend of mine announced her sale. It’s like I have someone to paddle around with in the dark as we learn a new publisher!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:29:22
Melissa Ecker rocks. We’re tweeple!
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:04:02
Oh, you’re with Melissa Johnson? Love her!
I don’t know about evil, but when I grow up, I’ll be lucky to be half as cool as you are, Stevens!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:30:01
Oops–NOT The same editor. I’m with Deb Nemeth. Who I also love.
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:36:06
My story went to Deb first! it wasn’t quite right, but she thankfully saw something there and forwarded it to Melissa. Had it not been for Deb, I wouldn’t have that sale. So I’ll be forever thankful for her.
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:35:26
I’m an evil twin! We met on a Facebook Fan page a few years ago, we were both going to the same conference, and share the same first name (so I changed mine. I’m the evil one, so I bailed on her). Turns out we were both born in Dayton, OH, at the same hospital, one month apart–and now we both live in different cities. Crazy, no?
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:36:36
that’s scary fun and crazy!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:30:42
I’ve met you, Teri Anne. You’re not evil…at least, not very
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:51:47
“She’s funny, sweet and a wee bit twisted. I’m twisted, funny and a wee bit sweet.” LOVE IT
I do have a twin, but we’d have to fight it out who was the evil one. And honestly we’d probably take turns. Our very own (she’s still ours you know) Crystal Posey. It’s not that we’re both mothers to large blended families- I one-upped her to seven but I’ve always got a decade on her so she could catch up–it’s not that we are married to men with the same name (Even though his name is Carlos, my husband’s family calls him Charlie short for Charles) It’s not even that we can finish each others sentences. Its the fact that sometimes when we talk on the phone, it’s like we share a brain. It’s the fact that we’ve never met in person, but we share each others ups and downs and love each others kids like they were family. We often joke that when we do get together some day it will be epic. Can you image? Me and Crystal, our husbands and thirteen kids! LOL
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:38:01
that would be so much fun!! I too vote for a cabin meet in the middle for epic awesomeness. I see I games between the two families and and epic battle trophy to be passed back and forth!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 12:14:26
I LOVE THIS POST.
Let’s just be glad that Shawna and I don’t have the same first name. The world might explode.
And, awe, guys! You changed the layout. Did Cynthia do this? It looks GREAT! I miss you guys!
Feb 15, 2013 @ 15:15:18
I forgot that we also both married our husbands after a very short time!
Feb 15, 2013 @ 12:46:51
Shawna and Crystal–I think you should make plans for the big trip now. Find some resort cabins between the two of you that you can rent fairly cheaply, plan a 3-4 day trip, and take LOADS of video!
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 13:02:26
WOULD. BE. EPIC.
Feb 15, 2013 @ 15:16:23
I’d love to! And yes there will be pictures!
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:14:36
O-M-G This will be a hoot to recall in the bar at the West Chester Marriott as we listen to little Keri or is that older Keri….oh what the hell, whichever Keri it is that snorts when she laughs will ensure laughter at that point.
Congrats to Keri for sale to Carina Press
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:28:00
It’s a shihd.
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:39:26
it’s a sheeaad! and that thing takes out all your phone signal!
but I won’t make this year
If I get lucky, we’ll in be Disney that weekend catching the very skinny of ‘low (cheaper) time” after school lets out.
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 16, 2013 @ 05:20:03
Never thought I’d say this, but I’m jonesin’ for some Disney.
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:18:35
Waaa – I want an evil twin! I’m the oldest – make that ONLY “Becke” I know, probably because I made it up. My parents named me after Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm – when there were three Beckys in my high school homeroom, we all picked unique spellings. I stuck with mine.
So Keri (Whippersnapper Keri, that is) did I mention I was born in Arkansas? Never lived there, though, so you have no competition for the cutest accent around. And Keri (as in you-know-who-you-are-Keri), you neglected to mention your ability to translate German beer songs on demand. I don’t think Other Keri lists that among her talents. I miss you both, dagnabbit! Come visit me!
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:28:56
I’m looking at August. Also, you need to keep us on the Chicago regional conference list!
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:40:35
I didn’t know that Becke!!! there’s some mighty fine peeps who come out of Arkansas
Stevens–I’ve heard Spring Fling every year in Chicago is always fab.
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:22:46
Congrats, Keri Ford, on your Carina sale! Woot!!!
Becke Martin Davis recently posted..Brenda Novak’s Annual Auction Starts May 1st!
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:41:01
thank you doll!!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:34:52
Keri – I just joined Windy City RWA and Chicago-North RWA (as well as OVRWA, of course) so hopefully I’ll find out about Chicago-area conferences, workshops, etc. through their loops. Both chapters meet in the suburbs so I doubt I’ll get to many meetings, but I found out there’s a group of romance writers who live in the city and get together once a month informally. I hope to get involved with that group, too. Hopefully I’ll see you before August – one of these days we’ll make it down there for a visit!
Becke Martin Davis recently posted..Brenda Novak’s Annual Auction Starts May 1st!
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:41:44
Becke, Sasha Devlin is from that area and I think you would love her! she’s so funny, energic and super, super sweet. She also writes some sexy sexy books!
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Feb 15, 2013 @ 22:36:29
I’m with all the other comments. How come you two get to be evil twins. I want one. Great post. Now does your editor ever get you confused?
Donnell recently posted..Help! I’ve Lost My Noodle
Feb 16, 2013 @ 05:21:59
Turns put we don’t share editors, so that saves us there. And Donnell, she’s out there for you. Just you wait and see!
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri
Feb 16, 2013 @ 08:36:06
These comments were as fun to read as the main post! You all make me want to be in a bar at a big conference, with six tiny tables pushed together, leaning in hard because I can’t hear who’s talking above all the laughter and I don’t want to miss a word!
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Setting a Bad Example
Feb 16, 2013 @ 11:58:37
I totally recommend huddling in a conference bar with Keri Ford!
Keri Stevens recently posted..Keri Not Keri