What Kind of YA Lit Friend Are You?
Here’s a This or That question:
Are you the Monica or the Phoebe? The Serena or the Blair? Or in 2000s YA fiction terms, are you the Sydney or the Rose?
You may have read my post about attending KidLitCon last month.
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| Photo from sonderbooks.com |
Our keynote speaker was YA author Maureen Johnson. If you follow Maureen on Twitter, you know that she is both smart and hilarious. She got up at the podium and said something wise: “Everyone needs a sensible friend.”
She’d brought along her BFF Robin Wasserman, YA author of Book of Blood and Shadow, among other stuff. (Actually, Maureen texted Robin at the last minute and asked her to get in a cab and join her. That’s the kind of stuff crazy friends do.) So Robin got in the cab, then got up on stage. What a friend!
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| Photo from Distraction99.com |
The two of them proceeded to talk about all kinds of blogger-y and bookish things, ranging from whether they read their own reviews (Maureen does not. Robin Googles herself. Hi, Robin!) to the strange language of book marketing to the role of bloggers in the publishing industry.
Yes — there is a point to this story:
YA fiction — and storytelling in general — loves the contrast between the wacky friend and the sensible friend. Every comedian needs a straight man. Every free spirit needs a BFF with a pocketful of bail money. Every absentminded inventor needs a partner to stand by with the fire extinguisher.
Are you the free-spirited friend or the sensible friend? If you have no idea, or if you want what happens in Vegas to stay in Vegas, you can also tell me your favorite crazy/sensible friend pairing from popular culture.
I do have a lot of crazy ideas, but they’re mostly in the realm of my imagination. So I’d say that in real life, I’m probably the sensible friend. Which one are you?
Oh, I'm definitely the Monica (but I always wanted to be Rachel…) Though in my defense I'm not nearly as OCD as Monica:) But the Phoebe's, and the Rose's and the Rhoda's and the Kramer's are so MUCH FUN. I've had a few of those type personalities in my life:)
I would have LOVED to have been there for that Maureen Johnson panel. The only thing that would have been better would have been M. Johnson and John Green TOGETHER on stage:)
For those of you I "know" online, it's going to be fun to guess. I wasn't sure if you were the Monica or the Phoebe. Hmmmm..
I would say I'm a little of both. I'm sensible when you need me, but I do have a wild, crazy, sense of humor-bit of free spirit, side of me that loves playing jokes, and tries to make you laugh!
Ha — I had a feeling that someone would say that! I can see that — you can liven up the quiet people AND be the voice of reason with the really crazy bunch!
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Okay and for those of you who say you're the wacky friend: I want details. I want examples. You can change names and dates and places for your own protection 😉
I'm probably a little of both. I can be a crazy banana(no idea what I mean there!)when I want to be but most of the time I am sensible. I guess it's because of my horror and phobia of failing..and getting into trouble is like failure for me…how..morbid! lol thanks for the giveaway x
I just LOL'd at the phrase "crazy banana"
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This has changed for me. I used to definitely be the free-spirited friend before. I was up for anything and always wanted to drag friends off to do off the wall things. Now that I have an almost 4 year old I have to say I am definitely sensible. I can't do anything without planning ahead anymore. I can still be off the wall and crazy when I am out with friends, but for the most part I am the sensible mom now. 🙂
Loving these answers. The Reformed Crazy Friend! Yes, I can see that 😉
4
I'm the sensible friend-when someone comes up with an idea, I'm the one implementing it or trying to talk them out of it because it's a crazy one!
Yes, I would have guessed that. There's nothing wrong with being the Voice of Reason!
5
i'm terribly loyal, protective and take care of my friends. I prefer to have few friends but real ones who stick with you no matter what though i'm really sensible too
I completely agree. I'd rather have a few close friends!
6
I'll admit that I'm the sensible and mature friend between my 4 BookBestFriend group. Goodness, I may even be the mother hen! I worry a lot, make sure that they are okay, advice them and stuff.
But I sometimes insinuate weird dares. Like bottoms-up involving raw eggs (made us not eat eggs for a few days), blow the ear of a random person (caused irritation), eat a tower of ice cream as fast as you can (caused our 1st brain-freeze), and stuff like that. But I rarely do those things, mostly when boredom is killing me, and when no one's around.
Regularly, I make sure they prepare for a quiz or do their assignment rather than read or play computer. I almost beg. My friends are the quirky ones. So sometimes, I'm the odd one out. But I understand. They want to have ALOT of fun. 😉
thanks for the giveaway and amazing questions. 🙂
Those are great stories. Raw eggs???
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Yes. It was our Christmas Party last year and there were left over eggs from our game 'Egg- Catching'. So I thought why not? But to be honest, I'm not a fan of raw eggs. Ugh.. 😉
I am definitely the responsible friend, the one saying, "Um, guys, maybe we should rethink this…" Well, unless I've had a couple of drinks. Bahaha…then it's going to either get really crazy or it's going to take quite a few voices of reason to talk me down from whatever hair-brained scheme I've come up with. But normally, I'm the Sydney or Monica of the bunch, though it *is* fun to cross to the dark side every now and again. 😀
Of course! The responsible friend is never responsible 100% of the time. That's what makes it fun.
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I used to be the free-spirited friend. Sometimes I think I still am. Now, I'm the sensible, responsible one..must be the mother thing.
Ah, another free spirit changed by motherhood!
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I think I'm more of the sensible one. I am more reserved and shy anyways. I like to do things at home rather than go out to a bar or club or whatever. I'm a good listener and an even better secret keeper 🙂
I am the best secret keeper. It infuriates my husband, who thinks there should be some kind of spousal secret privilege.
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I think I'm a mixture (true Gemini, right here). I'm pretty spacey at times, but very responsible at other. I guess it depends on the situation and mood. Great discussion!
Ha — another Gemini. I know what you mean 🙂
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I am the sensible friend that has bursts of spontaneity, lol! As long as everyone remains safe, I am up for anything, BUT I must prepare! So the spontaneous side of me usually happens after a lot of planning, its only spontaneous on the people I throw the plan at 😉
Planned spontaneity — love it!
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Maybe both… I'm the craziest friend my friends ever had… I'm always saying something sensible, giving them some trivia whenever I think they need lightening up… I'm not really shy when my friends are around but if they're not, well I change, I become shy… And then there are times when we are facing problems, I keep telling them "Been there, done that, we can face this or let's just forget it and never be stressed."
Thank you for this!!!
You sound like a great friend 🙂
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I'm definitely both. I can be very sensible whenever a friend needs me, but, if the occasion calls for it, I can be very free-spirited! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
A popular answer!
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Definitely sensible!
I was trying to think of a good crazy/sensible pairing from tv. We have Blair and Serena from Gossip Girl. But then who would be the crazy one and who the sensible one? 🙂
LOL — they are both kind of crazy. I guess there are those friendships too. The Thelmas and Louises…
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I think I'm a pretty good friend. I can keep a secret. I'm always there when they need me. In the beginning, I am very shy, but after a while you will notice that I burst from energy and happiness :p I never have a bad temper and I'm always in to do something fun (like watching movies and making fun together. I'm not the out-going type)
I think a lot of book people are shy. Me too!
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I am SO the Monica. My best friend is a Pheobe (well, really more of a Rachel),so I guess that's why it works- we balance each other out! I'm not QUITE as annoying as Monica (hopefully!), but I am definitely the one who tries to talk some sense into the all of the crazies in my life (who I love dearly) 🙂
I think Monica and Phoebe are extremes of their types — for dramatic effect. I'm sure you aren't annoying at all!
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I'm more of a Phoebe type of friend…a bit ditzy but a bit of a free-spirit once I really feel close to a friend. Although I am shy so I don't have many friends.
x
Yay — someone who admits to being the free spirit!
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I think it kind-of depends on the day and the subject matter. If it's a 'lets just go nuts and drive to the coast' sort of day, then I'm the instigator, if it's a 'I can't afford to pay my rent but I really want to buy that puppy/top/dvd etc' then I'm the sensible one who says 'please do not buy that! your rent is more important!'
Even though being the sensible one seems a bit boring or awkward at times, you're right – everybody needs one! When my friend is about to get her car repossesed I'm the one that has to follow her around for a month telling her to be sensible and not buy stuff! Makes me feel awful but I know that she'll appreciate it when she still has a car by the end of the month!
Ha — I have been the "drive to the beach" person and the "please don't get that puppy" person in real life too!
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I am definitely the sensible friend – without fail. Oh well – someone has to be, right? 🙂
Exactly. Or the world would literally fall apart. I'm serious!
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I think the majority of the time I am the sensible friend. However, there are times when I'm quite crazy. I guess it all just depends on the day.
Hmmm. Wondering if the craziness happens late at night 🙂
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I'm definitely both. I don't just have one best friend. There's a group of 5 of us so when we're all together we're completely whacky and outgoing. But I would for sure say that I'm the one who stops and thinks "are we going to get in trouble for this?" So yeah sometimes I can be a bit of a wuss
Not a wuss — someone needs to ask these questions!
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I…can be the really free-spirited one, or the sensible one, depending on who I'm with. But a lot of the times, I'm free-spirited, apparently. (Code for weird. LOL)
Not weird!!
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MY favorite pairing: Meredith and Cristina (Grey's Anatomy) But I'm not sure who's the crazy one between them 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
I don't watch that show, but I love a good pair of friends!
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I think I am a bit of both insane & practical.My fave pairs are Chandler and Joey in Friends & Barney Stinson and Ted Mosby from How I met Your Mother! 😀
Love Barney and Ted. And I know for sure who the sensible one in that pair is!
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I'm usually the sensible one, except when I am with a sensible friend, then I'm the wacky one, go figure… (maybe this sentence tells a lot more about which one I am !)
I agree that it can depend on who you are with!
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I'm definately the Monica-type! I like things organized and am more on the sensible side than the "free-spirit" side! Great question!
I love organization. I can't help it!
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I don't really think I fit into any of those pairings. But I would say I am more the sensible friend (almost I have been more laid back recently) but I am the friend that people come to rant and talk to. I am the listener friend.
I love these questions you come up with! 🙂
hope everything is well with you
The world needs more good listeners. I need to work on that!
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Im the sensible one definitely. Im quite and shy but would love to be outgoing!! I find my comfort in books 🙂
I think a lot of us can relate!
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I'm definitely (and unfortunately) the sensible friend. I wish I could go crazy and not care about rules or other people, but I can't.
Thanks for the giveaway and have a great weekend!
I completely understand!
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I think I'm the sensible one, too. Like Natalie, I am also terribly shy! I don't like being the center of attention, but I like being attentive to others 🙂
I HATE being the center of attention. I never tell people it's my birthday. I'm trying to be better with that!
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I think my friends would say I am the sensible one. They look to me for advice and a shoulder to cry on or complain to! I can be free-spirited but that comes in mostly in my mothering. My teens would say I'm crazy and all of their friends treat me like a mom. They know they can trust me.
Aw — they are all lucky to have you!
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I'm more the sensible kind. But for my friends I've done enought crazy things, especially for my best friend. I'm the kind of person that gives everything for her friends, without waiting for something back – althought I expect my firends to be there when I need them, and they usually are.
You guys are all so great!!!
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For the most part, I'd say I'm a sensible friend. However, there are times when I can be crazy (too much sugar, not enough sleep, etc).
Yep. Being tired will do that to you!
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I am the sensible friend. Although, I have been the free spirited friend on occasion. For example, me and a bunch of my friends tool a limo to a Dixie Chicks concert. We had cocktails befor the concert, and in the limo. By the time we got to the concert, a few of us had too much to drink. While a police officer was talking to one of my friends telling her she couldn't go to the concert, I walked up to him and did the splits in tall boots! My sister got angry at me and moved me away saying we'd get kicked out.
I LOVE that story. I wish I could have been there to see that!
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I'm kind of both, I have my quirks, but like to think I'm sensible as well haha. Thanks Jen!
I'm sure you are very sensible — ha ha!
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Definitely the sensible one – I tell it like it is and am pretty loyal!
Thanks,
Leanne
So many great friends around here!
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I'm like the Rose Hathaway type, I'm very protective with my friends they mean a lot to me, and I'm a bit impulsive too. Thanks for the giveaway!
I want to be friends with someone like Rose!
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I am always the sensible friend. Everyone comes to me talk out their problems. It's great mostly, but can get to be a little much at times.
I agree — I think I give good advice, but sometimes I need someone to give advice to me!
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I think "free spirit" is too rainbows and sparkles to explain how I used to be. Reckless and mischievous, brazen and without a whole lot of tact might be a better fit. Now, I am older and more cautious but still lacking that essential pause between brain and mouth. The sense of humor has been maintained. Maybe I am a Rose? Maybe…she's super hot! Thanks for the giveaway!
Rose is pretty amazing — if anyone can pull that Rose thing off, I say go for it!
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I'm a little bit of both: i try to balance my free spirit and try to give sensible advices when needed.
That's a good policy!
41
I'm the sensible friend in the way I act but the free spirit friend in the way I think… My sensible side just keeps me from acting on it 🙂
Ooh, interesting answer!
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I think I'm a bit of both but compared to my friends I'm more on the side of the free spirited friend. Only my close friends get to see the free spirit but usually I come off as a bit reserved and sensible.
I like the idea of the reserved person who's the free spirit underneath!
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I've been told by my friends that I'm a bit of both depending on the situation that is at hand. However they say I tend to be more free-spirited then sensible at normal times because I like to make every moment fun for them.
I think that's great — we serious types need to be reminded to have fun!
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Sensible. I wish I wasn't but alas, I am. It feels like I was born with an old soul. Way too serious for someone my age.
I understand!!
45
At one point I was a free bird. Unfortunately due to people being the disparaging humans they are, I've learned to guard myself.
Awww. Well, I hope you don't have to hide that side of yourself all the time.
46
Sensible, but sometimes free-spirited. It just depends on the mood I'm in and who I'm with. 😀
That seems to be what a lot of people say. Makes sense!
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I am the sensible one unless I know there is absolutely NO way of getting caught then I will join you on the wild side. I am very supportive of all my friends no matter how crazy they are. I just want to encourage them to be themselves, hopefully without breaking the law.
LOL — that sounds like someone in my family. I'm too paranoid — I always assume I'll get in trouble.
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I am the sensible one! I was forced to grow up young because of my parents having disabilities and I always seem to be everyone elses voice of reason.
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Your family is very lucky to have you and I hope you have a chance to have fun sometimes too!
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Thanks so much for Freebie Friday Jen! I would probably be the smart and under looked on 🙂 Happy Reading! 🙂
Hmmm. You mean the one who's under the radar?
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I am definitely the sensible friend. LOL I don't know if it has anything to do with my shyness but I was always more reserved where as my friends were the crazy ones. I had my moments back in the day though!
I think a lot of book people are shy. That's why I love them — I feel right at home!
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I'm the side-sick. Always there to pull friends out of a jam. The sane one basically.
That does not surprise me one bit. Though I know you do it with your trademark dry wit!
52
I think I'm a bit of a mix. I'm pretty out there and hilarious! LOL But when things are getting out of hand and someone needs help being sensible or coming up with a plan I also try to help with that. I'm definitely more Rose than Sydney!
And I also would have guessed that. We need to meet in real life, because I can tell how much fun you are!
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I'm a little bit of everything, I'm someone who can hear you or be there when you need me, I try to make people comfortable with me with some jokes. And I say things how they are, I don't like to keep my thoughts to myself or if I do feel like an intuition, I say it.. Example of that.. My friend (Eliza, not her real name) she met this man who at first told her he was expecting a baby of another woman but that he wasn't with her. So, they start dating, after that, she found out that he was planning to live "near" her mother's child (let's call her Mimi) just to help her with the baby, I told to my friend, Eliza, in that moment to not believe in what he was saying because for me, there was something else.. A few months later, he was living with Mimi, but he said "they were not together.. " Well, it's a long story, but I kept telling my friend everything I thought about it, and to value herself as a woman. She made her choice and I will support her even though I don't share the same opinion that's the best for her, about what she chose
You sound like a good friend. It's hard to watch your friends work through difficult situations!
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Hmm… I think I'm more of Sydney, with a little bit of Rose mixed in. And I think I'm the Monica- minus the OCD- and not so much of the Phoebe… But I love it when she starts singing about Smelly Cat! (because then I can't stop laughing :P)
I haven't watched Friends in so long — love that song. Phoebe is a bit of a ditz and definitely needs a sensible friend!
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I think I am a little of both. Sensible when needed and free spirited sometimes too. Thanks for the chance to win!
That sounds like a great way to be!
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I am definitely the sensible friend! I can have fun too, but most of the time I'm the one advising my friends to think things through more.
And they are lucky to have you!
57
I think I'm a little bit more of the free spirit. Most of my friends are the same way, but I think we can be sensible as well.
I'm happy to see people admitting to being the free spirit. Go for it!
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I'm the kind of friend that will do anything for a friend, will stand by them even if they are wrong. I'm not saying that I will say "yes" to them always or support them if wrong. I will just NOT turn my back on them and try to help them if possible.
So many great friends around here!
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It just depends. For the most part Im the free spirit friend, but in some situations I am the sensible one. For example my best and I. She is usually the sensible one where I want to go to Austin at the drop of a hat just to explore. She says why thats not a idea at the time and we do something else that doesnt interfer with school or day for the day. On the other hand her bf is, I realized recently, is getting to be abusive. If he isn't hitting her yet he will be. This is were our have switched. Im the sensable one, trying to get her to see logic. Where she will make outrageaous plans for the two of us. 🙁
It sounds like you are a good pair of friends. I hope you're able to help her out with the bf situation.
60
I am definitely the sensible, practical one. Almost too much so! 🙂 But I have some wild, adventurous friends to help cancel me out.
It's all about balance, right??
61
Great question! I honestly think I'm a little bit of both. I can be sensible if that's what the group or setting calls for, but I can also be crazy and free spirited when someone needs to be cheered up or have some fun 🙂
That's a good way to be, I'd say!
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I'm loving these topics, Jen! I think that would have been a fun discussion with those two authors to listen to. I would say that I'm probably the sensible friend. I haven't always been or will be, but I do think the past few years in life and the stage I'm in has affected me in that way (mother of four and had three of those while my husband worked full-time and went to law school at night).
It's true — at times all of us need to be sensible, or to learn to be. And probably all of us need to remember to be spontaneous and have fun!
63
I have to say that I am bit of everything – depending on who I am around, their personalities and my comfort level with those people – I can be the sensible one, crazy one, quiet one, loud one, funny one, boring one, diplomatic one, outspoken one, thoughtful one, thoughtless one, the instigator or the follower.
Thanks for pointing out that I have multi-personality disorder 😉 I like to think of myself of the one that can be whatever my friends need me to be 🙂 *cause that sounds better than the fact I'm insane*
I think most of us probably have different sides to ourselves! You're not insane!
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I'm naturally a free-spirit but after spending a few years in college, I've become rational and sensible. 🙂 I'm both, I think. I'm a free-spirit when it comes to things that I'm passionate about like writing, books and chocolate. 😉 But I also take the time to stop and think about my decisions.
Thanks!
I think it's good to have a little bit of both sides!
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Just to add to my comment above, I've decided that I'm more sensible than free-spirited. I reign in my friends and ask them to think through their decisions. 🙂