Jessica and Stephanie have some stories to share...plus a book giveaway

Amongst the many things I've learned over the past several years, it is how precious long-term friendships really are.  We all have our own unique story about how we met our close friends and they are tales that we keep near and dear to our hearts.

Today, we celebrate friendship between women with a visit from The HerStories Project editors Jessica Smock and Stephanie Sprenger.  Taking a look at one of the most intimate relationships women have,  The HerStories Project is a collection of essays from over 50 female writers, encompassing tales of friendship from the sandbox to the inbox. 

At this time, it is my privilege to turn things over to Stephanie Sprenger, who answered our questions for this interview.

Thanks to Jessica and Stephanie, we have two copies of The HerStories Project for lucky readers located in the US.

Learn more about Jessica and Stephanie by visiting them on their website, Facebook and Twitter.

Do you think that women approach making friends in a fairy tale like way? Why or why not?
No, not at all. I think women may have fairy-tale imagery when it comes to envisioning romantic partners, but I think we are pretty realistic about how we want to experience friendships. I think most of us picture women we can be real with- drinking wine together, trading complaints about kids, work, or spouses, and alternately lounging together on the couch or hitting a Happy Hour. So no, unless you count Sex and the City as a fairy tale.

What is your favorite fairy tale and why?
Hmmm. I suppose The Little Mermaid, but maybe that's because I'm a child of the 80s and it makes me feel nostalgic.

Which fairy tale character do you feel represents who you are the best and why that character?
I love Tiana in The Princess and the Frog. She was so determined and true to herself. A great role model for girls. I too strive to pursue my goals and ambitions and be myself as much as possible.

Which Disney movie do you feel has the best friendship story and why that movie?
Actually, that's an interesting question. Certainly NOT The Princess and the Frog. Tiana's friend was sort of a vapid opportunist and not particularly devoted.

I've noticed that there aren't many female friendships depicted in the Disney movies; the princess's best friends are generally animals. I wonder why that is? Is it an unintentional commentary on women not being loyal and trustworthy companions to one another? If so, I find that kind of sad. But I bet you'd have a hard time finding a Disney movie with a great female friendship story, unless I'm forgetting something obvious. I did love the story of sisters in the brand new Frozen.

If you were to choose one Disney character to be friends with who would it be and why?
I suppose Belle because she was intelligent, kind, and a reader. Definitely an interesting and intellectual princess!

The first time I ever went to Disney World/Land . . .
I loved every second! It was so magical and like nothing I'd ever seen. I went several years ago with my two young daughters, and I can honestly say it was just as amazing and magical as an adult as it was as a child.

Thanks to Jessica and Stephanie for sharing their collection of essays with our readers.

~Introduction and interview by Tracey  Meyers

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