A Surreal Moment:
When TikTok Fame Meets Real Life
Last week, as I settled into my seat for what would turn out to be a delayed flight to Italy, I had no idea I was about to experience one of those surreal moments that remind you how small the world has become.
As we waited for our flight to depart, the lady seated next to me turned and asked, “Can I ask you a question… you look familiar… are you an author?” I nodded, both surprised and intrigued.
What came next left me truly astounded.
“I recognise you from TikTok!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
At that moment, the crowded plane seemed to fade away. Here I was, just on a normal trip away with my husband, being recognised not for my books (which would have been surprising enough), but for my TikTok presence.
It was a vivid reminder of how social media has transformed the way authors connect with readers.
The encounter was brief but powerful. We chatted about my books, our exciting trips to Italy, and of course, TikTok.
Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself feeling incredibly grateful for this unexpected connection.
I then asked her if she wanted to give me her name and address so I could send her a set of my bookmarks – she couldn’t wait to write it all down! 🙂 They are now in the post to her – I hope she loves them.
As authors, we pour our hearts into our work, often unsure if our words are reaching people. Moments like these serve as beautiful reminders that our efforts matter, that our stories are being heard, and that the connections we make online can translate into real-world recognition and excitement.
To the lovely lady on the plane: thank you for making my day and for reminding me of the power of social media to bring people together.
And to all my readers and TikTok followers: your support means the world to me.
Who knows? Maybe we’ll bump into each other on a delayed flight someday!
Has something like this ever happened to you? I’d love to hear your stories of unexpected connections!
