MMeM, Vol.11 Issue 37 – Joankie Collins

Today was a sad day. It was reported that Jackie Collins died of breast cancer at age 77. Of course, this was sad. No one even knew she had cancer as she chose to keep that fight private.

Yes, this news was sad. But I realized something possibly even more sad with this news. Jackie and Joan Collins were two different people. Moreover, they were even sisters!?!

I know I’m a dumb guy, it’s what I do (GEICO commercial nod). News, stories, and chatter about famous people with the same last name get all flumuxed in my brain. Now, I thought I knew there was a Joan Collins. The only reason I “thought” I knew this was that I could always remember what her name on the front of her books looked like. That’s a little piece of iconism that really stays with you, well me anyway. Can’t you always quickly look through stacks of novels recognizing certain author by that raised lettering of their names on the cover?

That I knew, I think. I know I heard about a Jackie Collins but it was hazy whether that was a character played by or written by Joan Collins, to me.

Ok, Whew! Got that straight now. 

Wait, what? They both write stuff?

SON OF A…

So this news today is sad. But, my realization is sad as well, to me. Although, when I do write a book, if I ever get it published for real, I’m going to demand that the publisher make the cover in the motif of say Nelson DeMille. It’ll be a new form of identity theft someday!

So, which Collins died today?