Friday Wrap-Up #3

Another week, another heartbreak. Here’s your regular reminder that writing is fun but trying to publish sucks. The agent who requested my full manuscript reached out this week to let me know they would be passing; while they found A Party to Murder “very clever and fun”, it was too similar to an existing client’s MS. How’s that for a gut punch? I sent a bunch more queries out, and also got a bunch more form rejections, so the universe balanced each other out, I guess *shrug*

Thank goodness I had some good distractions. My husband and I went to a wedding last weekend, and got to catch up with some of his old coworkers, who were lovely. Also, I will always get dressed up for a good buffet. Actually, I will get dressed up for any and all reasons. I had too many options to choose from (my formal dresses don’t get much air these days but I miss them!) and making the final decision was HARD. I need more of my acquaintances to get married, ok? Loved the final outfit I chose, but you’ll have to hang tight another week or so; I haven’t posted it on Insta yet, but it’s coming.

The kids had their last day of school, and I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how my daughter is heading into junior high next year. Like, HOW?! She’s just a baby!! OK, so she’s nearly as tall as I am and twice as sassy but … SHE’S MY BABY *ugly cries* Also, my son turns 14 next month and keeps talking about getting his learner’s (driving) permit and *ugly cries intensifies*

I’m getting super engrossed in my current WIP, which is currently at that fun stage where I’m excited to write every day because I can’t wait to find out what happens next. [Like, I know what happens, but I’m excited to read about it, if you see what I mean.] It’s another genre-crossing mystery, but completely different from A Party to Murder and its interconnected non-sequels. I haven’t quite landed on the genre description, but I’m calling it a paranormal mystery for the time being.

As part of some background research, I read/am reading a couple of super interesting books by Ronald Hutton – one on the history of modern Wicca, and one on the history of witch trials. Yes, that is a hint … but only a very small one … about my new book. Sometimes, it’s helpful to submerge yourself in “lore” that is only tangentially related to your story; even if only a couple of tiny bits make it into the narrative, it still adds depth and richness to the tapestry.

I also managed to squeeze in a bit of BritBox this week (first time in months!) because I saw that Outrageous is now streaming episodes. Here’s a little-known fact about me: the Mitford sisters are one of my historical obsessions. I’ve read pretty much every book that’s ever been written about them, including The Mitford Sisters by Mary S. Lovell (one of my fave non-fiction writers) which inspired this show. I’ve only seen 3 episodes so far, and there are 3 more yet to be released, but I’m enjoying it. It looks great and it’s well-acted. As far as substance goes, it’s … OK. It oversimplifies and glosses over a lot of stuff, which is to be expected for this genre of “inspired-by-real-events” series, but I haven’t seen any egregious errors or inventions yet. I could quibble with the characterizations of the sisters, but again, they’re not egregiously terrible.

I really like the actress who plays Nancy, although they’ve made her too much of a sad sack and not sparky enough; the real Nancy was famous for her sharp wit. Diana looks great but has been reduced to a paper-thin “ice queen” stereotype, presumably because the writers/producers were afraid to glamorize/humanize a N*azi-sympathizer. Which, fair enough. I am finding the performances of the actresses playing Unity and Jessica the most compelling, perhaps because they have been given the most interesting material to play with. The show’s Unity, in particular, is such a fascinating character because they’ve not shied away from exploring her trajectory from slightly odd English aristocratic young lady to fanatical H*tler-lover. Her dynamic with her “twin”, the Communist Jessica, is also super compelling as (at a superficial level) a microcosm of the political and cultural crosswinds sweeping through 1930s Britain. Since we’re now living in what feels like a re-do of that era, I think it’s a period worth re-examination. Obviously, this show is just light entertainment … but if you watch it and like it, give Lovell’s book a try.

Have a great weekend!