darlings
as we lie back on the movie starlet counterpane….
we’ve been thinking a lot (always a slightly dangerous activity)
about Why People want to be published.
because there seem to be Quite a few people around us who, well, might have Wanted to have written a book (too) and, well, haven’t quite got round to it (yet). so when they see a copy of the book SOMETIMES (and only sometimes) there’s a – how can we put this – rueful smile when they see IT.
of course Morrissey sang it wickedly at his best (and with a lovely slightly shiny blue blouse)
it doesn’t matter at all.
we wish them well.
in fact we wish they’d just get on with it and write the bloody book and publish it.
because…..
*looks_around*
what’s that?
oh.
well there’s a Big difference between wanting-to-write-and-communicate-with-the-World and what’s perhaps the True Reason:
wanting to be Validated by the Establishment
(book deal, critics, cocktail parties, protection from poverty, escaping from one’s Past)
for a start: not sure if you’ve noticed, but the Establishment doesn’t run things anymore (and it stopped throwing really big parties when the accountants became mgmt and started looking at the “numbers”).the court(ship) of public opinion (and direct to consumer publishing via mr. amazon and the like, blogs, sharing, social feeds) is Us.
(and are Ever so grateful to Miss French Navy for sending us this clipping about our article in Harper’s Bazaar Australia)
which is DELICIOUS.
so there you go – we’ve said our piece.
publish and be hugged.
nobody’s stopping you (but you – as the sages say).
and we’ll be the 1st to buy a copy. but you knew that. 
in other news:
the DIVINE Miss Vickie Lester has written a blog post featuring the Scar (which is ever so happy to be mentioned, it’s been a while)
now just in case you’re Very Young, Miss Vickie Lester’s Post features a picture at the top (providing Context and Hollywood deliciousness) of the divine Elizabeth Taylor (not who-we-are-in-RL).
co-in-ci-dent-ally – we have a Quote (about) Miss. E. Taylor framed on our wall from a vintage copy (1981, we believe) of Interview magazine where Mr. Warhol talks about how famous people have this entree to each other that brooks no need to stand on ceremony.
having been around a few famous people in our Time, we can confirm this is True.
there’s a subtle nod of recognition – just like in the corridors at a particularly grand school – between the chosen beauties and those-who-will-run-corporations (while those-who-will-write furiously take in the Scene).
talking of Fame and wanting-to-reach the Top, we happened to catch Stage Door (1937) last night (that’s a slightly understated allusion – we deliberately picked up the DVD while retrieving the latest cache of Requested Materials at the library).
have you seen it?
the snappy dialog(ue) is Genius.
I see that, in addition to your other charms, you have that insolence generated by an inferior upbringing.
Hmm! Fancy clothes, fancy language and everything!
Unfortunately, I learned to speak English correctly.
That won’t be of much use to you here. We all talk pig latin.
And I use the right knife and fork. I hope you don’t mind.
All you need’s the knife.
If you were a little more considerate of your elders, maybe Mr. Powell would send his car for you someday. Of course, he would probably take one look at you and send you right back again, but then you have to expect that.
Is that so?
Do you know, I think I could fix you up with Mr. Powell’s chauffeur. The chauffeur has a very nice car too.
Yes, but I understand Mr. Powell’s chauffeur doesn’t go as far in his car as Mr. Powell does.
*giggling*
now that’s writing.
there were two men’s names on the screenwriter credits (although you know that only the last people who touch a script get credited, right?) but there was something so Heartfelt and dirty (in a good way) and Real that we KNEW the person who wrote the Original words *must* have lived in a boarding house (or similar) for theatrical “girls” in the late 1920s in the sniper fire of midtown manhattan.
“The writer is a writer because [she] cannot help it. It is a compulsion. Sometimes it is called a gift, but actually it is an urge for expression that simply cannot be denied.”
Edna Ferber.“Is this, they ask, the story of your life?…Yes. My inner life. The life of imagination and creative ability. Writing is a lonely work but the creative writer is rarely alone. The room in which one works is peopled with the men and women and children in the writer’s imagination. Often they are difficult—but rarely boring—company. This is a fortunate thing, for they are with one day and night, they never leave while the book or play is in progress…” (A Kind of Magic, 1963)
darlings – will you excuse us?
we simply *must* click over to the Los Angeles County Library Requested Materials department to request EVERYTHING by Edna Ferber.
we shall return.
with pictures.
Not that it really matters, but I want to share that I facilitate a writing group at a local middle school. There are about 20 students who come each week and I’m so happy to say that SIX of them will be self-publishing novels this spring. One student is 13 year, four are 12 and one has just turned 11. I am so thrilled for these students; they’ve worked so hard. We’re going to have a big book launch party at the end of the school year – with fruit juice and cookies – and they’ve decided to have a no-jeans dress code. So cute!
Also, “Stage Door” is one of my faves. Such great lines, as you’ve pointed out.
we ADORE THAT!
privately-published novels for new writers!
would you wish them our best?
extremely happy for them.
*wavingfromlosangeles*
_tg xx
I love that you work so hard and yet you are helping us all to learn to live differently…of course better in my opinion…by slowing down. Ever the radical, you are! Treading softly but carrying a big stick sort of thing.
As usual, there is just too much to respond to here, so I will just sit back, drink my tea and say thank you.
Happy Sunday.
happy dimanche to you!
I so enjoyed the correspondence from Miss French Navy, with her beautiful French Navy stationery. And Bingo for me, too, because the person who wrote the article on Edna was featured here on my blog http://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/2013/09/10/rice-bread-and-blossom/ Too sad that I can’t provide you with some literature from Miss Ferber,as well, but please have some rice bread; it is gluten free and ever so good. :) Hugs!
what a splendidly small world!
your post was lovely.
off to have some oats and a small pear right now.
alas no bread (long story)
*wavingfromlosangeles*!
_tg xx
You know I just love this! I meant to mention to you before about E.T.’s tracheotomy scar but it slipped my mind. She was so proud of it and refused to have it minimized with plastic surgery. So now here is this post! and not only Elizabeth but Stage Door (“Wait a minute, gangrene just set in.” is one of my favorite lines.) and Edna Ferber. So here is the deal, you know my history with E.T. (If you don’t then read my post “Memory: E.T. and Me” and you will get the picture.) anyway the very first book I ever read at 11 years old was Edna Ferber’s “Giant” and my very first movie memory was at 5 of that great shot in the film “Giant” of the car taking Leslie Benedict for the very first time across that dry dusty West Texas landscape toward Reata. It was a God’s POV shot and just stuck in my tiny brain and became part of my personal movie history. So your post really spoke to me. Thank you…. you must read “Giant” it is Ferber’s masterpiece (as too is Show Boat) and re-visit the film. One of E.T.’s great performances. xo
how lovely of you to drop by!
off to read your post about Miss. E. Taylor right now.
I’ve savoured every word of this. a delicious new cocktail you’ve whipped up, only words, but words of power. it was a magic spell of a post, and divinely in line with everything I have learned on my journey so far or am still to learn today and tomorrow. so I can actually only nod silently; my throat tightened; and my eyes shining suspiciously.
we are *humbly_bowing* at your delightful response.
thank you.
most sincerely.
*wavingfromlosangeles*
_tg x
Guilty pleasure? Which I read just about once a year? Come to think of it, when I take to my bed—”Saratoga Trunk” by Edna Ferber! It’s all delicious!
More hugs from here ;-)
Oh yes I forgot about Saratoga Trunk…and the movie is sooo wonderful. Ingrid Bergman and that lanky Gary Cooper!
oooo, good – we do believe that was one that is on Request from the Los Angeles County Libray!
Delicious x
as is that new patio with raised beds.
Treating myself to your inspiring words of sanity soon when I go to B & N to collect my copy which is waiting for me now!
Patti!
You’re a darling one for ordering it!
*blush*
Thank you.
-tg xxx