Actually, it’s the last two months that have been madly busy: just call me whirling chaos. There’s the Six Pack competition (NZ), the PSA competition (NZ), the Fish one page competition (Ireland), and an application for Creative NZ funding… and the writing of these stories (all different) to be fitted in around an equally busy time at work — no wonder there’s been no time to even think about the leaking roof! It can be quite melodious sitting on the loo, as the rain drips in two places very slightly out of time, so you get a dancing two-step plink-plonk, plink-plonk effect.
Meanwhile, chez Anaïs… I have a beautiful new picture of her on my inspiration board, wearing the transparent, black lace dress made famous in the film “Henry and June”. All that’s missing is the portrait of Colette and Missy, Colette at her desk, pen poised, the desk covered in papers, books and Toby-chien the miniature bulldog, while Missy standing at the window, looking like a serious, protective uncle. I haven’t written much of the Anaïs chapters lately, as I’m concentrating on Colette for the moment, but she’s still there in the background: the story is fermenting, gathering flavour and spices…
What I’ve been reading lately: “Extremely loud and incredibly close” by Jonathan Safran Foer. A friend lent it to me, and to be honest I opened the book a bit resentfully, or rather with bad grace, not expecting to enjoy it. I was mesmerised from the first paragraph, or maybe even the first sentence. I won’t spoil it by saying what it’s about: just read it, it’s brilliant.
I’m also simultaneously rereading Colette “Claudine married” (for research purposes), and comics by Roberta Gregory and Alison Bechdel (purely for fun). Also a fictional biography of Anaïs Nin — I won’t say who it’s by as I think my stories are much better!
Tout ce qu’il me manque pour mon mur d’inspiration, c’est le portrait de Colette et Missy, Colette assise à son bureau, un stylo à la main. Le bureau est un bazar de papiers, de livres, le tout surveillé par Toby-chien et Missy, debout à la fenêtre avec son air d’oncle plutôt sérieux.
J’ai une idée: je pense à traduire, dans chaque poste, un petit extrait de mon roman en français. Qu’est-ce que vous en pensez?
from Simone – Hiya Sarah, wow this is cool… the way you write is so captivating! I so hope it assists you with getting published, which you so deserve… loves, simone x