(*waves enthusiastically*) Hi, guys!!! How’s everybody doing? We survived the first half of a year that feels like looking both ways before crossing the street and then getting hit by an airplane! WE ARE CHAMPIONS!
As much as I love blogging, I have to say: I really needed that break. The first few weeks of June were a bit touch-and-go as far as Real Life was concerned, and I’m grateful I didn’t have to worry about updating A Writer’s Tale during that time. I also ended up taking a short Twitter hiatus, just so I could clear my head of all the shrieking political voices. The world is nuts, y’all. Better to cultivate courage and show kindness to the people in your own sphere than to scream into the Void.
But ALSO…I got a lot done in June. And by a lot, I mean…
I WROTE THE FIRST 20,000 WORDS OF ONE NOVEL, AND STARTED DEVELOPMENT ON ANOTHER.
The first idea is the story I worked on during April’s Camp NaNoWriMo, an Arranged Royal Marriage fantasy with a strong “Hades & Persephone” vibe (a trope I’ve really come to love). The second idea is far more quirky with great potential for hilarity: four misfit-scientists stumble into a parallel world while searching for the Loch Ness Monster.
Interestingly, when I presented both ideas to four of my younger sisters (aged 19, 17, 13, and 10), they ALL agreed, without hesitation or disagreement, that they found the second idea far more exciting and original. And since they really are my target audience, I’m listening! I’m not abandoning the Royal Marriage Story, but I’m definitely pursuing the Loch Ness Story with confidence…and also focusing on it for July’s Camp NaNoWriMo.
So yes, I definitely needed the blogging break–and I thank all my readers for their patience over the past month! But the hiatus is officially over, I’m ready to get back into the swing of things…and with that, I’m ready to announce a themed blog series for the next three weeks!
My family and I are watching the eighth season of Call the Midwife these days, and one quote from Nurse Lucille Anderson really stuck out to me: “A woman of substance can make a life for herself anywhere.” When Lucille used this phrase, she was talking about the kind of woman who uses her strength, intelligence, kindness, and dreams in the service of others. Not only did this scene bring tears to my eyes (and a nugget of encouragement that I really needed that particular evening), but it also summed up the message behind one book and two movies that I recently enjoyed.
NUMBER ONE: Circe, by Madeline Miller, a reimagining of Greek mythology’s most formidable yet compassionate sorceress…
NUMBER TWO: Ophelia, a cinematic retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet from the perspective of its observant and principled heroine…
NUMBER THREE: Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of Little Women, which turns the old familiar story of the March sisters on its head in refreshing new ways.
Circe, Ophelia, and the March Sisters: they may not seem like they’d go together, but I’m really looking forward to examining all three under the common theme of “Women of Substance.”
And with that, I shall take my leave this week and return here on Monday! It’s good to be back, and I can’t wait to start interacting with y’all on a regular basis again.
Maribeth Barber Albritton 
Ooh, I’m excited for all of these posts! Lucille is my favorite (current) nurse on CTM and I am eager to see how you connect these women of substance. The Loch Ness story sounds wonderful, too!
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Lucille has filled such a wonderful space in CTM, and I reeeeeeeeeeeally relate to her. She’s more on the quiet side and very conservative in her dress, relationships, behavior, etc.–so I often feel very “seen” by the writers through her character.
I’m pretty excited about the Loch Ness story, haha! I’ve had some ideas revolving around the Monster for a year or so, but none of them have come together quite as nicely as this one. We shall see what comes of it! 😉
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Oh wow, I’m so happy that someone other than me appreciates “Ophelia”. It’s quite a daring retelling, I’d say, but also quite refreshing and unique.
And, good luck with your new literary project!
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It is indeed a daring retelling–but a really clever and believable one! I think that if you weren’t already familiar with the story of Hamlet, it would be really, really confusing. It’s like the writers are counting on you to know that original story by heart and aren’t really bothering with people who don’t know it! But it’s a good movie nevertheless, and I found I enjoyed it more the second time I watched it.
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Your “Women of Substance” post has me muchly excited & intrigued 😀 😀 😀
Welcome back, friend!
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Thank you, friend!! I’m really excited about the Women of Substance series, too 😀
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