I still handwrite my stories on paper. Black ink. Wide ruled spiral notebooks. Wide ruled means I can squeeze in words or phrases. What I write today will receive its first edit tomorrow before I continue on with the story. Eventually, I type the pages, which is the second round of edits.
All that being said, I have my own method of marking words and phrases. If I cannot think of a more appropriate word than the one I have, I simple circle it and write wc (word choice) above it. On that second read through, I might change it or it may change later in the process, but I do not stop to look for an alternate word, for such would play havoc with my story flow. I do the same thing, if I have used the word often in a short passage. I also circle phrases that seem as if they might be too modern for a story set in the early 1800s. Such was true when I wrote a passage where my heroine, Lady Cora Midland, was honored by walking about the room with the “dandy of the period,” one Beau Brummell. Here is a bit of their conversation:
“How very sad,” she observed.
“Is such not the way of all people?” Mr. Brummell questioned. “We wish others to fail so we might think ourselves the fortunate ones, though often we are teetering on the edge of disaster ourselves. Yet, enough of my sermonizing. I did not ask to walk about the room with you to discuss such morbid thoughts. Tell me, instead, something of your people, Lady Cora.”
“Gladly so,” she said with another smile. “I adore speaking of them. My mother, Miss Sophia Cooper, was half-sister to Lord Lindmore’s mother, Miss Louisa Cooper. They shared a father, Edward, 7th Viscount Cooper. Louisa married Frederick Harrington, who, as you well know, both passed quite young, leaving their son as the heir to the Lindmore line.
“My mother was the second wife of Lord John Midland. With our father’s passing, my half-brother has assumed the earldom. My mother inherited Cameron Manor from her mother, the late Viscountess Cooper. The manor is mine, or, I should say, will be mine when the law considers me old enough to manage on my own. Before she passed, Lady Midland asked the Dowager Countess of Lindmore to see to my Come Out.” Cora would not admit how her mother had not trusted the Midlands to do right by her. Some family secrets were to be held close to the chest.
“My own father was not a landed gentleman,” Brummell admitted. “Not that anyone in this room cares. Never permit them to know you possess a weakness,” he advised. “They will turn upon you in the manner of a swarm of bees.”
Cora glanced to those watching them intently. “You make me wish to run screaming from the room, sir,” she admitted.
Brummell chuckled. “Perhaps we both should do so and see how many follow suit. I have heard of the habits of Norway lemmings, which suddenly appear in large numbers, seemingly out of nowhere, as if they fell from the sky. They are thought to come upon the notion of following each other so closely that when one jumps from a cliff, they all follow without reason. Someday I may place this rumor into practice to see what might be the result.”
Cora felt sympathy for a man who could not even turn around without everyone remarking on it.
*******
When I wrote this remark regarding “lemmings,” I again circled it and put “origin” above it to remind me to trace whether those in the Regency era might know of lemmings and the story of their “supposed” suicide. Fortunately, for me, some knowledge of this tale did exist for the time period of my story. I did not have far to go for the truth of the matter. The lovely encyclopedia Britannica tells us, “In the 17th century, naturalists perplexed by the habit of Norway lemmings to suddenly appear in large numbers, seemingly out of nowhere, came to the conclusion that the animals were being spontaneously generated in the sky and then falling to earth like rain. (The prosaic truth is that they migrate in herds.) Some people also thought that lemmings explode if they become sufficiently angry. This is also a myth, of course—lemmings are indeed one of the more irascible rodents, but they mostly channel their rage into fights with other lemmings. People probably came up with the notion of exploding lemmings after seeing the picked-over lemming carcasses that were left behind following a migration.
“But there is one myth that has held on tenaciously: Every few years, herds of lemmings commit mass suicide by jumping off seaside cliffs. Instinct, it is said, drives them to kill themselves whenever their population becomes unsustainably large.
“Lemmings do not commit suicide. However, this particular myth is based on some actual lemming behaviors. Lemmings have large population booms every three or four years. When the concentration of lemmings becomes too high in one area, a large group will set out in search of a new home. Lemmings can swim, so if they reach a water obstacle, such as a river or lake, they may try to cross it. Inevitably, a few individuals drown. But it’s hardly suicide.”
“There it is in the 17th Century!” It can fit in the story, and no one can call me out on it, though someone will for that is the way of mean-spirited reviewers. Sorry. That is for a different blog.
Loving Lord Lindmore released yesterday. If you do have your copy yet, do so soon before the price change at the end of next week, and keep looking for the story’s companion novel, Taming Lord Truist, releasing in September 2024.
LADY CORA TAKES SOCIETY BY STORM . . .
Lady Cora Midland, a highly-spirited country beauty, offers no pretensions, which wins her many admirers, despite her lack of knowledge on how to manage the beau monde. However, Matthew Harrington believes she is taking advantage of his elderly grandmother, and he means to put a stop to the girl.
LORD MATTHEW LINDMORE IS IN DENIAL . . .
Lindmore reluctantly assists his grandmother in bringing Lady Cora out in Society. Yet, what appeared to be a daunting task becomes a transformation the earl does not expect. He finds the woman as delightful, as do others in the haut ton. Yet…
When Lady Cora is on the the verge of marrying another, Lindmore fears time will expire before he can speak his own proposal.
Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTFSRB7R?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100
Upon Release Available to Read on Kindle Unlimited
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTLY847C?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
The theme song from the 1997 James Cameron film “Titanic,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet can bring you both hope and sadness. “My Heart Will Go On” was written by James Horner & performed by Celine Dion. See it on 
How about “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffanys”? Audrey Hepburn singing this wistful number on the balcony of her apartment is a moment that Manhattan dreamers have related to ever since. See it on 
Then there’s “Skyfall” from the 2012 James Bond movie by the same name. Heck, it is Adele, what else must I say? See it on 
Next up, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from “Dirty Dancing” (1987) is an all-time favorite. Johnny pulls Baby up on stage at the end of season revue at Kellermans. See it on 
Although I was never a big fan of the film, “A Officer and a Gentleman,” I was a fan of “Up Where We Belong.” See it on 
Along the same vein, I offer “Take My Breath Away” (sung by Berlin) and featured in “Top Gun.” See it on 
Robert Redford is absolutely delicious in “The Way We Were.” Barbara Streisand sings the title song and stars with Redford in the film. See it on 
Vic Damone’s version of “The Shadow of Your Smile” is haunting. It comes from “The Sandpiper,” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. See it on 
“Evergreen,” again sung by Barbara Streisand in “A Star is Born,” is another that stays with a soul. She plays opposite Kris Kristofferson. See it on 
I also love “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” sung by Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand. (Believe it or not, I did not set out to feature Ms. Streisand. She just has memorable songs!) This is from their GRAMMY AWARDS performance. See it on 
Barbra Streisand’s signature song, “People,” came from the film “Funny Girl.” She starred with Omar Sharif. See it on 
Noel Harrison’s “Windmills of Your Mind” from “The Thomas Crown Affair” is wonderfully crafted poetry set to music. See it on 
In “The Days of Wine and Roses,” Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick are unforgettable and the title tune wins an Oscar(R) in Blake Edwards’ searing, bittersweet study of an alcoholic couple on the rocks. See the title song on 
“Love is a Many Splendored Thing” from the film by the same name always ends up being an earworm for me. Here is Connie Francis’s version on 
Doris Day sang “Secret Love” in “Calamity Jane.” The fact that Howard Keel was in the film with her sealed the deal for me. See it on 
“Call me Irresponsible” came to us from “Papa’s Delicate Condition,” starring Jackie Gleason. See the trailer 
“The Morning After” from “The Poseidon Adventure” evokes melancholy, as well as hope. Hear Maureen McGovern’s version on 
When was the last time you heard “Three Coins in a Fountain” from the movie by the same name? Listen to it on 
And a song about growing into womanhood: “Gigi” from the movie by the same name. Here the song on 
Another disaster movie, “The Towering Inferno,” gives us “We May Never Love Like This Again.” This is one is sung by Maureen McGovern. Listen to it on 
Jeanne Crain sings “It Might As Well Be Spring” from the 1945 film “State Fair.” Hear it here on 
Elizabeth Elliot is portrayed by Phoebe Nicholls in this adaptation. This is one situation in which the screenwriter erred. Nicholls plays Elizabeth as less than ladylike. She sprawls upon the furniture. Stuffs her face with delicacies. Laughs too loud. Elizabeth cruelly insults Anne by saying “No one will want you in Bath, I am sure you had better stay here.” A woman of Elizabeth Elliot’s station (especially one with Sir Walter as her father) would not be so crass in her actions and her speech. Nick Dear’s chooses to portray Elizabeth in a manner that no one will hold sympathy for her when she is left without prospects at the end of the film. 
In this adaptation Mrs. Musgrove (Judy Cornwell) and Mr. Musgrove (Roger Hammond) come across as happy and accommodating. Their home is NOT so properly arranged. Theirs is a country manor house, one appropriate for country squire. It appears “lived in.” The 1995 version of the novel does not address the musings of Mrs. Musgrove over her scapegrace son, Dick Musgrove. In the novel we learn of Anne’s observations that “Captain Wentworth should be allowed some credit for the self-command with which he attended to her [Mrs. Musgrove’s] large fat sighings over the destiny of a son whom alive nobody had cared for.” As two of Austen’s brothers spent time at sea, Jane Austen likely hear more than one tale of a wayward rascal who thought to earn his fortune at the hands of the French navy. 
Every Woman Dreams... 
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