Life, it happens
You know I should be working, but. Sometimes you just have to allow the well to be replenished – not just creative energy, but personal energy. Enough spark to be able to look after a baby and a school girl every day of the week!
Last night, we went to see a great local production of Spamalot, which was not only great fun, but interesting from the point of view of a writer. I love analysing the adaptation process, and in this case was intrigued to see what they had done to turn Monty Python and the Holy Grail into a stage musical – adding more production numbers and several iconic elements from other corners of the Monty Python oeuvre, sure, but the most noticeable change was the extra attempt to form a coherent narrative throughline. I particularly liked the way that several characters were combined in order to give several of the knights an effective backstory.
Also, seeing the Black Knight routine done on live stage? Classic.
Today, a gang of us went to the Frock Up event in Hobart – a vintage clothes indoor market, and an exhibition of royal clothing from the Victorian era. It was very cool getting to see so many adorable items of clothing and playing with fabrics, even though there was almost nothing there I could possibly fit into – though considering that the frocks ranged in price from about $120 to $900, this was not a bad thing! I did get a bargain on some scarves and a large amount of polka dot fabric, though. Plus, it was fun girlie time.
There were real flapper dresses there, gorgeous things, and frocks from the 30's, 40's, 50's… 60's mod mini dresses, and even some 80's monstrosities! I even saw a natty suit designed for Diana Rigg.
Afterwards we retired for coffee, cake & chat, and I returned to my family feeling all replenished and human. I even got ideas for a new short story and managed to write some of it this afternoon!
Tomorrow I hope to get back to the fixy-upping of Book 3, as there are a few scenes crying out for attention before I let anyone else look at the manuscript. Also I'm taking Raeli to a book launch of Kate Gordon's debut novel Three Things About Daisy Blue, which is also the 20th and final book of the Allen and Unwin Girlfriend series. I'm sad to see this awesome series of books end, but very excited for Kate.
