Bookshop, belonging, and historical bottoms
Approximately-weekly news, #52
Thank you to everyone who told me that my robin visitor might be more than just a robin. I had no idea of their symbolism beyond being cheerful Yuletide harbingers. He has not been back, but that’s fine. I think about him every time I step in to the studio (past the mercifully-still-thriving-as-it-is-a-symbol-of-my-novel’s-progress rockery).
In this week’s episode of Stephanie And Her Authorial Facial Expressions, here I am at The Accidental Bookshop in Alnwick.
I was being interviewed by the excellent Helen, and I took my excellent handbag.
I also signed a TON of stock, so if you would like a signed copy, here’s where to go.
Conversation was wide ranging. I think I slagged Dickens off (again). But broadly we talked about the brilliance of books and the wonder of readers. We discussed the fabulousness of aunties. (Partly based on Lucia, in the novel, but also because Beloved Auntie Susan was there.) The first question was about where my love of books and reading came from, and the answer (which I staggered to in the end) was that, I don’t know. There’s no moment, no memory. Books and reading have just always, always been a part of me. I have no sense of life before books. In that, as in so much else, I’m blessed.
(Thank you, SJ, for the photos.)
I’ve been in London for Quaker Britain Yearly Meeting. I think the most Quakers I’ve been with at any one time, up to now, is around thirty, so sitting down in Friends House with about 1,000 others in person (and more online) felt very different, very humbling, and very much like home. I’ve never been much of a joiner, so the sense of belonging threw me for a bit of a loop. Once I had sat with the idea of really being one of these people for a while, I really liked it. It seems obvious to say that this is because I am so aligned with the values and testaments of Quakerism. But I wanted to reach back to teenaged me and say: It’s okay to not belong, darling. Stop trying so hard. If it doesn’t feel comfortable, it’s because it isn’t for you. One day, somewhere will be.
The theme of the gathering was radical peacemaking, and I’m proud to have been a (silent, upholding) part of the creation of this statement on Gaza. One of the things that drew me to Quakers was activism. There’s a guide to responding to the current situation in Israel and Palestine, including educational resources, here.
Harris was unimpressed by my absence. I am hopeful of being forgiven soon.
A couple of weeks ago, Beloved Mr Butland and I visited Castle Howard, which has a role to play in my next book (absolutely 100% definitely on track*).
Castle Howard is very grand, and I suppose very beautiful, though a house full of Things Bought On The Grand Tour doesn’t really float my boat.
I like this guy, though.
And I wonder whether these three sisters actually had *literally* the same face, or only one of them was prepared to pose and so the artist thought, well, I’ll just have to do three of the compliant one, and the others can lump it. (The characters visiting in my novel are identical twins, so I imagine they will have a view.)
There were bottoms in all directions.
(This guy did have a head, but I thought I’d objectify him on behalf of the historical sisterhood.)
And I found the perfect spot for an important conversation.**
Mission accomplished. It’s funny to think that this time next year, Castle Howard will be tucked into the pages of my novel.
I have a very few slots for one-off mentoring sessions and submission package reviews between now and the end of June. So if you’re stuck, or need to talk something through, or have fiddled with your synopsis and first 5,000 words to the point where you don’t recognise the letters, let alone the words… take a look here, and then drop me a message or reply to this email and we’ll have a no-obligation chat.
If you’re interested in edits, manuscript assessments, or longer term mentoring, I’m opening my waiting list. Let me know what you need and you’ll be the first to know when a slot opens up - things move around all the time.
By next week, the alliums will be over. But for now, they blaze.
Until next time, friends, be well.
Stephanie x
*my editor reads this newsletter
** One of my twins will 100% be ignoring that sign about keeping off the steps.