On Writing and 'Someday'

I've had to put my writing aside for the present, as I am scrambling to get as much sewing as possible done before I leave for Florida in a week. Which is funny because all fall I had to push myself to write, and now I'm dying to write and I can't!

I did get the first three chapters of #3 of the Ruah Chronicles done (well, 1st draft!) and shared them with my editor who was very positive, and laughed at all the right places which was extremely encouraging. Obviously there is clean up work to do, but we're not worrying about that until draft 2. Right now it's just write write write. Hopefully I'll be able to get a lot done in Florida, because I'll have two weeks with no sewing machine. (Horrors!)

Anyhow, I am really having fun writing this book. I love Paris, I love throwing in French words, and I utterly adore the characters we've developed. I can't wait to share them all with you... hopefully sooner rather than later!

It hits me every now and then anew... "I'm going to be a published author!" Not that I've ever really doubted that it would someday happen, but 'someday' always translated into my mind as "sometime in the far, far future that I may never actually reach because then it wouldn't be 'someday' it'd be 'today'." And yes, I know that makes no sense, but I'm sure those of you who have waited a long time for something big can understand what I'm getting at. And obviously I'm not published yet, but someday now has a more definite date for me than 'the far, far future.'

I'll be 24 in a month. I've always hoped that I would get published sometime around my 25th birthday. Now it looks like that could very well happen. Which is amazing because I've been telling stories for almost twenty years... my very first 'writing' was dictating to my mother as she typed for me. Storytelling is in my blood. (Or, as I once told a friend, "We write because if we don't, our blood will shrivel.)

X-Men Watch Downton Abbey

I am imagining the X-Men watching Downton Abbey.

(and yeah, I’m going with traditional X-Men, forgetting all the changes of the last year. And deaths, No ones dead.)

(oh, and if you've already seen this on my tumblr, sorry. I wrote it there and then realized it might amuse my other readers here as well.)

IT would all start with Captain Britian insisting Betsy watch Season One when it first aired in the UK. She wouldn’t want to watch it at first because it would remind her too much of her own family, but then she would get sucked in and make everyone in the X-Mansion watch it.

Kurt would watch it solely for Maggie Smith. He would then drag Kitty into the show, who at first was really skeptical, but then became a huge Sybil fan, and now goes around wearing a shirt that says “Sybil Lives!”

Scott would go between liking Matthew and Lord Grantham and wouldn’t get why the women are always mad at them.

Emma would be the only person who liked Mary in season one, and then no one else would admit they liked her in Season Two because they couldn’t bear for Emma to be right.

Hank would start wearing a t-shirt that said “Keep calm and have Carson bring tea” and would be the biggest Carson fan ever. 

Storm would sigh and get annoyed with how stupid the characters could be, but continued watching the show because she loves Mrs. Hughes.

Magneto ‘accidentally’ watched an episode and became really invested in Thomas’s storyline, but always makes disgusted remarks when Thomas messes his grand schemes up. He’s also the only person besides Scott who likes Lord Grantham.

Piotr would get really absorbed in it, refuse to hear any spoilers, and utterly break down in tears when Sybil dies. He and Remy have a Tom Branson fan club.

Rogue would get annoyed with the posh politics (although she’d love the dresses) but likes the show enough to watch it and yell at the TV whenever anyone a) did something stupid or b) let someone walk all over them. 

Bobby would torrent the whole thing and pretend to drop spoilers around Piotr, who would freak out and start holding his ears whenever he’s around  Bobby.

Pixie would beg the Professor to use Cerebro to read Julian Fellowes’ mind so they could find out what was happening next. He would refuse, of course.

No one ever caught Wolverine watching it, but one day when Kitty and Storm were discussing whether or not Bates was innocent, he muttered, “Course he’s innocent, he’s the only decent part of the show.”

Downton Abbey 3.5.

(Review originally posted in October, 2012. Episodes 1&2 were combined for the American broadcast, making this the 5th British episode, but only the 4th US.)

This is a serious spoiler warning. I know most people on tumbler have been unable to avoid this because the fandom has been vomiting it up. But still, if you haven't been spoiled yet, please don't let me be the cause of spoiling you now. Move away from the computer quickly.



Yes, I was spoiled. I've rarely seen such a reaction get so violently widespread on tumbler so that even an accidental viewing with spoil it. Normally I avoid tumblr until after watching Downton, but my head has been off this week and I accidentally ventured to scroll down a bit after it aired (not remembering that it would have just finished).

No warnings. None. Just ranting. And so of course I then had to go into the Downton tag and learn what had happened because I couldn't wait for captions to get up to learn more details.

Oh my fellow Downtonians... handkerchiefs all around.

Sybil was probably the single most universally adored character on the show. I've never met or heard of a person who didn't love Sybil. She was sweet and kind and spunky and independent  She was gorgeous and devoted and so very, very loving. She was an idealist. She would have been a wonderful mother.

I don't know why they chose to kill her off. Well, drama and plot, but... this seems a really huge thing to insert for the sake of story. Seriously. This is worse than Joss Whedon, and that's saying a lot.

Even Thomas cried. Thomas. And I felt bad for Thomas.

I can't believe Robert insisted the way he did. I can't believe he wouldn't listen to Cora. Childbirth is a female arena and was doubly so in those days - he knew nothing about the subject and yet insisted on controlling the situation. His pride wouldn't allow him to utilize an option that could save his daughter.

Although to be honest a Cesarean even now has plenty of risk, so Sybil or her child might still have died. Medicine was changing in these days, and it wasn't until after WWII that most babies were born in hospitals, meaning that medical intervention was still looked at warily by older, traditional physicians like Dr. Phillip whatshisface. Dr. Clarkson may not be a perfect doctor, but he still knows his stuff and demonstrates the wisdom of having a medical professional who knows your situation well and understands your body, so he can notice when something is going wrong.

 You can read more about toxemia here: http://www.helium.com/items/1105505-signs-and-symptoms-of-toxemia (and it is worth knowing about).

Anna and Bates progressed, but honestly their whole storyline should have been moved up an episode. Set in this episode it just distracted from the emotions we were all tied up in.

Still, I'll admit that I cared about Ethel in this episode, which is a big change for me. I didn't mind having her around, especially since they dialed her part back once things got serious with Sybil.

And the bright note - Huzzah for Edith getting a job offer as a columnest! I hate that her family keeps putting her down, although I understand the mindset they're coming from. Thank God she has such an awesome brother in Matthew!

Now we have a whole new set of things to deal with, and Downton is never going to be the same.

Elenatintil on the Web

I thought some of you might be interested to know that I have a Pinterest account now. I post some things every few days, focusing mainly on interesting clothing, jewelry, art, etc.

Also, if you haven't already heard this over on the sewing blog, I have a facebook page for my costuming and sewing adventures as well. I link all of my sewing diaries over there, as well as additional links to various shows and costumes that I find interesting.

I also have a DeviantArt Account where I post everything from scribble comics, to clothing design, to fully polished pieces of art.

Finally, for those of you who are a bit older, I also have a tumblr. I give this link with a caution - it's nearly impossible to reblog things on there without occasionally reblogging something that has stronger language in it, or pictures that are a bit more adult than what you'd find on this blog. This blog is dedicated to remaining appropriate for anyone 13+ - the way Tumblr functions doesn't allow the same security. However, if that doesn't faze you, you'll enjoy seeing my mini-posts on various shows and movies, plus random comic book stuff, Doctor Who, OUAT, etc.

Film to Watch - Austenland

Shannon Hale's "Austenland" was adapted for the screen as an independant film, which screened this week at the Sundance Film Festival where it was enthusiastically received and scored a distribution deal with Sony Pictures.

For those who don't remember my book review (which I wrote before I became a true Shannon Hale fan), "Austenland" is basically a Jane Austen theme park... wherein guests live according to 18th century norms - clothes, manners, chamber pots and all! And of course, actors are hired to make the experience complete, with a Mr. Darcy look-alike to complete the illusion.

I had mixed feelings about the novel, but I do believe it was made to succeed in cinematic form. Plus there is quite the talented cast bringing the story to life! Anyhow, keep your eyes open for upcoming details!

Downton Abbey 3.4

(Originally published in October, 2012. Due to episodes 1&2 being aired together in the US, this is considered the 3rd episode during the American airing.)

Spoiler Alert!!!

So... what do we think of this episode?

Personally, I felt the Sybil/Branson bit was kind of a let down after last week's hype. It should have been drawn out more. But... it's still intense. Branson's been up to stuff that even Sybil doesn't know about. What does this mean for their marriage? Will they stay at Downton? Will they settle someplace nearby? Or will Tom try to make it back into Ireland and force a court case? Who knows. At any rate, Baby Branson is coming soon. Next week?

Edith! Man, GO EDITH! The fandom has been hoping for awhile that she would turn into a writer and it looks like we're finally getting our wishes! I loved how Violet told her "You're a woman with a mind and ability, stop whining and find something to do!" Harsh, but effective!

Ethel... I thought her storyline was wrapped up last season. Why did they bring her back? What is the point? *sigh* But oh, her baby boy is SO ADORABLE. I just wanted to cuddle him forever.

Poor Daisy. Can the girl just have some happiness for once? Alfred needs to get his head out of the clouds and realize she's sweet on him!

New Footman is too sleezy to really be attractive. Not sure where that's going (other than that Thomas obviously has a thing for him).

Carson and the toaster. HA!

Matthew found out that Downton has been mismanaged... WELL THAT EXPLAINS A LOT. But why is Lord Grantham so reluctant to talk about it?

Bates and Anna - c'mon. Can something happen there? They've barely had a storyline at all. It's getting ridiculous.

OUAT 2.12 - "In the Name of the Brother"

SPOILER ALERT

I'm surprised at the lack of enthusiasim over this episode thus far. Sure it wasn't earth-shattering, but it was a well constructed episode, with great character and some really beautiful dialogue and acting.

Some will say that the pacing was too slow, and that the Dr. Whale exposition should have been placed earlier in the season. But I disagree. I thought it was extremely astute of the show headliners to place it now, during an episode that focuses heavily on parental/children relationships - an ongoing theme this season to be sure, but this was the long anticipated Cora/Regina reunion episode! Why is it so appropriate? Because the main theme of Frankenstein (the book) is the influence parents have on their children, and especially the devastating cost of abandoning one's child (the Monster in the tale stands as Frankenstein's child). Frankenstein's father really was an insensitive man, who drove his son away by his actions. Of course, the monster wasn't his brother, but for the purpose of the show, it worked well. 

Some really heartbreaking Rumbelle moments... I was glad that Belle was healed, although it doesn't bode well that Rumple was so quick to use magic... for their relationship, I mean, given their history. 

However in contrast, we now have a definite lead on Bae's whereabouts. Although... is it just me, or did the blood globe seem to indicate that Bae is in Maine??? And... Cora and Rumple kissing wasn't such a shock to me, as I am certain she was the "Miller's Daughter" in the original tale and that they had a romantic connection.

I like that the show is not afraid to give the characters hard choices. Deciding whether or not to let the stranger die and save Storybrooke was not a place I thought they'd be willing to go... and it looks like there will be a price for making the moral choice.

Cora's reunion with Regina was so frustrating... part of me thinks she is sincere in saying she loves Regina, she has afterall been very steadfast with that line throughout the season. Still, she clearly does not yet understand what it means to really love, selflessly, and that is going to be scary to watch...

Fun glimpse into Regina's secret room. I liked seeing that she had carried her fantastical wardrobe over, as well as the beautiful jeweled apple tree.

I'm also thrilled that they've given Ruby more to do this season. She's a supporting character, but she manages to have good bits or full scenes in every episode. This week of course we got to see her show off superspeed, and then 'monster bonding' with Frankenstein. And who loved how everyone *cough*Emma*cough* reacted to meeting another kind of fictional character?

Looks like there is a lot to look forwards to in the coming weeks, and there seem to be more surprises this season than last... hurrah for that!