Carrots and sticks:
Judging by many of the writers I follow on Twitter, getting down to work is the hardest part of the job for them, and staying at work comes a close second. As we touched on this subject the other day with Ann Patchett's productivity trip, I was interested - and amused - this morning to see this piece about various writerly 'carrots and sticks'.
A golden rule of literature:
Rowan Pelling writes, " ... while in real life only 4 per cent of the population of Europe have red hair, in novels 75 per cent of heroines are flame-tressed, because this is apparently the best way to suggest a female character is spirited and idiosyncratic." I have a flame-tressed daughter ... 'spirited' is right.
60 years in 60 poems:
Mark the Diamond Jubilee in poetry by exploring '60 years in 60 poems' through sound recordings and film footage at Jubileelines. Beginning with Dan Stevens reading Winged Back by Dannie Abse (1953), you can choose to hear each poem read or read the text yourself, click on the arrow pointing right to see pictures, then click on them for sound or film, go back and scroll down for more years of the Queen's reign represented in poetry.
I have had more than my fair share of flame haired heroines in my own books but that is only because I have ALWAYS wanted to be a redhead. Maybe that came from reading Anne of GG or Little Women at a very early age. And a picture of Boudicca in OUR ISLAND STORY when I was six which imprinted itself on my brain. I think red hair is wonderful.
Posted by: adele geras | 13 June 2012 at 03:06 PM
I like the poetry... just what I need. Am sitting here taking up yards and yards and yards of a black and white skirt, and its lining (which has to be done separately) for my elder daughter, after cutting four inches off the hem... have dropped pins and a needle on the sofa. The Man of the House has just made me a mug of tea, and now I am listening to poetry while I stitch!
Posted by: Christine Harding | 13 June 2012 at 03:15 PM
I wonder if Written? Kitten works for writing newsletter copy too as I am seriously struggling today!
I never have a problem with flame haired heroines (just read Jennifer McVeigh's excellent The Fever Tree which has one!) - they have to be much better than the winsome golden haired variety!
Posted by: LizF | 13 June 2012 at 04:49 PM
How funny about Boudicca!
Posted by: Cornflower | 13 June 2012 at 04:57 PM
Very soothing - I sympathise re. the skirt having done a similar one not long ago which took forever (and does not bear close inspection, I must say).
Posted by: Cornflower | 13 June 2012 at 04:58 PM
I'd prefer a puppy variety for reviews, articles, etc. You've reminded me about The Fever Tree which is sitting here on the tbr piles - I'm very keen to read it.
Posted by: Cornflower | 13 June 2012 at 05:00 PM
75% in literature? Where does that statistic come from? It certainly doesn't "feel" right to me, but I'm in no position to have a sensible discussion as she doesn't provide any evidence. From what little peer-reviewed research I can glean on the subject of red hair in the population of Europe, 4% (the "wikipedia number" I note which has a very dubious citation) may be a rather high estimate (and one should quote the binomial error).
Can you, or your expert readership shed any light on the origin of the 75% in literature number?
Posted by: Dark Puss | 13 June 2012 at 08:59 PM
Speaking as one of the 4%, I just wanted to say hoorah for the flame-tressed, spirited and idiosyncratic!
Posted by: Rosy Thornton | 14 June 2012 at 09:50 AM
It could mean "75% of novels read by Rowan Pelling" - indeed from a scientific point of view it probably ought to mean that. That makes the claim interesting because it is now in principle provable. Now, do you want to write to Rowan Pelling or shall I?
Posted by: Mr Cornflower | 15 June 2012 at 10:50 PM
Two good suggestions! I'll see if I get a response. P
Posted by: Dark Puss | 16 June 2012 at 09:52 AM