Here we are both of us refreshed and repowered. I needed the rest, too. I have been working very hard to try to make sense of my screenplay, the one I have written over the last 7 months with that screenwriting course. I hope to finish it (in a manner of speaking) this weekend but before I plunge back into the depths, I caught up with yesterday's blog, to polish and correct, and now to write today's blog before I disappear.
I was thinking about my reference yesterday to Jean Kerr and all the others from an earlier generation who I cite and who taught me the little aphorisms and lessons I love so well. I'm still reading current writers and seeing current movies (but I have given up on current music). In time I'm sure today's wonders will become tomorrow's icons, but I am not sure I can identify them. I'll run a few writers by you, ones that I have been drawn to recently, and see if any of them resonate (aka ring a bell) with you.
Of course, you know I spent a lot of time this year reading Black Eagle and Grey Falcon by Rebecca West. She is already an icon so I won't dwell. Lauren Groff is a hot new American novelist whose writing skill dazzles but who, as I read more, leaves me wondering about her heart. The results aren't in yet. I've been reading more women's diaries, but that's a private, idiosyncratic pursuit I will not burden you with. Earlier this year, after I had seen the movie Arrival, I bought the book of short stories by Ted Chiang, Stories of Your Life, and Others. The movie is based on the eponymous title story. I have just finished reading the rest of it and my next word search will be triggered by Chiang - not only brilliant but also a science fiction nerd with esoteric knowledge far beyond mine.
I've started pedalling again on a stationary bicycle and the only way I can stay on it for half an hour is to read a mystery/thriller/detective story/ whatever, to hold me there. I read another one by Arnaldur Indriðason, Strange Shores, and yes, there was a murder, but it's a character-driven, mood piece. Now I have just begun my first Dennis Lehane book, Moonlight Mile. Set in Boston, several of his books have been made into movies by Clint Eastwood, winning awards in the process. I romped slowly through a Roald Dahl book, The BFG (Big, Friendly Giant) - I say slowly because I read it aloud to my son Matt. He can read functionally but he does not easily read for pleasure so I read to both of us for pleasure. His understanding is ahead of his skill. He enjoys word play and BFG is full of that.
What else? I'm sure I'll think of more - -oh yes, two of the three The Little Old Lady series, but my script awaits.
Anon, anon, and on and on...