New Year's Literary Resolutions 2012

Here we go again. Last year's resolutions weren't quite as successful as I would've liked.

Though I did finish my first book, entered a writing competition and got a bit more serious about my writing, I hardly wrote a word the last few months of the year.

Bad form, as Captain Hook would say.

So, now that I've moved house and got a bit more room (and an actual chair to sit on when scribbling typing away) I'm hoping to get back into my writing.

I will also do a bit more reading. I read maybe two or three books last year. Ouch. Now that I've been reunited with my to-read books (thanks to my aunt and uncle who brought them to England last month), I will compose a reading list for 2012.

Reading List 2012:

Jane Austen - Emma, Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility.
Georgette Heyer - Arabella, The Black Moth
Edith Wharton - The Age of Innocence
Gail Carriger - Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, Timeless
Emily Brontë - Wuthering Heights
George RR Martin - A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons

If I manage to read all of the above books or even exceed my expectations, I will be a very happy camper.

I will also continue work on my own Jane Austen-style regency romance, my steampunk novel and write some poetry.

National Poetry Day

Why did no one tell me it was National Poetry Day?

I could've written something truly inspiring. Well, perhaps. I could've given it a go at least.

Still could, but it's getting late and my brain is half-way to Neverland. Not sure it could still produce coherent sentences.

Never mind masterful poetry and to make a half-hearted attempt would be an insult to National Poetry Day, would it not?

It is. Or so I tell myself. Perfect excuse.

As the Spanish would say: "Mañana, mañana!"

Because tomorrow... is another day! Better make it count then.

Movie Spotlight: Bright Star

                                                                                                                              John Keats portrait
Bright Star is unlike most period films. For one, anyone familiar with John Keats his life can reveal the film will have no happy ending. If the lovers do not live happily ever after, then what is the strength of the film? It has first-class acting, beautiful poetry, colourful costumes and lovely scenery. The film starts as Keats moves next door to Fanny Brawne and is far from successful as an author. Reviews for his poem ''Endymion'' are bad - humiliatingly so. But his fashionista neighbour, who makes a living designing clothes, sees his potential when she hears the first passage:

A THING of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.       

To say that their relationship soon blossoms into a passionate romance would sell the affair short for they did not immediately get on well. However, once they ceased to dispute, it allowed them to form a friendship which transitioned into a life-altering love affair. As lovers, they corresponded and never consumated their love as circumstances prevented them from getting married.

After a long night out in the cold, Keats grew weak and sickly and soon began to exhibit the symtoms of consumption. Despite her best efforts, Fanny is unable to cure him and he is sent away to Italy to test the warmer climate. Unfortunately, it is too late and Keats quickly dies, leaving Fanny heartbroken and reciting the poem he dedicated to her in between sobs:

Bright Star

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

Excerpts from the film:  

     



Costumes in the film:

Fanny Brawne, a budding fashionista, designs all her own costumes. As such, the picture is filled to the brim with interesting costumes and experimental designs. It gives the film a unique look that sets it apart from its fellow period dramas. Below you see a few of Fanny's lovely outfits as seen in the film. Some of them are plain outrageous, while others catch my attention due to their simplicity and elegance.

That is some collar, Fanny!

Regency Barbie?

Possibly the most beautiful image in recent film

Interviews with the Cast and Crew:




 

Poetry - Reluctant Princess

And with a solemn sigh I said: "No."

When you asked me: "Shall we wed?"
No ring on my finger or on thine
No stranger in this bed of mine

I shall not borne thee sons or daughters
Groomed like bunnies that one slaughters
A porcelain doll I refuse to be
For a man’s fleeting idolatry

To lead me down the aisle in white

And corrupt me come the wedding night
I shine and shall be seen by all
With suitors worthy, fine and tall

That awaits those who woo and chase
Only the most eligible face
I prithee, Father, help me flee
Make me princess of a nunnery