LOOKING FOR JOHN KEATS IN HAMPSTEAD!!

After fifteen years I finally find myself in his garden, in front of his house, on a solitary morning with only the National Trust men present for the reconstruction. But I cannot enter. It is closed. Everything is quiet, even the working men seem to be muted and all there is remains the sound of wind in the trees and the shushing after. I am here. Is he?



The view across from John Keats home.

The path outside the "Old Bull and Bush" where Lord Byron, John Keats, Sir Walter Scott, Leigh Hunt and Percy Shelley all came to eat, recite and enjoy themselves.

The neighborhood of Keats is still red brick and coal stains, narrow winding cobblestone streets and overgrown gardens in the foregrounds of mansions for the rich and famous.

The park across the street from his neighborhood.

The immortal trees of Hampstead.

FILM FRIDAY!!! BRIGHT STAR

I don't remember many things very clearly anymore. The "who", "what", "when" and the "whys" get contaminated with years and memories of lessons learned. But I do remember the exact moment I fell in love with John Keats. I was in college, in Utah, the snow was heavy outside, the day dark and already moving into evening in the early afternoon. My professor told us the story of the young poet who lost his life to consumption at 25. She read some of his poetry. I have never been the same.

Jane Campion (writer and director of the Piano) is not one of my favorite film makers and Ben Wishaw was so convincing as the homosexual Sebastian in the new Brideshead Revisited that I was more than worried that together, they would ruin the passionately doomed romance of John Keats and Fanny Brawne. How wrong I was. To be fair, this is not the story of John Keats. Many of his most interesting moments are not even referred to. It is quite simply, the love story of he and Fanny Brawne, a girl his intellectual peers scoffed at and who Keats himself railed against in torturous love letters. For years Fanny has been villified as not being good enough for this gentle poet's most sincere anguish. Jane Campion changes that.

John Keats was an English poet in the early 1800's (1815-1820) who turned down life as a doctor to devote time to his passion and gift of poetry. Because he was from humble roots and not a Lord as poets were expected to be, he was brutally criticized and scoffed at by those who referred to him as the "cockney" poet. He nursed his wayward mother through her bout with consumption, and his younger brother. Tragically, Keats himself caught the ravaging illness and died at 25, alone, in Rome where friends believed he stood a better chance of healing. He died believing he was a failure, despite the fact that in less than a year, he would be a household name. However, at 22, John Keats met and fell in love with a handsome, coquettish young woman in the poet circle by the name of Fanny Brawne. Keats was absolutely madly feverish for Fanny but knew he could never provide for her, never marry her. When he began to show signs of illness, the two became engaged anyway and Fanny and her mother cared for John until the fatal trip to Rome.

Campionn takes a few liberties and ignores a few hard truths (like the fact that Brawne frequently left Keats for weeks to attend parties and admire her own waist -- all this according to his very unbiased poet snob friends), but if a girl can't take a few liberties, why pass through history's painful moments again at all? I like how Campion did this film. I felt the looks, felt the kisses, cried my eyes out when they at last had to say their final goodbyes. Although Campion fudges Fanny's undying devotion in the post script, the film moved me deeply. The awful injustice of Keats's life and yet his incandescent splendor is wonderous and sometimes appalling. Campion does not show details of his death, of his suffering, nor does she show the infamous grave marker alone in Rome which Keats merely wished to say: "Here lies one whose name was writ in water..." This is the story of Fannny Brawne and how she loved and how she lost. Abbie Cornish does a masterful job and at last... at last! We have a little bit of Keats.

Letter to Fanny Brawne 1820:

My dearest girl,

I shall be selfish because I wish you to see how unhappy I am for love of you and endeavor as much as I can to entice you to give up your whole heart to me whose existence hangs upon you.... I am greedy of you.. Do not think of anything but me. Do not live as if I was not existing. Do not forget me. Goodbye! I kiss you.. oh the torment...!

INTERVIEW WITH LEANNA HIEBER!!!

LEANNA HIEBER has so graciously given us insight into her writing process for the fabulous novel: "THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER". We thank her for her generosity of time and spirit.

"These are awesome questions and they were great fun to answer. Blessings!

Question #1.) How do you go about creating such great ambience? Do you listen to any certain music when you write? What things put you in the mood to write such eerie scenes in Victorian London?

Leanna: I write as if I’m a cinematographer. I adore ‘setting the stage’ – that’s where my theatrical background seems to shine, and the more mysterious the stage, the better. It’s my favourite part. Nothing compels me more, titillates me more or has me literally itching to write than dreaming up an eerie, moonlit scene with an edge of danger and the possibility of romance. Some of my earliest memories are of telling ghost stories, so it’s just in my blood, a particular style of storytelling I’ve always been drawn to. 19th Century Gothic novels have always called to me, like a siren, luring me towards their atmospheric shadows that are so resonant to my interests. I do like to listen to film scores while I write (Particularly melodic Philip Glass scores) and rich, contemporary classical music that was the “pop” music of Victorian times and slightly later, imagining it played from a faintly hissing phonograph. I particularly love Chopin, Tchaikovsky, R. Vaughan Williams and Dvorak.

Question #2.) How do you feel about people comparing Alexi to Professor Snape?

Leanna: Snape is, in my opinion, one of the most interesting and compelling characters ever written. He’s definitely and quite clearly influenced my Alexi, as has Mr. Darcy, and every stoic, brooding historic and Gothic hero. Alexi is all my literary love affairs wrapped up into one hero. And I’d never deny that Severus Snape is one of my foremost literary love affairs.

Question #3.) It says on your website that it took 9 years and many rewrites for Miss Percy to find her way to print. How was the original story different than what we read today?

Leanna: Originally I’d included a great deal of back-story and scenes from Percy’s convent childhood. The story wasn’t nearly as tight, the action not nearly as knitted together. It was far more vague in the revelation of prophecy and even the talents of the Guard. I credit my agent and editor for helping me adjust simple and structural choices to draw action forward in the book and push things along in a more consistently unfolding way. Once they pinpointed it, I knew they were right, I just needed those outside, professional eyes. My Editor: “We need to learn about what the Guard does earlier on in the story.” Me: “Well, how about making the Exorcism Chapter Two?” Editor: “Great. And Prophecy. Much earlier.” Me: “How about the prologue?” Editor: “Awesome.” And there you have it, give or take a few edits.

Question #4.) What do you think it was that finally tipped the agents/publishing world in your favor? After 9 years, why did they finally see the light?

Leanna: Perhaps the most significant factor was my agent changing my boring working title into The Incredibly Long Yet Descriptive Title that it is now. It was the descriptive nature of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker that got my editor’s attention. This title navigates the cross-genre nature of this book, and that was the critical tipping point, to find a publisher who was not scared of the cross-genre nature but rather an editor and house that would celebrate it as such, as Dorchester does. Plus, Dark / Gothic Victorian Paranormal / Fantasy is pretty “in” right now. Didn’t know or care about that when I started the love-affair that is this book, but it sure is handy now.

Question #5.) What was the inspiration behind Percy as an albino?

Leanna: She appeared to me just as she is; a vision, of sorts, much like the kind I’ve granted Percy. The idea of a girl who looks like a ghost, can relate to ghosts and yet isn’t a ghost was so fascinating to me; a girl caught in both worlds, the very threshold of living and dead embodied in one sweet young lady … A girl who could go into the spirit world and pass for dead… Oh, wait, I’m getting ahead of myself, that’s book two… *s*

Question #6.) Why Jack the Ripper? He's barely in it at all and has nothing to do with the plot? Red Herring?

Leanna: I couldn’t write about Victorian England without including a bit of “Jack”. I was putting in so many real London haunts (all my ghosts, save the ones on Athens’ grounds, are real, documented London haunts) that I had to give Jack the Ripper a sidebar, and a paranormal explanation. He is, in his way, integral to the plot because the Guard is now aware that a different game is afoot, there are things they’ve never faced that are now on the loose. Without “Jack” there wouldn’t be a looming threat, nor an indicator of Prophetic things that remain in control of other-worldly/divine power and intervention. The Greek Mythological tie-in fell into place and it just felt right. It would be hard to throw in mentions of characters who deal with the “Underworld” without the reference to the particular creature that “Jack” proves to be.

Question #7.) What inspired you to mix Victorian England with Greek Mythology?

Leanna: They’re two of my great loves, and they’re a great fit as the Victorians were celebrating a renaissance of classical themes during their era, a neo-classical period of great intensity. Bulfinch wrote his great treatises on Greek Mythology at this time and so between that neo-classicism and the burgeoning interest in spiritualism, the main themes of my story were already laden in the Victorian consciousness.

Question #8.) What is the most significant change you've seen in your life now that you are an author?

Leanna: I’m busier than I’ve ever been in my whole life. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. But I’ve never been so happy to be an artist as I am now, I feel so lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love more than anything in the world and get paid for it. With many artistic interests, I’m feeling more at peace with being a novelist than at any other time in my artistic career, which means I’ve really found the one love that trumps all; my books.

Question #9.) Were you able to travel back to England for research?

Leanna: Yes, blessedly. I was there during college on a research scholarship involving Shakespeare and classical theatre. And a return trip was for personal research on many different writing projects, with Miss Percy most prominently in my mind and heart. And I can’t wait to go back for more.

Question #10.) Will the sequels continue to focus on Percy and Alexi or will Rebecca and Michael be in the spotlight?

Leanna: Book II will pick up exactly where Book I leaves off, with Percy and Alexi remaining in the main focus, but with more insights into the Guard as well. As it currently stands, Rebecca and Michael are slated to have their own novella, in which I grant them well-deserved starring roles. At the moment this novella is scheduled to release in a Fantasy Christmas anthology October 2010.

Question #11.) You are an incredibly artist in many fields. How do you organize your time to write as well as act and perform?

Leanna: Barely. I’m not auditioning at the moment due to the push on the Strangely Beautiful series. The time constraints in theatre are really demanding and all that auditioning never promises actually getting the job. However I do keep my hand in the business, I work for a small television company in New York doing some freelance production work and I work as a television extra on shows like Gossip Girl or the Law & Order franchises. I love being on set and it feeds the actress side of me who will never want to leave that industry for good. As a playwright, my published scripts live for themselves and I have the occasional pleasure of granting production rights around the country. Plus, any time I get the opportunity to read from my book, I’m thrilled to do so, accents and all. There’s so much about my theatrical life that helps me as an author in both presentation and promotion. I’ve now begun teaching workshops about merging theatrical techniques into writing, and that’s a really exciting thing for me to be able to bring my passions together in one lively discussion.

Question #12.) Will the Greek Mythology continue through out the series?

Leanna: Indeed, and it will intensify during the climax of Book II. Book III, the prequel, will have the Mythology rather front and center. However I’m still interested in Mythology juxtaposed within the 19th century, so the Victorian backdrop will never be removed, Victoriana will always be a character in the books in and of itself.

Question #13.) Will we see more (hopefully good things) for Alexi's sister?

Leanna: We’ll see Alexandra more included / provided for. We’ll also catch glimpses of her childhood in the prequel, and moving forward in time into Book IV.

Question #14.) What advice would you give to writers in the throes of writing the all important query letter?

Leanna: Be brief, honest, write a good hook to intrigue the reader but give the general overview (you want to keep the reader guessing, not the editor or agent), give an interesting tidbit about yourself and then keep your faith. And keep submitting. If you don’t end up with a huge stack of rejection letters then think of all the great war stories you deprive yourself of telling when you do sell.Every blessing and thanks for the opportunity to talk about the 'book of my heart'! "

Find Your Inner Ava Gardner on Mad Men!

The Cary Grant and Grace Kelly of Today on Mad Men

Trendy Tuesday -- Meet the Fabulously Dressed Mad Men

Trendy Tuesday -- All Hail Janie Bryant -- Costume Designer for Mad Men

Where oh where can a girl turn when she just needs to be fabulous? Typically I turn to the greats, Rita Hayworth, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Ginger Rogers. However, perhaps you have heard the news that there is a new kid on the block. If you tuned into the Emmy's or have been following the critical syrup poured over technical favorites, then you've heard the fashion rumblings of MAD MEN. This is a series on AMC, American Movie Classics and it is fabulous. If you are in the mood for intense retro drama with clothes to kill for, this is your show.

The Mad Men style has been so popular that even Banana Republic started a look inspired by costume Janie Bryant's girl loving style. Take a look: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/info.do?cid=49101&userSearchText=mad+men

And with more and more fashions looking as though they were designed for pre-pubescent boys, actresses like the sultry sex goddess Christina Hendricks are a God send to remind us that we are indeed women. Ava Gardner and Sophia Loren have no fear! Janie Bryant has even announced that she will be starting her own line of wearable clothing. We hope she doesn't stray too far from the delicious fabrics and colors of her Mad Men creations. Wouldn't it be lovely to be THAT polished for just one moment? Too really, truly, feel at last that we are women -- hear us roar!

Elizabeth Moss as Peggy Olson -- Hello Debbie Reynolds

Christina Hendricks as the "sex" of the show, throwing back to Sophia Loren

January Jones as Betty Draper and Grace Kelly Look Alike

The Fabulous Cast of Mad Men

Ask Leanna a question!

ASK LEANNA HIEBER a question about her fabulous new novel! Leanna has so graciously agreed to answer any and all fan questions next Wednesday on my blog. Take advantage of this opportunity and share what's on your mind!

Thursday Theory!

William Stearns Davis?? Anyone?? I found this book by accident, looking, looking, for something about, I don't know, the revolutionaries in the Revolution. The only copy I could find was a 1929 copy about to be tossed in a library. For 4 bucks, how bad could it be?

It's FABULOUS!! Rene Massac is a local gentry with noble ties who gives it all up for Virginie, the daughter of a Paris bourgoise. His family does not appreciate his fervor for Rousseau and the new ideal or for his unforgivable decision to marry Virginie. In a desperate attempt to keep the family name untainted by bourgoise blood, Rene's mother turns to none other than Queen Marie to help thwart the lovers. But Rene does not give up Virginie or his new friends Desmoulins, Danton, or St. Juste even after the king throws him into prison and the queen diverts his passions by sending him on an out of country mission. Of course, the Queen goes too far and actually has Virginie kidnapped. This is how far I've gotten. The King has just been over ruled, defied, and the bastille has been stormed. Rene cannot find Virginie and Danton is doing everything he can to intimidate the gendarmes into giving away her hiding place.

I love this book. I love it because Davis does what no one else does, gets into the twisting, dank alleys of Paris, into the cafes, names them, listens to the people as they march and plead, gives faces to St. Juste and Robspierre that are not pre-demonic. It's as close to being there as one could hope. I dearly hope that Rene and Virginie finally do find each other and can't wait to see how it happens.

My Strangely Beautiful version of the book trailer!!!!

* PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS ONLY FOR ENTERTAINMENT VALUE!!! I'm in no way affiliated with Leanna Hieber or the Dorian Gray film. Just enjoy!!

The Debauchery Begins! Dorian Gray

Colin Firth and Ben Barnes in Dorian Gray

Film Friday!!

MOVIE: Dorian Gray STARRING: Colin Firth (yay!) and Ben Barnes (yay, yay!) COMING OUT: Allegedly this Fall.


Hello all! Today I'm on jury duty. You have to report at 7:45 AM when you report to jury duty which would be no big deal except that last night I stayed up until way too late cutting MY OWN book trailer for "The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Percy Parker". Yes. I'm just that weird. It was upon this journey that I stumbled upon DORIAN GRAY with the beautiful, phenomenal, enchanting BEN BARNES. Now, ladies. Let's review the story of Dorian Gray. Victorian London, a young man too beautiful for his own good, somehow rigs it so that he can live a life of complete hedonism without aging, without it showing up in his person. As I sit here in the waiting area of the Justice building and watch different individuals file past, I can appreciate that this (hiding your sin from marring your countenance) is no small feat. What always worries me about this story is that there is the whole man-love thing in it. Or hinted at. It is Oscar Wilde of course. There's nothing wrong with man-love if you're into that. I'm not. It does nothing for mme and I really don't want to see Ben Barnes kissing Colin Firth. There is a very good review which I have posted from the Times that says while MOST of the debauchery is man/woman -- there is 'one brief scene' of consumation between the men. Yuck. This is not my fantasy. Nevertheless, the preview looks FANTASTIC. Ben looks FANTASTIC and well... take a look for yourselves.

Meanwhile, has there ever been a more perfect moment for Dorian Gray? I can't help but thinking that our world may finally view his torture as lamentable but infinitely more interested in where they can find a painting of their own... plastic surgery isn't going to last forever.

ps. yes. I did rip off a WHOLE lot for my book trailer for "The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker." I can't help it -- it TOTALLY worked.

Enjoy!

Wednesday's Window! ( Still thinking of Miss Percy...)

Victorian London.....

Mystery Monday!

The Strange and Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber kept me up until 12:30 this morning on a night when I had sworn that I would finally begin my responsible regim of "early to bed". Not so! This is a story of romantic, gothic London during the threat of the infamous Jack the Ripper. A group of fringe young people are "chosen" to protect London from evil paranormal energy. I was looking for eerie and spooky without vampires, something with some substance. This hit the spot and was so fun! I was mesmerized by the romance in this book. It's daring, it's addictive, it's forbidden and sends tingles down your back. Alexi is a Mr. Thornton from North and South meets Alan Rickman as Professor Snape in Harry Potter. So attractively forbidding and intense -- Heathcliff but with a sense of duty and a soul. He has lived his life as the leader of the chosen group, able to cause gas lamps to inflame by his very presence. He has forced himself to live a stoic, repressed life but when he meets a strange and ghostly girl who sees dark visions he is undone. And so is the reader! I was up all night, gave my students busy work so I could clandestinely read at my desk. When it was over, I sighed and felt a little empty, wondering where my Alexi was. I can't wait for the next one and I hope that the next one is even more steeped in Victorian London.