87 Comments
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

LOL! I'd written and scheduled the post in advance of our meeting, but couldn't resist adding the picture after the fact! 😊 Jim did a great job of supplying proof that Terry and I had actually met! 🤣

I watched the first season of the US version of 'House of Cards' and it was pretty good - although I have to say that I still had the UK version in my head, which rather distracted me! Dobbs' Chief Whip Francis Urquhart had been usurped in the character list by Democratic Majority Whip Frank Underwood, but I liked that their initials remained the same. I must seek out the Spacey/Wright version again - I'm two seasons behind, but I'll need to reacquaint myself with the first season, too. The BBC adaptation isn't available to stream anywhere, I don't think. Might have another look for it.

Expand full comment

Rebecca thank you so much for the recommendation! I truly appreciate it and your ongoing support.

And I'm so glad you're enjoying the YA thriller. My bookcase is mostly filled with YA novels, not because I tailor my reading to what I write, but because I find YA characters and storylines to be fearless. They push boundaries many novels aimed at adults don't. Enjoy! I'm off to check out the blurb now 😊

Expand full comment
author

Such a pleasure, Denise! Your recent post about blurbs was just the perfect fit! Substack 'Notes' isn't an easy fit for me right now, but I'm enjoying sharing other people's posts as part of my own newsletter.

I love that you've described YA characters and storylines as 'fearless' - that's brilliant! And actually I'm really interested to read what you've written here '...not because I tailor my reading to what I write' because that was exactly the topic of a conversation I had with Terry during our fabulous browse through one of London's great independent bookshops. I was saying to him that in my case I'm not sure which came first (as in the chicken and the egg): I love to read non-fiction, specifically memoir and the real-life experiences of real-life people, but I don't know if I love to WRITE that stuff because I love to read it, or whether I love to READ that stuff because I love to write it! 😁

And cheers to pushing boundaries! That's what they're there for, right? 🙌

Expand full comment

Thanks for the mention, Rebecca -- in TWO contexts. I will be writing about our encounter soon (snigger).

The thing about well-written children's books is that they are extremely well-written. I still remember several of the books I read as a child. The blurb of the book you're reading now sounds intriguing. Do write a review after you've finished won't you?

Expand full comment
author

There you go again with that snigger! 🤣 Don't worry: I'm bracing myself! 😉

Yes re children's books! I'm five-sixths of the way through this one, and a massive curveball has just hit - I'm on the edge of my seat. I've only ever reviewed a book once before, but perhaps I'll have a go with this one, too. Thank you for the encouragement! 😊

Expand full comment

You're welcome, Rebecca.

Expand full comment

I agree, Terry. YA's cut right to the chase with no existential angst like adult books and if one goes back further and reads childrens' books from the 50's and 60's, there is no patronising on the part of the author. I blame the changes for the worst on the gatekeepers at the mainstream publishing houses.

Expand full comment

Totally agree, Prue.

Expand full comment
author

That's so interesting, Prue - not to mention spot on! I hadn't thought to notice, but it's exactly that which appeals!

I've nearly finished 'Girl in the Window' and I've really enjoyed it. Two down points so far - the author's choice of word to express a certain thing surprised me (in a 'hmmm, no' way) this morning, and I'm a little worried that the loose ends are getting tied up too soon while I'm still wanting to enjoy following a more spidery thread - but my initial disappointment had been totally misplaced.

There is no patronising so far (that I have noticed, anyway). I don't have all that much experience with children and young people, but what I DO know is that when I was younger I much preferred being spoken to like an adult rather than a child. I think it's that that's impressed me with this book - and YA in general - there's no 'adultsplaining'. And that's a brilliant thing.

Expand full comment

It's really wonderful to see both of you in the same photo, chatting together!

Expand full comment

Oh!...due to poor internet connection, I have only now been granted access to the photos, and now I can see you have already met, and all possibly went well (phew!) and great photo indeed!

Expand full comment
author

LOL! I'd written the post before our trip to London, and added that picture last night. In fact we met up on Thursday. It was a lovely day. 😊

Expand full comment

Yay!! Thank you for reassuring me, Rebecca😊

Expand full comment
author

😁

Expand full comment

You needed reassurance? Rebecca left her axe at home.

Expand full comment
author

🤣 And what's more, I even TOLD YOU IN ADVANCE that I was doing so! I nearly changed my mind again after I'd read what you'd written about my broomstick..... 🙄

Expand full comment

That was a draft...

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Mark! Plot spoiler: we had such a lovely time - actually this is the only picture of the two of us where I'm not openly laughing my head off! Those will follow in a later post....! 🤣

It was so nice to have had the opportunity to get to know Terry and Elaine. I hope we'll be doing it again sometime. 😁

Expand full comment

It's amazing what can be done with Photoshop

Expand full comment
author

🤣 Shhhh, don't let Jim hear you....

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for the mention, Rebecca! I truly appreciate it. I hear you on first impressions. There was someone in the Accounting Department from one of my hotel jobs who didn’t give me the time of day. She kept ignoring my requests for help when I was just starting out. I thought, What a #%! But, I maintained my cool and remained pleasant whenever I saw her in the cafeteria or in the hallways. I think they call that killing with kindness. I also needed an ally to make my job easier. Eventually, she softened and made a turn around. She became helpful and friendly. It all worked out in the end!

Expand full comment
author

Such a pleasure, Stella! Your post had touched me deeply and it was one I wanted to share. I'm not using 'Notes' at the moment so for now this is how I like to spread some love!

Great story re your colleague! People can surprise us - those first impressions are often less important than have at first appeared. How lovely that in time her very positive first - and ongoing - impression of you had resulted in an excellent experience for both of you. 😊

Expand full comment

I am looking forward to both yours and Terry's account of your much anticipated meeting! Also intrigued to find out what beverage you will both order...I know you said you will bring your own flask, Rebecca, but I'm worried you may not be allowed to do so, and might have to order a tea pit alongside Terry's?...

Expand full comment
author

D'you know, we didn't have any tea at all! We'll have to rectify that oversight next time. And in terms of portion size - yes, it'll have to be a tea pit, won't it?! 🤣

Expand full comment

I assumed it's because you finally saw sense, and realised that tea in coffee shops is always either like hot water or disgusting. Old fashioned tea shops are ok as a rule, but I don't think there are many of them in London.

Expand full comment

Oh I can’t wait to hear more!

Expand full comment
author

😁

Expand full comment

I've already submitted my account of the meeting here: https://www.screamhorrormag.com/

Expand full comment
author

🤣

not clicking the link

not clicking the link

not clicking the link

not clicking the link

not clicking the link

Expand full comment

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Expand full comment
Oct 7, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

He almost got me, but I resisted clicking, too.

Expand full comment

😂😂😂

Expand full comment
Oct 7, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Such a thoughtful, insightful piece on first impressions, Rebecca. I have followed your correspondence with Terry from its inception and watched the relationship grow into something utterly delightful. I see a book in the offing, don't you?. I eagerly await both reports on what it was like to finally meet each other in the flesh ( if you will pardon the expression ).

Expand full comment
author

Awww Sharron, thank you!

Book?! Perhaps Terry and I need a *meeting* kind of meeting to discuss the prospect! 👀

Expand full comment

"two spies meet in London..."

Expand full comment
author

🤣 LOL, Mark! 😁

Expand full comment

First impressions are tricky, aren't they? They're so important, or we'd have no place to begin when deciding how to interact with the world, but they have to be open to revision.

Expand full comment
author

Jacquie, you've expressed this absolutely beautifully! First impressions being 'open to revision' is so important! 😊

Expand full comment
Oct 7, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

I love YA books. I usually read books I buy before I give them as a gift. This is because I accidentally got a crap book by a totally conservative person because I forgot the name of the author that I wanted to buy, and this guy’s name was close. What a humiliation! The gift receiver was very nice about it, but I realized that the raised eyebrows meant I screwed up!

Expand full comment
author
Oct 8, 2023·edited Oct 8, 2023Author

Oh Julie, that's so unfortunate - golly gosh! But that's such an easy thing to do - to pick up a book whose author sounds familiar but then isn't after all. I hope you both had a laugh about it in the end! 😊

Actually, once I'd opened the wrapping paper around 'Girl in the Window' I thought 'oh, I think I've seen the film of this book!' No, I hadn't - that was 'The Girl on the Train'! 🤣

Expand full comment
Oct 8, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Worse the book was by a right wing nut job lol. I had a lot of ‘splaining to do

Expand full comment
author

Oh nooooooo! That’s what we always call ‘one of those things....!’ 😘

Expand full comment

Another wonderful post. And the Comments have made me laugh so much! What a wonderful way to start my Sunday. Happy, happy sigh. Substack really does create friendships. Such a pleasure.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Beth! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 😘 So grateful to have you as a reader. xxx

Expand full comment
Oct 7, 2023·edited Oct 7, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Firstly, Rebecca, thank you so much for the recommendation.

One day, I hope you and Jim get a chance to visit our little island. I think Jim's images and your words would be such a perfect encapsulation of the place - maybe even a touch of wabi sabi.

Which brings me to the link to Stella.

Her story about her parents is so poignant, firing interest in further words. So I read back and discovered other posts (wabi sabi being one) and am now a subscriber. So thank you for that as well.

And as to your own words - I so look forward to Part Two. Do you think there's a tinge of nervousness before you meet someone face to face for the first time? Do you (we) all dress in certain way - either because we're insouciant, or to impress? Did it feel as if you and Terry had known each other forever and was it immediately laughter and affectionate cynicism?

I'm so glad I found your words and further to have discovered Terry and his cut glass wit and observations.

Here's to next week!

Oooh - and I'm off to read about blurbs. The bane of any author's life; that and synopses.

Expand full comment
author

Such a pleasure, Prue!

Tasmania sounds absolutely wonderful - I've really been enjoying what you've written about where you live (and travel).

I'm so glad you're enjoying 'Sundays with Stella'! I love her weekly posts - and in fact today's is a lovely follow-up to the one I'd linked to in my post.

A tinge of nervousness? Well, I don't get out much, really, and the last time I'd been to London - only 60 miles away - apart from to a family wedding in June - was pre-Covid! Bright lights, big city... Prue, I was terrified! I needn't have worried though - Terry and Elaine were delightful, easy company, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I didn't dress to impress (Terry, if you're reading this: I dressed to impress) - but to not get lost! Or... if I GOT lost (highly likely, given my navigational haplessness) I would at least be dressed in such a way as to be easily spottable. Hence the orange.... (I'm serious!).

😁

Expand full comment

"I didn't dress to impress". Typical 😡

Expand full comment
author

Ooops. I'd been hoping you wouldn't spot that....! 😉

Of COURSE I dressed to impress! I'd even brushed my hair!

Expand full comment

Nothing is private, Rebecca! I did laugh when Terry spotted this.

Expand full comment
author

🤣 LOL, Prue - he spotted it waaaaay sooner than I'd expected! 🤣

Expand full comment

I really enjoyed this Rebecca. So cool to see you and Terry together. Can’t wait to hear about the meeting!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Jim! I'm so glad you enjoyed the read. I'm bracing myself for what Terry has to say about our get-together... I think he's going to get in first! 🤣🫣

Expand full comment

I wrote mine last week, as I had some time. "As Rebecca polished her axe..."

Expand full comment
author

🤣

Expand full comment

me too!

Expand full comment

You and Terry met?

Wahoo!

I can't wait to hear all about it from the two of you. :).

Expand full comment
author

I'm bracing myself for Terry's report, Olga. I gather there might be some mention of it in a post tomorrow.... 🫣🙀😲

Expand full comment

Yes. I've been in recovery mode ever since, but I hope to feel better by tomorrow.

Expand full comment
author

🤣

Expand full comment

Will not hesitate to eavesdrop on you and Terry's letter writing banter, Rebecca! From potholes to fiction and all in between, it's too much fun! Yep, wait with the others on 'the meeting!'

Expand full comment

all will be revealed (from my side at least) tomorrow. Snigger

Expand full comment
author

LOL - I'm so glad, just mud! I dread to think what Terry might have to say tomorrow.... 🫣

Expand full comment

Can't imagine!

Expand full comment
author

I CAN imagine... which is exactly the problem...! 🤣

Expand full comment

😆

Expand full comment
author

😉

Expand full comment