35 Comments

Really enjoyable read, as ever! A reread of Three Men in a Boat is on my summer reading plans thanks to an earlier mention by you and bizarrely you’re the second person today I’ve read extolling the virtues of Mary Lawson. I’m taking it as a sign and heading directly from here to my library app. Happy Wednesday, Rebecca! 💛

Expand full comment
author

LOL - there must be something about Mary Lawson in the air! I'd been lent 'Crow Lake' by a friend and really enjoyed it - I was sorry not to have come across her before. Happy Wednesday to you, too - and thank you so much for reading!

Expand full comment

I enjoyed this Rebecca! And thanks for mentioning some new authors - I'm chronically very far down my 'next book to read' list but also can't resist a new shiny recommendation to add to it! And like Claire mentions, when two or more people recommend something it jumps up towards the top. Isn't this sunshine glorious? Enjoy it while we can!

Expand full comment
author

Oh the list keeps growing, doesn't it, Sabrina?! And thank you so much. And yes, it's amazing how the universe conspires to send certain things our way - an author, I mean, but also the weather, I guess!

Expand full comment

Happy Wednesday Rebecca and enjoy the glorious sunshine! :) YAY! Thank you for your book recommendations. I will add them to my list. I love reading and I do find it helps my writing. Cheers and look forward to writing with you again soon.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Julie!!! Glad to report that the sunshine's still here - mind you, it's pretty chilly at the same time! Glad you like the sound of my recommendations - I'm pretty sure you'd really love 'Crow Lake'. 😊

Expand full comment

I need some sun here! I was thinking Crow Lake too! Thanks again.

Expand full comment
Apr 5, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

You’re amazing Rebecca. I have learned three things (at least) from this:

1. The brilliant new word to describe the activity (if not the vessel) when I write a note in my phone at 2am.

2. The fact that Substack will tailor cover pics in the manner of Dall-E. What a terrifying world we soon will (already do?) live in.

3. That I must start doing the general knowledge crossword.

Thank you 🙏❤️

Expand full comment
author

Awww, thanks so much, Jill! I was really surprised to find the picture generator in the Substack editor - I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, but it was fun to have a go... And I LOVE the GK crossword. My favourite crossword style is the 50/50 - the across clues are cryptic; the down clues are concise. I'm a bit cross that the Telegraph have stopped carrying that one!

Expand full comment

I thought it was me not paying attention, but it seems that Substack kept the AI image generator very quiet. I only discovered it myself by accident while compiling my list of sources of free illustrations (https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/25-websites-for-free-illustrations if anyone's interested)

Expand full comment

Ooh, I'm intrigued by the concept of noctuarists. I can't say I do my best writing in the middle of the night, but it's definitely... different. I think a collection of such writings would make a fascinating study! Too bad no one has published any. Brilliant thoughts in the shower, however, are a different story ;-) I wonder if there is a latin-based term for showerists?

Expand full comment
author

Ooooooh, showerists, Jacquie - yes! There ARE even waterproof notebooks available! 🚿

Expand full comment

Yes! I’m embarrassed to say I have a waterproof notebook in my shower after forgetting to remember too many *amazing* ideas ;-) TMI?

Expand full comment
author

SO IMPRESSED to hear this!!!!!!! 🚿

Expand full comment
Apr 5, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

How about aquarieists?

Expand full comment

Perfect!

Expand full comment
Apr 5, 2023·edited Apr 5, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Why have you got an item of washing hanging on the telegraph wires?

Expand full comment
author

Tis a pigeon, Terry! 🤣🐦

Expand full comment

Yeah I know 😂

Expand full comment
author

🤣

Expand full comment
Apr 5, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Ooh a bit cross eh 🤣 also: wordy? 😜 I like the sound of a 50/50, am def not clever enough for a full cryptic. *goes off to idly google “best 50/50 crossword” instead of responding to pressing work emails*

Expand full comment
author

I find it really hard to finish a cryptic crossword, but I love the challenge! The Telegraph 50/50 was brilliant - I wish they hadn't stopped doing it. For my last birthday I was given a book of them for my birthday (at the time there had been talk of a second edition, but that never appeared, and then they axed the crossword from the paper altogether, so perhaps it wasn't popular enough?). https://www.amazon.co.uk/Telegraph-50-50-Crosswords-1/dp/1788403886

It's good to get to 'know' a crossword compiler over a period of time - after a while I can get into the zone with how they've built their clues. I'm still very much a novice, though!

Expand full comment

I will answer your letter in the usual fashion next Wednesday. I don't have to answer everything now. I know my rights.

Expand full comment
author

As you keep reminding us, Terry! 😉😁🤣

Expand full comment

😂🙂

Expand full comment
Apr 5, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

"I love a scary fish movie as much as the next person, but ..." That has to be one of the funniest sentence starters I have ever read! And I always appreciate photos of your record keeping methods, your planners, your lists. I study them carefully! I found myself wondering this morning how your life would be different if you didn't have these written notations for managing your busy life. Write an article on THAT, please! "Rebecca wakes up on Monday and discovers she is flying blind -- all her notebooks and lists have disappeared." ( Might be sort of like my life, h ha ha.) Nice writing, my sweetheart.

Expand full comment
author

LOL! Oh boy, I LOVE a scary fish movie! I've been known to watch the really, really rubbish ones on the 'Legend' channel - all bad CGI and overacting....! 'Ice sharks' was a particular low point.

I remember going to see the amazing Scottish comedienne Susan Calman at a local arts event a few years ago - by the end of her performance I'd found we had so much in common - including her love of scary fish movies - that I was convinced we must be twins (despite being more than a foot taller than she is, as well as 100% less Scottish).

You've got me thinking whether I should 'hobble' myself by locking my bullet journal in a drawer for a week and seeing how I get on... Can I really do that to myself? Would I even survive...?! 🤔

Expand full comment

That ‘Woman reading a book’ artwork is a little creepy. I think I’ll stick to real life artists. Love that glorious sunshine photo. Then looked at the temperatures. Not exactly tropical. Good on you for finding an opportunity to dress more lightly for a few hours anyway. And Thanks so much for another enjoyable read. Much appreciated.

Expand full comment
author

Beth, I agree - it's sooooo creepy, isn't it?! The sunshine didn't last, unfortunately - it was sunny with a frosty start yesterday, and then it rained all night last night. Bah! So glad you enjoyed this letter - thank you very much for reading! 😊

Expand full comment

Love your chatter to Terry. Eclectic doesn't even begin to describe it. But it's the exact example of how my mind works, jumping from one thing to another like a frog in a box.

Happy Easter! To you and to Terry!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks so much, Prue! That's what I really enjoy about my correspondence with Terry - I get to write about all kinds of stuff that isn't what I would necessarily normally write about. 😊 It's a great creative outlet - and it seems we always manage to make each other (and ourselves!) laugh!

Happy Easter to you Down Under, too! 🌸

Expand full comment
Apr 9, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

You know I am always delighted by these letters and this one is no exception, Rebecca! I swooned over your bullet journal, as I am ever soothed and calmed by neat writing on dot-grid paper. 😁 And, tell me, do my eyes deceive me, or do you do the crossword in PEN? 😰 I must know! xo

Expand full comment
author

Awww, thanks, Kerri! Dot-grid paper is fabulous stuff - it's so nice to be able to line things up in a way that I just can't with the ruled stuff...!

Yes, I do do the crossword in pen! Real life-on-the-edge stuff.....

....buuuuuut.....

*coughs*

I MIGHT also have access to white-out tape... 😏 (although you'll agree there's none in evidence here, right?)

Expand full comment
Apr 9, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Ok, whew! My "pencil-only" self can get on board with white-out tape! I love the feel of pen on paper (versus pencil unless it is the PERFECT pencil), but I just can't bring myself to commit to pen, even with the aid of whiteout. I shall live vicariously through you instead. :) xoxo

Expand full comment
author

I find pencil doesn't show up well enough on newspaper, and when I try to rub it out, well, it doesn't go well....! Go for pen and confidence, and just in case, get yourself a Tippex roller - you'll never look back! 🤣

Expand full comment