Writers Being Honest

I had high expectations when I heard about this article.  Unfortunately, the quotes from various writers were not nearly as funny as I had hoped, with the exception of this one:

"I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries."

Stephen King

                 

Back Problems

I used to have them, until I bought a small recliner and put it in my office.  Now I sit in the chair and write on my laptop.  I look like this:

Interesting Women: Kate Field

I have a confession:  I don't relate well to feminists.  Far too much time is spent on trying to shame men into behaving differently.  Imagine the results if that much energy was devoted to realizing one's potential.  That's why I'm drawn to women like Kate Field, actress, writer, journalist and world traveler.  And she did it all during the Victorian Age.  Bravo, Kate!

Elizabeth Peters

Sad news today:  Barbara Mertz has died.  

Under the name of Elizabeth Peters she wrote one of my favorite historical mystery series.  I adore her Amelia Peabody novels.  The Vicky Bliss series is also very good.  She was a real titan in the field.  I always feel sad when a writer I have read and enjoyed for years departs this earth.  I'll miss her.

Burlesque, Anyone?

I don't know much about burlesque, except that in comparison to today's versions of adult entertainment, it seems downright tame.  One of burlesque's most notable women has died, and garnered a spot on the Telegraph's obituary page.  R.I.P., Dixie Evans.

That Dizzy

A new biography of Benjamin Disraeli, India's friend and employer, has just been published.

Dizzy was quite the character.  Here's what the reviewer in The Economist has to say about him:  An admirer of Byron, he became a romantic and a dandy.  He wore velvet coats and silk stockings and sashes and ribbons.  He partied hard and became indebted; in 1840 he owed 20,000 pounds, around $3,000,000 today.

It's hard to invent characters this colorful, and who needs to when Dizzy is at hand?

India in Paris

  The cover art for India Black in the City of Light has been added to the Amazon page.  Here 'tis:

Sorry, I don't have a high resolution image.  As the post's title indicates, this short story is set in Paris, with French and India exchanging a Russian spy for one of Britain's.  It's a standalone, so there's no need to read it before the fourth book. 

If you've purchased India Black and the Rajah's Ruby, you may want to refresh your memory by reading it before The Gentleman Thief comes out in February.  Have a good weekend.