Up to now, posting about my writing has been a rather complicated and unorganised affair. Log in, log out, post it here, not post it there so not to spam f-lists, where have I posted an excerpt, where a review - a good thing my f-lists are so tolerant, I'm sure they've cursed me at times.

But that's over now! Well, almost. I created my own LJ community, and you are cordially invited to join, lurk on or ignore

p_s_c_l

which stands for "The Purser, the Surgeon, the Captain and his Lieutenant", because that's why my next book will be. I've had to store "The Radiant Boy" on the shelf for the time being, but I guess most of you won't cry if they get male/male instead of gen. "The Radiant Boy" will be out next year, but for now, I want to concentrate on finishing PSCL.

In future, my LJs will only contain a one-line link if I post something new to PSCL. Discussion of my work would be great, but I don't really expect it. LJ has been very quiet lately, and now with NaNoWriMo in full swing, I expect even less attention. And it's not like I've sold thousands of books or have a big name like so many of my most cherished colleagues.

BUT - I quite like the idea of having everything in one place. To quote Jane in Coupling: "Me! Me! It's all about ME!"

THIS WEEK ON PSCL:

Excerpt: "Crawford's Casket" (from "The Radiant Boy")
Excerpt: "PSCL" - 18th century setting
Excerpt: "PSCL" - modern London setting
Upcoming projects, updates etc.

Sorry for ignoring Insane Journal with this community, but half of the time the site is not loading, and using the "mobile" posting feature and then editing the post for mood, icons and tags is really annoying.

SILENT COMPANION

This is the sequel to THE SECRET OF HIS SUCCESS. It's not necessary to read that story to understand "Silent Companion", but it helps. And it's twice the fun.

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Slash, drama
Pairings: Gillette/Norrington
Other characters: Lord Cutler Beckett, Mr. Mercer
Warnings: Various deaths of dubious nature.
Feedback: Sure! Keep it coming, good or bad!
Disclaimer: Here

Summary: Mr. Mercer is a master in his profession, and he doesn't like competition.

I've kept the contest single; you can participate even if you don't have the foggiest about history. All it will take is a bit of guess work, I'm sure you can manage that.

Question 1: WHAT DO THE ANCESTORS OF THE FOLLOWING THREE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?
Question 2: NAME TWO OF THOSE ANCESTORS (family name is enough)
Yes, I know, grammatically, it's not a question, but let's not be fussy...)



There are many possible answers for question 1, and I'll accept them all.

I have two book prizes to give away:

1. "The Pursuit of Victory - The Life and Achievement of Horatio Nelson" by Roger Knight
2. "Trafalgar's Lost Hero - Admiral Lord Collingwood and the Defeat of Napoleon" by Max Adams

All you have to do is to send an email with the two answers to

joyful_molly at yahoo.co.uk

Please include in your mail which book you'd prefer if you win. The winner will be drawn from all correct entries. The contest is open to everybody, no matter where you live, so feel free to spread the word in places where you feel people might be interested. Please allow ten days for delivery, as I live under a rock on the outskirts of nowhere.

The deadline for the contest is Sunday, 26th October 2008, noon GMT.

Have fun! :)

We often think that "fan merchandise" is a product of our times. But all through history, mankind tried to express its excitement about significant events or its admiration for a fellow man (or woman) by the means they had. Of course a nice little plaque commemorating the signing of the US Declaration of Independence would have done as well, but let's be honest, Lady Liberty is far more impressive. And as a miniature, everybody can take a bit of that commemoration home.

The victory of the Battle of Trafalgar was a markstone in the history of Britain, and Nelson, already in high favours with his fellow countrymen, achieved legendary status. Not only because of the victory itself, but also because of his death under such dramatic circumstances. Men like Collingwood who contributed just as much to the victory ended up almost forgotten (until the recent "Collingwood-revival", which I highly welcome!), because it's the heroic death which makes the difference between "hero" and legend". Nelson's funeral is, at least in my opinion, to this day unchallenged when it comes to pomp and circumstance and commiseration of the population.

It doesn't come as a surprise that people asked for souvenirs of both the victory and Nelson, and where there's a demand, there's a market. Over the last months, I've collected documentation of such memorabilia, and I found an amazing number. The quality varies, and to our modern eyes, many of the following pieces might look overly dramatic, sentimental and maybe even downright kitschy, but we have to look at them from an 18th century's point of view. I can promise you that future generations will not look overly kindly at commemorative plates celebrating the wedding of Charles and Camilla, either.

Please note: I've had to do a lot of readjusting with the following pictures, especially the glass plates. Dusty glass + flash = what on earth is that supposed to be? So if the colours look overly bright, then it's because I tried to make the artwork visible. The originals didn't look like that; I didn't take the pictures which mostly come from auction catalogues (if I remember correctly). Also: VERY image heavy, dial-uppers beware!


Nelson bust, 1805 - what's wrong here...?

( Commemorative Nelson Jugs )


Nelson mug, 1805

( More Nelson mugs behind the cut )

To me, the most interesting pieces by far were the commemorative glass plates. Just like mugs and jugs, they are not historically correct and glorify both battle and admiral, but realism wasn't the target of these pieces. It was the expression of a sentiment, of a feeling shared by a nation, often portrayed in allegoric form.

( Commemorative glass plates behind the cut )

I hope you found these pieces interesting. And who knows: today's fannish interest might be tomorrow's heritage...

After escaping the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in 1572, my ancestor found a new home in Switzerland. For 200 years, all was fine and good until Mr. Bonaparte decided that he needed yet another cherry on his cake and sent his army here, occupying the country and killing a couple of hundred people. One of them just happened to be my great-great-great- well, grandfather by many degrees. Considering these circumstances, I still find it a little strange to remember history lessons in which I was taught that "unfortunately, Napoleon lost the Battle of Trafalgar, because he would have brought democracy to England."

Well - yes. I guess it's no surprise we still use Francs as currency here, long after France itself has abandoned the currency. History education has hopefully changed since the time I was a kid; after all, there's more to history than the Stone Age and The French Revolution.

Anyway, with a family history like that, I can't help but be biased when it comes to The Battle of Trafalgar. Am I happy Britain won? You bet! But no matter what war we're talking about, no matter if it was one that we consider "justified" or not, we should never forget that in any war thousands, sometimes millions of people died. People who loved and were loved, on both sides of the fence.

So maybe let's just think for a moment of all the 3692 people who never returned home after the Battle of Trafalgar, and of their families, waiting for them. If there's one thing we, the following generations, can do with history, then it's learning some lessons and see how to prevent wars, beyond the golden rule that giving pint-sized men in charge of a nation too much power is never a good idea.

* * *

There will be two more Trafalgar-entries from me today. One will be a contest with book prizes, so stay tuned!

I'm not a gamer at all, but this game is just fantastic, especially for those of us who love the 18th century! Very special thanks to esteven for giving me the link, I'm addicted! And I made it all through the end, with a B- grade. Ha! Go me!

You can play online, it's for free, but image heavy. Dial-uppers, beware.

BOW STREET RUNNER

"Bow Street Runner" is the game to go with the TV series "City of Vice", which was fantastic, great, amazing, brilliant, woof. It's set in London's Covent Garden in the 1750s. With crime and vice running at very high levels, and before the organised police force existed in England, local magistrates formed the Bow Street Runners and began to impose law and order.

Each episode of the game will lead the player to explore different crime scenes, collecting evidence, solving puzzles, interviewing characters and presenting the case to the magistrate for judgement. Will Fielding's fledgling police force gain the public's trust through successful convictions of hardened criminals? Only if the player, as Fielding's key Runner, can prove who did it…

'Bow Street Runner' is designed to be historically accurate and therefore the game's content and its setting may not be suitable for younger players.

(I shouldn't be so excited to find cat-intestine condoms and Georgian love toys in a game...)

Though set in the 18th century, it's very up-to-date...

Author: Emma Collingwood
Rating: PG
Genre: Original
Characters: Captain James Denningham, Purser Sebastian Quinn
Warnings: none
Feedback: Sure! Keep it coming, good or bad!
Summary: Sebastian Quinn takes artistic liberties with the mess book of HMS Selkie.

"MANCO" or THE FINANCIAL CRISIS EXPLAINED BY SEBASTIAN QUINN, PURSER

Have fun!

Today's the 260th birthday of Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. What better date to start a charity auction that will hopefully raise a bit of money for the Morpeth Lions Club Flood Fund? Morpeth was, after all, the place where he spent some of his happiest days. And we're geeks. :)

You have now the chance to bid on two unique items.

OUR WEBSITE WITH INFORMATION ON THE CHARITY

AUCTION I: ORIGINAL GEORGIAN ROYAL NAVY GHOST STORY BY EMMA COLLINGWOOD

Be the first person to read "Last Service", one of four Georgian Royal Navy Ghost Stories from the upcoming book by Emma Collingwood! Not a printout, mind you - the tale comes handwritten (in ink, of course!) on 18th century-style, handmade, heavy cream-coloured paper (courtesy Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing). The paper alone has a value of ~ £ 30.00.

"Last Service", set aboard HMS Victory, honours the tradition of the classic 18th and 19th century ghost stories as well as the memory of the men who served on her.

( Click here for picture )

AUCTION II: ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATION BY AMANDINE DE VILLENEUVE

The drawing shows Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood and his dog "Bounce". The technique is "ink and wash"; umbra-coloured, waterproof ink on heavy, cream-coloured handmade paper (60% cotton, 40% flax, ages well). This is the original illustration to go with "Last Service".

( Click here for picture )

Many people in Morpeth have to rebuild their lives from scratch. Every bit helps, so please, do spread the word, post a link to either the website or this entry here in communities where it fits, herald the news, shout it from the roof and/or the fighting top. Thank you so much in advance for your support!

With the festive season just around the corner, this is a wonderful chance to get a very special present for that Age of Sail aficionado in your life. :)

From the blog of emmacollingwood :

Leaves are falling, and it’s time to announce the annual charity drive. This year the beneficiaries will be children from poor families in central Scotland, for whom I’ll try to provide Christmas presents, and the Morpeth Lions Club Flood Victims Appeal in Morpeth, Northumberland.

In favour of the charity drive, I’ve postponed the publication of “The Radiant Boy” for a few weeks. Why? Because two of the four stories, “The Radiant Boy” and “Last Service”, will be up for auction! But not just some cheap print-out - you will get the chance to win the

ORIGINAL STORY, HANDWRITTEN BY MYSELF WITH QUILL AND INK ON HANDMADE PAPER IN THE STYLE OF THE 18^TH CENTURY IN MUSEUM QUALITY!

I’ve been to the Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing yesterday and picked up the paper. Feel and texture are amazing, writing on it is a fascinating experience. Special thanks to the master papermaker, a very friendly and helpful chap.

While I don't want to give too much away, I can tell you that "Last Service" will be a story of special appeal to those among you who have a weak spot for HMS Victory, Nelson, Collingwood and the Age of Sail in general.

Despite being ghost stories, "The Radiant Boy" and "Last Service" are suitable for all audiences.

The auction will start on 26^th September, the original publication date of the book. There might be even more goodies - more information will follow soon. I’d like to thank you all in advance for spreading the word.

No new pictures of Jack Davenport, the Royal not back on telly yet, snail racing and dung beetle boxing not broadcasted in this area - what could a girl possibly do during her writing-break?

Why, pic-spamming you with a very young James D'Arcy holding deep, meaningful conversations about "A Dance to the Music of Time", of course.

"A Dance to the Music of Time gives a panoramic picture of English upper-class social life from 1921 to 1971 that is both intensely realistic and amazingly funny. Friendship, murder, adultery, ambition and failure are set against a backdrop of social, political and artistic life during the pivotal years of the 20th century, from the decadence of the early Twenties, through the sobering Thirties to the aftermath of World War II."

The TV multi-parter was made in 1997, so James D'Arcy must have been 20 or 21 here. Do I hear an "awwww" from the peanut gallery? He's playing the younger self of the main character, the older one is portrayed by James Purefoy who, at one point, wears a pink nightgown. Just mentioning it.



"Subtext or death!"

( Daddy Long Legs )

Critical analysis and intellectual exchange regarding the length of James D'Arcy's eyelashes impact of Marxism on British society in the 20ies is encouraged.

BBC: Charity may run historic warship

Portsmouth Today: MOD consider 'giving away' HMS Victory

Telegraph: Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory could be put in hands of private company

Times Online: Navy may hand over Nelson’s flagship to a charity

"(...) This magnificent ship means so much to both naval people and the whole nation – selling it to a private firm would turn it into Disneyland and would be its ruin. (...)"
Lt Cdr Michael Cheshire, now retired, who was Commanding Officer of Victory from 1992 to 1998


"(...) The range of options that the Ministry of Defence is putting out for consultation are leaving the Victory with the Navy, public ownership by another government department or public body, setting up a new charity for the ship or using an existing one. (...)"

Despite all assurances coming from the MOD, I'm really suspicious about the goings-on regarding the Victory. Will a charity have to try and beg for funds over and over again to maintain the ship? Or will we see the flag featuring the Starbucks-mermaid flying in Portsmouth? Maybe Donald Trump could turn the Victory into a novelty golf course? How about a nightclub, or, hey, here's an idea, a reality show? "I'm a Celebrity, get me out of the Orlop!"

If you ask me: Buckingham Palace is far too expensive. Relocate the royal family and turn the place into council flats.

But at least we have the comfort of knowing that the Ministry of Defense would do something sensible with the £ 1.5 they'd save in yearly maintenance.

Oh, wait...

ourcI've walked past a small antiques shop today and just had to take a picture of the following object. I don't think it's 18th century as claimed, but 19th century (for 18th century, the price would be far too low), but still, it's extremely pretty and if I had the money, I'd be more than tempted to buy it.

Then again, the predominant style in my flat is "Tiki meets Ikea", so it might be a good thing moths are flying out of my wallet...



( Do you want some tea, dear? )

Pretty, pretty, pretty...

I'm not an expert when it comes to porcelain; probably because every vase immediately ducks and covers when I approach which, in all fairness, is a wise move.

But there are some incredibly charming artworks to admire, and today I'd like to share some of them with you. Porcelain is more than tea services, and some artists created wonderfully humourous pieces.

As the format of this blog cuts some of the pictures off, please just "right click/open in new window" to see the full picture.






Adorable - but probably not the most suitable home decoration for cat-owners... ;-)

My LJ, so the result of a recent meme, isn't intellectual enough. It's obscure, that's true, but there's a distinct lack of literary discussions.

Now we can't have that, can we. To boost morale and encourage intelligent conversations, I have taken it upon me to watch the TV production of Charles Dickens' classic "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby", and I hope we can enter a fruitful discussion and literary analysis of the loving relationship between Mr. Squeers and his wife, with special consideration of their preference of pies over cake and the possible pre-natal trauma this caused in their son Wackford.

...

Oh hell, who am I kidding.



( THIS WAY, PLEASE... WARNING! PICTURE-HEAVY )

See? I can do intellectual if I want to. So nyah!

Author: joyful_molly
Rating: PG
Genre: het, slash
Pairings/Characters: Will/Elizabeth, Will/Norrington hinted
Word count: 67
Warnings: none
Feedback: Sure! Keep it coming, good or bad!
Disclaimer: here

( COUNTING )

My other drabbles are up on my website. Warning: unlike my other fanfic, the drabbles are rather dark and some contain a character's death.

"Notes from the Orlop"

is a wonderful blog integrated in the website of the Maine Maritime Museum, and it's truly a treasure trove for the researchers or simply curious among us! There are 34 entries so far, and each of them is well worth reading.

The latest entry, "Pretty Hair", sure kept me glued to the screen for a while. It's both informative and touching - call me an old romantic, but there's just something very sweet about the custom of giving your lover a lock of your hair. Now even a complete pigtail!

You can find links to all entries under the cut.

( NOTES FROM THE ORLOP )

Take your time and enjoy!

Screencaps and an interview can be found

HERE

CAVE CANEM

Author: joyful_molly
Rating: PG-13
Genre: slash (unrequited)
Pairings/Characters: Norrington/Gillette, Beckett, Mercer, Will/Norrington hinted
Warnings: none
Feedback: Sure! Keep it coming, good or bad!
Disclaimer: here

Summary: Some dogs will never accept the leash.

WHERE THERE'S A WILL

Author: joyful_molly
Rating: mild R
Genre: slash
Pairings: Will/Gillette, Norrington/Elizabeth mentioned
Warnings: none
Beta: eveiya
Feedback: Sure! Keep it coming, good or bad!
Disclaimer: here

Summary: When the cat's away, the mice will play...

Wank on aisle five: "SWINGTOWN - if we don't fight it, the nazis win!"

Ever since "Swingtown" first aired, I've come across a lot of comments which are of the more... stupid kind. As you know, I'm not a big fan of the show, but the moral outrage of certain elements of the public alone makes it very tempting to write to CBS daily and demand a full season, a DVD, a mousepad and the collectible "Bruce Miller Teapot Warmer". Just - for the hell of it.

Usually comments of "concerned citizens" are so far off that I'm glad to find them; they make great mocking material during coffee break. But once in a while I stumble over something which is... like the following on OCTALK, where

there's a discussion about Swingtown.

User buckt is not amused about "sex-saturated Swingtown" and intents to tell Channel9 so.

"It seems like we've lowered our community standards to a new low with this series."

Judging by buckt's comments, Channel9 doesn't air any reality shows. That's good to hear.

ddavidson8's reply is a sarcastic

"I think it's hot!!!!!!1!!", but the sarcasm flies right over buckt's head, who continues to whinge:

"Programming for a family to enjoy a few moments of moral television is practically gone."

Other users don't care either way but point out that complaints might be better aimed at CBS directly, because it

"Just seems a bit like griping to a local Chili's hostess that their logo is the wrong shade of red," as kevinpate notes.

Good point. Not that buckt is receptive to good points or common sense, though, especially when people suggest that maybe, just maybe, he should not watch the show if he doesn't like it. buckt invokes Godwin's Law:

"Isn't accepting what's popular and touted as 'if you don't like it ignore it' a lot like what happened in Nazi Germany? I can't understand those who say "ignore it and it will go away'. Isn't that kind of like ignoring a huge tumor and thinking by ignoring it -it will get better? Man - what's happened to common sense?"

I second that question... but anyway, it's too late for common sense, because according to Midtowner,

"The French just surrendered."

Now please excuse me while I go and watch "Coupling". I wonder what buckt would make out of that...