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Sunday, August 23, 2015

Vampires, James Bond, and New Eccentric

New twist to vampire stories?  Our fascination with vampires is endless, and evidently, transforming.

I am enjoying these letters immensely.  Although I have never read a Bond book, the letters tempt me to correct this neglect.  I've been curious about Ian Fleming since reading about his role in Naval Intelligence during WWII, but the letters are opening new perspectives.

What a shame that letters are so seldom written now.  Fleming's letters from his publisher/editors, fans, and friends such as Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward, Raymond Chandler, and Evelyn Waugh and his responses make fascinating and entertaining reading.



Finally finished another Eccentric character.  I started her in December, but didn't like the way I painted her face.  Nor the re-paints.  She stood looking at me rather balefully for month after month, until I finally found a personality I liked and gave her some clothes.  I've decided to name her Sarah (thanks, Mary, for the suggestion of Sarah, Plain and Tall).  She loves gardening, poetry, and butterflies.  I love that she is finally done!

Her fly-away white hair doesn't show up well, but she is younger than her white hair indicates.

14 comments:

  1. I haven't read one of the Bond novels in a long time. I suppose it was when the movies first started coming out and all the titles became readily available. I don't remember them being particularly well written, but from a male perspective, they were always entertaining.

    Hey, you should sell those unique little people you're creating...but I doubt we could afford them if you are to be fairly compensated for your time and effort.

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    1. I've never before had any interest in reading a Bond novel, but the letters Fleming wrote are so charming. He was so kind to readers who wrote to him and mentioned errors, which he either explained or acknowledged and thanked the reader for bringing the error to his attention.

      Thanks, Sam, I enjoy making these characters!

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  2. Why are we so fascinated with vampires?? It's intriguing really. I wrote a piece quite some time ago about the immortality of the immortals - basically we keep them going don't we? They're immortal, even if they don't exist, because we can't stop writing and reading about them.
    I love your character. Well done. You're so creative.
    Lynn :D

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    1. :) I do love vampire stories from Bram Stoker onward! I taught Stoker's Dracula, and it was fun to see the reactions of the students when they realized they would be reading it!

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  3. That's a lovely figurine! And I like it that you've given her a name too. Will you be making a companion for her? Or perhaps a pet animal? ;-)

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    1. Ha! I made a cat for her, but it was black and looked too Halloweenish, so I made her a book instead!
      Not to say that a pet might not eventually keep her company. :)

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  4. The letters sound wonderfully fun! I'll have to get them from the library and see if they'd make a good gift for my dad -- like me, he's more interested in Ian Fleming I think than in reading the actual James Bond books.

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    1. The ebook is on NetGalley and will be out in November, but the letters are funny, kind, and quirky! I think your dad might really enjoy them. Fleming is so much more than Bond!

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  5. I'm so impressed by your little character--I need to pop over to your other blog to see the details. And I knew when I saw her name was Sarah that she was named after Sarah Plain and Tall (I loved having that book read aloud by our class librarian in fourth grade).

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    1. Thanks, Trish! I love that you have such a great associative memory with the book!

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  6. My husband has read most of Ian Flemings books and enjoyed them. I wonder if he'd be interested in The Man With the Golden Typewriter. I used to write letters all the time . . . I tried to get back into it, but I can't even make time to write more than a quick note with a card to my own mother.

    Sarah is lovely! You always do such a good job. :-)

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    1. I bet your husband would love this book. Fleming was such a fascinating character and all of the information about how he wrote the various novels and so much more kept me engrossed! I've finished and now have to write and schedule the review! It might make a great gift!

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