Being interrupted while editing and binge watching tv-series: my January 2021 recap
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The time here during Corona lockdown flies strangely, do you feel that way too?
Never has a January felt so long - not necessarily in a bad way, more that it's wild that so much and so little has happened at the same time in a month.
At the end of the month, I felt that a year must have passed - maybe it was wishful thinking because I hoped we would soon be beyond the Corona siege? Who knows.
The editing of Bright City Lights has been interrupted almost a million billion times (it feels like) and I have exceeded my deadline. That is, the one I had set for myself because it’s me who is the boss of the company. It's not exceeded much, but it's still annoying because I'm getting impatient and want the book out to readers NOW! I think, in all modesty, that Anna and Rob's love story is so sweet and lovely and I want to share it with others than the beta readers. But there is only one way forward even though life trips you up, and that is one sentence at a time.
Work, work, work.
Editing takes time but I love it
Joyce Carol Oates says in her Masterclass that the biggest obstacle for a writer is interruptions and I agree 1000%!
I will not bore you with all the interruptions I am subjected to every time I sit down to work, but let's just say I dream of a quiet cottage I can go to and write my books, then I have not said too much.
By the way, I can really recommend Masterclass.com for all creative people - it's so cool to be allowed to look behind the masters' curtains and see what their processes are like.
What I’ve read
In January I have read more than in 2020 where my concentration was shot to pieces. It's amounted to two books; A memoir by a Danish author/filmmaker and Nancy Thayer's A Nantucket Christmas, which I technically started reading in December. When I first got into the Christmas story on the small island of Nantucket, I was super annoyed that the story wasn't longer. Always a good sign that it's a good story when you want more when it ends.
What I’ve binged
I had an epic comeback on the TV viewing front in January. I think I have surpassed myself, but truth be told I saw almost no TV or movies in 2020, so I'm polishing my halo over here.
I've binged quite a few awesome series, and I justify that it takes time from reading with the explanation that I learn a lot from all the fantastic storylines and plots I watch.
Of all the series that I have seen and that I can recommend if you need some February viewing inspiration are:
Gentleman Jack - Based on a true story, about Anne Lister, an English landowner who had to navigate being a lesbian, a female landowner, and take care of the operation and maintenance of the family home. Really great story and acting.
Fate: The Winx Saga - teens, magic, fairies, magic school a la Hogwarts - what's not to like?
Firefly Lane - a really beautifully executed series that follows two girlfriends through the years from when they are teenagers in the 70s and up to the age of forties. I have not seen anything like it before and it is so lovely, heartwarming, and heartbreaking at the same time.
Bridgerton - If you're into costume dramas, you'll love this series based on Julia Quinn's books. And even though I had to get used to the creators playing with the historical facts and casting black actors for many of the roles, it just works so perfectly! Innovative in an uplifting way. When I can be won over, then it works, because I'm notoriously pissed off if facts are not in place in historical narratives, but I do not care when it comes to Bridgerton because it works so well! Shonda Rhimes is behind the series and with her, you just know it will be good. Speaking of Shonda, she has a masterclass on Masterclass.com that I can recommend to all writers, even if you are not writing for the TV format. She's brilliant.
Lucifer - equal parts paranormal series (angels, demons, devils in Los Angeles) and police series, mixed with a dash of musicality and humor - and there are plenty of seasons to consume. If I did not get a good laugh at Lucifer's egocentric behavior, then the murder mysteries drew me in and I sat forever hoping that Lucifer and Chloe would kiss soon!
Roswell, New Mexico - a reimagining of the old Roswell series that I have not seen. Aliens and romance - what’s not to like? And for an Originals and Vampire Diaries fan, it's great to see some of the same actors in new roles.
Sanditon - based on one of Jane Austen's unfinished novels. The series is only one season but there is talk of another season, which I really hope for because the characters really came to life during the first season. For all Jane Austen fans.
Land Girls - British series about the women's Land Army during World War II. Cozy and nice although there is also drama.
Superstore - Comedy series with America Ferrara, for when you need to watch something easy and fun.
The Bureau of Magical Things (especially for kids) - although it's probably for kids, this Australian series about Kyra who accidentally turns into a tri-ling (a third fairy, a third elf, and a third human) incredibly cozy and sweet. Short 20-minute episodes and perfect to unwind.
A discovery of Witches - I binged the 2nd season after waiting a long time for it. It's based on Deborah Harkness' trilogy. Vampires, witches, and demons (although I do not think you see much of the demons) in a different way than you are used to.
Those were all the recommendations, and I know there were many, but my brain has really enjoyed watching TV instead of reading, after sitting and studying every single sentence in my own script. I love the editing phase, and sitting and picking one word and out replacing with another, or moving sentences, deleting, writing new - I love it all - but my brain gets tired of looking at sentences and I have not yet learned to love audiobooks, so TV series are a phenomenal way of getting stories in a different way.
Have you read anything good or seen anything new lately?
Best,
Anja Carolina
Ps. I do not know if I have shared it with you, but if you, like me, read on Kindle when reading e-books, then most of my books are actually available there - you can see which ones here