Dispatch no. 2 - Updates Podcast

Ok, very late to the party as no internet for about 3 weeks left me trying to catch up with everything but I just wanted to say that I would love to hear you read your book/chapter/anything! I am terrible at sleeping and often listen to your you tube vlogs in the wee small hours in the dark! So having you read a bed time story will be great! Now I know you will say something funny like ‘great, my ramblings send you to sleep’! But no! They actually soothe my brain bees but I had never thought about that until listening to this podcast (at 345am!) I will look forward to hearing your stories.! Also I always thought I was weird that I loved futuristic stuff whilst loving 1940s stuff but now I know I’m not (or I am but I’m not alone!) I have a question.... do you write with a plan or do you free form and are your chapters like episodes or time related or character related or event related or some other ‘format/system’?

I've written multiple comments on this, but can you only leave one?? It's a shame about your Alaska trip, I was meant to go to Prague as a solo traveller for the first time in June which I've had to put in back to September, I really hope I get to go because I was so excited. Regarding perfection, I often feel like I want to create a highly stylised, perfect life where I wear only blouses and high-waisted trousers or witchy clothes or a 90s denim and ugly sweater combo... but it's just not realistic. I like to many styles and I like some modern clothes. Having a perfect capsule wardrobe sounds lovely but I have a heart filled with love for too many pretty things that don't match so. There. I loved your comment about humans' resilience. And regarding your writing, B (sorry that I call you B it's probably weird but c'est moi) nobody here will crush your heart! Any feedback with be 100% in support of your success. Don't be afraid :)

I'll voice your English vampire ;)

B, my girl, don't be afraid. Everyone who is here is on your side and any feedback you get will only be in support of you x

Also, I'd planned to go to Prague at the end of June, it was going to be the first time I#d travelled abroad all alone and I was so excited BUT I had to postpone it. So I've moved it to Spetember and am keeping my fingers firmly crossed that I do actually get to go.

I feel totally the same about nature, I love it but I barely go out in it. It's not quite the same but I helped my mum in the garden at the weekend and that was a lot of fun and I felt a bit natural...

Jeans were worn by women in the 1940's!! I have a photo of my mother "lounging" on a chair with one leg over the arm wearing a pair of jeans with huge rolled up cuffs and penny loafers. The photo is dated 1949. She was 28 at the time.

Escape to the Chateau is on youtube. Enjoyed the podcast while floating in a steamy bath drinking chardonnay, Even though I'm working from home, it feels like vacation. Jammies all day for me too (and baths)! I will check out Westworld. We cut the cable 7 years ago, so it's streaming services all the way.We enjoy Bon Appetit on youtube - now they're filming at their home kitchens. Keep writing!

Thank you for the Podcost. It was just what I needed where I’ve been stuck in bed for 4.5 weeks. No, going to JoAnne’s is not worth it. Finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and hoping to put your sewing advice to use next week.

Hello Lovely Lady. Greetings from London England. I have listened to this as I sew my husband's new dress waistcoat. it's Saturday now and my local usually bustling high street is ghostly quiet. Thanks for the viewing recommendation. I'd echo Leonie's suggestion of Escape to the Chateau :o) It certainly is a worrying time. I'm frontline NHS and my family are in constant read that i'll get ill.

Bianca, you simply "must" read to us any chapter from your work of fiction. It would be as thrilling as listening to an old radio broadcast. I honestly feel this is in the cards for you; A brilliant idea.

I also find myself not wearing my "nice" clothes while working from home. I realized the other day that I have not looked in my closet for clothes or shoes for 3 weeks! My wardrobe now consists of workout gear, though I don't actually work out, and flip flops, because Florida. I've never been so comfortable in my life, but can't help but wonder if my work clothes miss me!

I have recently discovered Dua Lipa's newest album. It hits that sweet spot of 1980s pop-y new wave that I just love. I've found that it's very good to sew to.

You should consider getting a Twitter if you don't already have one. I say this with caution because Twitter is oh-so-very toxic, but, apparently the entire publishing industry has moved to Twitter. This includes literary agents who are looking for clients (when the world was normal).

Thanks for a nice podcast, I enjoy listening to you. For what I am watching, I subscribed to PBS Passport (minimum of $5/month for unlimited streaming). I just finished Beecham House which was wonderful, and now starting season one of Modus, a Swedish murder investigation show.

I love that glamorous masked photo - wish it was bigger! (the photo not the mask lol) Great rambly podcast! Idle curiosity - when you binge-watch a You Tube channel, do you start from the earliest or the latest video? I can never decide. I'm gonna check out the Chateau Diaries now thanks. Looking forward to your chapter readings. Stay safe and positive! ETA: totally addicted to Chateau Diaries now... thank you? :-D

Bianca, are you perchance a member of the Facebook group Weird Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared? It is a delightful collection of random things people found thrifting, or inherited, or stumbled upon. Last week a bunch of people posted their vintage bathrooms and I kept thinking about the ones you did for your 20s Sims house. Check it out, there was an amazing green toilet/tub/sink one that would have been perfect for your Sims house.

I like the Westworld movie from 1973 a lot. I don’t care for the series, but if you like it, definitely check out the original film. Also, speaking of vintage pajamas, Amanda Hallay from The Ultimate Fashion History on YouTube just did an episode about vintage “at-home wear/loungewear.” And now I want it all! 😂 But I especially want a 1950s “hostess set/patio outfit.” I would LOVE to see you tackle a project like that! Not sure I can share it here, but here is her channel (which is addictive, beware! :) ) https://m.youtube.com/user/ProfHallay

Thanks for answering my questions! Yay! I continue to keep my fingers crossed for your writing to be published. Network like the dickens (no pun intended :) ) and hopefully you will eventually connect with someone who can help you out. I have a random writing question for you, not sure if you've ever answered it...Does your love of sewing/designing/vintage/vintage style/vintage aesthetic ever inform any of your writing? Like, even though your settings are in the future, do your characters wear "vintage" clothes, make their own clothes, ever shop in a thrift store, anything like that where it organically works into your plot?

Hi Bianca

I didn't realise how much I needed this podcast. I'm really fond of your rambly videos so these podcasts are a treat! ❤️ I'm really looking forward to those prequel chapters - I'm sure they are gonna be amazing! Don't put yourself and your writing abilities down - the publishing business is not based on talent but on trends, so you may be a fantastic writer that can't get published because you write in the wrong genre. I've heard that sci-fi should be one of the harder genres to get published in, but I'm sure you will succeed! I hope everyone stays safe!