Love it! sounds just like I would imagine EBD would talk, from reading Behind the Chalet School ...
More when you can please, Rob
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| The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7619 |
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| Author: | Rob [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
This is the first proper drabble I've posted on here (although I must have about twenty which are started yet incomplete, on my computer) so please be gentle with me! This was supposed to be a one post drabble, but it ended up slightly longer than planned so will now be three posts. It is all written though so, assuming you want to find out what happens(!), I will be able to post the rest of the story fairly quickly! Mods - I hope I've got this in the right House, if not please feel free to move it! Enjoy! “And finally” the journalist asked, “who is your favourite character – and why?” his pen poised over his notepad. “Well” gushed the author, “what an interesting question. I really don’t know who to say: there’s Joey of course, my first star – she certainly sold me a lot of books" she laughed prettily. "She’s bright, clever, popular and successful, maintains a healthy interest in the school, writes successful novels and yet still has time for a family! Yes, she's definately a contender. She’s married to an absolute gem of a man, Dr. Jack – he’s definitely one of my better creations in the SLOC stakes – in a way, I sort of imagine that she’s me, or at least, I would be her if I’d got married. I don’t envy her the children though, or certainly, not all of them. I understand that giving birth is quite painful and Jack and Joey seem to breed like rabbits!” “So it’s Joey … what’s her surname” the journalist asked, sounding bored. When the author didn't reply immediately he pouted and began to twiddle the pen between his fingers, muttering under his breath, "Oh, why did the editor have to catch me with Kerry from the canteen in that broom cupboard? I know he only made me do this interview to punish me! I mean, its so unfair; just because she wanted a bit of rough and wasn't interested in a past it old thing like him!" Thinking of his 'fun' with Kerry cheered him momentarily, and so, with a smirk, he resumed listening to the lady seated opposite him. “Or there’s Mary-Lou” the author continued, ignoring him. “I know I used the phrase ‘our one and only’ for a few characters in the series at different times, but it really meant something special for Our One and Only Mary-Lou, as it emphasised how unique she was. She’s such a wonderful character, I’m sure all my readers want to be her friend. Again she’s bright, clever, popular and successful; she is a bit bossy, in a friendly way, but truly only ever has the good of others at heart. I admit I didn’t really know what to do with her once she’d left school and I’d killed off her mother and married her sister-by-marriage, the obvious niche was already filled by Joey! She did bring new readers to the books though and they stayed popular, so she does still hold a position dear to my heart. “C’mon lady” said the journalist bluntly, picking up his coffee cup. On seeing it was empty, he put in down on the saucer with a clatter and gave it a disgusted look before yawning rudely and continuing “which is it? This Joey or Mary whatsherface?” He hadn’t bothered to read any of the author’s books before interviewing her, so wasn’t aware of the names of even the major characters. “I’m not sure” murmured the author, who had a dreamy, faraway look on her face, “there are 58 books in the series, that number of books has a fair few characters you know!” She had suddenly been seized by a blinding idea for her next book. “I can imagine” the journalist replied, the pleasantries coming automatically, as his mind wandered ‘who on earth is going to read this interview once it’s published. The woman writes children’s books – none of them is likely to be reading the Chronicle-Herald-Telegraph.' he rolled his eyes, 'if only she’d answer this final question, I could go …' His eyelids felt heavy, and it was only with supreme effort that he forced them open as he realised that the author was talking again … |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview |
Love it! sounds just like I would imagine EBD would talk, from reading Behind the Chalet School ... More when you can please, Rob
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview |
Oh, definitely more please!
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview |
Oh, this sounds great |
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| Author: | Abi [ Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview |
| Love this!
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| Author: | Chris S [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 2:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview |
This is good. I really would like to read the rest of the interview, as I am sure that the journalist will get his just desserts in the end. |
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| Author: | Rob [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 5:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview |
Thanks for the comments, it really is encouraging to think that people have enjoyed reading what I have written and are actually interested in what happens next! I'm inclined to think that I will probably post my appreciation for other people's drabbling more regularly, having seen it from 'the other side' as it were. Unfortunately whilst proof-reading the rest of this yesterday, the journalist's seedy love-life kept interfering, so I'm afriad this is now going to be four posts! Here's part two anyway - enjoy! “Oh, they’re fun to write” the author was saying, “correct English for Miss Annersley, slightly mannish point-of-view for Miss Wilson, wiry, determined Matron with a soft spot for Joey and pretty, efficient Rosalie. All of them so very dedicated to the school. I used to rather wish that one or two of them worked for me when I ran my own school” she said, laughing. “I don’t suppose many girls have bought my books because of the mistresses though!" her rich voice became more reflective in tone, "I know when I was a girl the prefects, let alone the mistresses, seemed old – and as for the Head, well I always thought she must be absolutely ancient! And I don’t suppose this will be any different with story-book staff! My favourite character really ought to be someone that will show my readers that I can identify with them, to show that I really understand girls”, she seemed to be talking as much to herself as to the journalist. “Hmmm” agreed the journalist noncommittally, his eyes glazing over. “Madge of course, was slightly different to the rest of the staff” the author continued “because as Joey’s sister, she seemed a bit younger. Ultimately though, for all she set up the school, for Madge, family was most important, so when Jem came along – another fine SLOC, if I do say so myself – she was happy to settle down and take a back seat. There is a lot of me in Madge,” she paused, clearly thinking hard, “and I think, some of Mother too. I’d say that at different times we both felt that the family – in our case, mainly each other – no longer needed us as much, and that we were in danger of turning into someone that the neighbours would call, ‘that sweet woman …’” the author paused again, obviously deep in thought, “I had never realized how much my life influenced those of my characters,” she mused. She smiled suddenly, her eyes twinkling “I don’t know how I’ll ever pick my favourite character if I have to pick between Mother, me, myself and I! Now, Daisy Venables …” ‘It’s no good’ the journalist thought, his eyelids drooping again ‘she’s literally boring me to sleep’ He propped his head on his hands and wedged his elbows onto the edge of the table in a last ditch attempt to stay awake. Unfortunately the dull conversation, combined with his late night at the Rose and Crown with Pam, the paper’s new copy typist, the previous evening, was too much for him and he heard only odd phrases of the author's conversation, punctuated by the faint scratching of her fountain pen and occasional outbursts of laughter, for the next 15 minutes or so. “…she met a doctor … musical genius … das Engelkind … a complete tomboy … played the cello” the author's voice flowed on, almost hypnotic, giving name after name, reason after reason, unaware that she was talking to herself. “Gay Lambert … nice Mr Young after how Joyce … dolls houses … Peggy and Bride … a nice naughtiness” she laughed again and accidentally knocked one of the books onto the floor. The noise roused the journalist slightly so that when the author straightened up, he blinked owlishly at her. “There are some girls I won’t even consider” he heard her say, before slipping back into his half doze “Margot … hardness in her character … expelled … Sybil …" the author rattled on, picking up first one book and then another as if for inspiration, quite oblivious to the gentle snores coming from across the table, "Fatty Hamel ... Simone ... too picturesque for words ... the moony triplet, oh my goodness, I missed Len Maynard!” she exclaimed, glancing up as she noted the name down on the pad in front of her, “er, didn’t you ought to be writing some of this down?” Edited: word order |
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 6:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Thank Rob, I am enjoying this. |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 6:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Poor journalist! So pleased this has increased in length.Thanks Rob |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 6:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
| I don't know which of them to feel more sorry for! Thanks for the update.
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 8:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Lovely, Rob - keep going!
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Thanks, am loving getting EBD's point of view on her favourite charcters |
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| Author: | Miss Di [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Thanks Rob, I think I feel sorry for the poor hung over journo despite his seedy love life! Looking forward to parts three and four. |
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| Author: | shazwales [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Thanks Rob,really enjoying this. 
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| Author: | Abi [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
| Hope he had a nice refreshing sleep, anyway!
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| Author: | shesings [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Love this, Rob! |
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| Author: | La Petite Em [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Thank-you Rob, this is brilliant! |
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| Author: | Rob [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 4/4/10 |
Thanks for all your kind comments. Having beefed up the journalist's role and heavily edited whilst proof-reading parts two and three, I now think that part four needs completely re-writing to maintain the same standard. Will attempt to do this asap, but this may mean it isn't ready tomorrow. Here is part three - enjoy! When the sudden lull in the author’s rhythmic chatter permeated through the journalist’s catnap, he awoke with a start: “she didn’t say she was married” he blurted instinctively, drawing his hands up to cover his head as though expecting a blow, his brain still fogged with sleep. When no blow was forthcoming, he cautiously lowered his arms and looked around. On seeing the quiet hotel lounge and the elderly author looking at him expectantly, a faint flush reached his cheeks. “Maynard” he exclaimed suddenly, somehow drawing the name from his subconscious and repeating the word parrot-like, as though to prove he had been listening all along. He glanced at his watch, it was just on half past three, ‘strewth, I must have been asleep nearly twenty minutes; the old girl can’t half talk’ he thought grouchily, ‘and I was having such a fantastic dream about that Melanie? – or maybe it was Melissa? – anyway, that bird I met in the chippy, after I walked Pam home from the pub and found out she still lived with her parents.' He shifted slightly in his seat and stretched, his brain in overdrive, remembering: 'Madeline? – Michelle? – well whatever her name was, she had been just about to show me the snake tattoo, that (or so she had claimed) had it’s head on her left breast and then wound around her back and down across her stomach before disappearing below her waistband, when the interfering old harpy woke me up!’ he thought, with a blind disregard for the fact that he shouldn't have been asleep in the first place. He glanced across at his current companion and wondered briefly what her reaction would be if she could read his mind; recalled to his current situation and taking in her slightly bemused expression, he said somewhat sheepishly, “sorry, what?” “I think you’d drifted there dear” said the author sweetly, who missed conversations in this way quite often, “it is such a hard decision, and I’m having rather a job making up my mind too! Don’t worry, I made a few notes myself” she indicated the pad on the table, “so you can have a copy and I won’t expect you to tell me who your favourite character is today, I’ll wait until the article is finished.” She smiled brightly “I was quite surprised when they sent a man to interview me, but it will be interesting to see your take on things. Makes me quite glad I put that motor boat story in the last couple of books, I imagine that sort of thing would appeal to any men that do have to read them, either for professional reasons like you or to their daughters?” the author paused and looked at the journalist enquiringly. “Er, yes, quite” he mumbled, not quite knowing what to say. ‘Did she just say that she was expecting my answers in the article as well’ he thought in dismay, looking in absolute horror at the piles and piles of books which were scattered over the wide topped table and suddenly remembering that she’d said there were fifty-eight currently published and that she was hoping the next would be published early the following year. He remembered too that the deal her agent had secured with the editor, an old friend of his, was one whereby the article wouldn’t be published until the author was happy with it, and considering the mood the editor was in … The journalist's head ached; he took a deep breath and redoubled his efforts to pay attention. He picked up his pen again and smiled at the author. Seeing this as an invitation to continue, the author said “Now where had I got to, oh yes, Len Maynard: Len was my masterpiece, although I felt more like Frankenstein than Austen creating her, as she is all the good bits of almost all my other characters, melded together. She’s not a goody-goody, but her only faults are to be untidy and too responsible!" she laughed. "I certainly surpassed myself with her, I’m sure she is most inspirational to my readers. Unlike Mary-Lou who they’d have liked to be friends with, Len, I’m sure they want to be!” she laughed again, “Imagine a child of Joey’s that’s too responsible! Still I balanced her responsibility with Margot’s naughtiness and Con’s dreaminess. That’s how I relate to her; she’s me, as I wish I had been when I was at school – or else, how I wish the girls had been at my school! Well, that and I gave her my name!” “Look Miss” the journalist interrupted, embarrassed to have fallen asleep and desperate to get the interview over with before she had any more bright ideas about what should be included in the article “I just need a name and a quick reason. Who is your favourite character and why?” ‘And’ he thought, in a sudden flash of inspiration, ‘I’ll just say that I agree with whoever she picks – that way, she’ll approve of my choice and I won’t have to read all these books! Now, if only I could get this interview finished, perhaps I could go back round to the chippy, to have a proper look at that tattoo …' |
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| Author: | La Petite Em [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
This exactly how I imagine EBD to talk! Thanks Rob. |
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| Author: | Abi [ Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
| Does he really think he's likely to get a straight answer out of her? Loving this! |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
Good luck with that! You never know, though, he might enjoy them when he gets into them. Thanks for the update. |
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
Thanks, am really enjoying this |
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| Author: | JS [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
Maybe, even now, he's on the site..... Thanks Rob
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| Author: | Nightwing [ Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
Thoroughly enjoying this, Rob - I'm torn between feeling sorry for the journalist being talked at like that, and hating him for turning up to an interview having done no research first! |
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| Author: | shazwales [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 7:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
Thanks Rob
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| Author: | charli [ Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
This is brilliant, can't wait for part 4 Thanks Rob |
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| Author: | Pado [ Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
Wonderful! Especially once she gets going on the ebdisms, he should be completely befuddled! |
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| Author: | Millie [ Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
This is very entertaining; thanks Rob! |
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| Author: | Chair [ Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The end of the interview - updated 5/4/10 |
This is brilliant, Rob! I love hearing everything that Elinor says and the interviewer's thoughts are making me laugh. I look forward to reading Part Four. |
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