Fashion neurosis, a raunchy flight, and ‘Nobody Wants This’

The giveaway is ‘Fragile Creatures’ by Khin Myint

There are two elements to setting yourself up for major disappointment regarding a writing competition or journal submission, I reckon. I’m not talking about a small, garden-variety rejection that you can brush off – I mean the type that threatens your whole day and leaves you wanting to curl up in a ball and cry. Those two elements? (1) It’s something you really want, and (2) you believe you stand a decent chance at getting.

I had one of these this week. I was rejected from a writing competition when I really wanted to reach the shortlist. I’d even entered the maximum number of times – twice. I thought at least one of my stories was a real cracker. It was unique and funny, I’d worked hard on it, I’d gotten feedback from my writing group on it and edited it accordingly. I’d entered it in the competition, along with my other story, full of hope. Then, nada.

I’ve had plenty of writing success this year. In the last month or so, even. But one rejection from something you very much wanted and thought you had a shot in hell at is still like a dagger to the heart. I tried not to mope on the day but couldn’t manage it. I moped hard. Every other little thing that went wrong that day felt personal.

It’s been a few days, and I’m still super sore about it, to be honest. Time has helped, but what has helped more is finding a couple of big short story competitions where I could resubmit my stories. I have a plan to hopefully turn my disappointment into something good down the line. I feel better… a bit.

Wishing you a pleasant, disappointment-free week.

---

News

1.     The thought of guerilla gardening has always tickled me, so it’s unsurprising that this SBS story about Tim the secret tree planter caught my attention. What is a little surprising is that the story is framed in terms of what type of legacy you’ll leave for future generations. Some people try to put their stamp on the world by having children, but there are, of course, many other ways to leave a positive mark. Writing is one, and planting trees where they’re needed for the environment, shade, and beauty is another. That’s a nice thought.

2.     I’d vaguely heard the headline that an entire Aussie plane was accidentally stuck, due to a technical glitch, with all watching the same raunchy film. What I didn’t realise is that apparently the flight attendants took votes and that’s the movie the majority voted for – called Daddio and starring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn. Like Stuart Heritage, author of this Guardian article, I’m baffled as to why when something like The Fall Guy was an option. The prospective audience might not have had a heads up about the sexiness of Daddio, but were they not aware of the plot, which doesn’t really scream ‘family friendly’ or ‘fun’? It takes place entirely in a taxi. What can I say, people are cooked.

3.     A podcast at the intersection of psychoanalysis and fashion with celebrity guests? This BBC piece about designer Bella Freud’s brand-spanking-new podcast Fashion Neurosis has me intrigued. I reckon I will either be all in on this or find it completely obnoxious. I suspect there will be no in between. I’m eager to give it a go, though, what do you reckon?

Reviews

1.     Jesse Sutanto is rocketing up my favourite author list. In July, I read and reviewed I’m Not Done with You Yet, which I was given as a gift. This week, I read Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, which I received from a different person as a gift. Clearly, everyone thinks I should be reading Jesse’s books, and clearly, everyone is right. These two Sutanto books I’ve read have been quite different flavours. I’m Not Done with You Yet was a psychological thriller (albeit quite a ‘safe’, light one). This more recent read is more of a humorous whodunnit. There are some common threads – a focus on Asian upbringings and nervy, uncertain characters, but the two books differ in tone. Having said that, both were really fun, easy reads (this is in no way a complaint). Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers features an amateur sleuth who owns a tea shop and hasn’t much to do except meddle in her son’s life until a man is found dead in her store one day. With sheer force of will, she drags several suspects into her weird little world. An utter delight.

2.     Knowing that it has already been renewed for a second season, we watched the first season of Nobody Wants This on Netflix. The buzz around this one is justified – starring Kristen Bell aka Veronica Mars and Adam Brody aka Seth from The O.C., this is my dream teen show cast combination come to life. Bell plays a woman who has a podcast on sex and relationships with her snarky sister. She meets Brody’s character at a party and it’s love at first sight. The only snag? He’s a rabbi and she’s not Jewish, which means that all their friends and family are strongly opposed to their relationship. At ten short episodes, you could blow through this one easily in a weekend and feel all the happier for it. Mars and Brody are exactly as charming as you remember them from other roles, and they’re surrounded by a high-performing supporting cast. Their on-screen relationship is delightfully healthy, with all the conflict coming from those around them, with often-humorous results. Do yourself a favour and watch this.

What I’m Feelin’ Right Now

• Hybrid workwear/lifewear to go with our hybrid work/lives

• Recipes that start with a packet of French onion soup mix

• A white lacy flowy top

• ‘Now U Do – Edit’ by Confidence Man

• Hyping up a super-basic homemade lettuce salad by calling it an ‘insalata verde’

• A light silver silky trench coat

• Having dinner by the beach at sunset

• Curly-haired animal pictures

• Statement denim jeans

Giveaway

Last week’s giveaway, The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson, was won by Dave Mangibat. Hooray! I’ve emailed you, Dave.

The giveaway this week is Fragile Creatures by Khin Myint. Enter your name and email address here for a chance to win.

Playlist of the Week

Scary good for spooky season: