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Subject: Peggy Fielding's Newsletter December 2007 - December06, 2007



PEGGY FIELDING'S NEWSLETTER
Vol. 7   Number 11   December 2007

UH HUH, TO THE ARCHIVES

Go to www.peggyfielding.com so you can see interesting gegaws,
photos and this time...even a poem!

REGENCIES RETURN

Ima Jinn Books thrilled me this month with the announcement that
they are looking for Regency Novels of every sort. I'd love to be
able to buy a traditional Regency. They are what were once called
"comedy of manners," and, of course, the manners were those of
the Regency period in England, about 1811 to about 1820. That was
when King George III went bonkers and his son became Regent
governing the country, (in essence, the king in all but name.)

During that period, the females adapted the high-waisted, flowing
to the floor, classical in inspiration, type of gown. Their
styles still have an influence on modes of today. You have all
heard of or worn a garment with "an Empire waistline<" haven't
you? That fashion, even in a chiffon blouse over jeans, is drawn
straight from the Regency period styles. Shades of Jane Austen
and Georgette Hyer, all the way.

Anyway, as I started to tell you, I'm sending a query to Ima Jinn
Books about my novel, MAKE BELIEVE CURATE, which is a traditional
Regency. Pray for that little novel's future life. It's a book I
loved writing and it has led a hard life so far, especially since
publishers have given up traditional Regencies. One publisher
kept it forever, then trashed it without consulting me. Poor
sweet little novel.

THE BOOKS I'VE BEEN READING

Jackie King (all of you knew she was going to be somewhere here,
didn't you?) and the author Nancy Martin, turned me on to the
Blackbird Sisters series. The title I am finishing today is A
CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED DEATH. and I'm enjoying each book in
the series. Not a Regency, but just as fascinating in a different
way. The Blackbird sisters are members of Philadelphia's upper
crust. Because their parents took off with all the family money,
the three sisters have to find their own ways of making do and
making a living. I recommend Martin's books, especially this
series.

Thanks Jackie_ and Nancy.

FAMILIES CAN SURPRISE US

Not on a par with the surprises handed the Blackbird sisters, but
amusing, I think, my cousin, Margaret Rose Clark of Madill,
Oklahoma, makes her living in a most unusual way. I've just
learned what she does.

She raises and sells tiny Russian Tortoise (turtles) to people
all across the country. Did you know you can buy a tiny turtle by
mail?

I was quite surprised to learn that news. Here are two of her
little darlings taking a bath in the small frisbee she keeps for
that purpose.

I've known Margaret Rose all of her life, and never knew this
about her. My late sister-in-law picked up turtles on the road or
other places and took them home to lead the good life...water,
food and medical attention as needed. That too, seemed strange to
me, but Margaret's animals seem okay for a business. Strange but
okay. Some people think writers to be strange or a bit crazy, so
maybe I shouldn't comment on my relatives' love affairs with
turtles?

REWARD! REWARD! REWARD!

If you live outside Tulsa, go to Amazon.com and write a review of
any of my books which Amazon has listed. Please put your town and
state with your name on the review. Let me know when Amazon runs
your honest review, then let me know what your US Mailing address
is and which of my books you would like to have as your reward.

Those reviewers who choose to be rewarded with a copy of SALLY,
please tell me if you'd like a copy of the epilogue and prologue,
which my editor cut out of the book. I think the book is better
with prologue and epilogue. I'll send you a typed copy of each if
you want them.

POEM

One of my former students wrote a poem about me. She didn't sign
it. It made me smile.  Here it is:

LEARNING TO WRITE WITH YOU-KNOW-WHO

You stood before the class, teaching us to write.
I was there to learn and not feeling trite.
You spoke about Miss Poopoo,
And I thought, My God, Who?

You said to vomit words upon the page,
I thought, Oh, no, she's full of rage.
You told us you were there to teach,
But it was up to us to dig down and reach.

You taught me there are many tools,
That we must remember we're not fools.
You brought your mom to class one day,
Miss Hazel was great, that's all I can say.

You instilled within me that strong desire
To learn to write, to build my fire
You pushed me on to write the book
You didn't care how long it took.

You said to tell the story with strength,
It mattered not about the length.
You made me believe that I can write,
And smiled and told me my future's bright.

With each new letter I receive,
You're there with me, saying, "Just believe"
I never would have made it though,
Without your love and point of view.

Sometimes it seems you're pretty tough,
But you know best, it's just enough.
And so I say, with such delight,
Peggy Fielding, you're all right!

Now, if the clever person who wrote this amusing look at the old
teacher, will 'fess up I'll send you a book of your choice. Your
poem seemed pretty much on target to me. Everyone who has been in
class with me knows Mr. and Mrs. Poopoo.

SEX

Dusty hasn't sent a book for ages, and the sergeant in "The
Unit," hasn't called. So the answer is, as always, none and none.

OTHER BUSINESS

I've tried to get in touch with my old friends, Virginia Torres,
music teacher and opera singer, and Deborah Camp, famous writer.
Haven't been able to. Would you two call me? 834-6365.

HENS?

Oh, yes, we will be fluffing our feathers and speaking and
signing at the Oklahoma Mystery Writers meeting on January 19, at
1:00 pm. We'll be at the Kendall-Whittier Library at Admiral and
Lewis, talking about "Writing the Mystery Novella."  It will be
free, although we will be willing to sell you a signed copy of
FOXY STATEHOOD HENS AND MURDER MOST FOWL. (Signed by each of us,
by the way. if you decide you want one of our books. We're still
friendly if you don't buy!)

I was kind of thrilled that Marilyn Pappano's husband gave us
this drawing of boa wearing HENS which he found on the internet.
Now isn't this cute? Thanks Mr. Pappano.

BLACK EYED PEAS

Don't forget that black-eyed peas, cooked and eaten on New Years
Day, guarantee you money/luck in 2008. Go for it. The more you
eat, the more money comes! See you in the new year.

Love Peggy





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