Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Rhys is still Dreaming of Venice

RHYS BOWEN:

I have just finished my least-favorite part of the writing process—the dreaded copy-edits. You’d think the process should be fairly straight-forward. Your editor has made the editorial suggestions—can we see more emotion in this scene? Could we speed up the tempo here? And you have addressed those.  The copy edits are (or should be) just the polishing: one word overused in a section, one sentence not quite clear, no serial comma (God forbid). So sometimes they are a breeze.

Other times they can be a nightmare. A copy editor who is a frustrated writer and who changes sentences. Then it is necessary to write STET in large letters. A copy editor who forgets that it’s fiction and points out a tiny point of history (like, in my book, she could find no reference to German gunboats being hidden in the Venice lagoon. I replied that they were allies. A German gunboat would have been welcomed, especially during the invasion of Greece and Albania.)

One is tempted to reply either “It’s fiction, dammit,” or “does it bloody well matter if it was early closing day on Wednesday therefore she wouldn’t have done her shopping then!!!!”

But it is done. I have survived with only a few more gray hairs. Now it’s just the proof reads during which the writer decides that every sentence is clumsy and rubbish and should be re-written.

However, on this occasion it was comforting to spend more time in Venice, since we can’t travel this year. I’ll give you a quick trip there too. Oh and I have the most gorgeous cover to share too!

 From THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK.


I tried to find a good spot to sketch the Bridge of Sighs but realized that the best views were from the waterfront side. I retraced my steps to the water front and stood on a small stone bridge sketching the Bridge of Sighs. Several tourists tried to peer over my shoulder. Oh dear. My art skills are certainly not good enough for public scrutiny yet. I hurriedly closed my book and at that moment the great bells from the Camponile rang out. Twelve O’clock. Golly. I’d better get back for lunch or Aunt H. would be worried. I made my way back to St. Marks Square and attempted to retrace my route home.  I must have come out of St. Mark’s Square by a different archway because I didn’t recognize where I was. There had not been a little canal running beside the street when I came in.  I pressed on, in what I hoped was the right general direction. I was just crossing the canal by a little stone bridge when I heard a sound. At first I thought it was a baby crying. It was coming from the canal beneath me. Then I looked down and saw a cardboard box floating past. And from the box came the sound. Not a baby, but what sounded like the mewing of kittens. Someone had thrown a box of kittens into the canal to drown them!

I looked around. Nobody in sight. I couldn’t just let the kittens float away until the box became sodden and they drowned.  I went back to the side of the canal where there was a walkway,  held onto a post and reached out as far as I could. The box was too far away for me to reach and was moving slowly but steadily past. Soon it would pass between tall buildings where there was no footpath. There was nothing for it. I put my bag down, took off my hat, held my nose, and jumped in. The water was surprisingly cold. I gasped and swallowed a mouthful, but struck out valiantly for the box. I hadn’t had much opportunity for swimming in England, apart from in the sea at Torquay when one bobbed in the waves and I realized too late that my skirts  had become awfully heavy , clinging to my legs. I tried to hold the box above me as I kicked out for the side. I managed to place it up on the walkway, then tried to climb out. That was when I realized the walkway was a good foot above the water and there were no steps in sight. I had no way out.
My sodden clothing and shoes were pulling me down now and I was tiring fast. I tried to remember the Italian word for help—if I’d ever known it in the first place. What was it in Latin? If only I’d paid more attention to Miss Dear!  I tried to cling to the side but there was nothing to hang onto. Above my head the kittens kept mewing and the box shook as if they might get out at any moment. Then suddenly I heard a noise. The put-put of an approaching motor boat.  It drew level with me and I was afraid it would run me down or go past without seeing me. I released one hand and waved. “Help!” I cried.
            A man’s face appeared over the side. “Dio mio!” he exclaimed. “Momento!” He cut the motor. Strong arms reached down and I was unceremoniously hauled aboard. He stared at me for a moment before saying, “You are English. Si?”
            I nodded. “How did you know?”
            “Only an English girl would be foolish enough to go swimming in a canal,” he said in very proficient English. “Or did you fall in?”
            “I wasn’t swimming. And I didn’t fall in. I jumped in, to save some kittens.”

Will this early encounter in a Venice canal have repercussions later in her life? You'll have to read it to find out. It is published April 13.
And do share: where are you dreaming of at the moment?

55 comments:

  1. It’s a beautiful cover indeed!

    Rhys, I thoroughly enjoyed this kitten-rescue episode and look forward to finding out what happens next.

    What am I dreaming of at the moment? Normal things like going to the movies or the theater, having a family get-together with all the grandbabies . . . .

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  2. Where am I dreaming of? Just about anywhere but my condo, to be honest.

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  3. Rhys, I can’t wait to read more! I loved that she saved the kittens, and am wondering how this could affect her later. And, the cover is gorgeous!

    I’m dreaming of going out to eat and visiting my son and visiting my friends and family in my hometown. And, I’m dreaming of finally getting to go on my England trip. The Last Mrs. Summers made me want to go even more.

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    1. Yes, going out to eat! Going to a museum, a library. Even the mall. Normal life

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  4. Rhys, you'll my dream space tomorrow...there's a theme with our Reds and that's get me out of here! LOL Love the cover and the snippet.

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  5. Gorgeous cover and your scene had my heart in my mouth! Now I'm trying to remember the Italian and Latin words for HELP. This may be an early morning Google moment.

    We returned to our home in the Crown of Maine and I'm surrounded by woods and wildlife. A dream realized after four months of confinement in our Southwest Florida home.

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    1. Lucky you being in Maine! We’re dealing with smoke from the fires and can’t go out

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    2. Oh, no! After all your work to get back there!

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    3. Oh, Rhys, so sorry. That must be awful! Sending good thoughts and fresh air!

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  6. Rhys, the cover is stunning!

    I love the snippet and eagerly await the April release so I can see what she does with the box of kittens and the guy with the strong arms! Your first person protagonists are so reliable and delightful that I cannot get enough of them. I am in the middle of Last Mrs. Summers, following Georgie and Belinda to a new destination. I may need to visit Cornwall some day, too.

    This summer I've started to read the Molly Murphy series and am loving that, as well. My mother's family is from NYC and the boroughs, my dad's and Irwin's family all came through Ellis Island. Molly's story, except for the murders, hits so close to home.

    Honestly, Maine looks like a good destination right now. It's a medium length drive and the sea coast is such a treat to visit. We just returned from the Delaware shore, where we visited Rachel and kids, but we did not go anywhere except for a walk in the neighborhood. So, it was a visit, not a vacation. It was lovely to see the kids though, and they were very glad to see us, too. Especially since I was loaded with cakes and cookies for them. Once school begins, we may not be able to go again until there is a vaccine.

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    1. I’m dreaming of being able to visit a beach too, Judy but at the moment there is too much smoke in the air along the coast

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    2. I was in Santa Cruz for a business meeting yesterday,, air quality was actually in the good range. At home in Los Gatos, you can’t see the mountains to the east, but the air quality has been in the moderate range the last two days. We are still running in the morning and most restaurants have opened outside.

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    3. I look forward to reading The Venice Sketchbook!

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  7. Rhys, your cover is swoon-worthy! Congratulations on the forthcoming book.

    At this very precise moment I'm dreaming of a night when my dogs don't wake me up with their traditional group howl at 5 a.m. I have never been able to figure out what prompts them to howl at 5 a.m. but it must be some scheduled outdoor thing--a neighbor walks his dog, a neighbor leaves for work with his car radio on--because the howl happens pretty regularly, and I am not a fan.

    More generally, I'm dreaming of more income, and more time to write my stuff, not just a bunch more computer form grant proposals.

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  8. The cover is gorgeous! And I'm a sucker for a kitten rescue. I was looking forward to this book before but now I really can't wait!

    As for dreaming, I'm just trying to get by for now. However, I am dreaming that the travel plans I'm making for next spring can actually happen.

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  9. Rhys, I pre-ordered and can hardly wait to read this book. The cover is beautiful! Thank you for an insight into the publishing process. How the heck do you manage to write two books a year?

    I am dreaming of Fall: briliant sun-lit leaves; crisp, pollen-free air that smells of faintly of wood smoke; crunchy leaves underfoot; cozy cardigans; apple cider; and pumpkins everywhere. If only summer were shorter and Fall lasted for more than a month.

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  10. Venice! Can't wait to visit your fictional version.

    I'm dreaming of our postponed May trip to Paris and the Dordogne. But first, we have to worry about Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our daughter is visiting this week, living in the basement, telecommuting and joining us for socially distanced dinners. Difficult but doable.

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  11. Now April 13 th seems too far away. Love your cover.
    Dreaming of a fishing outfitter package with my daughter and son-in-law : them fishing, me reading.

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  12. Rhys, I absolutely LOVE the cover! The excerpt was great, too. I can't wait to read the book!

    I am dreaming of hanging out with friends over a cocktail, listening to a band play, without masks or time limits so the restaurant can turn the table. I am dreaming of visiting ANYWHERE -- Britain, for sure, but even other cities in my state or adjacent states -- and being able to interact with new people and see new places and experience new things without the overarching fear of death. I am dreaming of people having little day-to-day things to chat about, and of being allowed to hug my loved ones and cuddle neighborhood toddlers. I am dreaming of my life as I knew it at this time last year. Sigh.

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  13. What a gorgeous cover, Rhys.

    I'm dreaming of fall, when the mornings are crisp, the days are cool, and the air has that wonderfully dusty smell of dry leaves.

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  14. Totally riveting! And great example of writing advice: save the cat

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  15. That cover is to die for, Rhys. And for what it's worth, in real life, both my girls would TOTALLY jump into one of the canali to save a box of kittens!

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  16. Rhys, this cover is spectacular--so evocative! Loved the bit you shared with us--lots of questions already in play for the reader, makes me anxious to turn that page!

    Daydreaming of remodeling the house--should I add a second story? Put an addition on the back--a big workspace to make a room where I can work and set up my quilt frames with a southern exposure? Add a greenhouse? Or just demolish it and create the home of my dreams?? I know, if I have this much time on my hands, I should be doing something constructive, creative....

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    1. Wow, Flora, those are BIG decisions! But this seems like a good time to be contemplating them!

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    2. Flora, I’ve been watching British house hunting shows. I think conservatory with under floor heating!

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    3. Debs, these are just pipe dreams, but yes to your suggestion, Rhys!!

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  17. The book looks like another wonderful adventure. Brava!(Is that right? I don't know Italian) Looks like everyone is dreaming of ...normal life. What a bonus that will be. I lost a few things this year (no loved ones, gratefully) but pieces of my life I valued, even before the coronavirus hit. So lots of "normal" to dream about. And better dreaming? Wondering about the "next normal"and how to build it.

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    1. Yes, Triss, such a good point. The new "normal" is going to be different from the old "normal."

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  18. Rhys, you are too fabulous. SAVE THE CAT! I laughed out loud.
    (And I adore copyediting, though, I have to say. It's like a treasure hunt.)

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  19. And where am I dreaming of? The end of my first draft. xoxoxo

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  20. Lovely cover, Rhys, and thank God you saved the kittens. I had to go look up Italian for "help." It is "aiuto" per google translate! Does anyone else tap the page on print material to look up something? I can see myself in the home, rocking on the porch, rattling my cane, and tapping the newspaper over and over again.

    What am I dreaming of? Literally? I just had a dream that the pandemic was over, and the way I could tell was that gasoline was back to four bucks a gallon. In my dream I regretted I hadn't filled up my tank the day before. It is a recurring theme. I wonder if it will ever be over.

    Wishful dreaming? I'd like to go out to dinner, to have friends over for a backyard barbeque or even just drinks on the patio without social distancing. I'd like to go see my next door neighbor, a house I was in several times a day during the months her husband was dying, and now a place I haven't been in months. She's not dependable for social distancing, so I don't risk being near her.

    And the biggest current dream is to have Sergeant Pepper's housetraining done and dusted. It's been two days since an accident, but that is only because we watch him like a hawk. Roberta may well share this same dream re Lottie!

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    1. I’m dying to see pix of Sergeant Pepper

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    2. He's all over my Facebook page, will send you a picture tho.

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    3. Check your spam filter for aemrn@aol.com Just in case

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  21. Rhys, beautiful cover! It looks like art from a sketchbook. Darn it! Now I want to know if they did SAVE the kittens!

    Regarding copy editing, I often wonder about the copy editor. I often find grammar errors in recent books. I do not nitpick historical facts in fiction. However, if I see a character using a mobile phone in Regency England, then that is an anarochism (sp?), unless the novel is supposed to be about time travel?

    And I would be more concerned about grammatical errors than historical details.

    What am I dreaming of at the moment? I have been watching funny British sitcoms like As Time Goes By so no nightmares, thank goodness. I had a dream that the pandemic was over when they discovered a vaccine that works and we got to travel to the UK and Europe again.

    Diana

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    1. May your dream be a good omen and come true soon, Diana

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    2. Copy editors are supposed to pick up anachronisms as well as grammar

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  22. Your heroine is clearly intrepid, Rhys! Looking forward to seeing where that takes her in Venice. I very much identified with being lost there, too. It all looks the same, but different. Luckily, when Holly and I were there and trying to find landmarks on a "treasure hunt", Holly's GPS kept us from winding up in too many deadends.

    Which brings me to what I'm dreaming of, adventures with my daughters. Thank goodness we all were together so many times last year, a record four times since they've all been adults and moved to the three corners of the earth. I keep holding onto those memories, in lieu of actual nearness.

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  23. I love it all, Rhys. I'm dreaming of being with my kids and dear friends without masks and with hugs. Anywhere will do.

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  24. I can’t wait to read about your Venice, Rhys. I’m dreaming about being able to jump in my car and travel!

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  26. Rhys, your cover is just stunning! And of course, SAVE THE KITTENS! We would all put the book down if she let them drown! But I can't wait to see what the repercussions are.

    I'm listening to the Audible version of A BITTER FEAST and dreaming of the Cotswolds in September. Oh, it is so glorious. But more realistically, I'm dreaming of lovely fall, cooler temps, wood smoke, grilling, soups, being able to sit out on the porch or patio for the occasional socially distanced visit with friends!

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    1. I was supposed to meet friends in the Cotswolds in October. Heavy sigh

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  27. Thanks for the glimpse into the writing life. I have always found reading about authors and books so interesting!

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  28. Canals in Venice and people going into the water make me think of Katherine Hepburn. She filmed in Venice and went into a canal. She paid for it from then on with an infection that left a head twitch.
    We thought of that watching the last episode of Endeavour.

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  29. I am completely invested, Rhys. Well Done! Can't wait until April!

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  30. I'm dreaming that the remaining boxes would instantly empty and everything would be put away all nice and neat so I can find what I need, when I need it. Proofing is absolute necessary for anything I write, no matter what. I'm a horrible speller, is that a word?.

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  31. What a great opening, Rhys! I'm hooked. Can't wait....

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