"You and rabbits--extraordinary!"

I was watching Miss Potter again last night. We've spoken of it before: of the fact that every time I watch this film, I come away inspired, invigorated, and ever so slightly depressed that I don't own an estate in the Lake District. I don't exactly know why I love the movie so much unless it is just the fact that it is...me. This is probably the reason; every friend that has watched it has asked/messaged/texted me and said, "Hey, Rachel, have you seen Miss Potter? It reminds me so much of you."

I grew up on Beatrix Potter's little books and now that I'm quite grown, I have purchased a huge, beautiful hard-bound copy of the complete set. My sister owns a book full of the letters Beatrix sent to children all around the world which inspired me to start drawing picture-letters for the little folk in my own life. I intend to name one of my daughters Beatrix, if my husband is amicable to the idea.... (Ha. ha. ha. ha.) All told, the stories, film, and letters of and about Beatrix Potter fill me with a nostalgic, lovely contentment that makes me want to take out my watercolors and start again with the lovely old rhythm of art, words, and story.

I was talking once with one of my friends, Wyatt Fairlead, about the film. (He was one who told me I must see this film if I hadn't already)

"It always makes me want to paint amazing pictures and publish a book," I said.
"It always makes me want to own land in the Lake District," he followed.

That was a jolly plan and it has grown since to a plot that he will somehow fall into an inheritance (or win a lottery) and buy at least one farm up there. Matthew (my cousin) and Amy (Wyatt's sister and Matthew's girl) and I will then come visit and I will have all the joy of a Lake District farm without any of the expense.

It is a very good plan.

Among many of the other joys of the film, (LIKE THE SCENERY? OH LOR') the soundtrack is paramount. It is the essential "writing music" for me....just turn that soundtrack up on Spotify and dig my mental claws into my story and there we go. I need to employ the music in the background while writing Anon, Sir, Anon -- just the right feel for the story. When watching the movie last night, I was excited (and a bit astonished) to realize that my Lair is quite a lot like Beatrix's room...and I have always envied/loved/adored/wanted her painting room. That was quite a lovely lovely realization and now I love my messy wall more than ever.

There is one scene toward the start of Beatrix's career when she has just published The Tale of Peter Rabbit and is sitting with Norman Warne (her publisher) over tea. She is saddened that their relationship must needs come to an end because the business of publication is through and they have succeeded...then Norman leans across the table saying:

"Your book has made my life so full...I was hoping there would be more stories...?"
Beatrix looks a bit taken aback. "Y..yes."
Norman: "Then I look forward to doing it again and again..."
Beatrix: "And again!"

And that is exactly how this whole publication of Fly Away Home feels. I just want to keep writing, keep making stories, keep dreaming about that farm in the Lake District I will never ever might someday own...and keep chasing after dreams like Beatrix Potter. I never hope to be able to walk into my bank and ask them if I could perhaps afford a small country house of my own and be told I'm quite a wealthy woman and have enough for several estates, but it is a pleasant thought all the same.

Oh dear. I independently published. No charming, humorous, lovable publishing men for me....

Guess I'll settle for a thick, roguish Willie Heelis when I go off to visit Wyatt Fairlead's farm. :)

Beautiful People: Adelaide Macefield

Adelaide Macefield. What is there to say about this girl? She is one of my most difficult and at the same time most beloved characters. First off, she is Bertram's twin, and the eldest of all the Macefield children...by thirteen minutes. She is wild, passionate, beautiful, clever, and has a sharp tongue in her head. She is not noted for her kindness, nor gentleness, and yet she is good at heart. Ever-blundering, yet ever-true, Adelaide is one of my People...she is, in fact, rather built off of one of my own sisters, so I know her well. Dear Addie...I hope you love her too. :)

1. If your character could be played by an actor, who would it be? 

Could this question be any easier? Lucy Boynton of Sense and Sensibility and Miss Potter fame.

(also shown in picture at top of page)

Lucy Boynton has the wild, careless sort of beauty that is beautiful for its very unconsciousness. I also think both characters Lucy has played have Adelaide's resilient, stubborn streak...a young Beatrix and Margaret Dashwood? Oho, yes.


2. Does your character have a specific theme-song?


Will poetry do? Hmmm? Then I shall quote Robert Burns:

"My love she's but a lassie yet

My love she's but a lassie yet

We'll let her stand a year or twa'--

She'll noo be half sae saucy yet."

3. What's his [her] worst childhood memory?

Oh. Miss Perdue, definitely. Adelaide loved Nannykins but Miss Perdue was a tartar in comparison...I do think Adelaide called her that once...shocking, no?

4. If your character had a super-power, what would it be?

Oh mercy. Adelaide would face you squarely and tell you that one doesn't need a super-power when one is already fabulous. If you are not fabulous, then you'd better go home and leave the fabulous-ness to someone with more capacity for it.


5. If your character [wrecked] on an island with a bunch of other people, how could your character help the group survive? 

Interesting question, this, for it seems to pull at the most ungenerous pieces of a character's makeup and throw them into glaring spotlights...Well, for starters, Adelaide is not cruel...she is just not very generous. However, given the proper incentive (as in, if her family were the bunch we speak of) she is a perfect Tigeress and you would not wish to cross her. I imagine she'd eat a parrot or...or let her family eat her if that would do any good. Which it wouldn't. And she'd be the first to discount the idea on those terms.

6. Is he married? If not, does he someday wish to be?  

Of course she is not married yet--she has hardly thought that far ahead, preferring to live in the moment, however I think Adelaide would enjoy the triumph of having a fellow desperately in love with her...yes...I think marriage will be in her future. :D

7. What is a cause he would die for?  

Adelaide is not accustomed to thinking dying for anything truly necessary...there is almost always an easier way out. Isn't there? However, the answer to Question 5 could aptly fit her sentiments on the subject.

8. Would he rather die fighting valiantly, or quietly at home? 

Oh, valiantly of course. Adelaide is nothing if she is not valiant. There is not a spider's nose-hair of fear about this lass.

9. If a stranger walked up to him and told him he is the child of the prophesy, would he believe them?  

I daresay Adelaide would be rather rude and laugh in the person's face and wonder when the punch-line was coming. A child of destiny? Of course. A child of prophesy? What rot.

10. Do they prefer the country, or the city?  

By all means, the City. Unless she was on holiday in which case she'd prefer the seaside with plenty of coves for secret Psammead-like adventures. :)


So there you have it. World, meet Adelaide Macefield...she thinks you ought to know her.