Add to List - #46
The Witch Trials of JK Rowling, the Xmas writer meet, and It's Bagels
Add to List is the Sunday round-up containing the small things that brought me joy, evoked an emotional reaction or became some short-lived stability in the past 7 days, all documented in one place for you.
MEET UP ANNOUNCEMENT: and I have announced our next meet up (The Christmas Edition). We hope to see some of you there!
Obsession
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
Potter fan or not, this is a podcast you should listen to. The balanced and well-produced eight-part series from The Free Press looks at the origins of cancel culture, feminism, freedom of speech and, freedom of thought alongside the evolving shifts in the media landscape. Following the apparent perpetuation of misogynistic power recently, you will listen and look back to see how the writing was on the wall all along.
The podcast doesn’t really take pro-Rowling side or the alternative. You hear from her directly as well as many other cultural and social experts about the perceptions of gender, witchcraft. It’s truly a place where fantasy and reality collide. Fascinating stuff.
And, while you’re there educating yourself on this…Listen to Emma Boynton’s Sex Talk with Laura Bates and Ben Hurst. I was lucky enough to listen to this one being recorded live a month back. It’s quite intense and, at times, horrifying. But, important listening.
Confession
I wrote this post from my bed.
I logged on this morning to get Glasto tickets (no luck this time, sadly).
Generally, I’m feeling pretty exhausted at the moment. Does anyone else just feel like they want to hibernate this week? Plus, I’ve still got Desperate Housewives, Girls and Bad Sisters to get through, there’s honestly too much to get through indoors. Send this squirrel some nuts and, I’ll see you all the other side of winter.
Shook
The wicked porn scandal.
This week, Mattel announced the launch of the toy dolls to go alongside the Broadway film adaptation of Wicked. And they defied social gravity, at least. Why? Well, somehow, they included a hyperlink which went straight to a porn site.
Where was the copy editor!? I’m pretty sure someone got fired this week.
Cook
It’s Bagels & slow-cooked ragu.
It’s bagels. It opened. It’s happened…It was actually a little disappointing.
They’d run out of the daily specials, so in a post-exercise hunger panic, I ordered a tuna salad on everything!? I’ve only got myself to blame really haven’t I? I’ll have to go back and litmus test another when my next commission pay check comes through.
And, on Friday night, I made my first ragu of the season. Beef and pork mince. Slow cooked for hours. Served it with spaghetti. As always, portions aren’t my strong point. There’s so much I’ve popped some in the freezer to have with some tortelli in a couple of weeks.
Book
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney.
I say I’m reading this. I’m not. I’ve paused because my kindle ran out of battery. The book isn’t motivating enough to pull me back in and reach for that USB-C. As a result, I’m now two books behind my Goodreads goal. Thanks, Rooney.
I have been reading outside of books. Reading anything online the moment is a surge of long-reads about the dismal, future state of our country, the future of being female, the future of our burning planet, etc. etc. I did enjoy seeing The Guardian’s stance when it comes to Elon Musk following the US election results though:
However, if you’re fed up of the bad news and you want to joy-scroll (the opposite of doom-scroll) — I suggest you let the hilarious words below tickle you.
Can’t Stop Scanning
Freelance gig / part-time work
Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, please put a penny in the freelancer’s hat.
I am very lucky to be earning money from my writing already so quickly after leaving my job. However, compared to last year’s lovely corporate salary, I think I’ll have to be creative with the gifts this year.
My latest life hack idea is this: I’m looking at becoming an extra!? I have the time. It’d be fun. Maybe even inspire some ideas for book plots? Next stop, Miss Marple.
Forward Planning
Our next writer meet up.
Come and join our in-person social on 4th December. 100% of the office Christmas party, 0% of the fear the next day.
It’s held in a creative space, you’ll meet so many interesting creative people. We hope to continue the friendly, welcoming atmosphere and the cosy vibe of previous meet ups, even though we’re expecting larger numbers.
Places are limited so don’t miss out and sign up now!
Great , will listen to Rowling