Writing, Sewing, and Downton!

So it occurred to me yesterday that my dear, languishing manuscript A Convenient Misfortune may have a second life after all. I thought that since it is very much a historical romance, I might as well run with it. And after further thought, it may stand a very good chance of being published as it has plenty of drama without the dark undertones of Rebel Heart or the personal relationship conflicts of Rebellion. Plus it's set during the American Revolution, so now that I have join the ranks of a local re-enactment group, I will get some sort of idea what it was to live during that era. But more on that later.

Going back to Rebel Heart, I am still waiting to hear back on one partial and one full, but I have started submitting it to some of the e-publishers out there. I suppose that's another perk of writing romance--there are a plethora of e-publishing outfits that specialize in the genre. I will, of course, keep you all up to date on any developments in that arena.

And now to the Revolution. I have discovered that sewing can be quite restful. I'm currently sewing (by hand) a petticoat for my Revolutionary War outfit. The first re-enactment is in March so I have some time. But I did manage to get the thing almost completely put together in two nights. I need to pleat the waist and sew on the cotton tape at the waist band. I've been shocked by the fact that I've managed to put together a garment without a pattern! Hoorah for me! OK, so a petticoat is pretty remedial, but let's forget that for the moment! The fabric sample is what I have made the petticoat out of, by the way. It's a lovely carnation striped linen from Burnley and Trowbridge (just in case you wanted to know).

I still need to make a short gown to complete the ensemble and I do have a pattern for that. I will admit that I am a bit intimidated by it all! I think that stems from the fact that I don't like to mess things up. Patience is not my virtue and I fear that mucking up will result in the project being laid aside. But hopefully with some help from my mother, I will be ready for my first re-enactment event!

And finally, I'm surprised that I could sew at all last night since I blubbered through the majority of Downton Abbey. Poor Matthew! Poor Mary! Poor William! Not so poor Daisy because she's a major twit. Just marry the bloke already! Some say that she is being bullied into bad decisions, but use what is basically a good heart and make a dying man happy. Geez! How hard is that? I'm interested to see if she redeems herself in the next episodes or if she will continue to be a complete idiot. I will admit that she looked darling in her wedding ensemble. I also have to admit that I am lusting after the sweet red stripe patterned fabric that her kitchen uniform is made out of--sadly I fear that it is not appropriate for the Revolutionary War era. But it's pretty none-the-less. I continue to be won over to Team Mary and her pursuit of real, lasting, non-frigid love. The woman has a back bone of steel--and a burgeoning heart of gold.

That's all for now. Have you all been keeping up with Downton or have you been good little writers?