A couple of weeks ago my first reader, Stella, sat on my
sofa and read the seventy-four thousand words I have of Priscilla Parker
Reluctant Celebrity Chef. As she read, she said she really wanted to find out what
happened, drank her usual buckets of tea (where does she put it?) and of
course, being my friend, proclaimed it good. Thanks for taking the time to
read it, Stella!
I love it when Stella’s finished reading and we talk about
the characters and events as if they were real. She pointed out a few things as
she went, which I made a note of for later. Where did I put that piece of
paper? And she confirmed certain ways of telling the story are working. I’m not
sure what a faux-autobiography is supposed to be like but let’s just say me and
Priscilla are blagging it together.
We also discussed changing Priscilla’s name
due to the name-in-title of a Flash Dog’s self-published novel (You know who
you are) being the same. Great minds think of an alliterative title. So it’s
now Priscilla Parkin, which is actually a nice quirky food-related name. And I do know a Parkin so it IS a name! Glad she’s still Priscilla though. Priscilla,
who doesn’t want to make a show called Priscilla’s Puddings & makes a fool of herself
explaining why then ends up making Priscilla Queen of Desserts instead. Priscilla,
who hates being recognised and being in the papers and just wants a quiet
ordinary life. Priscilla, who nearly drowns then suddenly decides she wants to go swimming.
And Stella even laughed a few times, because it IS supposed
to be funny. Not enough though, so I need to work on that aspect, among many others. So hard when
you long to be Sue Townsend or Victoria Wood and you’re just Sal Page. Ah well …
So, lots needs sorting but this wet weekend I will be having
a big read through and note scribble, which I can do from my bed if necessary.
Onwards …
It sounds fun.
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