14 Comments
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Jennifer Granville's avatar

Yay! Englebert pays off. I thought he would have to but couldn't figure out how....great stuff. Very satisfying and a real insight into your creative process on that play and a great lesson in how we have to embrace every weird and wonderful opportunity that comes along as it just might be the nugget we need.

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Gillian Richmond's avatar

Jennifer, thank you so much for reading the story and for your lovely comments. It’s really good to hear from you.

I’ve been following your adventures via your blog and Notes. Your birthday in Ireland sounds great. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And congrats on your mission to say ‘yes’. Inspiring stuff!

As for Laura Archer, here’s what Wikipedia has to say…

Aunt Laura (Gwenda Wilson and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_McDowall), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand, widow of Dan's younger brother, Frank; she fulfilled a similar dramatic role to Lynda Snell who now lives in Aunt Laura's former home, Ambridge Hall. In 1985 Aunt Laura fell into a ditch and listeners were treated to her forlorn cries while owls hooted overhead. She was found alive and spent a week in hospital being treated for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonia but died of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_failure soon after being discharged on St Valentine's Day while her friend Freddy Danby read to her from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby-Dick.

Thanks again for getting in touch - Gx

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Jennifer Granville's avatar

OMG - she fell into a ditch! What were the writers on?!! I suspect whoever filled in the Wiki page had a large grin in their face…

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Gillian Richmond's avatar

Major reveal...

It was before my time but from my stint on the show I'd say the writers were on tea and biscuits...

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Jennifer Granville's avatar

My kind of people

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Gillian Richmond's avatar

Thank you Faith. It’s so good to hear you’re enjoying the story!

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Faith Liversedge's avatar

This slow gradual buildup is so gripping Gillian. And great cliffhanger! I can imagine this lady’s haircut. Can’t wait to read what comes next.

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Sharon Joslyn's avatar

How thrilling Gillian - and love seeing the return of Caroline and Gaynor. I'm heavily invested there too!

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Gillian Richmond's avatar

Thank you Sharon.

Loved seeing the baby chicks earlier in the week. All grown up but still loving their (foster) mum. Brightened up a grey day in London.

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Maria (Linnesby essays)'s avatar

A true cliffhanger. It sounds like a question that matters, whether it's about craft or about career, and in a good way, clearly. An intelligent, well-intentioned question, put in the right way at the right time, can be one of the most valuable gifts there is. Am looking forward to reading about it next time.

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Gillian Richmond's avatar

Sue’s question was, quite literally, life changing.

And there’s another cliffhanger…

Thank you so much for reading Maria, and for taking the time to comment.

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Maria (Linnesby essays)'s avatar

Good questions that help matter to me more than almost anything (both providing and receiving), so I look forward to reading about this one, with pleasure!

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Gillian Richmond's avatar

'It's telling that the experiences that make us wince can be the most memorable and inspiring when it comes to writing. '

Everything is copy, right?

Thank you Wendy for reading and commenting. I really appreciate your support.

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Wendy Varley's avatar

It's telling that the experiences that make us wince can be the most memorable and inspiring when it comes to writing. Fascinated to read about how your play evolved and the process of collaboration.

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