To make a long story short
One of the things I did when I was in England recently was visit the home-shopping channel QVC. Their American office contacted me a while ago and asked me to take part in a promotion for lipsticks and glosses, because the marketing director had read and really liked Two Lipsticks and a Lover.
The plan is that I will write a short story and it will be sold as part of a special promotional package containing lipsticks and glosses. This is very exciting. The idea that I am going to be paid to write a short story makes me feel like I a really grown-up writer. The title I have been given is Two Lipsticks and a Lovely Gloss. Now I just have to work out what to write.
The film maker Jean-Luc Godard said that “a story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end… but not necessarily in that order.” I have been reading short stories for inspiration. F Scott Fitzgerald is a master. His story A Diamond as big as the Ritz is just brilliant. Then there is Chekov of course. But neither of them are big on lipglossses. Actually my favourite short story of all time is by Edith Wharton. It is called Roman Fever. If you haven’t read it then do.
But as I keep quoting (from the iconic film Muriel’s Wedding) “you’ve got to find your level”. I am not up to the level of those three. But I can at least have a beginning, a middle and an end. And if the readers don’t like the order, they can console themselves with the lip glosses.
Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2009
23 Jun 2009 helena
Another great short story writer who just might at least have written about lips, is Dorothy Parker.
And loved to be paid for it too. “The two most beautiful words in the English language are ‘cheque enclosed.” is one of the many quips from Dorothy Parker.
Thanks for reminding me you two, she is one of my all-time favourites.
Hx
Perfect way to merge art and commerce. Fay Weldon also did a wonderful job with The Bulgari Connection, a funny and glamourous novel which had a commercial tie-in with Bulgari jewellers.
(I once heard Fay Weldon speak and she told how her young children would run in and interrupt her while she was working. She would send them away and as they went out complaining she would scold them saying “I gave you life. What more do you want?”)
I LOVE this quote – am going to use it from now on….very funny x
Helena; I love that you are a Brit, living in France and that you have quoted Muriel’s Wedding! Doesn’t get more Aussie than that…
Congrats on the short story deal, I look forward to reading it , I must make a note of that shopping channel.
Your blog writing is so good to read that I’m sure you’ll come up with the perfect story, just give it time. (I know nothing about writing, have only ever tried those “morning pages” recommended by Julia Cameron in “The Artist’s Way”)
It must be exciting for you!