Well I've gone and done it! I've handed my novel over to be edited and I must say that it's producing a touch of anxiety in me. So much so, that I'm a bit stifled in the moment. I just want her back in one piece, to not be picked a part and rebuilt with only a hint of her original charm. It's merely a waiting game now. But I remember that it is important to not rush things; anything worth having is worth waiting for. I swear I'm still referring to my novel...
So while I'm anxiously stewing over which sections of the novel will remain intact, and which may be gone with the wind, I've skimmed through it lovingly, and have selected a few of the many meaningful quotes which, sadly, may be no more. I selected 21 as a representation of my age... OK , plus a few ;) They are listed in no particular order.
1. It being my first day at a new job, I quickly decide to put
the inner office attempt at romance on the back burner until at least the
second day.
2. He dragged me out of the water as if I were a beached seal,
bandaged my head (not the look I was going for), and determined I had a mild
concussion. Then he suggested I see a doctor and went on his way. It’s the story of my life. The hot ones
always leave me with wounds and scurry off.
3. When I’m with Nina, I constantly feel in awe and almost
jealous of the manner in which she cheerfully frolics through life. When I’m
with Angelica, aside from wanting to take a pair of scissors and chop off her
perfectly maintained honey blonde hair... well no, I guess that's about it.
4. Here I go, through the motions of making myself feel better
about what is clearly rejection in its rawest form. Girl attempts to get guy’s
attention, girl gives herself a hickey burn in the process, guy gives disdainful
look and avoids girl at all costs. Cut and dried, no question, the definition
of rejection.
5. What in the hell just happened here? I was ready to let
Randall take me in his arms and he has a bloody fiancée? What a day, what a
day. All I need is a couple dozen cats
and to take up needle point now I suppose.
6. Pay increase or not, just the thought of getting compensated
to give up my dreams on a daily basis makes my stomach turn, and anxiety take
over.
7. “It is always the case that
the toughest roads bring the greatest rewards and if talent is there, and was
there, turning away from your passion to head down the easy and dependable
route is actually quite defeating, now isn’t it? You completely despise your career, don’t you? If you
despise your career, something must be done. Your mind has got to live and
breathe fashion if you are going to make the transition to the fashion
industry. There can be no fall back career. IF you have a fall back career then
that leads you to be lack lustre and on the fence within the fashion world. No
editor wants to review a designer who simply designs on the side. Fashion and
design MUST be your focus and your entire life in order to be respected and
reputable".-Victoria Lewis
8. “Dr. Richardson, I hope I didn’t wake you. I’m just calling
for a quick bit of advice. I was hoping to get in to see you before I leave to
Paris today, but the week flew by so quickly and now here I am as agitated and
worry filled as ever.”
“Darling, what about? Is it still about holding men’s
attention? You know that only comes with practice and what a perfect place
Paris is to do just that. Oh I am so envious of you, love; all the ruggedly
handsome men with their euro-fit pants. They’ll be reciting love poetry to you
in no time my dear!”-Dr. Lola Richardson
9. Finally an airport attendant joins in and he unjams the
luggage piece. I fall flat on my back once again, with the suitcase flat on top of me. Replace
this suitcase with that airport attendant and I’d be in heaven.
10. I turn from the doorway and hear a rustling behind the bar
then a pop sound. At the same moment I see a cork come flying across the suite,
ricocheting off the far wall. Nina pops up holding a bottle of, what appears to
be, extremely expensive champagne and my immediate thought is " And so it
begins!"
11. As I enter Café Lateral on this majestic Parisian morning I
can’t help but notice its proximity to L’Arc de Triomph and I resonate on the
irony of my current situation and what that monument represents.
12. However, the longer I stare, the more I become transfixed
and comfortably lost in the moment, unaware of all that surrounds me, in time
and space; unaware of the comings and goings in this little café; simply
captivated and held prisoner willingly by this feeling and this perfect being
who has somehow wandered into my Parisian morning espresso time. His eyes
emanate a warmth and comfort that I have never before felt at this capacity.
13. This time the scene had far greater meaning and inspiration
in it. La Seine, a winding body of
flowing water making its way through the bustling city, although simply
a river, became much more than that to me in the moment. If that river could
talk, it would divulge stories as old as the earth upon which it flowed; tales
of love, and achievement and those of war and bloodshed. The streets were rich
in this history and La Seine had, and will continue to have, a front row seat
for it all. We continue to transfix ourselves in the gurgling movement of the
water for a moment then I nudge Nina to join me on the continued journey back
to the pinnacle of the Parisian skyline.
14. The remainder of the afternoon takes the two of us touring
beauties to La Louvre where we stand speechless in front of the being of
restraint herself; the infamous Mona Lisa whose stoic and ambiguous expression
seems to be the very portrait of enigmatic mystery. There is something about
the eyes and the subtle smirk that tells me she was a lovely, misunderstood,
vivacious woman.
15. "Portia, fashion, it is like making love. Each season is like
a new lover with whom a glorious connection is made. As each piece is unveiled
it is like a caressing of the senses, awakening them once again like an erotic
touch. Great, true fashion and styling must create this feeling within, keep
you wanting more. It must be insatiable like a lover’s first kiss on the cheek
and promote yearning to feel more and to go further into the creations of the
designer." Josee Parent
16.The memory until now has been more like a haunting reminder of a love lost, but in this time and place, I let it overtake me in the most blissful way;
17. "Portia Delaney, you are the reason that this flower in full
blossom has found her way into my once romantically barren life. By becoming a road block to me and my
bicycle, thereby flipping me onto the hood of a nearby car where I lay with a
fractured leg, you somehow paved the way to true love. Thank you from the
bottom of my heart."- Leonard Scott
18. "Darling first of all, never regret the experience of taking
on a lover for a short time, because although you may feel sad and destitute
now, at one precise moment he was exactly who and what you needed." -Dr. Lola Richardson
19. She steps in and puts her teal colored pump on my chest to
keep me down on the ground.
I’m not helpless; I’m not dirt; I’m not the groveling nobody
she just transformed me into! She won’t win like she’s planned! Not like this!
20. The serene setting is unfortunately juxtaposed against the
storm of emotions torridly ripping through my body. I remind myself to breathe,
pay the cab driver and walk on as if I’m walking the plank.
21. I decide to keep the recent events to myself and carry on in my determination to use success as my weapon of choice.
The publishing journey has only just begun and even still I, much like Portia through a large portion of the novel, am a restless ball of nerves in the best possible way.
Happy reading!
Jessica Ashley Dafoe
