I don’t think I’m the only one who spent the entire Jane Campion movie looking for the dog. I know. I know. Psalm 22. The dog-shape in the rock formation. But I learned all that after I saw it. There should have been a real dog in the story. Somewhere. (Or I’d accept a title emendation: “The Power of the (metaphorical) Dog.” Moving on. At an upcoming Zoom meeting with my editor, I’m supposed to give an elevator pitch for my novel that will make hearers want to read it. I’m going to run it past you, gentle readers. Tell me if my attempt makes you want to read the book (I promise you won’t hurt my feelings. At 79, I have hardly any feelings left to hurt, a benefit of aging not often mentioned). Here goes: On the one hand, my book, An Invitation to the Party, has a stubborn Great Pyrenees named Vera, who neither speaks nor dies in the novel. There are also greyhounds and a golden retriever (ditto on the not dying and not speaking). There are no cats to speak of. On the other hand, the main character, Garnet, who wants no part of that 70th birthday party referred to in the title, is an opinionated elderly female. A feminist. An agnostic. Worse, she’s a poet so there is actual poetry. There’s a precocious ten-year-old great-niece, and an annoying ex-husband who lives down the street, a good sister and a bad brother. A prodigal daughter. There’s death, but there’s also sex (and adultery!) (and true love!). And dementia, schadenfreude, karma and, briefly, bowling. Things catch fire and burn. Twice! Reader Discretion Advised: This book contains smoking, alcohol consumption, irresponsible behavior by all parties - with the exception of that ten-year-old and the dogs, and an occasional f-word. Come for the good dogs. Stay for the party.
8 Comments
Brandi
1/24/2022 01:38:05 pm
I think a cat 🐈⬛ could be a good sprinkle here and there… keeps the curiosity going ….❤️But for real it sounds amazing!
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Billie Dickson
1/24/2022 01:44:09 pm
You had me at an old woman who isn’t afraid to live her life the way she wants!
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Cathy Essinger
1/24/2022 02:29:15 pm
You had me with that gorgeous dog painting. Who is that fine fellow? I feel like I’ve met him, not in a novel.
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Mary J White
1/24/2022 08:58:13 pm
Her name is Georgia and she's my nephew Jason's (my brother Chris's son) excellent dog.
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Diana Hoke
1/24/2022 02:29:52 pm
Curious about and hooked on this book of action. No cats-good- , non verbal dogs also good!
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Susan
1/24/2022 02:46:14 pm
Sounds intriguing. Think it has everything except the cat.
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MJ
1/24/2022 08:04:49 pm
The cat arrives in the next book :)
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We tend to write about what we know. I am a writer, thus this blog: Why write? What, when, where to write? Stay tuned. Archives
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