London, again.
Harry Styles is back and so am I.
Hi! I’m Keris. I’m an author writing about writing and books, music and films and TV, cats and life and food.
Listen. I know. But. But. We’re more than halfway through March. Already! I haven’t done my February update yet and there’ll be another due in a minute. I’M JUST ONE SMALL WOMAN.
What did I do in February?
Work-wise, it was all about building a funnel for my money coaching. Or, as Harry said the other night, “Are you finally done with your… spiral?” I am not. But I am done with my funnel!
*not a euphemism. Or a trap.
I cannot tell you how long it took me because it shouldn’t have been that hard, but it was and now it’s done and I keep clicking through to admire it. So pretty.
This of course does mean I still haven’t finished my novel. But now that the funnel is done and once I get all these belated Substack posts drafted, then - THEN - I will get back to it. Who can even remember what it’s about at this point?
Oh yes, I can.
It’s about a woman who wakes up on her 50th birthday to discover her childhood imaginary friend has come back.
Have I mentioned my childhood imaginary friend lately? This guy:
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[Coronation Street voice] LONDON?!
As the title suggests, I swanned off to London again to look after a friend’s cats.
When she first asked if I could go, I wasn’t sure. For some reason, I immediately imagined myself lonely in London and couldn’t think of anything I wanted to do. But then I thought, well, I could do whatever I wanted. And I did.
The return of Harry Styles
The other big news for me and no one else (okay, probably one or two other people) was the new Harry Styles album and all subsequent promo.
Loved his interview with Zane Lowe, as I always do. Loved him on Live Lounge (maybe you would also like his cover of Everybody Wants to Rule the World).
But my favourite - so far - was Saturday Night Live. His sketches had a much higher hit rate than last time he hosted and this performance - of my favourite song on the new album - made me cry (and not because he fluffed the lyrics):
Much as I enjoyed Harry’s sketches, he wasn’t even in the bit that made me weep with laughter:
Ooh and my Harry book, The Harry Styles Effect, came out in ebook FINALLY. You can buy it here.
What have I been reading?
I loved Anna Carey’s Love Scene. Also Game Changers, the first book in the Heated Rivalry series. I just this morning finished Vagabond by Tim Curry. I didn’t know much about him, but I really enjoyed it. And now I have a bunch of his films lined up to watch. Talking of films…
Did you watch the Oscars?
I’ve barely seen anything yet. Just joyful videos of Michael B Jordan getting a burger after. Haven’t even seen many frocks (but I will). What I did see - for the first time in my entire life - was every film nominated for Best Picture.
I’d actually seen, I think, seven out of choice (and one because I dreamt I watched it so then thought I should probably watch it), so then made myself watch the final three to get all ten. Here’s my order:
Sinners. Bloody (literally) loved it. Even though I’m not at all a vampire fan. Could have watched it again straight away.
Marty Supreme. Saw this twice because Joe is obsessed. Great performances. Never knew what was going to happen.
The Secret Agent. This is the one I dreamt I watched. I didn’t know much about it. Loved it. It looks beautiful. Again, never knew what was going to happen. (Ok, one bit I did guess.) Wagner Moura is hot.
Yellow car! Hamnet. Had zero interest in this. I do not want to watch anything where a child dies. No thank you. Also people kept saying it was boring. I didn’t find it boring. Jessie Buckley is incredible. I had to text Joe to bring me tissues because Noodles was asleep on my lap and I was sobbing. Perfect ending.
Sentimental Value. I really enjoyed this, I know I did. But now I don’t remember much about it apart from the house.
Train Dreams. Similar to Hamnet in a few ways. Looks beautiful. Made my heart ache. Keep thinking about the ending.
One Battle After Another. Saw this in IMAX because people raved about it and insisted the bigger the screen the better. Enjoyed it, particularly the chase scene on the wobbly road, but now I feel quite meh about it. (Yeah, I know, move over Barry Norman.) (Yeah, I know, I’m old.)
Bugonia. Didn’t want to see this because I thought it was too scary/gory and I’m a big wuss. I was gripped and then it got really silly and I was irritated. And then it got good again. Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone are amazing. (While I called Michael B Jordan Vince for years and was all, Yay, look at him go! Clear eyes, full hearts! I really struggled to mentally connect Jesse Plemons with Landry - BELOVED LANDRY. I realised recently it’s because I don’t think of Landry as a character played by an actor. In my mind, Landry is real.)
Crucifictorious forever! F1. I mean, honestly, how is this even on this list. Be serious.
Frankenstein. Harry said there’s no way Frankenstein is worse than F1. And I’m sure it’s not. But it was very strongly Not For Me and this is my list. I didn’t even finish it and so it has to come last.
Also!
I just started watching Rooster and I kind of want to live in it.
Can you believe we’re halfway - HALFWAY - through March?
What’s your most-used emoji?
What was your fave from the Best Picture list?
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Oh, I love your imaginary friend 😍
As someone who also had imaginary friends throughout her childhood (although none were grandads, unfortunately) I LOVE the sound of your novel, just in case you need any encouragement!