Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppolla was a fantastic movie. If you’ve not seen it, I’d recommend it. She stayed away from the political aspect, focussing on Marie’s situation. A young woman in a foreign country, a stilted husband and not much else to do but shop until the consequences caught up with her. Sofia provides a modern element with the soundtrack, which works perfectly … and look for the ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ shot of a pair of pink chuck sneakers in her wardrobe.
It’s this approach to a well known historical text that makes me think about writing. Anything I create is another version of what has come before by so many others. That doesn’t stop me of course, but I’m always looking for that little chuck sneaker ‘twist’ that will catch people’s attention, maybe intrigue them into wanting more.
Cupcakes? Sure, they’re everywhere, but it was the cupcake/quote war that made me smile while I was writing. It’s what made some people keep reading to see what the next challenge was going to be, and it made it fun.
