Lucy Jane Bledsoe, on writing:

Writing is incredibly hard.

But I want to do it.

That said, I make it the top priority in every day, which for me means the first hours after getting out of bed in the morning.

I've been doing it enough years now that I don't even think about waiting for my muse to show up, I just get to work.

- Lucy Jane Bledsoe.

Recommended reading - The Name of the Rose (1980):

The Name of the Rose

By Umberto Eco.

Published by Harper.

First published 1980.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0063279630

ISBN-13: 978-0063279636

Description:

Italy, 1347. While Brother William of Baskerville is investigating accusations of heresy at a wealthy abbey, his inquiries are disrupted by a series of bizarre deaths. Turning his practiced detective skills to finding the killer, he relies on logic (Aristotle), theology (Thomas Aquinas), empirical insights (Roger Bacon), and his own wry humor and ferocious curiosity. With the aid of his young apprentice, William scours the abbey, from its stables to the labyrinthine library, piecing together evidence, and deciphering cryptic symbols and coded manuscripts to uncover the truth about this place where "the most interesting things happen at night."

First published in 1980, The Name of the Rose became an international sensation, beguiling readers around the world with its mix of history, humor, and intellectual heft. This beautifully designed modern edition, illustrated with exclusive original drawings created by Umberto Eco, will enchant a new generation of readers and entice old fans to fall under its spell once again.

Now available in a deluxe fortieth-anniversary paperback edition featuring never-before-seen illustrations by the author, the beloved internationally bestselling historical mystery about a brilliant monk called upon to solve a series of baffling murders in a fourteenth-century Italian abbey.

“Explodes with pyrotechnic inventions, literally as well as figuratively. Hold on till the end.” – New York Times.

“Whether you're into Sherlock Holmes, Montaillou, Borges, the nouvelle critique, the Rule of St. Benedict, metaphysics, library design, or The Thing from the Crypt, you'll love it. Who can that miss out?” – Sunday Times (London).

Recommended reading: The Ninth Configuration (1999):

The Ninth Configuration

By William Peter Blatty.

Commentary by Mark Kermode.

Published by Screenpress Books.

Published in 1999.

Paperback.

Screenplay.

ISBN-10: 1901680207

ISBN-13: 978-1901680201

Description:

“The finest large scale American surrealist film ever made” – People Magazine.

Towards the end of the war in Vietnam, an unusually high percentage of American servicemen suddenly manifested symptoms of psychosis. To investigate this mystery, the US government established a network of covert study centers.

They send the crazies to Center Eighteen. Men who think they can walk through walls. Men who want to stage the complete works of Shakespeare using dogs. Hudson Kane is plagued by nightmares and memories not his own. Only Hudson Kane is not an inmate. Hudson Kane is in charge…

William Peter Blatty – the creator of The Exorcist – directed this self penned script that quickly became a cult classic for its brave philosophic tone, remarkable visuals and endlessly quotable dialogue.

This is the first time that Blatty’s originally screenplay has been published. Fully annotated by acclaimed writer and critic Mark Kermode and illustrated with many previously unpublished stills.

This is the definitive edition of the script that its creator believes to be the true sequel to The Exorcist.

Winner – Best Screenplay Golden Globe Awards.

Recommended reading: The Ninth Configuration (1966):

The Ninth Configuration

aka Twinkle, Twinkle, "Killer" Kane.

By William Peter Blatty.

Paperback.

Published in 1966.

ISBN-10: 0765337304

ISBN-13: 978-0765337306

Description:

Hidden away in a brooding Gothic manor in the deep woods is Center Eighteen, a secret military "rest camp" currently housing twenty-seven inmates, all officers who have succumbed to a sudden outbreak of mental illness. Have the men truly lost their minds, are they only pretending to be insane to avoid combat, or is some more sinister conspiracy at work?

Desperate for answers, the Pentagon has placed a brilliant Marine psychiatrist in charge of the base and its deranged occupants. A man of deep faith and compassion, Colonel Kane hopes to uncover the root of the men's bizarre obsessions. But as Center Eighteen descends into chaos, Kane finds the greatest challenge may be his own buried demons. . .

Born on this day – Clara Horton:

Clara Horton

Actress

July 29, 1904 – December 4, 1976

Credits:

A Bit o' Heaven (1915); A Friend in Need (1914); A Grim Fairy Tale (1923); A Jungle Hero (1916); A Puritan Episode (1913); A Son's Devotion (1913); A Soul's Tragedy (1915); A Wise Judge (1913); Action (1921); All Around Frying Pan (1925); Almost a Husband (1919); Animated Weekly, No. 68 (1913); At the Court of Prince Make Believe (1914); Auntie's Money Bag (1914); Because of Bobbie (1912); Bengal Tiger (1936); Beyond the Trail (1926); Big Hearted Jim (1913); Blind Youth (1920); Christopher of Columbus (1923); Clara and Her Mysterious Toys (1913); Coming Home (1914); Dolls (1912); Down to the Sea in Cabs (1927); Everywoman (1919); Fighting Blood (1923); Filial Love (1912); For Better or for Worse (1913); For His Child's Sake (1913); Gall of the Wild (1923); Girls on Probation (1938); Golden Shackles (1927); Grandfather's Romance (1914); Huck and Tom (1918); In an Old Trunk (1914); In the Days of Old (1914); In Wrong (1919); It's a Great Life (1920); Judy Punch (1923); Just Kids (1914); Just Off Broadway (1942); Kidnapping the King's Kids (1915); Makers of Men (1925); Making Uncle Jealous (1912); Mind Over Motor (1923); Nadine of Nowhere (1916); Nineteen and Phyllis (1920); Oh, Bridget! (1925); Outside Inn (1927); Over Here (1927); Penrod (1922); Playmates (1913); Prisoners of Love (1921); Sailor Izzy Murphy (1927); Shadows of the Harbor (1915); Sherlock's Rival (1927); Six Second Smith (1923); Some Punches and Judy (1923); Speed Madness (1925); Stepping on the Gas (1927); Taxi (1931); That Night (1927); The Answer (1915); The Banker's Daughter (1913); The Bonnie, Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond (1912); The Broadway Gallant (1926); The Crimson Cross (1913); The Darling of the Mounted (1912); The Detective's Santa Claus (1913); The Dupe (1914); The End of a Perfect Fray (1923); The Faith Healer (1913); The Fightin' Comeback (1927); The Fortune Hunter (1927); The Girl from Outside (1919); The Governor's Veto (1913); The Greatest of These (1914); The Heart of a Woman (1920); The Higher Impulse (1914); The Homecoming (1912); The Key (1913); The Knight in Gale (1923); The Knight That Failed (1923); The Light in the Clearing (1921); The Little Band of Gold (1915); The Little Mother of Black Pine Trail (1913); The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come (1920); The Long Shift (1915); The Motive (1922); The New Dress (1915); The Passing Parade (1912); The Plow Woman (1917); The Return of Lady Linda (1913); The Servant in the House (1921); The Slippery Spy (1914); The Sons of a Soldier (1913); The Spectre Bridegroom (1913); The Trail of the Hanging Rock (1913); The Trouble Chaser (1926); The Vengeance of Guido (1915); The Violinist (1914); The Wheel (1925); The Whirlwind Finish (1918); The Winning Girl (1919); The Wondrous Melody (1914); The Yellow Dog (1918); Thirteen at Table (1913); Three Faces West (1927); Time to Kill (1942); Tom Sawyer (1917); Two Stones with One Bird (1923); Under the Lion's Paw (1916); Up in the Air (1927); Us Kids (1916); When Gale and Hurricane Meet (1923); When Little Lindy Sang (1916); Who Is Hope Schuyler? (1942); Why Aunt Jane Never Married (1913); Willie and the Muse (1914); Winning the Futurity (1926); Wrongs Righted (1924).

On this day in astronomy history - Northern Lights Aurora borealis:

The view of the Northern Lights Aurora borealis, from our home on Friday, May 10, 2024.
I’ve always loved astronomy and I wish I had more time to dedicate to it.
It was great to experience this rare natural event with my wife.

On this day in music history - I'm Outta Love, by Anastacia (2000):

I’m Outta Love

Song by Anastacia.
Released February 29, 2000.

Lyrics:

Now, baby, come on
Don't claim that love you never let me feel
I should have known
'Cause you brought nothing real
Come on, be a man about it, you won't die
I ain't got no more tears to cry
And I can't take this no more
You know I gotta let it go
And you know
I'm outta love, set me free
And let me out this misery
Just show me the way to get my life again
'Cause you can't handle me
Said I'm outta love, can't you see
Baby, that you gotta set me free?
I'm outta love
Yeah
Said how many times
Have I tried to turn this love around?
But every time you just let me down
Come on, be a man about it, you'll survive
True that you can work it out all right
Tell me, yesterday did you know
I'd be the one to let you go?
And you know
I'm outta love, set me free (set me free)
And let me out this misery (Oh, let me out this misery)
Show me the way to live my life again
You can't handle me
I'm outta love, can't you see
Baby, that you gotta set me free
I'm outta
Let me get over you
The way you've gotten over me too, yeah
Seems like my time has come
And now I'm moving on
I'll be stronger
I'm outta love, set me free (set me free)
And let me out this misery
Show me the way to live my life again
You can't handle me (no, no)
Said I'm outta love, set me free
And let me out this misery
Show me the way to get my life again
You can't handle me
Said I'm outta love, can't you see (can't you see?)
Baby, that you gotta set me free?
I'm outta love
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm outta love, set me free (no, no, no)
And let me out this misery (out this misery)
Just show me the way to get my life again
'Cause you can't handle me (no, no)
Said I'm outta love, set me free
And let me out this misery

Included on the album Not That Kind (2000).