Wow! I did read your story, because the first thing on Notes I saw when checking in was you comparing Georgina Bruce to Spike Milligan, and I also love her humour. So that was an immediate "Who's that?" from me. And yes, you are also funny and interesting and I will read more of your stuff.
Thanks for looking at my Substack and noticing Tom Cruise. He was as polite and helpful as all the press cutting suggested he was going to be. (Though he didn't call me ma'am.) Sounds like he kept up the thoughtfulness!
A great story Wendy. I’m glad you’ve shared it and look I forward to reading more.
I think that era was the heyday for magazines in UK. I recently bought a Best of Smash Hits annual in a junk shop. It was the lack of reverence that struck me.
Thanks, Margaret. Yes, there was a lot of mischievous humour in magazines (definitely in Smash Hits!). And much more transparency from the stars. Fun times!
Thank you so much, Ann. Ooh no, I've enjoyed Ann Patchett in the past but haven't come across that essay. Where is that? *Hasty googling.* Is it part of her collection, These Precious Days?
I'm enjoying scanning back through diaries for inspiration. Sometimes it can be cringey, but think I've got enough distance now to see spot the nuggets! I've been in "Want to write but not sure what" mode for yonks, and realised the "What" might be staring me in the face!
I'm always afraid to look back through my journals! And I threw out all my childhood and teenage diaries in my 20s, in a fit of 'That's was the past. Let's draw a line under it and move on.' How little I knew and understood.
Oh, I know that feeling, Emma. There were times when I looked and just couldn't bear the cringe factor. Thought about burning the lot. But now I can look back from a distance, I see the interesting bits, bits of social history or family history or personal history and can skim over the reams of boring angst! Diaries are a good place to put the angst, of course. That's what they're for! I still write angstily in my diary at times. But that's not the bit that jumps out 40 years on!
Oh, the angst! And yes, my journaling is still angst-y. That is partly what they are for though, I reckon. I try to get all my angst and whinging and pettiness out in my journal, so that I can inflict it on others as little as possible!
The other things I find useful to trigger writing prompts are photos, old magazines (of course!) and saved letters. But I am a bit of an archivist. Filing cabinet full of that stuff! I like having a rummage.
My head is already so full to bursting with ideas (almost certainly my ADHD - the meds reduce it to manageable levels thankfully) that I'm constantly having to write them all down and then try to find the most useful ones to work on. I daren't look at too many old photos or letters!!
Exactly! I think you’re on the right track, Wendy. Patchett’s essay - which I read again last night & loved - is called ‘Nonfiction, an introduction’ & it’s the first in her ‘This is the story of a happy marriage’ collection.
Got hold of the Ann Patchett collection, Ann. Yes, the introductory essay about how she got started in nonfiction is excellent. Enjoying the rest, too! Thank you for the tip.
I really enjoyed reading this, Wendy. I remember reading Just Seventeen in the late 80s (my sister read Smash Hits), then moving on to 19 (I think it was called) and More, with its 'Position of the Fortnight' (some of those were highly inventive, as I recall).
Thank you, Emma! I used to read 19 when I was in my late teens. Working on Just Seventeen was the best job ever. Halcyon days. Great fun. I contributed to More! when it first launched. It became harder to work mags once the internet started to take over. And that trajectory has continued. Hurrah for Substack, though! It's perked me right up!
I was still living/working in London in 1994 - daughters were seven by then. How long were you there for? Was it a holiday? What did you see? Or were you too zonked from pregnancy to explore?
I was in London for a few days then we went to Derbyshire for 3 weeks where we stayed with a friend who played in the Royal band. I was really too zonked to enjoy London. And all I wanted was an American filet mignon and there was none to be found. Ha! But loved Derbyshire!
I loved this piece the first time I read it, and again now. You were one of the first writers I discovered on Substack, it’s been thrilling to see you fly.
topgun one of my favourite films, dunno why! funnily enough, your seventeen article published on the day I was born( oct 1 1986) maybe someone was reading seventeen in the hospital and Tom Cruise one of first things I saw..
I was one of the teens going to the newsagent with my 47p every week - Just 17 was the highlight of my week. It felt like something made specifically for me, for us, like we were all one gang learning how to do our eyeliner and wondering what Tom Cruise was really like and dancing to Cyndi Lauper and trying to dress like Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan with clothes from the Scouts jumble sale. Thanks for reminding me how much fun it all was.
I love this post so much Wendy! The casualness of meeting and interviewing people like this all the time. This is exactly how I imagine 80s pop journalism to have been. But with your pregnancy, it’s poignant too! Thank you for creating this Time Machine for us to dip into!
Thanks so much, Faith. That's such a lovely comment – a Time Machine!
Yes, it was a fun job and such a vivid, lively time. We were really lucky to have that access to celebrities. They'd sometimes have a PR with them, but usually they were just keeping an eye on the time, not trying to limit what we talked about.
Love this Wendy !!! Wow Tom Cruise! How exciting. And I know I’ve read before about your triplets , but wow ! Triplets !! And you put an add in lonely hearts column and met your life partner !! Love reading things like this 😃
Thank you, Francis. 1986 was a ridiculous year, really. Truth is stranger than fiction! I think handwritten letters are the way to go; that’s what the modern dating apps are missing!
Wendy! I hadn’t read this until now, but how exciting, even if it must have been awful feeling sick the whole time… I was also really sick during my first pregnancy and sick but differently during the second. I don’t know whether you read my rock chick series on here but after seeing Top Gun I had my hair permed so it would look more like Kelly McGillis’ hair in the film! My sister Lisa still has a crush on Tom Cruises.
Amazing. I see you read one of my stories and then here I see a TC interview.
I worked on a project of his in 2006 and 7 helping NY firefighters and Cops.
Amazing guy - I got a big gift basket from him for Christmas. I still have the Handwritten Christmas card.
Wow! I did read your story, because the first thing on Notes I saw when checking in was you comparing Georgina Bruce to Spike Milligan, and I also love her humour. So that was an immediate "Who's that?" from me. And yes, you are also funny and interesting and I will read more of your stuff.
Thanks for looking at my Substack and noticing Tom Cruise. He was as polite and helpful as all the press cutting suggested he was going to be. (Though he didn't call me ma'am.) Sounds like he kept up the thoughtfulness!
Good to meet you here!
You too :)
A great story Wendy. I’m glad you’ve shared it and look I forward to reading more.
I think that era was the heyday for magazines in UK. I recently bought a Best of Smash Hits annual in a junk shop. It was the lack of reverence that struck me.
So much PR these days ….
Thanks, Margaret. Yes, there was a lot of mischievous humour in magazines (definitely in Smash Hits!). And much more transparency from the stars. Fun times!
This is great, Wendy. Do you know Ann Patchett’s essay on her early teen- magazine journalist days? I can imagine yours as part of a memoir!
Thank you so much, Ann. Ooh no, I've enjoyed Ann Patchett in the past but haven't come across that essay. Where is that? *Hasty googling.* Is it part of her collection, These Precious Days?
I'm enjoying scanning back through diaries for inspiration. Sometimes it can be cringey, but think I've got enough distance now to see spot the nuggets! I've been in "Want to write but not sure what" mode for yonks, and realised the "What" might be staring me in the face!
I'm always afraid to look back through my journals! And I threw out all my childhood and teenage diaries in my 20s, in a fit of 'That's was the past. Let's draw a line under it and move on.' How little I knew and understood.
Oh, I know that feeling, Emma. There were times when I looked and just couldn't bear the cringe factor. Thought about burning the lot. But now I can look back from a distance, I see the interesting bits, bits of social history or family history or personal history and can skim over the reams of boring angst! Diaries are a good place to put the angst, of course. That's what they're for! I still write angstily in my diary at times. But that's not the bit that jumps out 40 years on!
Oh, the angst! And yes, my journaling is still angst-y. That is partly what they are for though, I reckon. I try to get all my angst and whinging and pettiness out in my journal, so that I can inflict it on others as little as possible!
Exactly. Same! It's an escape valve.
The other things I find useful to trigger writing prompts are photos, old magazines (of course!) and saved letters. But I am a bit of an archivist. Filing cabinet full of that stuff! I like having a rummage.
My head is already so full to bursting with ideas (almost certainly my ADHD - the meds reduce it to manageable levels thankfully) that I'm constantly having to write them all down and then try to find the most useful ones to work on. I daren't look at too many old photos or letters!!
Exactly! I think you’re on the right track, Wendy. Patchett’s essay - which I read again last night & loved - is called ‘Nonfiction, an introduction’ & it’s the first in her ‘This is the story of a happy marriage’ collection.
Ah, wonderful. Thank you for the Patchett tip, Ann – I'll get hold of that collection. And thanks for your encouragement!
Got hold of the Ann Patchett collection, Ann. Yes, the introductory essay about how she got started in nonfiction is excellent. Enjoying the rest, too! Thank you for the tip.
Fascinating Wendy! I’m so glad you kept diaries - and can still find them! Thanks for the shout out too x
Thanks Fi. I’ve been itching to start my own Substack and looking back through diaries finally gave me the nudge I needed.
Those Just Seventeen years really were special. x
I really enjoyed reading this, Wendy. I remember reading Just Seventeen in the late 80s (my sister read Smash Hits), then moving on to 19 (I think it was called) and More, with its 'Position of the Fortnight' (some of those were highly inventive, as I recall).
Thank you, Emma! I used to read 19 when I was in my late teens. Working on Just Seventeen was the best job ever. Halcyon days. Great fun. I contributed to More! when it first launched. It became harder to work mags once the internet started to take over. And that trajectory has continued. Hurrah for Substack, though! It's perked me right up!
Hurrah for Substack indeed!
Just now stumbling onto this one Wendy. I was pregnant when I visited London in 1994. This is bringing it all back. Storytelling from you is a gift!
Thank you so much, Rebecca!
I was still living/working in London in 1994 - daughters were seven by then. How long were you there for? Was it a holiday? What did you see? Or were you too zonked from pregnancy to explore?
I was in London for a few days then we went to Derbyshire for 3 weeks where we stayed with a friend who played in the Royal band. I was really too zonked to enjoy London. And all I wanted was an American filet mignon and there was none to be found. Ha! But loved Derbyshire!
Derbyshire’s gorgeous, agree. I grew up in South Yorkshire, just next door.
What a lovely story! I would have been 15 at the time, but obviously the same age as you in my head ;)
Thanks Sarah! So long ago but seems like yesterday… kind of!
Found you on Substack now and subscribed.
And thanks for subscribing!
I loved this piece the first time I read it, and again now. You were one of the first writers I discovered on Substack, it’s been thrilling to see you fly.
Thank you, Lisa! It's been great to connect with you here. Thank you for your support!
topgun one of my favourite films, dunno why! funnily enough, your seventeen article published on the day I was born( oct 1 1986) maybe someone was reading seventeen in the hospital and Tom Cruise one of first things I saw..
Oh wow, what a coincidence, Camilla! I rewatched Top Gun recently and it still got the adrenaline flowing!
I was one of the teens going to the newsagent with my 47p every week - Just 17 was the highlight of my week. It felt like something made specifically for me, for us, like we were all one gang learning how to do our eyeliner and wondering what Tom Cruise was really like and dancing to Cyndi Lauper and trying to dress like Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan with clothes from the Scouts jumble sale. Thanks for reminding me how much fun it all was.
Oh, that’s lovely to know you were a reader, Anna. Whoop!
I was obsessed with Desperately Seeking Susan. It nudged me to place my lonely hearts ad!
So much more glamorous than swiping left (or right, I have no idea).
I love this post so much Wendy! The casualness of meeting and interviewing people like this all the time. This is exactly how I imagine 80s pop journalism to have been. But with your pregnancy, it’s poignant too! Thank you for creating this Time Machine for us to dip into!
Thanks so much, Faith. That's such a lovely comment – a Time Machine!
Yes, it was a fun job and such a vivid, lively time. We were really lucky to have that access to celebrities. They'd sometimes have a PR with them, but usually they were just keeping an eye on the time, not trying to limit what we talked about.
Love this Wendy !!! Wow Tom Cruise! How exciting. And I know I’ve read before about your triplets , but wow ! Triplets !! And you put an add in lonely hearts column and met your life partner !! Love reading things like this 😃
Thank you, Francis. 1986 was a ridiculous year, really. Truth is stranger than fiction! I think handwritten letters are the way to go; that’s what the modern dating apps are missing!
😂😂
Wendy! I hadn’t read this until now, but how exciting, even if it must have been awful feeling sick the whole time… I was also really sick during my first pregnancy and sick but differently during the second. I don’t know whether you read my rock chick series on here but after seeing Top Gun I had my hair permed so it would look more like Kelly McGillis’ hair in the film! My sister Lisa still has a crush on Tom Cruises.
Thanks, Francesca! I read part of the rock chick series but will go back and find your Top Gun reference. It was peak season for Big Hair!