Part I - One Line
In the early 1700's, Richard "Beau" Nash, a professional gambler, dandy, and all-around bon vivant, left London and moved to Bath. He was instrumental in turning the city into a sixteenth century East Hampton, where A-list society folks, including the royals, could party the night away. At one point Nash was appointed "Master of Ceremonies," whatever that means, and he went about laying down pretty strict rules for social engagement.
I learned about Nash last month while on a city walking tour in Bath, still a prosperous spa town known for its Roman bath and Jane Austen. Our guide, a local woman with infinite energy and charm, was chockablock filled with information about the scandalous lives of its leading citizens, especially "Beau" Nash.
 |
| Bath, The Circus |
For the last two years or so I've been working on a YA book that gives voice to transgender teenagers. Is this burying the lead or what? The working title is Ze. "Ze" is a neutral pronoun for he/she/him/her. The teens featured are cool, hip, anguished, triumphant, and all-around awesome. I can't wait for you to meet them.
In one paragraph of her chapter, Christina, a trans female, talks about going on a first date with a straight man. She thought it weird that he insisted on walking on the street side of the sidewalk. Defiantly, she'd edge over to the curb every time they turned a corner. He'd walk around her. She'd step back sashaying to his right. He'd take her arm and lead her back to the left. "So annoying," she told me. I don't think this relation
5 Comments on One LIne & More - In Two Parts, last added: 5/1/2012
Display Comments
Add a Comment
Only you, Susan, could introduce a transgender teen to Richard Nash, and make me crazily impatient to read the new book! And yes, nonfiction is so much fun. I, of course, will have to restrain myself from jettisoning my own work today to try to find the origin of that custom for you. But I wonder if someone else might have the answer... When does the book come out?
Susan! Your post is hysterical. And I agree, nonfiction is so much fun. I would not want to admit how often an elusive fact hijacks me, but that is part of the fun.
Thanks Deborah and Mary. Your comments are much appreciated. So many of us share the love of a good "fact" treasure hunt.That's certainly what drew me to NF.
Not sure of pub date at this point. I think it's 2013. Right now I'm focusing on the due date. Coming up fast!
Not sure this will actually prove helpful, but "man-walks-to-the-streetside" is a (fading) custom here in Argentina too. Supposedly, it used to be the case that if the woman was walking with a man the other way around (woman close to the curb), it meant he was offering her as a prostitute. A lot of Argentine culture comes from Europe (especially at the level of society where this custom is still in practice), so this is probably not an indigenous custom.
No idea where you could find a source, sorry !