#Jan Foster

[kingofreturn41]

[joncronshawauthor]

Author Spotlight: Jan Foster and Her Historical Fantasy Worlds

Today we are joined by British historical fantasy author Jan Foster. With a passion for history, Jan has created a world filled with magic and intrigue. In this interview, we’ll dive into the inspiration behind her world, her writing process, and what readers can expect from her books. So grab yourself a cuppa and join us on this journey into the world of historical fantasy. What inspired you…

[jannieodee]

black cat sunbathing is somethin else.

[bazkrekkerbrokemyshin]

Poor Merchling - Part 2 is out now!

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masterlist

[calaroseeey]

Hold Me in the Rain

Loki x Jane Foster. 497 words. Warnings: None. Rating: All.

Summary: Loki's Aesir guise falls in front of Jane.

· · ────── *.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.* ────── · ·

She knew he was alien. That's one of the things that drew her to him, his connection to knowledge and realms beyond her imagination. His seidr was weak after Odin's death, as it was he who wrapped Loki in an Aesir guise.

It was a Saturday night and Jane had just finished her research for the day when Loki felt the strings of his illusion begin to loosen.

When it finally fell all the worst endings and fears and all that he dreaded felt so close and real. That all he had built with Jane would come crashing down in one swift motion, just like his childhood, and his identity, when he learned his heritage.

“Jane,” he forced out in a whisper in their dimly lit living room in London. “I’m- you don’t want- I’m not-“

“Loki,” she walked towards him. He stepped back, refusing to look at her. She wanted to run towards him and pull him into her arms, she wanted to kiss him and show him whatever shame he had was instilled by lies.

His breath was trembling and he was clenching his fists to keep them from shaking. In one swift motion, he turned towards the door and ran outside.

She followed him out, stopping on the stairs midway, not bothering to close the door from the rain.

Raindrops bounced into the puddles on the pavement, reflecting the warm light of the street lamps and the sideways light from inside the house.

He stopped on the pavement, then turned around to face her, still out of breath. She noticed he was shaking, but not from the cold.

She stood two steps up from the ground, face to face with him. He finally looked at her with all his focus.

“Jane!” he screamed, his voice ragged and resembling a sob. “Don’t you see me?!”

His illusion was fully shattered, she saw his arms shaking at his sides, saw his shoulders stiffen, his eyes wet with fear and terror. She saw his broken heart and the open wounds from his childhood still unhealed. She saw his desperation to trust again, his aching thirst to love again. She saw the hope that hummed silently in his heart. She wanted to give him the affirmation of everything he’s hoped for, that he can be loved, and is loved.

Fear flickered across his eyes, his position nudged slightly backward, as if ready to run.

He didn’t speak, though she saw his lips fight against saying whatever was begging to be spoken.

“It’s okay.” she said quickly - too quickly. She blinked against the rain falling across her face. “I’m not afraid, okay?” she said softer.

He nodded in the slighted movement.

She stepped down one step, then reached to put her hand on his shoulder. He shuddered under her touch.

“Let me kiss you,” her voice came out more broken than intended. She couldn’t tell between the tears or raindrops on his face, but she wiped them all away.

[d-criss-news]

Justin Paul, Mia Criss, Darren Criss, Sukari Jones, Benj Pasek, Diane Warren & David Foster at the Apple Original Films 'Spirited' sing-a-long event at Tramp Stamp Granny's, Jan 11, 2023 (Photo by Stewart Cook/Shutterstock)

[0zzysaurus]

no one told me that TF Armada also inexplicably has a cast of like five random children

[how-much-for-a-whump]

Jan Žižka | Medieval (2022)

Based on the true story of a Medieval mercenary, Jan Žižka, who led his comrades in bloodthirsty battles against the corrupt and treacherous monarchy to become one of the greatest warriors in history.

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY & THE WRITERS!

The Wordsmiths of the Lucyverse

Whether Lucy was the writer, or one of the various characters in her universe, the creative output always made us laugh! Novelists, playwrights, screenwriters, journalists, composers, and columnists were all part of the Lucyverse.

"Liz Writes a Song” (1949)

Liz Cooper (Lucille Ball) is convinced that she is a musical talent, but when a music professor (Hans Conried) tells her she'll never be a singer, she decides to take up songwriting instead! 

LIZ: “Carrie Jacobs Cooper writes again!” 

Carrie Jacobs-Bond (1862-1946) was a songwriter who composed some 175 pieces of popular music from the 1890s through the early 1940s. She is perhaps best remembered for writing the parlor song "I Love You Truly", becoming the first woman to sell one million copies of a song.  

“Lucy Writes a Play” (1952)

Lucy writes a play set in Cuba for Ricky to star in, but he refuses the part. She changes her play from Cuba to England and has Fred take Ricky's spot. Once Ricky learns a famous producer will be in the audience, he decides to surprise Lucy and appear in the play, but he has the wrong script. 

Ricky sarcastically calls Lucy “Mrs. Shakespeare.”  Her first play is titled “A Tree Grows in Havana” and the revised version is titled “The Perils of Pamela”. 

“The Publicity Agent” (1952)

Peter Leeds plays the newspaper reporter who asks the Scheherazade, Maharincess of Franistan. 

LEEDS: “Would Her Highness answer a few questions for the press?” LUCY: “Yes.”  LEEDS: “Good. Your highness, is it true that Ricky Ricardo is your favorite vocalist?” LUCY: “Yes.” LEEDS: “Do you like any other American performers?” LUCY: “No.” LEEDS: “Now, let me see if I have this straight... You've never seen Ricky Ricardo in person, you first heard his records two years ago and you fell in love with his voice and decided to come to America to see him. Your father didn't approve, but you came anyway and you can hardly wait to hear him sing. Is that right?” LUCY: “Yes, no, yes, yes, yes, no and yes.” LEEDS: “I see. Now about the political situation in Franistan ---”

“The Operetta” (1952)

The Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League is putting on an operetta and Lucy decides to write the show herself!  Needless to say, Ricky and the Mertzes are in the cast as well. The final script is “The Pleasant Peasant” by Ethel 'Romberg' and Lucy 'Friml' and starring 'John Charles' Ricardo. In reality, the songs were written by series composer Eliot Daniel, who wrote the show's theme song.

“Ricky Has Labor Pains” (1953)

To crash Ricky’s ‘daddy shower’ (aka stag party), Lucy and Ethel disguise themselves as Sam and Fred, reporters for the New York Herald Times Tribune, a mash-up of several real New York dailies.

“Lucy Writes a Novel” (1954)

Hearing that a housewife got $10,000 for writing a book, Lucy decides to become a novelist. Much to the chagrin of Ricky, Fred and Ethel, her subject will be a thinly disguised (and outrageously romanticized) version of her own life titled “Real Gone With The Wind”. 

LUCY: “You'll get no more books from me, so go watch television!”

“Fan Magazine Interview” (1954)

Magazine journalist Eleanor Harris doing a feature story on the Ricardo marriage, at the same time that Ricky's agent concocts a publicity scheme inviting women on the Tropicana mailing list to a phony date. 

Eleanor Harris (played by Joan Banks) was the name of a real magazine writer who wrote about Lucy and Desi as early as 1940. She also authored a book titled The Real Story of Lucille Ball published about the same time this episode was first aired.

“Ethel’s Hometown” (1955)

The last stop before Hollywood is Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ethel’s hometown, where she is given the star treatment instead of Ricky. Billy Hackett (Chick Chandler), editor of the Chronicle, is doing a story on Ethel Mae to herald her return on her way to Hollywood. 

“Bullfight Dance” (1955)

Lucy is asked to write an article for Photoplay Magazine about what it’s like to be married to Ricky. Lucy keeps the contents of the article secret until she’s given a plum role in his latest show. 

“The Hedda Hopper Story” (1955) / “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana” (1957) 

Both episodes featured Elda Furry, a film actress who turned gossip columnist and renamed herself Hedda Hopper (1985-1966). She was the go-to source for what was going on in the personal and business relationships of Tinseltown. 

She supported Lucy and Desi throughout their careers and they repaid them with these special appearance, as well as mentioning her name in several other episodes. Hopper was recognizable for her elaborate headgear.

“Homecoming” (1956)

Recently returned from Hollywood, Lucy is interviewed by gossip columnist Nancy Graham (played by Elvia Allman) about life as wife to a famous movie star (aka Ricky). The character is probably a tribute to Sheilah Graham, who was an English-born Hollywood journalist. Along with Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper, Graham wielded sufficient power to make or break Hollywood careers – prompting her to to say that she was "the last of the unholy trio."

“Milton Berle Hides Out at the Ricardos” (1959)

Milton Berle appears here in the capacity of a published author, promoting his first (and only) novel, Earthquake written with John Roeburt. 

Berle had previously written the joke books Laughingly Yours in 1938 and Out of My Trunk in 1948. He wrote his autobiography in 1974 with help from Haskel Frankel. His last book was a 1987 collection of sketches and reminiscences titled B.S. I Love You. 

“Lucy Becomes a Reporter” (1963)

After just three days as the fill-in society reporter for the Danfield newspaper, Lucy’s job is hanging by a thread. The only thing that will save it is an interview with a press-shy financier visiting town.   

 Mr. Foley, the Tribune’s editor, refers to Lucy as Brenda Starr. Brenda Starr is the lead character in a comic strip about an adventurous female reporter. It debuted in 1940. Like Lucy, she had red hair.  Lucy says that she was called ‘Clare Boothe Lucy’ in high school, a pun on Clare Boothe Luce (1903-87), who was a writer and journalist in her own right, in addition to being married to Henry Luce, a powerful publishing magnate in the magazine industry.  Viv calls Lucy ‘Louella’ a reference to gossip columnist Louella Parsons. Lucy later invokes the name of Parsons’ chief rival, Hedda Hopper, another chronicler of Hollywood during the mid-twentieth century.

Critic’s Choice (1963)

Lucille Ball and Bob Hope play husband and wife theatre critics in the film based on the 1960 Broadway play of the same name written by Ira Levin.

“Lucy and the Soap Opera” (1966)

Curious to find out how “Camden Cove,” her favorite soap opera, will turn out, Lucy disguises herself in a number of outrageous get-ups to gain access to the show’s reclusive writer Peter Shannon (Jan Murray). When her efforts fail, she gets herself cast as an extra for a taping of the soap. 

“Lucy and Eva Gabor” (1968)

The author of a controversial novel (Eva Gabor) is in town and needs a quiet place to work so Harry volunteers Lucy's home. Naturally, it is anything but peaceful and far from quiet.  

Eva Von Graunitz (Gabor) is writing a follow-up novel to her successful “Valley of the Puppets”, a title that parodies Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls (1966). 

“Lucy the Co-Ed” (1970)

Harry's old flame Gloria (Marilyn Maxwell) is in town to help produce a musical for their college alumni. They resurrect a show Harry wrote in 1928 and cast Lucy, Kim, and Craig in supporting roles. It was written by Harry during his senior year there in 1928. Previous episodes have stated that Harry both performed and wrote shows while in college. The title of his musical is “It's Always Do-Wacka-Do at Bullwinkle U”!

“Tipsy Through the Tulips” (1972)

Lucy is in charge of keeping a mystery novelist (Foster Brooks) sober long enough to finish his next book.  The book David Benton Miller dictates to Lucy is titled “The Killer Wore Wodden Shoes,” a murder mystery set in Holland. 

“Lucy and the Professor” (1973)

Lucy thinks Kim is interested in one of her college professors. She mistakenly believes it is Professor Dietrich (Murray Matheson), author of the best-selling book Sex and the College Girl. It is actually her much younger music professor John Kleindorf (John Davidson). 

“Lucy Goes on Her Last Blind Date” (1973)

Lucy dates eccentric Ben (Don Knotts) who is a prize-winning writer of verses for greeting cards!  

[smorgasbordinvitation]

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine - Blogger Spotlight - 17th August 2023 - #RetroInventions Beetley Pete, #TerracottaWarriors Darlene Foster, #ChildrensReviews Robbie Cheadle, #Spiritual Stevie Turner, #Inspiration Harmony Kent, #8bookseries Jan Sikes

Welcome to the small selection of posts I have enjoyed this week around our writing community and I hope you will head over to read in full. Thanks Sally Beetley Pete Johnson shares some amazing photographs of inventions from the past.. omg.. petrol driven rollerskates…and you won’t believe how some of the what we consider to be new-fangled inventions were around in the 20s and 30s.. brilliant…

[woman-with-a-movie-camera]

Medieval (2022) / Jan Žižka

[breathtakingqueens]

JODIE FOSTER by Zoey Grossman for ELLE US, Dec 2023/Jan 2024

[jannieodee]

Old comic from my last foster kitty bunch 😭

The vet estimated it would be four weeks until she gave birth but of course, she gave birth only a week after.

[bazkrekkerbrokemyshin]

Ch. 4 of Fahey’s Foster Home for Crows is up!

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masterlist

[foster-notmatty]

Foster [Feb 14 4.49pm]: Yeah, that's probably it. Foster [Feb 14 4.49pm]: We're about to open so shit's about to get fucked. Probably won't come up for air until after so wish me luck.

Phoebe [Feb 14th 4.40pm]: i know I’m gonna sound really mean but pls hear me out

Phoebe [Feb 14th 4.45pm]: he asked me and I was like “how do you know I got flowers” and he was like “oh bc they’re from me” and I was like “why?” And he was like “bc it’s v-day” and I was like “oh I didn’t realise you knew what it was” and he was like “why” and I was like “bc you’re obsessed with the Jurassic era before st Valentine was born 🤔” then he got pissy and told me to forget it so i just left.

Phoebe [Feb 14th, 4.46pm]: I think he was just trying to get under my skin then got mad bc it didn’t work. How’s work going? 💞

[neine]

References in 1670 (Updated)

General info

Names

Jan Paweł - is a reference to a pope, Jan Paweł II. He's considered "the greatest polish person", up to a comical point. So he turned into a meme.

Jakub - A reference to a saying "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". In polish "Jak Kuba bogu tak bóg Kubie". Literally "As Kuba to god, god to Kuba".

Jędrula - A reference to a show about Foster family, to a character that liked to drink whiskey.

Andrzej - A stereotypical neighbour, where he has everything better than you.

Żmija - A reference to Ojciec Mateusz, a show about a priest solving crime, played by Artur Żmijewski (hence the name). Żmija is from Sandomierz, that's where Ojciec Mateusz was set. (From multiple people, @rabarbarzcukrem mainly.)

Historical background

Poland was going into a sort of a recession. It used to be one of the most powerful countries in Europe. As well as Lithuania, of course. Time of the Commonwealth. The plague didn't hit the Commonwealth as much because it wasn't densily populated. The biggest issue (one of many) were the tatars, who just kind of lived there. Usually were bribed into gaining some power in the country so they won't couse trouble. Lithuania was getting Polonised, but it wasn't going as good as you could imagine. It's the time after the swedish flood, where the whole country was basically looted. It was considered a very open country, many Jews lived here.

Liberum Veto - it's just that one person can say no and whatever they voted on, won't pass. Also huge reason why partations later happened.

Culture

Drowning of Marzanna is a ritual that happens every year, on the first day of spring, to say goodbye to winter. Marzanna is a slavic goddess associeted with death, winter and nature. Marzanna is sometimes set on fire and then thrown into a river. + Interesting tags from @ukulelegodparent (From multiple people)

Hunting by nobles was also kinda a cultural thing. It was often described in the books from that time.

References

"Ała kurwa rzeczywiście" - reference to this

"Quo Vadis" - meaning, "Where are you going?", is a reference to novel by Henry SIenkiewicz. More known overseas from a movie adaptation from 1951. (From multiple people)

"My wife, Zofia" is a reference to a movie "Miś". (From @gdzie-rosna-poziomki)

"Do dupy z takim spiskowcem. Mnie kury szczać prowadzić, a nie spiski" is a reference to Piłsudski's "Wam kury szczać prowadzić, a nie politykę robić. (From @gdzie-rosna-poziomki)

"Ta zniewaga... oczekuje, abym ją wymazał stosując przemoc." - "This insult... expects me to earase it with violance." Reference to "Zemsta", by Aleksander Fredro, "Ta zniewaga krwi wymaga." - "This insult requires blood spill". (From @rabarbarzcukrem)

Measuring tassels - likely a reference to "Pan Tadeusz". In modern speach, tassels means dicks. (Also from @rabarbarzcukrem)

Jan Paweł walking on Zofia and Rozalia in bed, the deer antlers look like they're growing from his head. It's a reference to a saying "przyprawić komuś rogi" (also in use in multiple other languages). Which means to cheat on someone. (Multiple people, mainly @rabarbarzcukrem)

Equality march - It's how Pride Prades are called in Poland. (From @rabarbarzcukrem)

Henry kicking a fern flower is a reference to Slavic mythology. It symbolizes ferility and love. (Also from @rabarbarzcukrem) @misticfog adds to it here. (And some other things)

Stasia the mouner saying "Wszystkie kary na mnie idą" ("All punishments come to me") is a reference to this: (from @00midnightrider00)

(Quote happens in 1:20)

Thank you for all the additions!

Lorem Ipsum - is a placeholder text often used in web page design.

"Koń jaki jest, każdy widzi" - What a horse is everyone sees, is a reference to the first polish dictionary.