It's definitely been a while since I've posted here. I'm starting anew, though. I've deleted all of the past entries -- especially since In-Country is not only going to be receiving a complete makeover, but is also on hiatus, as well -- and am prepared to start fresh.

On that note, I am going to introduce an idea for a new original novel that I've been playing around with lately. I came up with this randomly while I was in the shower about two or three weeks ago.

I want to start writing a novel about a young American fashion model in the Sixties. I was thinking of writing it in epistolary form, mainly her diary entries, but possibly newspaper/magazine clippings and letters too, and it would basically be an account of her experiences as a model, her travels, her accomplishments and downfalls, etc. In my head, I have her working in London, thus a little more popular there (obviously, since London was the mecca of the 'Swinging Sixties'). I also have her going out with a member of a fictional English mod band who I've been calling The Shades (name is definitely subject to change; I don't really like it that much, but I thought of it off the top of my head), and whose fame is ... well. Let's just say they're known well internationally, but The Beatles and The Rolling Stones are in no danger of being knocked out of the top ten, lol.

I've been toying with this idea for a while and I think I definitely might want to write it. It's a big change from my usual Vietnam-centered pieces, but I think it could work.

So, while the fashion and cosmetic industry of the Sixties is a huge interest of mine, I'm still in the process of learning more about it. I've been to tons of sites about it, but I was wondering if any of you knew of any really helpful and/or historically accurate websites, books, etc. that would expand my knowledge of that aspect of pop culture back then, and make my story historically accurate, too. I would really, really appreciate it.

All of my Vietnam-centered pieces I seem to be taking a break from, because I haven't made any headway in months, and this is something new and fresh, and not only that, but it shows that, while I can't seem to shake the realm of the Sixties from my writing, I can write about something that doesn't significantly involve Vietnam, lol. So, this will be an interesting ride, to say the least.

I'm serious about this one, by the way. That's such a cliche phrase for me now, but I really am.

Anyway, any and/or all feedback would really be terrific. Like I said, I'd appreciate it very much. If you're planning on commenting just to say, "I like the idea," then don't bother. That doesn't help me. Perhaps it'll give me a little bit of an ego boost, but it obviously won't assist me with research, or making any type of progress with the story. Sorry if I sound like a bitch, but an ego inflation isn't really what I'm looking for -- not even a little one. Unless you're saying you like it in a helpful comment. Then it obviously won't bother me. ;)

Excuse the sentence fragments, as well.

Here are some examples of what I'm looking for with the research help and knowledge expansion, some more specific than others. Some of these I already know a little bit about, but am looking for more.

( Cut for some length )

I'm sure that all sounds like a lot to ask, but I really would appreciate any information that you have or have access to, especially if it answers any of those questions. But if it doesn't, that's okay, too. Any and all information would be in some way helpful to me. Websites, books, even movies if you know of any in particular, would be really fantastic.

Thanks very much in advance, and I'll keep you updated with my progress in this story. :)

<3 Sarah