top of page
Search

M. J.'s Springtime News

Writer's picture: Melissa Julianne SevernMelissa Julianne Severn

M. J.'s Springtime News - What I've Been Up To...



Happy Spring, readers! I wanted to write a short and sweet blog post about what I've been working on as those beloved daffodils bloom. I hope everyone is well despite the distressing chaos in the world at the moment.


First things first: I am now on LinkedIn! I'm growing fond of uploading early drafts of my poetry onto this professional platform so that like-minded creatives can interact with them. Find me here: Melissa Julianne Severn | LinkedIn. I am currently open to freelance queries.


This month, I've been editing the fantastic Spring edition of Shropshire Cat Rescue's magazine "The Cat's Whiskers". Working on this quarterly publication is rewarding, challenging and worthwhile. Shropshire Cat Rescue is an excellent, heartfelt charity and it is a pleasure to continue as the magazine's Editor each season. The upcoming Spring edition features especially interesting and entertaining articles for cat-lovers of any age to peruse at their leisure. You can read "The Cat's Whiskers" online here: Quarterly Magazine | Shropshire Cat Rescue. Look out for the Spring edition in late March!


I spent the majority of February working on a Shakespeare Studies assignment for a module at university. For those who don't know, I am in my third year of a BA Hons English and Creative Writing degree. My assignment, a Renaissance-style commonplace book, explores female representation in 1607's "Antony and Cleopatra". Anyone familiar with this particular play can guess that my analysis and evaluation found that neither Cleopatra or Octavia are given sympathetic treatment by the playwright or their male counterparts. I found the layout and concept of this assignment refreshing but difficult because of the unfamiliarity; I'm used to writing essays! Inserting footnotes on Powerpoint was definitely a learning curve. I was required to use EEBO (Early English Books Online) and this also tested me academically. However, my research unearthed some fascinating perspectives and items - let's hope they earn me a good grade! Have you noticed my Shakespearean selfie yet? The cap I'm wearing was a Valentine's gift, bought directly from The Globe theatre. Are you familiar with the "A Midsummer Night's Dream" quote embroidered onto it? I'm in love with this cap!


Creatively, I've been grafting away at my poetry as usual. I have nurtured a rather extensive collection that will contribute to my third-year Major Project and I'm immensely enjoying the long-term craftsmanship of the process. The collection thus far has a predominant springtime theme and also centres around mortality, feminism and neuroticism. Again, you can read a handful of early drafts on my LinkedIn profile by following the link above.


I'm thrilled to announce that I have been published twice on the official website of Daphne du Maurier since the beginning of the year. Read my first article, "The Ulterior Feminism of Rebecca" here: Daphne du Maurier. My second publication on the site is the essay "Reader, I Married Bluebeard", submitted as an assignment for my Gothic module at university. After being awarded a First, my essay was selected by Dr Serena Trowbridge for publication on the Daphne du Maurier website. "Reader, I Married Bluebeard" explores how du Maurier and Charlotte Brontë subvert and revolutionise Gothic gender tropes through the perpetuation of Bluebeardian themes in Rebecca and Jane Eyre. The essay provides diligent and often controversial analysis of the two classics, evaluated through a feminist lens. You can read "Reader, I Married Bluebeard" here: Daphne du Maurier.


Thank you for reading and we shall catch up again soon! Remember to leave a comment or connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - and now LinkedIn!


- M. J.

20 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page