Below is a post from this time last year when I was wrestling with those tricksy ballet terms. TENDU is finally out, the release of the more notorious title draws near, and I’m busy with the next series. So, despite autoimmunity being flared, I’m happy.
Writing Ballet Terms: October 2022
I took a little walk on St Combs beach. It was beautiful and blustery and entirely free from ballet terms. I needed to get away from them for a bit. There’s too many in TENDU, and in the current edit, I am removing, changing or explaining them so as not to confuse the reader. It’s not the most fun. It feels a little like dumbing down, though I know it’s not really. I just have to be less technically specific, and more generally descriptive. I’d much rather be working on all the relationship nuances, but of course, I am doing that too.
The Beach
It was great to just stand and stare across the ocean and breathe in all that fresh sea air.
I made a little TikTok of the sea too, if you would like to hear the waves and see the movement.
Ballet Terms
So goodbye port de bras and grand jeté. Arabesque penchée, I have tried to save (describe) you:
We worked on arabesque penchée. Standing on one leg, the other high behind, fingertips almost touching the floor, the world seemed to stand still around me in a perfect moment of balance and extension.
But back to the beach. Away from the ballet terms. And breathe.
More Posts with Dance Content
- Pointe Work and a Red Leotard
- I’m Ailish and I Write Romps!
- Chosen Sisters: Friendship and Dance
- London, Baby!
- A Ballet Novel and a Tale of Publishing Woes
- There’s also this strange little post about what the characters of A Dancer’s Journey get up to when I’m away from the keyboard.
TENDU: Dancing in the Castle
Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?
When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland…
Dark, witty, steamy and fun, Tendu is a compelling and seductive story of love, dance and obsession.
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I love the sound of the sea…
Me too 🙂
I am a sailor
I love the sea
Beautiful post
Thank you
(I am currently land-locked–alas)
I hope you can get back to the sea soon.
Me too, And thank you
What a gorgeous beach, Ailish! I would be tempted to take my shoes off and wade although I bet the water is a bit cold. A perfect place to clear the mind and sink into nature.
I would have done that had it still been summer.
Great photos, looks like an uplifting walk. Good descriptions of ballet!
Thank you 🙂 It was uplifting and refreshing.
Amazing photos.
Thanks 🙂
Lovely post, as usual! I particularly appreciate this remark: “I just have to be less technically specific, and more generally descriptive.” That’s a nice insight. Thanks for sharing!
It’s just exactly what I’m doing. Good to know it was insightful 🙂
Great pictures, Ailish. I wouldn’t know the ballet terms, but with an explanation they’re a pleasant mental vision. 🙂
Good! That’s the intention 🙂
Love the waves but the title of the book “Fireflies and Chocolate” jumped at me!
Good old Fireflies 🙂
Absolutely stunning photos on this post. When you suggested I breathe on the last one I could very nearly smell the air. Thanks for sharing the photos. Still reading and liking the newest book!
I’m glad you got a breathe of sea air – almost – and that you’re enjoying the book 🙂
The Sea is my medicine, getting into the water is best, then on it, but just being on the beaches and cliffs helps dissolve negativity and tangled thoughts. Perhaps a glossary of ballet terms, with illustrations, at the end of the book? Best wishes.
Yes, wonderful blue mind 🙂 I did briefly consider doing something like that in the book, but I’d rather the reader had immediate understanding.
Beautiful pictures.
Thank you 🙂
Nice photos, Ailish. I love the sea to come to my senses once in a while.
Me too 🙂
It looks like you had a really clear day at that beautiful beach
It was lovely.