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Hey Reader,

Dolly Parton.

If everyone in the world was even 1% more Dolly, I do believe everything would be okay.

She reached the very top of her world, then she set up a ladder and reached down to help the rest of us up there too.

I don’t even know where to start with what a huge loss she is to the world and I’m really surprised at how hard this has hit me. I didn’t know her.

But she changed everything for everyone.

And especially the millions of children she reached through her Imagination Library.

And the kids who stayed in school because of the programmes she put in place to encourage them to do so.

And the families who she sent $1,000 a month for six months after their homes burned down.

And the million-and-one other kind generous things she’s done for the world.

Maybe we can all be a little more Dolly.

In this week’s Goodie Bag I have found for you the following:

My favourite Dolly song

As a kid, I loved Dolly. As an adult, I loved Dolly. This was one of my favourite movies and one of my favourite songs. I choreographed a whole group trapeze dance routine to it for a show a few years ago and it’s still one of the most fun things I’ve done. Your shift is over Dolly, thank you so much for your service.

Goodbye Frank-n-Furter

And asi f that wasn’t enough grief for one week, Tim Curry died on the same day as Dolly, at the same age. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been and remains one of my favourite movies. It was absolutely groundbreaking at the time, and still holds up despite how things have changed. I would like to think this is how he arrived in the afterlife.

This fantastic article on artistic originality

Don’t be put off by the fact that this is written by a comedian for comedians — the ideas are sound regardless of your area of creativity. The main argument? Go deeper in your interests than the latest slop pushed at you online. Read obscure books and magazines. Have deep conversations about weird shit. Learn something niche and seemingly useless.

This 80s kids’ TV show that passed me by

Thanks to Sarah and Kelly who told me about Knightmare — basically a real-life version of Dungeons & Dragons turned into a gameshow. Behold the 80s graphics and retro stylings of this brilliant idea. I’d watch this now if they remade it.

This brilliant grandad learning to pole dance

Next time you think you can’t or that maybe something’s too hard or out of reach for you, remind yourself of this incredible old man who decided to do something that “should” only be for youngsters. How cool is he?

What I’m reading

I’ve just taken delivery of a copy of An Englishman’s Commonplace Book edited by Roger Hudson. It’s a beautiful cloth-bound edition by Slightly Foxed, one of my favourite magazines/publishers. I keep a commonplace book. Have for years. I recommend you do it, too.

What I’m writing

Putting the finishing touches to my Kickstart Your Book course, ready for launch in September! And I continue to make slow progress on my cosy fantasy novel. But progress is progress, even if it’s slow.

Quote of the week

Honestly, she’s said so many incredibly wise, insightful, and funny things I struggled to choose. But I think this one is so important to remember.

Word of the week

Inamorata(n.)

A woman who is loved or admired by someone. Or, in Dolly’s case, by everyone.

Go steady. Give your smile to someone who doesn’t have one. Breathe.

TTFN,

Vicky 🫡

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