Rachel Dax Storyteller

Thoughts on the importance of LGBT History Month

2016-10-24T10:29:00.004-07:00

Thoughts on the importance of LGBT History Month

As a writer of LGBT Historical Fiction, it will be of little surprise to you that I am excited by the idea of an ‘LGBT History Month’. To me, it is by learning about history that we can learn from history.

But whose history do we usually learn about and when? When and how was it that you discovered that the there was once, in the world of ancient Greece, an army of gay men called the Sacred Band of Thebes? Or that there was once a lesbian poet called Sappho who lived to the island of Lesbos and set up a school for young women? Did you study the LGBT literary circles of Paris in the 1920s and 30s when you did literature at school or was it much later, perhaps not until you came out? Do you know how gay men in the UK coped with a law that made it illegal for them to make love until this law was abolished in 1967? And what questions about the LGBT past do you still have? Do you know for example, what it was like living as an LGBT person in 19th Century? Have you read the stories of the 1970s lesbians who were excluded from the feminist movement even though many fought ardently for the rights of straight women regarding marriage and reproduction? You may have seen several historical dramas where the lives of LGBT folk from the upper classes were portrayed but what of the lives of the ordinary folk who worked in the fields and the factories? There are so very many histories out there. Some are thoroughly documented and to those of us who belong to the LGBT community extremely well-known – such as the imprisonment of Oscar Wilde for sodomy or the court case surrounding the publication of The Well Of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall. Yet there are countless parts of LGBT history that have hardly been told at all and may never come to light unless we commit to researching them. And what of the older LGBT generation who are still living? How will we know their histories if we don't record them now?

Most of us who are LGBT and living in western democratic countries where the laws regarding our basic human rights have started to change in our favour, know that things have not always been this way. We are aware that these freedoms to be ourselves and to love and be loved in ways that feel are right for us, are relatively new. Some of us are also fearful that no matter how far we have come, these very freedoms could, if there were a sudden change in the political climate, be taken away from us. I am reminded here of a friend who, a couple of years ago, when I talked of how much better things were for LGBT folk these days, said to me, “I am sure the gay people of Berlin in the 1920s thought that too...” Little did I know then, that by June 2016, during the Brexit debate, I would see members of the British public with swastika tattoos on their arms being interviewed on BBC news and their views taken seriously. Or that within just a few short months of the Brexit vote, attacks on LGBT people would increase by 147%!

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/oct/08/homophobic-attacks-double-after-brexit-vote

It is due to this worrying trend, and some of the horrendous homophobia I have heard coming from the mouths of some of those in and supporting the Republican Party and specifically the Trump campaign in the US over the last few months, that makes me mindful that we need to remember what happened to us in the past to ensure it does not happen to us again in the future. We need to know what life was like when it was good and what life was like when it was bad for LGBT people. We need to analyse how our rights and status as valid and equal human beings got taken away in societies that were once liberal, and we need to understand how the rights we now have were fought for through the struggle (and sometimes deaths) of those brave enough to stand up for them.

So this brings me to the point of why I write this blog today. Last weekend, I had the privilege of showing my latest film A Delicate Love in a town called Shrewsbury, in England as part of the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival. Whilst I was there, I met a group of wonderful people who are trying to raise money to run a ‘hub’ there for LGBT History Month in February 2017.

Their aims are to:

educate children in school specifically about the history of LGBT individuals and communities.
give access to people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds, to the many histories of LGBT people and communities by means of: talks, discussions, exhibitions, films, art, theatre, music and photography.
give a whole range LGBT people who have led ordinary and extraordinary lives the chance to talk about their own experiences and histories, and to record this oral history so it is not lost.
help make sure that LGBT people are not written out of history again!

These lovely organisers are trying to raise £2,000 to put on this event, which will have a far reaching impact on not just those from the surrounding area but also across the world. (Last year Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk, came to Shrewsbury to speak at this event, this year they are also planning to have equally prestigious guests.)

So PLEASE MAKE A DONATION AT THE 'JUST GIVING' CROWDFUNDING SITE to help the 2017 National Festival of LGBT History (Shrewsbury Hub) happen! No matter how small your donation is, it will make a massive difference to getting this event off the ground and will allow LGBT history to be preserved, spread and indeed recorded. For together we can keep making history positive and making a positive history!

Here is the link:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Back-in-Time2

Below is a glimpse of what happened last year. Let's help them make this one even bigger and better!

Thoughts on the importance of LGBT History Month

2016-10-24T10:29:00.001-07:00

Thoughts on the importance of LGBT History Month

But whose history do we usually learn about and when? When and how was it that you discovered that the there was once, in the world of ancient Greece, an army of gay men called the Sacred Band of Thebes? Or that there was once a lesbian poet called Sappho who lived on the island of Lesbos and set up a school for young women? Did you study the LGBT literary circles of Paris in the 1920s and 30s when you did literature at school or was it much later, perhaps not until you came out? Do you know how gay men in the UK coped with a law that made it illegal for them to make love until this law was abolished in 1967? And what questions about the LGBT past do you still have? Do you know for example, what it was like living as an LGBT person in 19th Century? Have you read the stories of the 1970s lesbians who were excluded from the feminist movement even though many fought ardently for the rights of straight women regarding marriage and reproduction? You may have seen several historical dramas where the lives of LGBT folk from the upper classes were portrayed but what of the lives of the ordinary folk who worked in the fields and the factories? There are so very many histories out there. Some are thoroughly documented and to those of us who belong to the LGBT community extremely well-known – such as the imprisonment of Oscar Wilde for sodomy or the court case surrounding the publication of The Well Of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall. Yet there are countless parts of LGBT history that have hardly been told at all and may never come to light unless we commit to researching them. And what of the older LGBT generation who are still living? How will we know their histories if we don't record them now?

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/oct/08/homophobic-attacks-double-after-brexit-vote

Their aims are to:

educate children in school specifically about the history of LGBT individuals and communities.
give access to people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds, to the many histories of LGBT people and communities by means of: talks, discussions, exhibitions, films, art, theatre, music and photography.
give a whole range LGBT people who have led ordinary and extraordinary lives the chance to talk about their own experiences and histories, and to record this oral history so it is not lost.
help make sure that LGBT people are not written out of history again!

Here is the link:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Back-in-Time2

Below is a glimpse of what happened last year. Let's help them make this one even bigger and better!

PLEASE help me make my new film!

2015-04-25T06:24:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone!

As you many of you know, I make short films as well as write novels. I have just launched a KickStarter campaign and I really need your help to reach my £7,000 target to make my beautiful short film A Delicate Love. This film will be awesome and scrumptious to watch - it just needs your to help make it happen. Please donate - even a small amount will be great! THANK YOU!

Click on this link to visit the KickStarter page https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/928910496/a-delicate-love-short-

Here is the YouTube version of my pitch but don't forget to click the link above to pledge! Cheers! :)

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO GET THIS FILM MADE! HURRAH!

The Writing Process Blog Tour.

2014-05-31T01:10:00.001-07:00

Hey lovely people.

I have been tagged by author Sheila Connolly as part of a 'Blog Tour' about the writing process. (Thank you, Sheila!) To read Sheila's blog click here: http://sjc5155.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/the-writing-process-blog-tour/

So here goes with the four questions!

1. What am I working on?

I am currently working on the final part of my trilogy about Pope Joan. It is called The Legend Of Pope Joan, Part 3. Rome. I have really enjoyed writing this trilogy - it has been a great challenge. In Part 3. Rome the narrative collides with documented historical events, so the research needs to be even more extensive than Part 1. Frankia and Part 2. Athens. It is a huge but pleasurable undertaking.

In this novel Joan reaches the pinnacle of her journey and becomes Pope. Her existence is precarious but equally invigorating and addictive. She has immense power yet at the same time is more vulnerable and isolated than ever before and this only leads to more danger.

I am very proud that The Legend Of Pope Joan, Part 2. Athens has been nominated for the Golden Crown Literary Society's 'Goldie' Awards in the Historical Fiction category. I hope to make Part 3. Rome just as captivating, hopefully even more so.

If you have not yet read Part 1. Frankia & Part 2. Athens, here are the links: (Part 1. Frankia is free from Saturday 31st May - Monday 2nd June 2014 to celebrate being part of this 'Blog Tour'!)

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legend-Pope-Joan-Part-Frankia-ebook/dp/B00AXLV4TM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401451693&sr=8-2&keywords=rachel+dax

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Pope-Joan-Part-Frankia-ebook/dp/B00AXLV4TM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401451906&sr=8-2&keywords=rachel+dax

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legend-Pope-Joan-Part-Athens-ebook/dp/B00DPN3ZCY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1401458791&sr=8-3&keywords=rachel+dax

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Pope-Joan-Part-Athens-ebook/dp/B00DPN3ZCY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1401458837&sr=8-3&keywords=rachel+dax

2. How does my work differ from others in the same genre?

I have never tried to write in the style of anyone else. I think it is important to cultivate one's own voice and not try to emulate any other author (and in my case filmmaker too). Trying to be like someone else never works and all you get is a substandard product at the end of the day.

I think that what makes my novels stand out is that, in general, people feel like they are watching a film when they read them.

To my knowledge there is no other LGBTQ version of the Pope Joan story. Usually it's assumed that because Joan had a baby, she was straight. My version is a very different take on the character's sexuality and it is a lot more racy!

My first novel After The Night is based in a British prison in 1960 and is the only lesbian love story I am aware of set in this context. It is my biggest seller and part of the reason for its popularity is that there simply isn't anything else out there quite like it!

Amzon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/After-The-Night-Rachel-Dax/dp/1499232047/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401454520&sr=8-1&keywords=rachel+dax

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/After-The-Night-Rachel-Dax/dp/1499232047/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401454569&sr=8-1&keywords=rachel+dax

3. Why do I write what I do?

Whether it is a novel or a film, I write what I am compelled to write at any given time. Sometimes this work is something that will be hugely popular, sometimes it will attract only a small audience. I would never write something I did not whole-heartedly believe in. So far my novels have been historical and my films have been contemporary, but that might not always be the case. I am just glad that I have stories of every kind pouring from my being and that I am not bound to any one medium or genre.

When I get an idea it is like a giant itch that will not go away until it is scratched. I love that I get 'possessed' in this way. It means that each work has an energy to it that just wouldn't be there if I were writing to a formula or on demand.

If you want to take a look at my short films and audio-stories, here is the link to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/RachelDaxFilm/videos

4. How does my writing process work?

Usually I will get an idea or image that totally consumes me and then I start writing. The first part of the writing process is like a giant vomit. I just spew it out and get the key story or plot points/images on 'paper' and then after that, I work towards making it into a complete work.

After The Night was inspired by the 1956 film Yield To The Night - I was totally overwhelmed by this film and felt compelled to continue with the story of the guard MacFarlane.

Pope Joan was a figure I knew nothing about even though I had done a BA in Philosophy and Theology. It wasn't until I was doing an MA a few years later and another student mentioned her, that I finally heard of her. At that time I was not a writer so did some research to satisfy my curiosity and then moved on. It was several years later when I needed to write a play for a Drama assignment that she was resurrected in my thoughts. As soon as I engaged with the idea of writing the play, a narrative with key scenes overtook me. Even though this story has now expanded to a trilogy, all those initial plot points are still there.

The 'vomit' is actually the easiest part of my writing process. It is wonderful and feels a little bit like falling in love. The hard work begins after that and takes many, many months. Research, fleshing out, taking out, editing. The more I write the more I am concerned with the edit. When I first started, I was just glad to get my stories out there and happy that people were positive about them. Now I am much more focussed on the quality of the writing too. I think this is the case for many authors.

One of the most exciting parts of my work as a writer and filmmaker is that I never know for sure what I am going to create next but when it happens it is truly amazing to see it unfold. I am knee deep in 'itches' at all times - countless stories that are aching to come out!

I now tag Manda Scott - author of Hen's Teeth, the Boudica series, the Rome series and several others fabulous works! http://www.mandascott.co.uk

Singing Goose!

2014-04-13T00:38:00.002-07:00

Hello Everyone

Here is the link to my latest project Gabriel. It is written and narrated by me and features original music by Jack Westmore and artwork by Alex Figueroa. It is a story to melt your heart. So grab a drink, sit back, listen and enjoy!

Thanks, as always, for your support.
Rachel
xx

So far so good!

2013-02-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

Hello lovely people!

Here at Dax Central I am working very hard on the edit of Part 2 of The Legend Of Pope Joan which is set in Athens. And I am pleased to tell you that it should be available in approximately three weeks time.

I have been thrilled to bits with the sales and feedback for Part 1. I must admit that I was a little nervous about the comments I would get about this new novel because it is so different from After The Night. Writing 'QueerFic' rather than 'LesFic' is a bit risky because it crosses boundaries that some readers are not prepared to explore. However, so far so good on the reviews - although it is not 'pure LesFic' many of the same people who liked After The Night have said that they love Joan's story so far. And in addition, I have found new readers too - some who have particular interest in Pope Joan as a 'disputed historical figure' and others who aren't particularly into romantic fiction but love stories about strong lesbian/queer women.

Here is a review by author and journalist Kieran York which I am particularly proud of:

The new novel by Rachel Dax is an ambitious three-part story. To start - Dax is an excellent storyteller. That fact was realized by reading her first book, After the Night, which was released in 2010. So being captivated by the writing style in her latest work isn't a surprise. It is filled with intrigue and excitement that rapidly and deftly move the story.

In Part 1, the life of a thirteen-year old Joan is dramatized in believable way. Dax brings the character of Joan together beautifully. She grows to be an intelligent, wise, and kind young woman. Because of the atrocities against women that occurred during the Dark Ages, being born female was treacherous. Joan knew she wouldn't be free to study in libraries, nor could she be devoted to the religion she revered.

Joan's education could not be continued unless she simulated being a male. She had a yearning for knowledge that was worth the perilous decision to disguise her gender. Escaping the confines of being a woman meant she needed to learn 'maleness.' Because of fear she might be recognized - incognito, she would need to relocate. It required she and her companion, Michael, flee from their homeland.

Their journey is filled with suspense. Within the corrupt, violent nineth century, danger was around every corner. Luckily, Joan and Michael met another traveler - an entertainer named Amadeus. He assisted them as their path repeatedly crossed with scheming villains.

The character development of the trio is brought alive with marvelous dialogue. They take the reader with them on the travel toward their destination of Athens. As they trek toward the seminary, Joan's wisdom and courage increases with each adventure.

The story of Pope Joan is often called legend, fiction, and historicized folklore. Many versions have been told, dismissed, retold, and so on. If it is urban legend, so be it. This is a terrific, believable read.

This is a story made credible by a plethora of incredibly accurate research. The reader is placed inside the story's time and place with enthralling protagonists. The superb, informative and interesting description paints the picture of a place you can reside while reading.

Dax fleshes the story out, and keeps it unraveling smoothly. It may be a fictional depiction of a female pope either cheated by history, or exalted by rumor. Either way, this version is fascinating. I found it riveting and I highly recommend it.

This well-crafted beginning will be followed by Part 2, and Part 3. And I'm one reader who will be looking forward to them.

One of the best moments, was a few days after publication of Part 1 when I found Joan at the top of the Amazon UK list for books about 'Popes' - this made me chuckle a lot... particularly when you look which category she's listed in next :-D

With the resignation of Pope Benedict last week, the world has been talking a lot about who will next sit on the Throne of St Peter and many a person has said with a wry smile that it should be a woman. If I could resurrect Joan and transport her to the 21st Century I would do so immediately!

So what can you look forward to in The Legend Of Pope Joan, Part 2. Athens? Well... Joan starts to grow up and embrace what it really means to live as a man for good and deal with the hard work that entails as well the plethora of benefits. She works diligently to look, think and 'feel' like a man - as simply being a 'woman in disguise' would be too dangerous and doomed to failure. Although this process is challenging, her overarching desire to be a scholar and eventually a teacher at the seminary seems undisputed even by God and the sacrifice of her femininity seems more than worth it. But then she meets a young woman called Thea and every decision she has made thus far is called into question...

If you haven't read The Legend Of Pope Joan, Part 1. Frankia yet. Here are the links:

UK http://j.mp/115UVs6

US/.com http://j.mp/ZcGJZ3

GR http://tinyurl.com/adre4wf

Watch this space for Part 2!

Rachel

A 'She-Pope' is born!

2013-01-08T17:45:00.000-08:00

Hello lovely people :-)

Happy New Year! I hope that 2013 is a great one for all of us. I got off to a fantastic start by releasing the first part of my Pope Joan story just a few days ago. What started out as a play, turned into a novel, which turned into a trilogy! Little did I know that it would become such a massive project, but it has been such a wonderful experience writing it. The research has been so fascinating - a whole period of history that I knew almost nothing about has been opened up to me and Joan herself is like a real person now - someone who I think about and wonder about almost obsessively.

In fact I have to confess, I am totally in love with her. I even found myself posting this 'Ode To Pope Joan' on my Facebook Wall, whilst I was writing part 3, where she really comes into her own!

I am obsessed with you…

I wake up in the night thinking about you

Questioning what is going on in your mind

Asking what are the deepest reaches of your soul

I carry you in my heart and feel your heartbeat right next to mine

I walk and you are with me

I sleep and you fill up my dreams

I find myself crying your tears and trembling with your anger

I love you and I want you in all your manifestations

I feel your energy electrify me and make me feel like I too can change the world

You exist for me more clearly than any other being in the world

Yet you are the fiction in my head and the words I type with my fingers

You are Pope Joan, my Pope Joan.

Just a touch besotted...

Book 1 is called 'The Legend Of Pope Joan, Part 1. Frankia' - here are the links:

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Pope-Joan-Frankia-ebook

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legend-Pope-Joan-Frankia-ebook

And here is a short extract from chapter 2 of part 1 to whet your appetite:

On reaching the orchard at the far end of the village, she slowed down and once out of sight, grabbed a large stick and began thrashing the ground. “Why? Why? Why?” she shouted, as she whacked the thickets angrily. She was making such a racket that she did not notice the young man approaching her from the left.

“Hello, Pickle! What’s gotten into you?” he asked. It was Michael, her favourite person after her father. He was carrying a large basket of apples in one arm and a small wooden ladder under the other. But the sight of him did not cheer her up, even though she had not seen him for a while. Instead of her usual hug, she gave him a shove. “Don’t call me ‘Pickle’ or I’ll pickle you!” she snapped.

Michael swayed a little but she had not hurt him. “Sorry, Pickle – I shall never call you Pickle again!” he giggled.

This time she pushed him with more force and he dropped the basket, scattering the apples on the ground before regaining his balance. “Do not jest with me, Michael – I am not in the mood.”

“Good heavens, Joan! What’s the matter with you? I’ve never seen you in such a bad humour.”

She looked at his concern and instantly felt guilty and shocked by her actions. Tears welled up and she rubbed his chest where she had shoved him. “Sorry, please forgive me, I… I…”

“What, Joan? What is it?”

“It’s… It’s just… I wish I’d been born a boy!”

“Why? You’re the most interesting girl I’ve ever met! Your mind is as sharp as a meat cleaver and you could outsmart the Pope in three moves!”

“But that’s the problem! They won’t let me. They won’t allow me to be who I am. They don’t want me to read books or discuss the Credo. They want me to sweep floors and suckle babies. By this time next year, I’ll be chained to a man and no doubt be with child too.”

“Oh, Pickle! I hadn’t thought that far ahead. But you don’t have to marry. Why not become a nun?”

“They don’t want me to do that either. They say it isn’t safe. You know how many times the Abbey in Mainz has been ransacked. If I go there, I’ll end up bearing the infant of a Barbarian instead. Besides, nuns are boring. All they do is pray all day and grow vegetables. There’s hardly a book in the convent.”

“Well, maybe they’ll find you a husband who’ll let you study too - someone who likes arguing with you about God as much as I do.”

For the first time in nearly eight weeks, Joan felt a glimmer of hope. She’d been praying and praying for the Lord to guide her and now a possibility occurred to her. She looked at Michael through new eyes. “Michael… could you… could we…?”

But Michael put down the small ladder and placed his hands on her arms, shaking his head. “Pickle, I’m sorry… but I won’t be getting married… I’m going away…”

Alarm sounded throughout her body. He was her best friend and now that she had lost her father’s devotion, Michael was the only one left who understood her. “Away? When? Where? How? But you can’t!”

“I have to go. I am being sent… My father has arranged it. I… offended… I offended one of the monks… by accident… I made a mistake…”

“They’re sending you away because you offended a monk? But that’s ridiculous. Can you not just apologise?”

“It was a serious offence… They want me to leave. And besides, I want to dedicate my life to God. As soon as Harvest has been celebrated, I am going to Athens to train as a priest and I intend to take a vow of celibacy too. It is better that way.”

“But that’s less than a week away! You can’t go. You’re my only friend. I’ll be barren without you.”

“And you’ll be barren with me. I cannot marry, Joan. It would not be wise for me, or for you. You are my eternal friend but I shall not insult you by taking you as a wife.”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. I don’t want to marry you anyway. I just thought for a moment that there might be an answer to this nightmare.”

“Trust me, Joan. You’re not even fourteen so you probably haven’t felt it yet. But soon you will have needs that I cannot fulfil… You will want a husband who can… will… Aargh! Just believe me when I say that I would make you miserable. Once you get to sixteen like me, you’ll understand why it’s important to get it right.”

“If you are talking about wanting babies then don’t worry – I don’t! I’ve already had enough babies around to last me a life time.”

“I’m sorry Joan, but I have to leave. You will meet a man who can give you what I cannot and you will be happy.”

“No I won’t! It is true, what they say. Women are cursed for all eternity. You have no idea how blessed you are by being a man.”

Michael looked away sadly and stared deep into the orchard as he spoke. “I’m not sure how much of a blessing it was in my case…”

Joan shook her head. She could not understand for one moment why Michael might have thought being a woman would have been a blessing for him. It did not make any sense. He had everything she wanted - a future in the Church without question or obstacle. He was even getting to leave on a huge adventure to one of the greatest seats of learning in Christendom. However, his melancholic look moved her, so she went over and put her hand through his arm. “I just wish I could come with you…”

Michael hugged her and then held both of her hands and looked at her kindly. “Oh, Pickle. So do I. You have no idea how scared I am about leaving this place alone or how much I shall miss you. You’re my only friend…”

“If I were a boy, I would be right by your side…”

She looked at the ground, tears falling gently and a sense of hopelessness pervading her entire being. She remained like that for several moments until she realised that Michael was staring at her curiously. “Pickle, pull back your hair and let me look properly at your face,” he asked.

Joan was puzzled, but obeyed.

“Turn sideways and let me look at you,” he ordered, and again, she followed his command. “Now hold up your arms.”

This time she was impatient. “Why, what do you want of me?

“Just do it, Pickle. I think I may have found a solution.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Hold up your arms!”

She stared at him crossly but he did not relent.

“Hold back your hair again… that’s it. Yes! Yes! That’s it!!” He shouted in delight, grabbing her arms and trying to dance with her.

But Joan would not be moved. She had no idea what had come over him. “What, Michael? You’re confusing me!”

“Joan. You can come to Athens with me.”

“How?”

“We’ll disguise you as a boy. You could train to be a priest like me. We could go together.”

For a fleeting instant, Joan felt hope dart through her body, but it was immediately replaced with shock. “Have you gone stark raving mad? How can I possibly pretend to be a boy?”

“Joan, your cheeks are chiselled and your profile strong. If we cut off that mane, you would look just like a boy. I can hardly see your breasts even from the side and a priest’s robes are generous in folds. Joan, you could do this! You could study the scriptures and one day become a priest.”

Imagining this made her excited and a great joy sprang up from the very foundation of her being, but soon she was again overcome with doubt, then terror. She shuddered as she spoke. “No, Michael, I couldn’t. What if I were discovered? They’d stone me to death. And besides, it would be a great sin. Does it not say in Deuteronomy chapter twenty-two verse five that ‘A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God’? I would burn in hell for all eternity. I cannot possibly do this.”

“Ah, yes. Deuteronomy and Leviticus. I know those scriptures well… how different my life might be without them…”

Joan was aghast. “Michael, you insult the word of the Lord! You should be ashamed of yourself! I will speak no more about this with you. We are soiled and shamed by such contemplation. I shall leave now before we offend our Heavenly Father yet more! Let’s meet at the Harvest Festival in Mainz before you leave, and then I shall risk the Barbarians and join the nunnery – it is the only solution. God will protect me if I trust in Him enough.”

“But…”

Joan put her hand over his mouth. “No ‘buts’, Michael. We cannot speak of this again. Let’s pretend we never discussed it.”

“Very well. But I still think it’s a good idea,” he said, bending down to tend the overturned basket and handing her an apple whilst swiftly gathering up the rest. She had no desire to eat it yet so put it in her pocket for later. Then she turned on her heel, without saying goodbye, leaving him staring after her. Her whole body had turned to pins and needles and she could barely walk in a straight line. No! I must not think on it… she said to herself as she imagined being disguised as a boy. But no matter how hard she tried, she could not purge the sinful vision from her mind and so started running fiercely towards her house, hoping to distract herself from the flame that had lit up inside her.

Part 1 is available on Amazon Kindle either to buy to keep or to borrow from the Kindle Lending Library for free. Part 2 will follow shortly and by late Spring, Part 3 should also be out.

I hope very much that you will enjoy this adventure. Many thanks in advance for taking the time to read it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legend-Pope-Joan-Frankia-ebook

http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Pope-Joan-Frankia-ebook

Look forward to hearing your thoughts and reading your reviews!

Many thanks
Rachel
xxxxxx

Writing novels and making films about gender!

2012-09-08T05:08:00.000-07:00

Hello! :-D

As many of you know, I have been writing a novel this summer about Pope Joan - the woman who in the 9th Century, disguised herself as a man and eventually became Pope. There is much debate whether Pope Joan really existed or whether she was a creation of post-reformation Protestants trying to ridicule the Catholic Church by saying that the institution of the Papacy was flawed and the fact that a woman made it to Pope proved this. (Personally, I think that a woman making it to Pope would be a great advertisement for the Catholic Church so that argument doesn't work for me!)

I do believe that Joan existed and like those who have written novels about her before me, I am fascinated by how she did it and all the questions about 'gender' that arise from considering how she lived as a man for over 20 years.

But this is not the first time I have written about gender and examined the concept closely. In 2009, I wrote a short film script that challenged the idea of gender in an extreme but comedic manner. Whenever I talked to people about this script, they would be fascinated - it did not seem to matter how old they were, what religion or ethnicity they were or what sexuality - the idea for the film always provoked great interest and enthusiasm. So finally, in 2010-2011 I filmed and edited it.

The film Caravan Sight is a comedy-drama with great characters who bring the debate to life in the most unexpected manner. Here is the film. I hope you enjoy it.

I would love to get your feedback. Particularly those of you who are not from the UK - it will be of great interest to me to see whether the comedy works with a non-British audience!

Very best wishes to you all

Rachel Dax

Film & Novel

2012-08-24T08:41:00.001-07:00

So it's been a busy summer and I've had a great time. I really enjoyed filming and editing Planet Love and it got over 13,000 hits on 'One More Lesbian' media site within 2 weeks, which was so exciting! Now I am lucky enough to have it featured on 'LezReel' - another really great lesbian film website. It's fantastic to get so much exposure for this lovely little film that we all had such fun making. If you haven't had a chance to watch it yet then take a look - it is more than worth your while!

http://lezreel.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/planet-love-2012.html

Since I released Planet Love I have been trying to get back into writing and finishing my second novel The Legend Of Pope Joan. Making the switch back to writing from filmmaking was tough but eventually I got back into the groove and I have nearly finished the main draft now. I am so excited about this novel. I originally wrote it as a play a few years ago and really liked what I created, but turning it into a novel has been a true revelation as the the story has demanded all sorts of twists and turns that I had not expected and the 'Joan' I am left with is far more complex than the one I started with a few months ago.

What has also been interesting about this process is that my character cannot be defined as male or female, straight or gay or even bisexual - she is far more complicated than that and goes beyond all labels and definitions. It has been remarkable discovering her for she has demanded to manifest at one moment in one manner and in the next another and has shocked me on several occasions!

I think this novel will really surprise my audience. Particularly those who have read and enjoyed my first novel After The Night which is a sweeping lesbian love story. It is so totally different in every way. But what I hope is that the story of Pope Joan I am writing will intrigue and fascinate people as much as it has me. For, after all, what kind of personality would it have taken to really get away with living as a man and climbing to the highest seat of power in 'Christendom'? To me, she must have been far more complicated than just a straight woman who dressed up with the help of her lover - I think it would have taken far more than donning a robe and cutting her hair short to live as a man for over 20 years and I hope that my version of her tale will reflect that.

Anyway - my hope is that this novel will be available to buy through Kindle and Smashwords in the early autumn and I look forward to the debate that will ensue. For one thing is for sure it will challenge every one who reads it whether straight, gay or bisexual, and whether religious, agnostic or atheist!

Can't wait for you to read it - watch this space :-D

Planet Love Premieres on OML

2012-08-06T04:07:00.002-07:00

Hello lovely people!

I am very excited to announce that Planet Love is now premiered on 'One More Lesbian' - The Lesbian Media site and has already had over 1300 hits in less than 8 hours. Now that's what I call AMAZING!
Do take a look at the film it has turned out so very well and we are all very pleased with it.

http://www.onemorelesbian.com/planet-love-2012.html

Thank you so much for supporting this project. I hope you enjoy watching it :-D

Rachel
xxxxx

The Shoot!

2012-07-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July 2012, we shot my short film Planet Love. It was a fantastic weekend full of fun and laughter. Both the actors - Amelia Gildea and Engel Angelica - were excellent and my trusty crew were amazing.

I love being on set. I love the buzz, the excitement and the complexity. I love seeing what I visualised in my head as I wrote the script coming to life on the screen and then all the extra surprises that come with shooting. A filmmaker called Vivian Mainwaring once said to me 'The film that you shoot is not the same as the film you write and the film you edit is not the same as the film you shoot...' and he is absolutely correct. Although much preparation goes into the film in advance, when on set new ideas about both performances and shots arise. Some things that have been planned do not work and many things get taken out and added in. Chemistry between actors affects the tone of the piece as do the light and the weather conditions. That's what makes it fun and scary!

Now it is time for the edit which as Vivian says brings its own new elements! Yesterday I started organising the rushes in Final Cut Pro in preparation. This takes forever but if it isn't done, it is impossible to find anything and then the whole edit becomes a total nightmare. The footage we have captured looks fantastic and I am really pleased with it - brilliant camera work by my cinematographer Victoria M. Morton and lovely performances. We may even have enough to make two versions of the project (watch this space for more news on that possibility).

If you want to see more images from the project, do take a look at the gallery on the Planet Love page on http://www.racheldax.com/film/planet-love
You can also support us and find out more about the project on Twitter http://twitter.com/PlanetLoveFilm
and on Facebook where you can see even more images from the shoot and 'LIKE' the page :-D https://www.facebook.com/planetlovefilm

I hope to have the project released by August 2012 when it will be featured on 'One More Lesbian' Media Site.

Look forward to showing you the real thing
Rachel

xxxx

(All Photographic Images by Zennis)

Pre-production! Yikes!

2012-07-09T04:04:00.000-07:00

Well. It is finally here. It is the week before my next short film shoot. This occasion is quite monumental for me because it is my first time on set since getting sick and nearly snuffing it etc.

Pre-production is always quite nerve wracking. Making a film is alchemy, and everything that can go wrong usually does. In fact it would be very weird if it didn't. How any of us ever pull it off is a miracle in itself, I think! But I hope to have something quirky, sexy and memorable as the end result :-D

Today I am converting my final shot list into a 'storyboard' which is always a laugh given that I cannot draw and even my stick people look like they've been done by a 3 year old. But storyboard I must or the cinematographer will have no idea what I want the film to look like.

'So what is this film about?' I hear you cry... Well I'm not telling you! LOL! In fairness, though, I will reveal the following details: It is just under 3 minutes long. It is set to music but it is not a pop video - it is a story/film. It has lesbians in it and yes, they will be frolicking in the sheets! (What more do you want?!).

For those of you who are interested in my work as a novel writer... I am on the second half of part 3 of 'The Legend Of Pope Joan'. I had hoped to have finished it by now but my film work has temporarily taken over, but it should be done by the end of July and released by the end of August if all goes to plan.

For those of you not familiar with what I do - I am a 'Storyteller' in that I write, produce and direct film and theatre and also write novels (and sometimes act, and sometimes take photographs but try to avoid drawing ;-)...) oh yeah and that other thing that pays the bills - I teach! Here is the link to my website where you can watch my first few films and find out more about my first novel 'After The Night'. http://www.racheldax.com

I will post some images of the film shoot at the end of the weekend. It will be premiered and specially featured on the 'One More Lesbian' media site so I will put up that link once it is ready.

Best wishes
Rachel
xxx

Finally Edited Teaser

2012-06-26T06:50:00.001-07:00

I shot this 1 minute scene for the pilot of my film 'Banned Girls' back in 2010 but never got round to editing it. It's very sweet and only 1 minute long. Take a look :-D

Hope you enjoy it in spite of the noisy sea!!
best wishes to all of you
Rachel
xxx

Lovely Review!

2012-06-14T02:56:00.000-07:00

Hey! I was given such a wonderful 5* review of my novel 'After The Night' on amazon.com today, that I have to share it! "God, I loved this book. It will definatly become one of my all time favorites.Finished it in one day because I couldn't put it down. I love stories about strong women, and this one had one of the best. Officer Jean MacFarlane took my breath away. By the time I was finished with the story, I was in love with her." Great read. Glad I got it." When you write a love story and someone falls in love with one of your characters then you must be doing something right! :-D

2012-05-31T15:21:00.001-07:00

Hello and welcome to my new blog :-D
I do lots of things....
And I want to tell you about them!
Firstly, I make films - the one that is doing really well at the moment is called Crush - it was my very first film made in 2007 and you can watch it straight away by clicking on the image below!

Secondly, I write novels and you can take a look at my first novel 'After The Night' by following this link:

'After The Night' by Rachel Dax

I also take photographs which can be purchased as cards, posters or prints. You can find these by looking at: Rachel Dax Professional Photos

And if you want to look at all my other films, my theatre work and news on all my other projects then you could do no worse than visiting my website: http://www.racheldax.com