LadyGuenevere

I'm a Gothic fiction and romance writer, retired performer, eternal manic pixie, and hopelessly glittery Renaissance woman! Originally from the Northeast, I began performing in musical theatre at an early age, though ended up retiring when health issues made it necessary. Since then, I've begun a "second act" as a freelance writer, and relocated from Atlanta to Southern California in 2022.

I'm a Capricorn, ENFP, an introspective extrovert by nature, my favourite colours are purple, red, and black, and I'm addicted to reality TV, crime dramas, and historical fiction. I've never outgown my love of sparkly things, fashion, or shopping, and am a city girl at heart---though I tend to bloom where I am planted. :)

My life has taken me around the world, and given me a love for travel, but also an appreciation for stability and the small things. In 2018, I lost my parents. In 2020, I lost my partner of 13 years to cancer, and faced my own health challenges. It's given me an awareness and appreciation for all the little things I used to take for granted, and the quiet parts of life I used to find "boring".

Life hasn't always been an easy road for me, but it's always been an adventure. I love hearing the stories others have and making the world a bit of a smaller place.

I love Paris, New York, and New Orleans, and collect everything from those cities.

My degree is in opera and musical theatre, so I have a very eclectic taste in music, from classical and opera to jazz to alternative rock. I know way too much about musicals, listen to the 90's alternative station, and 80's music still makes me happy.

Unless you're devoted to country western and polka, you're probably not going to disappoint me in the music department. (and I have since met someone who changed my mind on SOME country music. ;)) Friends tell me they can't listen to Lana Del Rey or Tori Amos without thinking of me. I take that as a compliment. Us strange little girls need to stick together. ;)

Musical theatre influences and favourites include Kristen Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Josh Groban, Michael Ball, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Christiane Noll, Mandy Patinkin, Alice Ripley, Elaine Paige, Andrea Boccelli and Sarah Brighman.

Rock operas and opericals are my thing. :)

I've noticed during my many years here, there's always some issue popping up involving drama with ratings, comments, and people judging others. I attempt to follow the rules, but I prefer to take a low-maintenance approach to this whole thing. Hobbies should be fun!

That being said, I put time and effort into every swap I send. I rather expect the same back! A few random items from your desk with an index card bearing the name of the swap is NOT why we do this. I prefer quality and creativity over quantity, or checking that the postmark was sent when you claim it was.

If you have an issue with a swap, please take the time to contact me privately before issuing a low rating. Mail in my part of the US can be slow, especially during winter, so please allow at least 3 weeks for your swap to arrive--and for yours to get to me! :)

If you have a question about low ratings from the past, please ask about the situation and I'll happily provide an explanation.

I like to take the time to get to know people personally, and to share on a level they'll truly enjoy, so filling out your profile will help me be better at this! If you put up a profile, I'm going to read it. I will try to send things that reflect your likes and personality.

I keep journals, the hand-written type. I've done so most of my life, and am never one to say no to a beautiful journal or pens as a special gift. I also like little mementos, poems, quotes, etc, that end up in them. I'm the sentimental type, who will keep a pretty rock, bead, or piece of fabric with a story behind it. I even keep pretty envelopes or beautiful writing!

I didn't know "junk journalling" was a thing, but turning all my mementos into journals instead of collaging my actual walls is much appreciated by my new roommates. :D

Learning about people who live different lives in different places has always fascinated me! If you aren't shy, tell me about who you are and what the world is like in your little corner.

I love all things beautiful, glittery, and unique. I am a sensitive and old soul in many ways, always looking for ways to connect with others. I can't draw to save my life, but I love exploring different artistic mediums and admiring what others create.

I actually do love to read, though I spend more time writing! My resolution this year is to read a book each week.

I'm a sucker for historical fiction and character-driven drama (Phillipa Gregory, Alison Weir, Jodi Picoult, and Marie Benedict are always on my must-reads when their newest come out.). I love character-based stories that are simply interesting, as well as biographies of fascinating individuals. I love learning about the lives of artists, bohemians, and the unconventional thinkers of any time period.

I am one of the few people who enjoys Russian literature, and worked with a repertory company that produced largely Chekov plays for a season. Every year, I try to set a goal of reading at least 10 books on the "Most Influential Pieces Of Literature" list and 10 from the "Banned Books" list. If something shocks others, I tend to be curious about it.

I don't just read serious literature. George R.R. Martin, Jodi Picoult, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sarah J. Maas, Shana Abe, and John Greene are favourites, and my favourite books are "Never Let Me Go" and "White Oleander".(by none of those authors; I see now how that sentence can be confusing.) I enjoyed "Hunger Games" and "Divergent" series immensely, and yes, I've read all the Twilight books. I've watched the movies more than once, fully admitting the writing is bad. :P

Anne Rice is my kindred spirit. (I write Gothic fiction and love New Orleans, and have spent years of my life on the adventures of a French Revolution-era vampire! ;) )

Though I write romance and erotica for my clients, I typically don't read romance novels. Every once in a while, a book comes around that's an exception.

I collect great quotes, and will frequently use them in my art, journals, or just daily correspondence. :) I used to scrapbook the blank space on my walls (seriously, two walls of my room were a giant bulletin board filled with photos and memories.), so beautifully hand-written quotes are welcome and will likely be added to the collection. Here are some of my favourites:

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting". ~e.e. cummings

"Take care of the luxuries, and the necessities will take care of themselves." ~ Dorothy Parker

"The question isn't who is going to let me; the question is who is going to stop me."---Ayn Rand

"They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." ~ Andy Warhol

"Conventional people are roused to fury by departure from convention, largely because they regard such departure as a criticism of themselves." ~Bertrand Russell

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow Roman candles." ~ Jack Kerouac

"I drank to drown my pain, but the damned pain learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good behavior. " ~ Frida Kahlo

Just a sample of my interests:

• Journals, letters, and other pieces of self-expression.
• Pretty ephemera and lace, especially vintage
• Unique items for junk journals! This is my latest obsession.
• Lined stationary, memo sheets, and notecards of any size
• I really need some creative PDT papers/stickers!
• Postcards and handmade envelopes
• "Surprise" packages based on profiles or swap details.
• Unique things from other countries
• Martini glasses and 1920's-themed stuff, and unusual cocktail recipes.
• Things related to faeries, elves, vampires, or with a fantasy/Gothic feel.
• Things featuring redheads, particularly of an artistic, vintage, or fashion vibe. I have vibrant red hair, so am partial.
• All things French! I adore the Rococo era, particularly all things Marie Antoinette and Versailles.
• "Gone With The Wind", Scarlett O'Hara, and mementos from cities like Atlanta and Savannah. I called that area home for 13 years.
• Musical theatre, opera, and ballet. Anything Broadway or West End makes me smile.
• Purple, pink, red, gold, and black are my favourite colours.
• New Orleans-themed items and ephemera
• Your favourite quotes
• Blank postcards; the more unique and artistic, the better.
• Postcrossing or Happy-Mail stickers of any type. I'm active there, also. :) I wish there were Swap-Bot stickers too!
• Notecards or stationery with envelopes. Again, I promise these will be used.
• Washi tape, even small samples. My world overflows with washi tape.
• Creative stickers (not teacher/school/reward oriented). Really tiny ones are welcome! I use them for Postcrossing.

• Anything to do with costumes and costuming, or fashion...the more flamboyant, the better. Before moving, I actually had a "costume room".
• Vintage jewelry
• Things designed for meditation and relaxation
• Gel pens, blank notebooks, junk journals
• Salvador Dali, Degas, Waterhouse
• Anything related to the Baroque and Regency eras. Give me Jane Austen any day!
• Tarot cards, candles, spells, affirmations, etc.
• Perfumes and essential oils. I actually like those samples no one else wants!
• M&M's characters, Lilo & Stitch, Minions, and Smurfs

• The colour yellow.
• Bees. Also, beehives, honey, flowers with bees on them. I have bee-phobia.
• Taffy, caramels, and other sticky candy.
• Confetti. Please don't throw confetti in your envelope. I love glitter, but on things, not on my floor. ;) If you want to share confetti or glitter, please package it.
• Random office supplies. I really don't need index cards or Post-Its. I once received a rubber band as a swap item! :O
• Hatred or bigotry of any kind. I am an open, authentic person who enjoys learning how other people live. Consider me a "safe space" :)
• Children's items, including teacher/reward stickers. I don't have children, or really interact with children, so I have no one to pass these things to.
• Things rescued from the trash, such as cardboard boxes or magazine cutouts (vintage papers welcome!). I'm just not someone who uses these things, and I feel awkward about passing them on.

I spend way too much of my free time watching TV, but it's always been a favourite thing of mine! I love reality television: Survivor, Big Brother, Amazing Race, The Challenge, Love Island. I've recently gotten into new reality TV ideas such as The Circle! :)

I also love true crime stories and documentaries (I have watched Dateline since I was way too young. lol). Whatever the latest suspense or thriller is, I'm probably watching. HBO's "Love And Death" is in the queue. "YOU" is probably one of the best series I've come across in a long time.

There's not a period drama out there I won't watch..bring on the next season of "Bridgerton"! :)

I love pen pals! When I meet someone I have a lot in common with or we really get on well, I'll absolutely want to write back after the swap, so don't be surprised if I do. :) I'm outgoing and up for new friends.

If you have me as a partner, I appreciate those who write to me--anything from how their day is going, to what you're thinking about at the time. I also like decorated envelopes or artistic expression, if you're an artsy person. (I am not. I draw stick figures and smiley faces. ;) )

I'm active on Postcrossing, and always happy for postcard pals.

My city is located in the middle of nowhere. If you look on a map, it's in a blank space near the words "Mojave Desert". Life is slow here, including mail, which I call the Pony Express. Please allow 3 weeks before contacting me about something missing.

I think I get more mail than the rest of the place combined, but it's helped this big city girl adapt to small town life! xD