Jo and O

Call me silly, but I have recently taken a great interest in the life of Louisa May Alcott. After all, I am a writer, love history and simply adore studying people. Every time I watch or read Little Women, "Lu's" autobiographical novel, I am absolutely shocked at how similair I am to Jo/Alcott. In fact, while watching the movie last night (the wonderful 1994 version) I continued hearing chuckles followed by, "That's Olivia!" I think the only real differences between Jo and myself is that she is a slightly more gutsy, independent and feminist. And, the biggest difference, I WOULD HAVE MARRIED LAURIE, you pathetic Jo, you!!!!! Ehem, excuse me. Anyway, yes our personalities are very similair indeed. We're both very dramatic, ecentric, restless, imaginative, emotional and burst forth into whatever. We also both (btw, I use the present tense here since Jo is also a literary character, and literary characters are to be written about in the present tense) had issues with change in good relationship dynamics with family and friends (e.g.- getting married).

I also find it funny that Alcott and I both began secret clubs in our house's attics, acted out our own dramas and both moved to Concord when we were older. And, how about this, my Concord was directly named after her Concord in Massachusettes! However, I don't live next to an orchard ...

Going back to the subject of Laurie, I have always vowed with passion that I am going to re-write the end of Little Women so that Jo marries the perfect for her Laurie. Further fueling my decision is a fact I found out today: he didn't exist in her life (until she was in her 30s), so the fact that Jo doesn't marry him was purely a literary decision of Alcott's. She was a feminist that believed a woman could get along just fine without a man. In fact, she said that she wouldn't have Jo marry Laurie for anyone. She nearly avoided the Mr. Bhaer character, as well, when thinking about having Jo never marry, just as she never married. Ugh! So, I feel no qualm at all now about re-writing.

I am particularly fascinated with the Laurie and Jo dynamic of the story. So fascinating! Anyway, Alcott fashioned a matching character for her mirror image Jo, a person that would have in real life been a perfect fit for her, as well. That is probably why I have always loved Laurie so much, being that I am so similair to Jo. I also find some fashion/refined similairities between the Amy character and myself, as well. So, I'm looking for my Laurie ... If you find him, let me know. ;)
Whew-, with all that said, I'm working on my own book/movie at the moment and my sister has already written some the musical score for it. (Also met a director/screen writer the other day. Hmmm...) A period piece that is simplistically magical. When it is completed, I'll letcha know!

Realizing the small things in life are grand,

~Olivia~