Inklings
the end begins
My book, my cute little as-of-yesterday-unnamed-book, finally has a name.
You see, authors don’t get to name their books. I know, I know, it seems shocking. They can SUGGEST names, which may or may not be chosen. But even though the author birthed their book, the final decision belongs to the marketing department of the publishing house.
I’d been told this, so I didn’t even bother naming the thing, not for real. I named it “Get Real” for a contest but never liked that, especially after someone told me it sounded like a Saturday Afternoon Special from the 70’s.
The book also had a few nicknames, like Zillah (the setting) or Amelie (the main character)…just for convenience in conversation. And when I turned the book in, I was asked to come up with ten suggested names.
Now, the committee has spoken…and the title is not any of my ten suggestions or even anything like unto them. We’re going to attempt a series, or at least a sequel, depending on the first book’s sales. So they picked a series title and then individual book titles.
Series title: The End Begins
Book One: Sudden Darkness
And the end is beginning, because the book is being typeset as we speak. Eeeee! This conjures images of an old man, crouching over a metal tray of letters. I think it’s more like pushing a button or two nowadays, but it still makes me excited to say it.
bring ’em back
20 obsolete English words that should make a comeback
Photo: Here are a few. For more, click that link.
1. Jargogle
Verb trans. – “To confuse, jumble†– First of all this word is just fun to say in its various forms. John Locke used the word in a 1692 publication, writing “I fear, that the jumbling of those good and plausible Words in your Head..might a little jargogle your Thoughts…†I’m planning to use it next time my husband attempts to explain complicated Physics concepts to me for fun: “Seriously, I don’t need you to further jargogle my brain.â€
4. Kench
Verb intr. – “To laugh loudly†– This Middle English word sounds like it would do well in describing one of those times when you inadvertently laugh out loud while reading a text message in class and manage to thoroughly embarrass yourself.
13. Quagswagging
Noun – “The action of shaking to and fro†– This can also be used in verb form, to quagswag, and is pronounced like “kwag swag.†It could definitely work as the name for a new type of dance, or possibly serve as an alternate way to describe a seizure.
14. Hoddypeak
Noun – “A fool, simpleton, noodle, blockhead†– This one doesn’t need any explanation as to how you could use it; you may already have someone in mind who fits the description.
new article in the newspaper 🙂
Woohoo! I have an article in the Deseret News, reviewing the new book Fit2Fat2Fit, about a guy who gained 75 lbs on purpose…and then lost it again, all in one year. Pretty interesting book.
Click here for the word
and so it begins.
I got my first ever-in-my-life editorial letter.
What that is: when a book is put under contract, it is assigned an editor. The first thing that editor does (when finally given the go-ahead to begin work) is to read the thing, making comments in the manuscript as they go. Then they write a letter summarizing the changes they want, and send it back to the author. It’s been nearly two years since my book was accepted. It’s finally my turn.
I’ve heard a lot about these letters. Sometimes they can be heartbreaking. Often the editors ask for painful changes and cuts. So I was pretty nervous/excited to read what someone would have to say about my writing–someone who is not a friend or relative, but would be looking at it with a cold eye.
I was happy that there were not any huge changes requested. I can live with them all. Besides a boatload of comma errors (!!! Me?? !!!) there were some logic things, stuff I’d accidentally repeated, stuff that wasn’t clear enough. Junk like that. She changed a few lines that I thought were indicative of Amelie’s unique voice but I can bear to let them go if I have to.
She’s asked me to add some additional struggles for these folks. Can do. I’m experienced at making my characters hurt.
Overall, I’m very relieved.
She did change the very last line. I loved it the way it was. It was so Amelie. Out of all the changes she’s asked for, that’s the one I feel the saddest about…and it’s one little line. Maybe I can think of a better one we both like…
I finally learned
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.â€
– Albert Camus
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