Okay, at least three people have told me they dislike my female protagonist's last name, which sounds like a "German charlady," says one friend. I need to come up with a different name now while I still have time to save her. The name Anna is a keeper. It's "Diehl" that's the bad deal (sorry).
Maybe Ryan? Or Slade or Shaw? McKensie, McKinnon, McPherson, McMaster?
Fury, Bartholomew, Bevin-Evans, LaRouche?
Higgenbottom, West, Dean, Romero? I don't know. I'll sleep on it.
Okay, I slept on it. Anna Merino. Spanish (not Mexican) surname with no charwoman overtones.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Patience is a Virtue
Whether you're waiting to hear back from a publisher, agent, magazine, contest, everything(one) takes FORever. Getting published requires far more patience than writing (or even editing). I am convinced, though...once you get that one break....
Maybe I should have been a stripper in my prior life instead of an anthropologist (as in Diablo Cody?). . .No, that wouldn't have worked for me, I don't have the necessary ah, um, fortitude, that's it, fortitude. :-)
Maybe I should have been a stripper in my prior life instead of an anthropologist (as in Diablo Cody?). . .No, that wouldn't have worked for me, I don't have the necessary ah, um, fortitude, that's it, fortitude. :-)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Kill and Be Killed
I was reading through the NY Times Book Review section today (it's Sunday afternoon after all), and ran across "Kill and Be Killed," the title of the Crime novel reviews. I know it's a cute title describing the books but it seemed an equally fitting description for the plight of the authors whose books were under review.
I could feel the pain and I haven't been there. How about this one—"For all her impressive command of the action...April Smith couldn't write a stock thriller if she tried." I read the review three times and still couldn't figure out whether the statement was meant as a compliment.
Oh well, I can't feel too sorry, even a bad review in the NY Times substantially increases book sales. Or, so I've read. . .
I could feel the pain and I haven't been there. How about this one—"For all her impressive command of the action...April Smith couldn't write a stock thriller if she tried." I read the review three times and still couldn't figure out whether the statement was meant as a compliment.
Oh well, I can't feel too sorry, even a bad review in the NY Times substantially increases book sales. Or, so I've read. . .
Friday, February 22, 2008
CATS (are good for your health)
Today's paper carried an article about the health benefits of cats. A study by University of Minnesota researchers collected data on over 4,000 people and found that cat owners were less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. Those who lacked a feline for company were 30 to 40% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease.
Dogs? They don't count.
Jerry and I should be in good shape with our four cats: Savannah, Samantha, Polska (aka Eightball) and Sprinkles (aka Badass).
Dogs? They don't count.
Jerry and I should be in good shape with our four cats: Savannah, Samantha, Polska (aka Eightball) and Sprinkles (aka Badass).
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Breakthrough
Today's a good day! I've finally finished working out the plot for book number three, titled: In the Arms of Santa Muerte.
I have the first four chapters written (based on a sketchy plot outline), but reached the point where I had to finalize the plot and subplot before I could go on. After a poor night's sleep tossing and turning, I finally got up around 5:00 and put the petal to the metal. Early morning is a good time for thinking....it's dark and quiet, except for the purring motor running on my cat Samantha who wants to sit in my lap as soon as I park myself in front of the computer in the morning. After five or ten minutes, if I've petted her to her satisfaction, she leaves and I can get down to business.
I have the first four chapters written (based on a sketchy plot outline), but reached the point where I had to finalize the plot and subplot before I could go on. After a poor night's sleep tossing and turning, I finally got up around 5:00 and put the petal to the metal. Early morning is a good time for thinking....it's dark and quiet, except for the purring motor running on my cat Samantha who wants to sit in my lap as soon as I park myself in front of the computer in the morning. After five or ten minutes, if I've petted her to her satisfaction, she leaves and I can get down to business.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Sue Grafton & Harol, er rather, Hairl
I'm reading Sue Grafton's "S is for Silence" currently, and noticed a character's name is Hairl (p. 72, paperback), the 'Hairl' being a homonym of my name. In the acknowledgments, Grafton thanks Hairl Wilson for the use of his name.
When I told my husband, he said the names aren't homonyms, and he's correct if you have a mid-Atlantic accent like his, which distinguishes the 'a' sound in these two words: marry and merry. In my northern NY accent, I pronounce these words the same.
So, to him my name sounds as though it's spelled: Hah-role (like the ahhh sound in the dentist's office) and I pronounce it: Hair-role, or Hairl. (If you're wondering, my father named me after his oldest brother.)
My British grandmother (you have to roll your r's or your dees on this) pronounced it: Hah-d(roll)ul, which fascinated me when I was young. I tolerate almost all pronunciations except the one that puts a 'd' on the end...in the fashion of at least one of my in-laws (I won't say who).
Grafton has a very funny Author's Note in this book. After reading it, I've decided to appoint myself Tlaxcala Planning Commissioner. BTW, Grafton has a great website!
When I told my husband, he said the names aren't homonyms, and he's correct if you have a mid-Atlantic accent like his, which distinguishes the 'a' sound in these two words: marry and merry. In my northern NY accent, I pronounce these words the same.
So, to him my name sounds as though it's spelled: Hah-role (like the ahhh sound in the dentist's office) and I pronounce it: Hair-role, or Hairl. (If you're wondering, my father named me after his oldest brother.)
My British grandmother (you have to roll your r's or your dees on this) pronounced it: Hah-d(roll)ul, which fascinated me when I was young. I tolerate almost all pronunciations except the one that puts a 'd' on the end...in the fashion of at least one of my in-laws (I won't say who).
Grafton has a very funny Author's Note in this book. After reading it, I've decided to appoint myself Tlaxcala Planning Commissioner. BTW, Grafton has a great website!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
More About Huitlacoche
Also known as the Mexican Corn Truffle, cuitlacoche is a delicious smoky fungus as versatile as the mushroom (maybe more so). For more information, visit the Gourmet Sleuth website:
http://gourmetsleuth.com/huitlacoche.htm
You also can purchase canned Huitlacoche online from Gourmet Sleuth, at:
http://gourmetsleuth.com/pdetail.asp?i=2&p=248&s=1&price=5.85
And here's another great site with LOTS of recipes--"The Sweet Corn Disease Nursery" website. They even have a recipe for cuitlacoche ice cream!! (What do you say to that, Pattie?)
http://www.sweetcorn.uiuc.edu/Common-smut/Recipes.htm
http://gourmetsleuth.com/huitlacoche.htm
You also can purchase canned Huitlacoche online from Gourmet Sleuth, at:
http://gourmetsleuth.com/pdetail.asp?i=2&p=248&s=1&price=5.85
And here's another great site with LOTS of recipes--"The Sweet Corn Disease Nursery" website. They even have a recipe for cuitlacoche ice cream!! (What do you say to that, Pattie?)
http://www.sweetcorn.uiuc.edu/Common-smut/Recipes.htm
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