Warning: Some Violence and Much Strong Language.HE WROTE: What’s In A Name?
I’ve always found I have to think long and hard about character names in a book. I just don’t grab them out of the air. They have to ‘fit’ the character. This is true in books and movies and tv. A good example is the series I’m now about at the end of Season Two in: DEADWOOD. Some of the names almost seem over the top: Swearingen. Who swears a lot. Then you have the sheriff: Bullock. Think what the combination is there. Then the whore: Trixie. Lots of thought went into that one. But you have Swearingen’s first name, Al and Mrs. Garrett’s first name, Alma, and how the two of them end up being the powers in the town. Do you think that’s coincidence? Nothing in a book or movie is done by coincidence.
I always say THE SOPRANOS is I, CLAUDIUS done in the Jersey mob. Remember what the name of the grandmother in Sopranos was? Livia. Do you think that was by chance?
We have to change a name in AGNES. Right now Shane’s handler’s name is Wilson. Jenny wanted that because of the name Tom Hanks gave the volleyball in CASTAWAY. Ask her. I don’t know. But the problem is Jenny has never seen or read SHANE (just as she never saw HIGH NOON for DLD). In SHANE, the name of the hired gunslinger Shane has to face down at the end is named Wilson. So we can’t have his handler have that name. Too confusing.
I’m also getting confused, sometimes mixing Shane and Chase, as I work on the two books. I’ve also tried using Angelina for three different characters in AGNES and I don’t know what’s going on there.
Meanwhile, we’re discussing having Agnes arrested for murder. Which would definitely put a crimp on her putting on the wedding. Part of escalating conflict. I think I’m reprieving Rocko from Moot, although that doesn’t necessarily mean a reprieve over-all. And lots of frying pans with blood on them.
The body count is currently at four. Or five.
238 Comments:
Go Bob! Go Jenny!
Y'know, you could always name the handler... Mary. Just a thought. Okay, maybe I'll try thinking up other names, sheesh, offer a constructive suggestion and this is the thanks I get...
xanwizro - yeah, that'd work
Bob - Names are a funny thing. To me, naming my characters are like naming my kids. Very serious business. I find that usually I'm right on with my hero names, but the females, not so much. Not sure what is up with that. I've other than the book coming out in June, every heroine's name I've changed at least once. I also end up with lots of names starting with the same letter and I don't pick up on it until the book is finished and then I have to go back and change one.
Bob - where do you find the time and engery to watch all this stuff? Then again, I have golf on right now. And my son thinks he should change his name to Phil? I keep telling him it's not Irish and wasn't the name I picked for him. Of course I picked Shamus for him, but DH nixed that one and we named him something else. Ever read the Book Trinity? Shamus Conor - now that's a name.
Wilson...weldon....weedon...werdon...whatever
What's the old saying...
"Sticks and stones will break my bones...but names will never harm me."
Keep on writing...we are all looking forward to your books.
svgwrt red
so, various garments win Robert's thoughts
*sigh* hope Bryan saw my message before he left. Yesterday they had me hopping and I couldn't get back to the blog. Came home and flopped. Even today - ran morning errands, came home and flopped again for a few hours. I breezed thru the last blog comments but I'm pretty sure I'll never catch up all the way. Oh, an armadillo - well except for the worms and insects part yah its probably me.
I actually like the idea of the handler being named Wilson. It works on a coupla different levels. You've got the Hanks character with no one to talk to except Wilson and then you've also got Wilson the neighbor over the fence from Home Improvement. It could work, Bob. Maybe Jenny didn't know she was rewriting a western classic?
Oh somewhere back there BCB mentioned contemporary western paranormal books were the new big thing? I gotta ask, Louis, just what is it you cowboy types are seeing out there on the range?
Got nothing done today. Don't care. I really enjoyed my nap.
Names can make or break a character. And we all have name biases(is that the right plural?)I had a character I just couldn't wrestle to the ground(not that way, sheesh)No matter what I did with him, he just wasn't the hero. I changedhis name and voila he was everything I needed him to be and then some. I've been kicked out of books(not bookstores) because a character just wasn't a SHANE or BOB. Can you imagine LeFavre as Ouillmet? They're both French...
Louis: Is the DEADWOOD Bob is talking about the same show your DS#2 and #4 were extras in? Any chance you might tell us which extras?
And I guess I owe LOU an apology: yesterday when I was pestering Louis for cowboy stories it was because of the very knowledgeable-sounding explanation of the difference between cow/steers/bulls, etc. Only it wasn't Louis who wrote that, as I mistakenly thought (long day, contacts must have been fuzzy), it was LOU. I'm so sorry, dear. So are YOU a cowboy? Or are women called cowgirls? And do you have stories to tell? I'll bet you do.
It's ok, Louis, as far as I can tell it was a pretty lucky guess on my part. You and your family are all cowboys. Sigh. Cows or not. Can I still come visit?
And BTW, Tal, how is it that Jen-T can leave out entire words, sometimes even half a thought process, and you never beat up on her? Yet I leave out one little consonant, just ONE, and you're all over me like DESERT sand on a frosted DESSERT on a windy day. Gez.
bw
BCB - Because I'm special!
On to Agnus - Personally, I like Wilson. Went to HS with a guy named Wilson, we called him Willie and he hated it. But that's because we went on to say, "Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown." Yeah, he didn't like that much. About as much as liked being called JupitorJen Halfbrook (maiden name Holbrook). I think you get it.
Bob - let moot have Rocko, I mean she has babies to feed. But I supose if keeping him around for a little while longer has purpose, then it's okay.
Does Agnus use the same Frying Pan, or a different one each time? Just wondering because I'm about to whack middle child with one of mine if he doesn't stop acking like a little idiot! His father has him pestering me and they both think it's funny, well, it's not.
JenT - just wondering, will you use B&J and the blog in your defense speech? "Agnes was a bad influence. She hit people with frying pans all the time and was rewarded for it. People cheered."
Man, I need to get outside, grab some fresh air. Visions of frying pans dance in my head. It should be demons and goddesses - my own damn book.
Off to take the dog for a well-deserved run. he is a patient little soul.
My characters had names when they popped into my head. And they don't want to change them. I've tried.
Though there is this one character who won't exist for several more books whose story started evolving when I was ill last year. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and couldn't remember his name. Drove me crazy. Especially as at the time I was too sick to do much writing. I finally had to write his name in a notebook so when I forgot it, I could look it up.
Jen-T I also have found myself having too many characters whose names started with the same letter. I now have a notebook (yes Bob, I know it should be a spreadsheet) with the pages divided into the letters of the alphabet and I reference first and last names.
BCB...
It's the same show...if you looked really fast you might have seen the back of Sons heads...
MCB...
You'd be suprised what we see looking about...
A little bit of everything.
Come on by...
dqnkwp green
daily quota never keeps with product
Okay who has the map for the roadtrip? We have to fit Louis in.
i love how Bob doesn't know the body count. or we not sure if the fork killed a guy or something yet?
names. sometimes, they just appear, and that's it. i can never change them. sometimes i have to put a lot of thought into them, look them up. though sometimes i get hooked on a letter and all the names i try out for a character is that letter. don't normally have the problem of naming my characters the same basic thing though. once it's used i move on to the next.
JJ: Shamus? that seems a little mean..*ducks flying fruit from Irish CBs*
CMS said "It should be demons and goddesses - my own damn book."
nice littlepeek and then, oh, got to walk the dog. don't you know about details?
Bob--at the only grand dinner party I ever attended, my dinner partner was Jack Schaefer, the author of SHANE. At the time, we were probably the only two people in the room who'd read Tolkien, so we talked about that.
qjcscxfl -- Quick, Jenny, Cherrybombs SDCB & CMS R xylophone-fighting--lamely.
Bob wrote: "The body count is currently at four. Or Five." I take it that means Four if Moot does not get feed, Five if she does, correct?
Interesting, in my WIP my body count is up to 8, but the book opened with 5 victims to begin with and so far, we've only "seen" one bite the dust. And there are more coming. No, this is not a romance, which is weird for me because I've never written a non-romance book yet. Very weird since I'm like up to page 150 and no one has gotten laid yet. In the other WIP the hero/heroine have done it twice and we are on page 90. go figure.
uijke - the place I sent middle child instead of hitting him over the head with a frying pan after giving me a hard time.
OH - No, Shamus is a great name. I love the name, it's my favorite male name, so don't you go and make fun of it, or else! I so wanted to name one of my boys Shamus. My husband and fought over it for hours after both boys were born. I lost both times. Figure that one out.
Tal - I've read Tolkein. I think it was required reading somewhere along the way and I think it totally confused me.
Tal - I take back the Tolkein reading. I have the author confused with something else entirely. Forgive my ignorance. Or stupidity, or general idiotness.
Bob I saw Shane and I like the name Wilson, who was played by Jack Palance when his first name was Henry, DH says. I am sure people will not get confused. Most people don't remember Shane or have never seen it. Just us old folks, although it should be, if it is not, a classic.
Tsk, Tsk, Bob. Did anyone else notice that really awkward sentence when he is talking about watching the second season of Deadwood? Just remember, we are your critique partners and we need more to critique. /,D
jen-t please do not murder middle child unless it is just in a book. I do not want you to go to jail and I do not want you to eliminate middle child, even if he does root for the wrong hockey teams. Doesn't he?
blue umxxyml
Unlikely (that) manuscripts (rated)xx yex make libraries.
SDCB - actually, it's the youngest child that roots for the wrong hockey teams. Not to mention the wrong football teams and the wrong golfer, geez, where did he come from. However, it is the middle child that has decided it is pick on mommy day, or drive mommy totally nuts day or whatever. Freaking horomone surges. Yes, going through puberty with a boy is just as bad as going through it with a girl. the only difference, I understand her, I don't get him. Besides, she and I are on the same page, so we get all narly at the same time. Poor daddy. But back to middle child. He has asked me like eight times if he can watch an R rated movie. I have said no, his father has said no and he's still bugging me about it. Then, he had the nerve to take the entire plate of brownies up to his bedroom and he and his friend eat most of them, and made a horrible mess. Then, they were putting in the kitchen, I yelled at them, but they never picked up the damn golf balls, yep, I stepped on one and I went flying. Okay, so I'm not hurt, but the little bugger laughed his ass off. I sent him away. Then, little shit, I caught him watching the R rated movie in my room anyway. Now he's slamming doors because I grounded him for two weeks. My DH is backing me, but he's snickering in the background because the R rated movie is only R because of one nude scene and my lovely son just wanted to fast forward to that scene. Geez, he's like 12! hello!
Okay, thank you. I feel much better now. Maybe. Okay, middle child is standing at my door, tears in his eyes and he's trying to appolgize. Geez, being a parent sometimes really sucks. Kid's killing me here.
Okay, back to Agnus - Bob - feed moot.
Poor jen-t Poor baby. You are really racking up the poor babies kid. What a time you are having. Are you sure you aren't hurt? Ground the kid until he is at least 25. Apparently male hormones hit their peak at 18 so there is hope. Only like 12 more years to go. /.D The one-eyed Cherry Bomb wishes you well.
blue gsixuheb
Girls seem intensely eXuberant. Unfortunately heroes eventually bomb.
For Jen-T/Regis, a quotation from Jean Kerr's PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES:
"When our kids grow up, they won't have to wonder why we rejected them. We'll TELL them why we rejected them. Because they're impossible, that's why!"
wkrwr -- Will Kevin really wear ruffles?
I'm sending sympathy and empathy your way JenT. My teen-age boys are driving me nuts too. DS15 screamed at me this morning after he demanded a button and I asked why he needed it. They come in different sizes, doncha know. I screamed back, got the button and sewed it on his pants. He did call later when he was on the way to work to apologize. I know DH put him up to it but he sounded sincere so I apologized too and we're okay. Good thing I can't see him rolling his eyes when he talks to me over the cell phone. When is school starting?
names are important things. I narrowly escaped Letitia. I could not have lived as a Letty.
I had a friend whose Irish-American parents named her Siobhan -- a very nice name. But the nurse who wrote it on the bracelet had bad penmanship so the nurse on the next shift read Slobham. Deciding that was no kind of name for a girl, she changed it to Joanne, which stuck.
Go figure.
G&T
All right, y'all. Stop whining about how your children are driving you crazy because you have mis-named them. My youngest left the nest today and I'd gladly take her back.
Besides, we have bigger things about which to worry. Did you know that there are other blogs out there? Well, it came as news to ME. And did you know that back a post or two, Talpianna is telling us that apparently some fools who are clearly NOT CB's have decided she is offensive and have mistakenly categorized her as "she who must be ignored?" And, AND that she is thinking of becomming that most vile of all creatures: a lurker.
Grab your shovels in a show of support here, CB's. This is dire indeed. I'm going to go fire up that rocket launcher and gas up the biplane.
Other blogs. Geez. Who knew?
bw
BCB - I did not mis name my children, just didn't get my first choice. Somehow I lost that arugement with my husband. Still trying to figure out how that happened since I'm the one who went through LABOR! Honestly, after all is said and done, they all live up to their names, espeically said middle child. Who, in DLD was killed off, but Bob and Jenny spelled his name wrong, how dare they. Okay, so now you know, middle boy's name is Conor and right now he's know as the Con man! Yes he is. Devil child. Remember the movie with Keanue Reeves and Al Pachino where Keanue is a lawyer and Al is his devil father? Yep, welcome to my world.
No, I did not cave, kid is still grounded. We had a long talk about R rated movies, language and YEX. Little shit knows more than he should at his age. At least he's willing to talk about it though. Guess I'm lucky that way, but geez, are all boys this obsessed with the female body? Should I rename this kid LaFarve or what? My husband is still snickering and saying stupid shit like "That's my boy." Do men ever grow up?
Of course there is daring daughter whose head is rotating as we speak and she's puking pea soup because I'm the meanest mommy in the world because I told her no internet until her honors project is done. It's not like she hasn't had all summer to do it! It's due the first day of school. It's not like I'm asking the world of her. Oh, and she's still hapring me on the stupid cell phone. Geez, her and her brother have one to share, and it's not like they go many places without me or my husband! Oh my god! I am not going to survive the rest of the summer.
Beam me up Scotti!
Calgon Take me away!
Someone toss some water on me so I can melt, please. I beg you, put me out of my misery.
Where is Agnus when I need her and her flipping frying pan. Bob, would you like to make the body count 6? i'm willing, just so long as you don't feed me to moot. I have issues with that.
Okay, off to go climb in bed with the youngest Irish child - he loves me and he still needs the cootie shot.
circle, circle, dot, dot, now you have the cootie shot.
BCB - I know it's hard when they go off to college, I get that, but you do remember what it's like to be me, don't you? Come on, have a little sympathy for me.
vxvfgfde - a new way of treating mothers who have gone bonkers. Hopefully it works.
NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!
Jen-T wrote: I know it's hard when they go off to college, I get that, but you do remember what it's like to be me, don't you? Come on, have a little sympathy for me.
Umm, Jen? I have never been you, bless my heart. And believe me, I have lots and lots and lots of sympathy. Oh. You meant for you? Well, sure, that too.
And then, inexplicably, she wrote: NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!
Well, ok. If you feel that strongly about it.
bw
I too am baffled by the NO MORE WIRE HANGERS remark. I thought that was a slogan opposing back-alley abortions.
aazikbup -- The demon currently possessing Jen's son
I was almost named Mary, after about 80 great-aunts in the family. I went through a phase where I desperately wanted to change my name from Brenda to something cooler -- like Sugar or Cookie. Apparently, at age 10 I was watching a lot of TV shows with hookers in them or something. THANK HEAVENS my mom waited that one out.
When sister #1 started kindergarten, she took on another identity: the name of some kid who never showed up. My mom got a call a month into the school year demanding to know why her daughter was not in school and had to go down to the classroom and point out her kid.
On contemporary cowboy paranormals, hey as long as we don't go back to the cowboy and a baby phase, that's fine with me.
And boy, is there a lot of room to go with this one: Hunchback Mountain. The Werewolf in Sheep's Clothing. Vampire on the Range. The Ghost and Miss Kitty.
jen-t: Hang in there. I need to know people survive raising teenagers. My DSS (he's 10 and my 1st kid - can you say jumping with no parachute?) is starting to show signs that the teenage years will be no picnic. He was astounded that he was held back this year for not doing anything (literally nothing) all last year. And then there is the 2 households, 2 sets of rules thing over here.
And then he will come up to me and say something really smart about writing and I think, I got so lucky with him.
And now the DSS needs to quit reading over my shoulder.
spanakopita: Am I the only one who keep reading this wrong? I swear, I keep reading "spankopia" which sounds just wrong.
Thank you thank you thank you for the astrological signs. Sister #2 who gives me the most grief is both a Balcony Heckler and a Butter Bean. ROTFL! And, yes, I shared.
oilnj: Oh, I like not jumping. (not much better than Oil in New Jersey)
Thanks Btuda - I'm sure we will all survive, maybe. Both boys are asleep, daughter is ignoring me.
And are you peaple really going to tell me you don't know where NO MORE WIRE HANGERS comes from.
I'll give you a hint - it came from a movie, and older one and it's about an actress.
I dressed as her one year for holloween, I thought I was being so cleaver walking around with a wire hanger - nope, the school didn't like it too much, even though the kids didn't get it, but the principal did and she made me toss the wire hanger. Geez, some people have no sense of humor.
As you can tell, I've calmed down some. Well, boys are sleeping and husband, well, he's snicker somewhere in his office, probably watching that R rated movie with the naked boobs flapping in the wind.
Me, giving all frying pans back to Agnus. Cleaned.
Mommy Dearest loved that movie. Whenever my mom gets upset we always make her laugh by crying, "Please, mommy, NOT the wire hangers!!!"
Great movie.
Sigh. Forget those HS guys, doing google searches of the incomprehensible bits of this blog are going to get me into sooo much trouble some day. Thanks Jen, I expect you to come visit me.
I don't watch much tv and don't love movies. I read. But here is what I found out and, geez, it is pretty self-explanatory:
Fans of cult/camp cinema are, of course, familiar with the Hollywood version of the tale starring Faye Dunaway and Diana Scarwid. The SHOWGIRLS of its day, MOMMIE DEAREST was a flop upon release, but has become a favorite for sickos, degenerates, drag queens, and female impersonators the world 'round.
From some website about Hungover Gourmet Cooks. No. Don't ask.
So Jen, into which category are you currently falling? I'm guessing the last one, alien that you are.
And Jen, it's AGNES. AGNES with an "E" not a "U" -- which BTW, I keep reading as Angus. Yep. Hung up on the whole cowboy thing over here.
bw
jen-t: Ooo! Ooo! I know where that line comes from! My minor was Film Studies so I can sit in the dark and eat popcorn with the best of them! No Snakes on a Plane for me though.
Although Kyra might convince me if we can make snarky MST3000 comments about it. It would have to be a well-lit theater for me. With my luck, DH would sit behind me with his Twizzlers and tickle my neck, shouting, "Snake! Snake!"
And as for various things flapping in the wind, at least they sound natural. Talk about a generation with unrealistic expectations ...
tceboi: Vanilla Tce as a child.
Please don't mention that phrase or that movie again. I watched that film some years back and was traumatized since the little girl's name is Christina.
Since Bob and others are talking names...I was almost named Jean. I'm glad my father won that argument and named me after his father. Though it makes me one of about six Chrises in the family (re: My Big Fat Greek Wedding).
sguaii--a transition or another way of spelling the name of that useless motorized walker
Jen-t It's Bette Davis. Pick me!
I have 2 sons. The one who will make me a Grandma was the nastiest teenager on earth. He is lucky to be alive. Luckily I don't cook or I would have beaned him with a frying pan. And I actually cried when he went to college because I would miss him.
He is now 25 and I keep asking "who took my son and left this pod person?" He is asking me about my pregnancy with him and is very solitious(sp?) of his new wife.. And he likes me...he really likes me!
BCB- I am not sure where all you are going on your trip, but if ya'll are coming to the MIDWEST, please come and play at my house. You can bring all your toys and friends because the neighbors think I am nuts anyways.
Gerald Swearingen is the optometrist in our small rural town--so is his daughter, Erika (both are on the boards of different banks). So that name is ok with me. Bullock is Sandra, none other.
Christina - sorry that movie scared you. Personally, I loved it.
Yeah, I'm odd. Mommy Dearest was a good movie - I called my mother that a lot growing up. She'd say something like, "Jennifer! For crying out loud. How many times do I have to ask for you to stop leaving hot chocolate mugs under your bed for days. Just look at this, it's disgusting!" She'd then hold up some gros mug, or bowl with crap growing in it. It got worse when she found the beer bottles in the closet. Anyway, I'd say something like "yeah, Yeah, yeah, mommy dearest, go get your wire hanger." I could tell she was trying not to laugh.
The actress who played the role in Mommy Dearest was Faye Dunaway and she was playing Joan Crawford.
I suppose I shouldn't joke about stuff like that. I couldn't even spank my kids when they were bad. Okay, so I did it once, but I missed her diaper and it's been like 14 years and i still feel guilty. But for some reason that movie and the whole Mommy dearest thing just has always stuck in my mind.
Yeah, along with Kermit, the Shark and other crazy stuff.
Geez, BCB - okay, it's AGNES! My neighbor's name is Agnes, really it is, but we call her Whitey because she has white hair. Her mother started it when she was about 3. She's always had white hair, not grey, not blonde, but white, I kid you not, talk about mommy dearest.
Okay, I think we are back to normal. Husband has promised to talk with with middle child about girls, after I tell him what to say. This should be good. Daughter, well, she's grunting at me, so this is progress.
Bob - I've decided I want to live, so you can't knock me off, not just yet anyway. Geez, I hope it's not to late? Hope a hitman doesn't show up.
Geez. Ok, so now I'm googling "wapak" -- which as far as I can tell is short for Wapakoneta, Ohio. If that's anywhere near that toxic river, sure, we'll be there.
But are you sure that's the midwest? Because from MN it seems more like "not all the way but almost far enough east." Or from the other direction "not quite midwest but moving in the right direction."
Did you want us to transport you to somewhere else, or just come play for a while and scare the neighbors? We are entirely capable of either. Just be careful what you ask for. Ooops, Tal is watching: Be careful for what you ask.
And isn't it nice when the DS gets old enough to be a real person? At 21, mine is almost there. He has his moments that make the middle school years well worth it. I hardly ever feel like pinching his head off anymore.
bw
btuda you made me laugh. You were all excited about knowing what movie the line came from but then didn't mention the name of the movie. I can't remember the last name of the title character of whom the story is written. The actresses first name was Joan but I suddenly can't remember her last name. I want to say Caulfield but that doesn't sound right. Joan Crawford. Yeah me! I am a Cherry Bomb!!!!!!
I remember the teen years with both my children but since they both read this blog I cannot say anything. My lips are sealed. Email me and I'll tell. Just joking, you two, relax. /.D
blue jhkkcwth
Just how killers korrupt Crusie's writing threatens HEA.
SDCB - You tease! That's not fair. I need advice here on how to survive these turbulent times. No my lips are sealed crap. Spill the beans. Is there hope for me and my broad?
kwsnqfm - kermit wants signature noting quick film meter
Scope Dope - what is it with you and your little kid stories? sheesh. I'm glad you've moved on to my nephew. But he's 16 now and not impressed.
Tal - I have my shovel packed and ready by the door, just waiting for BCB to find her wa across the border to pick us up. We might be a little late : )
Jen wrote: Is there hope for me and my broad?
Ok. Sitting on my hands over here. Biting my tongue too. Hurts like hell. You'd better appreciate it.
bw
tbuumem: this is the sound I'm making
But Bob, Deadwood is a historical (as far as that goes for a tv show) and Al Swearengen and Seth Bullock were their names, and there was supposedly a Gem girl named Tricksie (even worse than Trixie) though Alma Garret was totally made up and they changed some other names, like the Doc. Though Sol Star and Merrick and E.B. Farnum were all real too.
I love the show, I've spent a bit too much time looking up facts about it. Apparently the big hotel and casino in Deadwood was opened up by Seth Bullock, and is still functioning.
Not really relevant to any point being made here, but just wanted to throw that into the mix anyway.
CMS: Please note that MCB has insisted on driving this time. And she found a bus. No, don't ask where, but I'm inclined to think that somewhere there is a highway cleanup prison detail without a ride. Or maybe they're coming along, too. I should have more details on that by the time she gets here. But yes, we're running just a tad late. No wucking furries.
Speaking of which, those Aussies have been awfully quiet since their convention. Must have been one hell of a party. Maybe none of them could make bail. Sigh. Do we have to stop there, as well? Long strange trip, indeed.
bw
BCB - I see you took your pill! I make middle child sit on his hands when he can't keep them to himself.
Okay, I'm in the middle of writing this scene with my hero and his mother and now I want to make a reference to that movie. Geez, maybe I can swing it, but somehow I don't see my very flawed, hot hunky city cop making a reference to that movie. I doubt he's ever seen it. Sigh.... back to writing. I know, I take lots of breaks, but believe it or not, I've written 12 pages today. Not bad considering all I've had to deal with.
Hmmm, I feel kind of normal - I wonder if I got hit in the head with a stray frying pan coming from MN and I'm suffering from a concussion caused by some Minnesotian? Because I know my Canandian friends wouldn't do such a thing to me.
jiggle, wiggle, goat x-ray egg
bucking floger
zystquz - xulu, yesterday sick tykes quit iglu, zulu
For some unknown reason B'tuda spake thusly:
B'tuda said...
I was almost named Mary, after about 80 great-aunts in the family.
And you had a problem with this???
Bon Cheri, did you say people who weren't CBs were being mean to Talpianna? Wait a minute, only we're allowed to be mean to her! Hand me that shovel!
xgrvt - someone who is no longer a grvt
Mary - duck! Shovel coming at you, along with a few wire hangers! Send me to the mean people, this alien will take care of them!
If I was a boy my parents wanted to name Dwight Edward. So glad I was a girl.
JenT - Poor Baby! No kids of my own, but I have two nieces. The older one has been driving my sister demented for years. And she's still got a few more years to go before she's officially a teen.
We pray for my sister's sanity.
Jen-T said...
are all boys this obsessed with the female body?
Oh, Honey, it's only going to get worse as he gets older and discovers sex as a possible, real life activity.
My husband is still snickering and saying stupid shit like "That's my boy." Do men ever grow up?
In a word, "No." But you knew that. ;+) Take it easy, Jen. You've done a good job with your kids, but life has it's little (or not so little) ups an downs, anyway.
btuda said...
When sister #1 started kindergarten, she took on another identity: the name of some kid who never showed up.
I love that! Sounds like a very cool kid. What does she do now? Modern day Mata Hari?
hbaakqli (green)
Hairy beasts ate aged kudzu quite lovingly. Ick.
Hi Scooped Up Cherry Bum, I thought I'd share a little with you.
I can't understand these CBs and their angst about getting published, I myself when I was 11 trs. old was published, she said modestly; well twice that year as a matter of fact, buffing her nails.
SDCB "That's wonderful NG I'm so Proud of you.
Jen-t nearly falling off her violently vibrating bed "What; NG you never told us.
GG Goterdamerung, Gruss Gott etc.
OH rolling up her sleeves "Well back to work on my opus"
BCB "I don't believe it MCB what do you think?"
MCB "I bet her father was the publisher.
BCB and MCB "Bless her heart"
SDCB "tell us about it NG"
NG "well my first effort was published and ran thousands of copies, but alas my second effort did not do so well.
ATigress sitting in the corner rolled up her knitting, looked over her glasses and said "NG you remind me of the second verger's first wife, she to was fond of embroidery
NG Gasp "it is all true"
TP "Holey Moley NG what have you done? Do you want to be -TADA- banned from the blog?"
NG "No No Not that Please.
Well I was just jealous amd IT IS True. When I was eleven I sat down one day and coipied out ajokeandsentitto The Weekly News. The next week I got a money order for 2/6. and it was in the paper with my name!! I thought this was great so I satdownandcopiedoutanotherjoke and sent it to the Red Letter[a woman's mag.] It also was published; this time though I got a nail file and comb in a leather case, I was expecting money!!
Notice no lies just a French Knot or two.
SDCB and Talpianna I hope this gave you a chuckle, I hope you are having better days SD and Tal it's their loss and our gain you'll have more time for us.
zauside blue obviously suicide which is not an option for CBs
NG - Cute, I chuckled.
Okay, it's a new day. We are not at the lake, it's cold and rainy so no lake. Last night when we went to bed, DH said if it was nice, we'd go, well everyone is still in bed and it's not nice, so I'm not waking anyone up. DH and I stayed up very late last night watching A FEW GOOD MEN, love that movie. I think it's funny, DH thinks I'm weird. He thinks that movie is very serious. I chulked a few times and he just gave me a funny look. But there are a few parts where Jack Nickleson gets that funny smirk on his face and I think, here it comes "Honey, I'm home." You know, from THE SHINNING, yeah, I know, I'm blending movies again.
Anyway, I'm not a huge Tom Cruise fan, but in this movie he's okay. Demi Moore, not so much. Kevin Bacon, god I love that guy. Keifer, well, I watch 24 just because he's in it and because my DH makes me. His favorite show. Anyway, it was one and we didn't go to sleep until like 3am, so you ask, why the heck am I up at 8? Actually, I've been up since 6, two hours of uninterrupted writing and I have no idea. I was startled awake, most likely from a bad dream, but I can't remember what it was.
Hopefully, kids will have turned back into the sweet things I gave birth too.
Bob - so, is Rocko Reprived? For the moment? What's the body count? How are the YEX scenes coming?
ZaZa - "Sex as a real life activity." Please, we are there already. He doesn't understand why i won't let him take a girl to the movies. Remember, this is the kid who wanted to take his girlfriend to a "scary" movie so she'd get all freaked out and have to hug him during the movie. Oh, yeah, I'm in trouble.
JenT- Yeah. You're in trouble. But I know what you're going thru (sort of). I actually made 2 seperate references to "Daddys Gun". But it was fun watching my DDs boyfriends jump.
Next I'm pulling out the gun cleaning supplies.
My name was almost Ophelia. I don't even know how to spell that. I thank my grandmother weekly for stopping the madness.
Not that Ophelia isn't a great name but 7th graders would have had a field day.
lbooth
Ibooth - Ha! I went to school with a girl named Ophelia Dickie. I did, I swear and we were in 7th and 8th grade and we did have a field day with that.
When I was pregnant with child #3 we teased my mother that if the kid was a boy, we were going to hame him Tiger Jack (after tiger woods and Jack Nickolas) and if it was a girl we were going to name her Augusta Georgia (after the golf course). My husband is a huge golfer (golfing now with the boys) and he's actually very good at the sport. Anyway, mother really believed us. It was so funny. She really got all mad. But was happy in the end when we named him something entirely different.
Okay, I can barely contain myself! Bob wrote "What's in a name" Well what's in a book cover and I HAVE A BOOK COVER!. Almost fell off my rocker when I found out. Anyway, check out my blog and check out my cover. Sorry, I know I shouldn't do this, but I just had too. It's my first one.
Okay, lets get back on track. Does Wilson stay Wilson or does his name change? And we finally get to read, he will always be Wilson to us.
So what is the body count?
cherry magic sheryl better not yank my chain. I have some really really cute little kid stories about you. /.D
nanaimo granny that was really cute. Congratulations on being published. I have been published over several years but never in book form, just newspapers and magazines. Once made $300 from Readers Digest for a little story that happened to me. My sister got all excited and told everyone her sister was an international author. Sisterly love, aint it great?
My parents had to fight the church (Anglican=Episcopalian in the US) to get me baptised as Penny. The ministers insisted it had to be Penelope because Penny was a nickname. They went to five churches before they found a minister that would christen me Penny.
talpianna I figured it out. I don't know why it took me so long but I finally figured it out. The dame on the other blog didn't like the competition in the game. Obviously You were better than her! Uh Duh!
jen-thang in there. I can't divulge little kid stories here but if you come over, man do I have a lot to tell. /,D You will survive because you are a CB and they are not.
green ljgyg
Like Jenny's guys, yex gleefully.
SDCB - I'm hanging! Sun is coming out, wishing we had gone to the lake, but the boys are golfing, so life is good. Daughter is still grunting because her project isn't finished yet and we told her no nothing until it is. We warned her in July that she needed to pace herself. Well, she didn't. I know, when she's like 40 she might listen to me. Although, I'm still really good at tuning out my mother.
Nice cover Jen. I can't wait to read the book. And if you can't jump up and down and squeal with your friends...
I would be very interested to see Cologne Girl's cover when hers is ready. I'm fascinated by the publishing process and its diferences throughout the world.
I'm printing off my book to hand over to one of my beta readers tonight. The next scene in my wip revealed itself last night so I want to get that on paper before I head over to Scop Dope's. Golf kicked NASCAR off the sports network so I have no idea how else to spend a Sunday. : (
bon cheri bomb said...
Jen wrote: Is there hope for me and my broad?
Ok. Sitting on my hands over here. Biting my tongue too. Hurts like hell. You'd better appreciate it.
right there with ya! Sooo many thing we could do with that. But no, we'll be nice. We need the practice.
jcraak (how could I resist this one?) Jenny Crusie ROCKS - and also Krentz.
Good one, NG! Definitely got me smiling.
And which other blog is giving Talpiana grief? Maybe LaFarve needs a new assignment.
Sheryl - um, golf is good. Love golf. Good luck with that scene! Tell SDCB I said hello.
I finally have a feel for the humorous anthology I'm writing. I don't do funny well. Okay, stop laughing people. I might live funny, but I don't write funny. Although, I think I have a dark sense of humor, writing comedy isn't easy for me. So why did I join in on this anthology? Beats me.
Watching golf on a sunday afternoon. Two weeks, we start hockey games. The practice has begun, but now the games start. With three kids, it's like 6 games a weekend. Yikes.
Ouch! Mary rubs her head fretfully
Sheesh, Jen-T, you need to work on your aim there. Watch where you're throwing that shovel! Or are you trying to increase that body count, huh? huh?
nwwdfh - never watch women ducking flipping* hardware
*okay, yes, some self-editing did occur in that sentence
My father wanted to name me Hilda. A nice Germanic name, sez he. My mother, who apparently didn't want a child who spent 30 years in therapy, said no. He had lots of other suggestions, too. Many of which involved language characters that do not appear in English. Jeez.
Jen-T: nope, he's not too early, nor do men change. This is actually a good thing. They grow up to be men who adore their wives' bodies (one wife per man, please). And, being single (probably a terminal condition), I rather appreciate those male friends (even the married ones) who tell me I'm hot. Gives a little boost to the self-esteem when one is feeling, well, not so hot.
Yes, JEN-T,
Boys think about girls. From around twelvish on for the rest of their lives.
It's inborn, I guess, to further the species. The crushes come with regularity until they settle on a permanent partner.
NG...loved your publishing story...
Believe it or not...I also have been published...a short technical article in a technical magazine. Received $25 for it.
Maybe that is why I like this blog so much.
tbnqqp blue
that's better, non quota quotes perfectly
Hilda? I think not.
My friend's husband wanted to name their child after his mother. Luckily the child was a boy and got a different name. Otherwise there'd be a 3-year-old running around named Ethel. Yes, that was my reaction too.
Scope Dope, you've inspired me, with your talk about your German Shepherd. I've finally posted a photo on my blog of my 9-year-old Shepherd. http://blogsheesh.blogspot.com/
Glamour Geek, while I was at it, I put a link to a live Maui webcam. It's sunset in Maui right now. Bizarre. I'm still trying to find the Ideal Swimsuit for the trip. (sigh)
Mary - oh geez, so sorry. Baseball wasn't one of my better sports. Actually, throwing in general isn't my strong suit. Just ask my bowling partner. Talk about pain.
So glad to hear that my kids aren't the only ones driving their parents crazy!! School starts on Wednesday--my bd, by the way--and they got pissed when I said that it was the best bd present I had gotten in years!!
Chipping in late (as usual) about other stuff. LOVED the book AND the movie SHANE--wow, didn't know so many people had seen it.
Wire hangers--didn't see the movie, but if she used a wire hanger to whoop on someone, been there, done that. My mom and she must have been friends...
Names--for both children and characters are VERY important. My DH and I had many discussions about our children's names. My son's middle name is Shane, which I love! My daughter's middle name is Elizabeth, my first choice, but I lost that one and we named her Jordan instead. Third daughter--well, I love her whole name but now she wants me to add "Rose" into her middle name--I mentioned once that I wanted to name her Sierra Rose and she loved it! Her name is now Sierra Ilona (family name of DH's side) so I guess I can name her Sierra Ilona Rose...
As for characters--in two of my WIP I have changed names on a couple of my characters several times because the work has gone a different way than I had planned and the names no longer seem to work. Very frustrating. And sometimes that means they change personalities also. So don't scoff at names! They are very important.
After DD18 was born we got a really nice note from DH's grandma, thanking us for naming our new arrival after her. We were all a little confused as no one, not even her own DD, knew her real first name. Her father, a Scotsman with no sense of humour and little tolerance for anything, hated it and wouldn't let anyone use it, so she always went by her middle name: Vivian.
Sheri: Welcome back! I've missed you and where have you been? I can't remember where you said you were going, but did you have a nice trip? And how is your wrist?
Louis: It seems I am not done pestering you yet (I think that's why he REALLY likes this blog), but I have to ask now that I've thought about it: were your DS's on the set to keep an eye on your DAH's?
I am actually writing today, trying to offset the ringing silence in the house. Taking a quick break here for lunch and my CB fix. Just pathetic, I know.
Later-
bw
Mary: actually, it's sunRISE right now. They're 3 hours earlier than we are. The place is called Napili Sunset. Napili is a GREAT beach. Count on going there. It's about 5 minutes north of the condo.
Yes, folks, our very own Mary is coming with me to Maui. This is to help arrange the flares so the rest of you can find us. You didn't expect me to be able to cover all that territory on my own, did you?
'Sides, I needed someone to help me rate the hot surfer dudes. Do you think we should hold up numbers and score them? :)
Mary shrugsSunrise, sunset... (okay guys, you can just stop that singing right now.)
I think it's very civilized of the Hawaiians to have sunrise at a time when I'm awake enough to appreciate it ;)
I think we should sync up with the gang. At a certain time, everyone tune in to the webcam and we'll stand on that beach waving at you Live From Maui. :)
akcxiu - excuse me, must be allergies...
So if names are so important, I'd like to know why the name Karen in DLD. And the Karen in "Bet Me" had the nickname Worse. Is Karen really a villainous name?
LOL, LOL, LOL
Tal the other blog is the loser
JenT Wait til your son is "in love". You think 12 is bad. When we went off for our one night, DS16 wanted to know why his girlfriend couldn't come and spend the night. After all his two younger brothers would be there too.
NG loved the publishing story
Names No one has mentioned how if you dislike someone then you do not want to use that name for a child or beloved character. I know several teachers who have vetoed a name for one of their babies because they had a child of that name in a class and just the name gives them the heebie jeebies
Two of our sons are Matthew and Luke. You can not imagine how many people over the years have asked us where Mark and John are. GRRR.
Just found out I have to take DH to airport or I will spend the week transporting DS16 to work, 90 min away because his car has to go to body shop to be repaired. So much for sustained writing I was going to be doing this afternoon.
BCB (((hugs))) for empty nest and cheers for you writing
One of our cars was stolen last week. A wrecked van DH had not gotten around to donating to a charity. He piled firewood in front of his old truck that we can't afford to have repaired at the moment and hid the car my dear sister gave DS16 that we can't use because she can't find the title so we can't get insurance etc.
Guess I should call the tow company and cancel having them come and sneak those two off the property.
robin s sez: Two of our sons are Matthew and Luke. You can not imagine how many people over the years have asked us where Mark and John are. GRRR.
My parents are Peter and Mary. Where's Paul?, ditto. So original! *yawn*
Mary: I like the idea of waving to everyone, but I'm imagining we'd have to go way too early to be noticed among the other folks. We'll be those two, slightly moving, dots! :) Hm. Maybe we could work this out. That would be pretty entertaining. *ponders*
Jen-T said..."I wonder if I got hit in the head with a stray frying pan coming from MN and I'm suffering from a concussion caused by some Minnesotian? “
Now wait a minute. How did Jen get a hold of the BLAME LORI Banner? I thought that burned in the Hotel Fire of '06. At least I have some warning that the police are coming, and yes, McB you can come watch them take me away. We all know how much you like seeing the police in action. I do request that when you are shamelessly flirting with the officer NOT hand-cuffing me, could you please find out where they are taking me and send someone (NOT Bob) with bail?
Geez, I don’t even have a good alibi because the bus didn’t show up at my place last night. I guess someone must have realized MN isn’t exactly on the way to AZ. *sigh*
See y'all when I'm out of the slammer.
yioiy: That 'bout covers it.
Jen-T: your hero can use the wire hanger thing. One does not have to have seen the film (I haven't) to be aware of the reference. It's an instance of cultural literacy: as some columnist (I think) pointed out, all political types know that DeTocqueville wrote Democracy in America, but few or none of them have ever READ it. And good luck with all the boys in your life! And to DD for her honors project.
BCB: good luck with the daughter-withdrawal! I hope she calls home often, or returns your calls, or something. Try not to request her by an outgrown nickname: I was responsible for my roommate NOT being able to evade her hometown name in a new state (bad me!).
Speaking of nicknames: sometimes they're enough to disqualify a name for me. My sister gave her son quite a nice name, but he goes by the diminutive (ending in -y), which I dislike. Of course, being a "Yankee" in the Southern sense (i.e. "not from around here" as opposed to "from New England"), I am uncomfortable with such names for anyone besides small children, anyway...
RobinS: sorry 'bout the long drive and the many car calamities!
ScopeDope: I hope you feel better! Thanks for checking in. If you can't threaten your children with embarassing stories, what's the point of letting them grow up?
hjcst: Hostile jocosity causes serious tantrums
wkndi: wildebeests know, "Never Drink Ink".
Have we welcomed Lucy and Jill yet? If not let me be the first. If yes - sorry I'm late. Welcome. Have they put you through the initiation ceremony yet? Not to worry, we hardly ever lose anyone.
Lori - What BCB never bothers to tell anyone is that I'm usually trying to distract the police so she can make a getaway. We're fine until she spots a uniform - any kind, it doesn't matter - and then she starts waving her fists and screeching about plots and conspiracies and ... well things ensue.
Robin - sooo sorry for the auto problems. Geez when it rains it pours, doesn't it?
nmfihkv: Nimble Minnesotan flees ice house, keeping violets.
BCB...
No all of our horses are safe in corrals. Although the two youngest fillies managed to get out the other day and having a ball running around. They are kept together so as to become horse friendly to each other. One followed me back into the corral and the other led nicely back into corral.
JenT...that cover is "Smashing"
Keep happy and "Live the Dream"
gtyxpfk...a blue mish-mash
blogger strikes again
cvmjq green
Crusie's vim magic, Jenny quotes
Nanaimo G said...
I myself when I was 11 trs. old was published, she said modestly; well twice that year as a matter of fact, buffing her nails.
Hah! I can top that. I was published for the first time at about age six. It was a poem to my doggie. Prior to that, I had a drawing published, too. Both were in the Uncle Wiggly column of the local rag. ;+) And I got paid for both of them. For some reason, my grandmother was appalled when I got paid and wouldn't let me send anything else in. Clearly not into the whole publishing thing. Although, come to think of it, she wrote all the time, left volumes when she died. But she would never have considered submitting anything for publication. Hmmm. I think maybe I've discovered where my reluctance to sub my work comes from. It's genetic. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.
oignbnui (red)
Oh, I guess Needles brought nasty undesirables in.
When our DS was 3 he asked his daddy if he liked girls in beibing suits (that is how he said it). DH carefully responded "Yes, I like girls in bathing suits. Do you like girls in bathing suits?" DS happily responded "Yes, I like to give them hugs". I knew way back then that we were in trouble.
k.l. if your son is now 37, I think I know that guy... :)
BCB--If you don't mind me asking, what is your DH's grandma's name? I wonder why her father even let her be named that if it bothered him so much.
CBs- while I agree to the shovels in theory I think someone needs to point out there are real shovels and there are virtual shovels and there are ways to get things accomplished where no one ends up on jail,(especially since I just went and bought more stuff for the house and really don't have bail money now.) Here is my proposal for defending the honor of Talpianna and CBs and a step forward on teh TOTW plan. I request that Tal give us the complete address for said blog/discussion group. Following that CBs from across the world will join and take over. We will use our powers for good adn allow those whom we like to remain and get rid of she who shall be ignored. This will accomplish many thngs. And as soon as I've has some lunch and chocolate I'll think of them.
CC - well the otherway is more fun. But I figure that Tal can handle she-who-shall-be-ignored with one well places 'bless your heart'. The Mole can of course take care of herself. Tal, if and when you need said body disposed of, give a shout. Otherwise we will do as CC suggested and just play with said person's mind until she is a quivering mass of jelly no longer able to operate a keyboard.
Or we can stick her inside CC's wall.
MCB. [shakes head sadly] I though we agreed. You were going to stop welcoming new CB's. You know how that scares them.
And geez. Shaking my fists and screeching about conspiracies while making a getaway? I was avoiding your flailing high-heeled feet while you thrust the top half of yourself out the car window -- you could put an eye out with those things. And me yelling: "For the love of Bob, stop doing that, you're going to get us killed!" is not the same as a conspiracy theory. Though I'm starting to wonder.
Louis: Glad to hear your DAH's are safe and apparently so fun-loving and obedient at the same time. I was thinking of sending MCB to you for training, but she might damage your DS's and we can't have that. I've pretty much decided to just dump her in JenT's lake.
BTW, dear (um, Louis, I'm talking to MCB now), I got that shipment you sent. Those guys you gave the list to? Well, they delivered the stuff personally. Insisted I open it and inspect it for damage before they left. Should have known by the smirks and the gleam in their eyes THAT was a bad idea. You, ahem, apparently gave them the wrong list. Because most of this stuff is, um, oh hell, restraints and instruments of-- um, yeah, instruments. And when I said something along the lines of "What in the world?" they offered to demonstrate. I tell you what, it took some persuading on my part to get them to leave. And I think now I'm going to have to move.
And Tal, you do NOT want to give us an actual target just now. We might have to actually DO something about it and in our current mood that would be a bad thing. Then J&B would have to come over here and tell us, yet again, to be nice. And I've had just about enough of that, thank you. All this niceness has given me a headache. However, if you want to drag any evidence back over here once you're done, well, we've all got shovels stashed under our keyboards. Or if you'd rather, I can dump it all in the lake with MCB.
Christina: Her name was Katherine. No idea why the man found it so offensive. And the really funny thing was that we gave DD a middle name after our mothers, who both had the same maiden name (no, they were not the same person, geez). And if I tell you any more about that, I will have identified half the family and, well, won't they be pleased?
bw
BCB--That's a lovely name. Don't know why he hated it so. That name has always been one of my potentials should I ever spawn a girl (though I would spell it with a 'C'--just a personal preference).
idikrou -- crew team composed of idiots, hence the spelling
This mom is toast. No longer have a leg to stand on where 12 year old Conor is concerned. He saw my book cover. He came running into my office afrer visiting my website after his grandmother told him I had a copy of my bookcover on it. DS son says:
"Mom! Mom! Like that cover isn't X-rated! Their mouths are open! And you wonder where I get it from. Heck, Mom, you write the crap, I just want to see it."
My husband burst out laughing and that was the end of that.
BCB - how was the writing today? You've been very quiet, and frankly, that scares me.
BCB ominously decreed ... I've pretty much decided to just dump her in JenT's lake.
thrum thrum. thrum thrum.
Now she'll really be afraid to go back in the water.
Listen, I was hanging out the window trying to see the signs that went whizzing past. It was pouring rain too and you wouldn't slow down. And I hollered at that one intersection ... "right right, go right!!" and you yelled back "I know I'm right, its everyone else that's crazy!!!" and kept going. And I had to hock those shoes missy to raise bail after the cops finally got you to pull over. I can deal with the paranoia, but you have to stop hitting them!
Ever Queenly, Jenny bops Zaza
Well, Jen, getting rid of those guys MCB sent without inflicting bodily harm -- to them or myself -- was just so exhausting.
And you know how Bob wrote -- what do you mean, Bob who? Bob, you remember him, right? -- anyway he wrote: Do you think that’s coincidence? Nothing in a book or movie is done by coincidence.
Well, I think he is giving some of us way too much credit for deliberation. But I got a bunch of words written. Probably too many. Fodder for that editorial process.
Doesn't help that my heroine is irritated that at times I find the CB's more entertaining. And my hero is very unhappy that I can't seem to stop daydreaming about Louis's horse training cowboy progeny. I'll bet they wear dusters.
But, hey, glad to hear I found a way to scare you. [grin]
bw
xtxbeau: blogger is teasing me
MCB: One does not slow down when one is being fired upon. Nor does one execute a right OR left turn at that speed. Not in that car, anyway.
As it is, I'm going to have to find a new mechanic. Had one heck of a time convincing him that requirement about reporting gunshot wounds was only for those inflicted on people, not cars.
And what is this talk of hitting? I am very non-violent. Quite the pacifist. You were the one hitting on them. And, geez, I warned you they had no sense of humour about that kind of thing.
bw
BCB - um that last post was very scary - you feel okay? I'm worried. When was the last time you took your pill?
Pill? What pill?
And who are you and why are you talking to me?
It must be a plot. Hold on, let me get a pen so I can write it down.
bw
Janet Evanovich has a contest where she'll name a character in her book after the winner. I just don't like this, mixing the real world with my fantasy world. It reminds me of product placement in movies.
But that's my only criticism of her books--I'm a major fan.
Also a fan of I, CLAUDIUS. John Hurt as Caligula was unforgettable.
BCB...
You are right! (Though I hate to say that)
Dusters are De riguer for 1880's wear.
They both have them plus gun belts etc...
akvlkvn...green
Term for praraie (sp wide open space) alkalie or whatever
Oh God.
And I suppose your DW trained them to be GAM's while she was whipping you into shape, hm?
Never mind. My brain just exploded.
My heroine is whining that she wants to come visit, too. Sulked off in a pout when I told her I have no idea where you are, except for a left turn off the road. My hero just stalked away, saying he'd meet up with us in the last scene where he just may have to kill everyone still left standing, or whenever we came to our senses, whichever comes first. I threatened to just let the bad guy win and put them out of their misery, but they laughed at me.
See? This is what happens when something captures my imagination and refuses to give it back.
bw