Eliza Lloyd's Blog, page 19
June 26, 2012
Gentleman's Pocket Book of Etiquette
Servants
There are a few things that denote the gentleman more than the manner of speaking to a servant; decision without haughtiness, condescension without familiarity, kindness with dignity, will always characterize the address of a gentleman to his dependents.
Never speak superciliously or passionately to a servant; commands given with mildness will be cheerfully obeyed; and especially avoid an imperative style of speaking to the servants of another. In requesting them to hand you anything, preface the desire with “I will thank you for so and so.” Your tone and manner must indicate that the deference is paid to your sense of propriety, and that the request is to be complied with as a matter of course.
If during a party, your servant is peculiarly awkward, do not scold or speak harshly; but if his conduct requires reproof, reserve it to a more convenient opportunity.
Servants should wait at table in white gloves.
Hiring Servants
Lady's Maid
June 13, 2012
Courtesan's Passion
Great news! The second book in the purchased woman series is titled "Courtesan's Passion."
This is the story of the depraved Lord Dane, first introduced in the novella, Another Lover. This is a full length novel instead, as Dane is a dark and complicated character who is daunted by the light of his new courtesan, Christina Turnbow.
Dane capitalizes on Christina's desperation, turning a single opportunity into a chance to have the beautiful but reluctant woman who fascinates him. He is willing to go to any lengths to keep her when all she wishes is to protect her family from financial ruin.
This is the story of the depraved Lord Dane, first introduced in the novella, Another Lover. This is a full length novel instead, as Dane is a dark and complicated character who is daunted by the light of his new courtesan, Christina Turnbow.
Dane capitalizes on Christina's desperation, turning a single opportunity into a chance to have the beautiful but reluctant woman who fascinates him. He is willing to go to any lengths to keep her when all she wishes is to protect her family from financial ruin.
June 2, 2012
Etiquette for Gentlemen 1840 England: Dueling
I really do need to write a novel with a smashing duel scene!
Page 73:
It has been suggested to me that as Duel is essentially a matter of Etiquette, it should not be unnoticed, and that as ignorance is the parent of mischief, in other cases, it is likely to prove so in this. I am aware, however, that on this subject, so strong is the prejudice of some minds, that is admission to these pages may be condemned. After however maturely weighing the for and against, I have resolved on devoting a chapter thereto, being convinced from much observation and many opportunities, that more meetings arise out of ignorance in this particular than from any other cause. I must now most unqualifiedly protest against the practice of DUEL, even while I fear it cannot be abolished, except by the legislature.
Page 77:A gentleman is always cool, or rather, never appears in passion in the society of ladies. A man of courage is always collected, and if accustomed to good society will never outrage its feelings, unless brutally attacked; then of course he may be allowed to repel brute force, by the like, the same as he would resist the attack of a highwayman in the presence of ladies, however alarmed they might be; he however who could calmly receive a blow, with the cool determination of clearing the disgrace at the proper opportunity, would undoubtedly the most entitled to the appellation of a perfect gentleman.
Well, more to come later on the proper etiquette or dueling.
This is all from Wikipedia on some famous British and Irish Duels during the early 19th Century.
1803: Captain James Macnamara and Colonel Montgomery; over a dispute between their dogs fighting in Hyde Park. Both were wounded, Montgomery mortally. Macnamara was tried for manslaughter at the Old Bailey but was acquitted.[13]1804: Captain Best fatally wounded Thomas Pitt, 2nd Baron Camelford. He died three days later.[14]1807: Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet and James Pauli; both men were wounded.1808: Major Campbell and Captain Boyd; Major Campbell was tried and executed for killing Captain Boyd.1809: George Canning and Lord Castlereagh; Canning was slightly wounded.1815: Daniel O'Connell and Captain John Norcot d'Esterre; d'Esterre was killed.[15]1821: John Scott and Jonathon Henry Christie. Scott was the founder and editor of the London Magazine . The duel was born out of the Cockney School controversy. John Gibson Lockhart had been abusing many of Scott's contributors in Blackwood's Magazine (under a pseudonym (Z), as was then common). In May 1820, Scott began a series of counter-articles, which provoked Lockhart into calling him "a liar and a scoundrel". In February 1820, Lockhart's London agent, J.H. Christie, made a provocative statement, and Scott challenged him. They met on 16 February 1821, at a farm between Camden Town and Hampstead. Christie did not fire in the first round, but there was a misunderstanding between the seconds, resulting in a second round. Scott was hit in the abdomen, and died 11 days later. Christie and his second were tried for willful murder and acquitted; the collection for Scott's family was a notable radical cause.1822: Richard Temple-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford.[12]1824: The 3rd Marquess of Londonderry and Ensign Battier; Battier was a cornet in the Marquess' regiment. When Battier's pistol misfired, he declined the offer of another shot and left. He was later horsewhipped by the Marquess' second Sir Henry Hardinge.1826: David Landale, a linen merchant from Kirkcaldy, duelled with his bank manager, George Morgan, who had slandered his business reputation. This was the last duel to be fought on Scottish soil; George Morgan, a trained soldier, was shot through the chest and mortally wounded by Landale, who had never before held a pistol. Landale was tried for murder but found not guilty. The subject of a book "Duel" by his descendant James Landale.1829: The Duke of Wellington and the 10th Earl of Winchilsea; both aimed wide.1835: Mr Roebuck and Mr Black, editor of the Morning Chronicle 1835: William Arden, 2nd Baron Alvanley and Morgan O'Connell, son of Daniel O'Connell. Alvanley asserted that Morgan's father had been "purchased" by William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne on his accession to the office of Prime Minister, O'Connell retorted by calling Alvanley "a bloated buffoon".1839: The 3rd Marquess of Londonderry and Henry Gratton1840: James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan and Captain Harvey Garnett Phipps Tuckett; Captain Tuckett was wounded. Cardigan was arrested, tried in the House of Lords and was acquitted.[16]1840: Prince Louis Napoleon and Charles, Count Léon; Police arrived to prevent the duel; both men were arrested and taken to Bow Street Prison.1843: Colonel Fawcett and Lieutenant Monro, in Camden; Colonel Fawcett was killed.1845: Lieutenant Henry Hawkey, Royal Marines, and Captain James Alexander Seton, British Army ; Captain Seton died on 2 June. This was the last recorded fatal duel fought in England. This is recorded in other sites as having taken place at Browndown Camp, Gosport, Hampshire.
Page 73:
It has been suggested to me that as Duel is essentially a matter of Etiquette, it should not be unnoticed, and that as ignorance is the parent of mischief, in other cases, it is likely to prove so in this. I am aware, however, that on this subject, so strong is the prejudice of some minds, that is admission to these pages may be condemned. After however maturely weighing the for and against, I have resolved on devoting a chapter thereto, being convinced from much observation and many opportunities, that more meetings arise out of ignorance in this particular than from any other cause. I must now most unqualifiedly protest against the practice of DUEL, even while I fear it cannot be abolished, except by the legislature.
Page 77:A gentleman is always cool, or rather, never appears in passion in the society of ladies. A man of courage is always collected, and if accustomed to good society will never outrage its feelings, unless brutally attacked; then of course he may be allowed to repel brute force, by the like, the same as he would resist the attack of a highwayman in the presence of ladies, however alarmed they might be; he however who could calmly receive a blow, with the cool determination of clearing the disgrace at the proper opportunity, would undoubtedly the most entitled to the appellation of a perfect gentleman.
Well, more to come later on the proper etiquette or dueling.
This is all from Wikipedia on some famous British and Irish Duels during the early 19th Century.
1803: Captain James Macnamara and Colonel Montgomery; over a dispute between their dogs fighting in Hyde Park. Both were wounded, Montgomery mortally. Macnamara was tried for manslaughter at the Old Bailey but was acquitted.[13]1804: Captain Best fatally wounded Thomas Pitt, 2nd Baron Camelford. He died three days later.[14]1807: Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet and James Pauli; both men were wounded.1808: Major Campbell and Captain Boyd; Major Campbell was tried and executed for killing Captain Boyd.1809: George Canning and Lord Castlereagh; Canning was slightly wounded.1815: Daniel O'Connell and Captain John Norcot d'Esterre; d'Esterre was killed.[15]1821: John Scott and Jonathon Henry Christie. Scott was the founder and editor of the London Magazine . The duel was born out of the Cockney School controversy. John Gibson Lockhart had been abusing many of Scott's contributors in Blackwood's Magazine (under a pseudonym (Z), as was then common). In May 1820, Scott began a series of counter-articles, which provoked Lockhart into calling him "a liar and a scoundrel". In February 1820, Lockhart's London agent, J.H. Christie, made a provocative statement, and Scott challenged him. They met on 16 February 1821, at a farm between Camden Town and Hampstead. Christie did not fire in the first round, but there was a misunderstanding between the seconds, resulting in a second round. Scott was hit in the abdomen, and died 11 days later. Christie and his second were tried for willful murder and acquitted; the collection for Scott's family was a notable radical cause.1822: Richard Temple-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford.[12]1824: The 3rd Marquess of Londonderry and Ensign Battier; Battier was a cornet in the Marquess' regiment. When Battier's pistol misfired, he declined the offer of another shot and left. He was later horsewhipped by the Marquess' second Sir Henry Hardinge.1826: David Landale, a linen merchant from Kirkcaldy, duelled with his bank manager, George Morgan, who had slandered his business reputation. This was the last duel to be fought on Scottish soil; George Morgan, a trained soldier, was shot through the chest and mortally wounded by Landale, who had never before held a pistol. Landale was tried for murder but found not guilty. The subject of a book "Duel" by his descendant James Landale.1829: The Duke of Wellington and the 10th Earl of Winchilsea; both aimed wide.1835: Mr Roebuck and Mr Black, editor of the Morning Chronicle 1835: William Arden, 2nd Baron Alvanley and Morgan O'Connell, son of Daniel O'Connell. Alvanley asserted that Morgan's father had been "purchased" by William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne on his accession to the office of Prime Minister, O'Connell retorted by calling Alvanley "a bloated buffoon".1839: The 3rd Marquess of Londonderry and Henry Gratton1840: James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan and Captain Harvey Garnett Phipps Tuckett; Captain Tuckett was wounded. Cardigan was arrested, tried in the House of Lords and was acquitted.[16]1840: Prince Louis Napoleon and Charles, Count Léon; Police arrived to prevent the duel; both men were arrested and taken to Bow Street Prison.1843: Colonel Fawcett and Lieutenant Monro, in Camden; Colonel Fawcett was killed.1845: Lieutenant Henry Hawkey, Royal Marines, and Captain James Alexander Seton, British Army ; Captain Seton died on 2 June. This was the last recorded fatal duel fought in England. This is recorded in other sites as having taken place at Browndown Camp, Gosport, Hampshire.
May 20, 2012
Wicked Desires Free Ebook through June 3rd
STARTING TOMORROW!Ellora's Cave is generously offering a two week freebie of my eBook Wicked Desires. This is the first book in the Wicked Affairs series.
This freebie is available between May 21st through June 3rd exclusively at Ellora's Cave. Just click the link below and it's all yours.
Book Two: Wicked Temptation and Book Three: Wicked Lord are also available for purchase.
And if that's not amazing enough, my new release Best Served Cold, a romantic suspense set in Athens, Greece is available on May 23rd at EC or other retailers such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
LINK: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-676-eliz...
This link takes you to my author page, just click the ebook you are interested in.
May 19, 2012
Best Served Cold
Release day is just around the corner.
I must tell you that Best Served Cold was a labor of love. During the editing process, which were arduous, I explained to my editor that this was the transitional book for me. It was the one, that when I finished, I knew that someday I would be published. Perhaps not this book itself, but it was the first time I'd said, IT IS GOOD.
Strangely, I had this book read and critted by nearly every person I knew AND it has had the toughest editing process of all books I've done. Again, I think it was because I started with one set of skill sets and those skills evolved as I wrote the book.
Yes, this one is an emotional release.
What is better is that Best Served Cold is the first book of seven in the COLD PLAY series.The protagonists in BSC, Evan Jahnning and Dr. Keefe Pearson are the stars in three of the seven. Keefe is an archaeologist and I really want to keep on writing about her. She has been one of my favorite heroines - strong, beautiful, intelligent with a touch of attitude and a whole lot of love for the one man she shouldn't be loving.
Well, I'm looking forward to Wednesday and hearing what you all think of this book and my ability as a romantic suspense author.
Isn't this a great cover? The talented Dar Albert just keeps on shattering my expectations.
And some side notes, the next book in the series On Thin Ice has a cover. Check it out. Secondly, the newest m.s. in the Wicked Affairs series, tentatively titled Wicked Secrets is done! Now for some crit/edits and it will be submitted to my editor. More about this book in an upcoming post, but I will tell that I think I have done a credible job of taking an irredeemable hero and turning him into a keeper - and some super-tough subject matter for an erotica.
I must tell you that Best Served Cold was a labor of love. During the editing process, which were arduous, I explained to my editor that this was the transitional book for me. It was the one, that when I finished, I knew that someday I would be published. Perhaps not this book itself, but it was the first time I'd said, IT IS GOOD.
Strangely, I had this book read and critted by nearly every person I knew AND it has had the toughest editing process of all books I've done. Again, I think it was because I started with one set of skill sets and those skills evolved as I wrote the book.
Yes, this one is an emotional release.
What is better is that Best Served Cold is the first book of seven in the COLD PLAY series.The protagonists in BSC, Evan Jahnning and Dr. Keefe Pearson are the stars in three of the seven. Keefe is an archaeologist and I really want to keep on writing about her. She has been one of my favorite heroines - strong, beautiful, intelligent with a touch of attitude and a whole lot of love for the one man she shouldn't be loving.
Well, I'm looking forward to Wednesday and hearing what you all think of this book and my ability as a romantic suspense author.
Isn't this a great cover? The talented Dar Albert just keeps on shattering my expectations.
And some side notes, the next book in the series On Thin Ice has a cover. Check it out. Secondly, the newest m.s. in the Wicked Affairs series, tentatively titled Wicked Secrets is done! Now for some crit/edits and it will be submitted to my editor. More about this book in an upcoming post, but I will tell that I think I have done a credible job of taking an irredeemable hero and turning him into a keeper - and some super-tough subject matter for an erotica.
May 4, 2012
Best Served Cold Release Day
Are there better words than "Release Day?"
Possibly... Free Chocolate. David Gandy wants me. You've won the lottery.
Okay, it's not the top thing but it is close.
Yes, folks, release day for Best Served Cold is finally here: May 23, 2012. BSC is the first installment of seven in the Cold Play Series, featuring Dr. Keefe Pearson, the archaeologist heroine, and her cold as ice lover, Evan Jahnning.
Their attraction is immediate, but Keefe suspects his motives. Evan, on the other hand, thinks her bed is the only place he can learn all her secrets.
Can't wait to hear what you think.
It's a cold, hard world. Good thing the heat is on.
Possibly... Free Chocolate. David Gandy wants me. You've won the lottery.
Okay, it's not the top thing but it is close.
Yes, folks, release day for Best Served Cold is finally here: May 23, 2012. BSC is the first installment of seven in the Cold Play Series, featuring Dr. Keefe Pearson, the archaeologist heroine, and her cold as ice lover, Evan Jahnning.
Their attraction is immediate, but Keefe suspects his motives. Evan, on the other hand, thinks her bed is the only place he can learn all her secrets.
Can't wait to hear what you think.
It's a cold, hard world. Good thing the heat is on.
April 28, 2012
Things to do before Doomsday
I thought New Year's resolutions would be a waste of time this year, since a resolution implies that I'll make a firm decision to do something. And well, we all know I won't. Decision-making is for wimps anyway.
We only have until December 21st to get all of those things done that must get done so it's time to prioritize. Therefore I contemplate the following:
1. Eat more chocolate. There is no reason not to have a strong heart come doomsday.
2. Exercise less. I still have several series to complete on Netflix and exercise would take away from that time.
3. Have lunch with David Gandy. After this momentous event, I might not mind dying anyway. Bring it on, Mayans.
4. Read all of Charles Dickens' works. All of it. As long as I can still watch Netflix.
5. Use the balance of my sick time at EDJ. I have approximately 107 days built up, which if I calculate correctly, means my last day of work will be June 6th. More time for Netflix and Charles Dickens.
6. Finish writing my great American novel. When I'm done I'm going to feel so good because it will never need to be edited! I plan to finish the day before Doomsday so I can twitter about it before the world ends.
7. Sky dive. I will do this right after I finish the novel because if I my 'chute doesn't open, there was only one more day to live anyhow.
8. Finish War and Peace.
9. Reach 5,000 followers on Facebook (or Twitter.) You can help now BTW.
10. Tell everyone I know that I love them. I love you, guys!
And speaking of gods. Doomsday requires plenty of David.
We only have until December 21st to get all of those things done that must get done so it's time to prioritize. Therefore I contemplate the following:
1. Eat more chocolate. There is no reason not to have a strong heart come doomsday.
2. Exercise less. I still have several series to complete on Netflix and exercise would take away from that time.
3. Have lunch with David Gandy. After this momentous event, I might not mind dying anyway. Bring it on, Mayans.
4. Read all of Charles Dickens' works. All of it. As long as I can still watch Netflix.
5. Use the balance of my sick time at EDJ. I have approximately 107 days built up, which if I calculate correctly, means my last day of work will be June 6th. More time for Netflix and Charles Dickens.
6. Finish writing my great American novel. When I'm done I'm going to feel so good because it will never need to be edited! I plan to finish the day before Doomsday so I can twitter about it before the world ends.
7. Sky dive. I will do this right after I finish the novel because if I my 'chute doesn't open, there was only one more day to live anyhow.
8. Finish War and Peace.
9. Reach 5,000 followers on Facebook (or Twitter.) You can help now BTW.
10. Tell everyone I know that I love them. I love you, guys!
And speaking of gods. Doomsday requires plenty of David.
April 26, 2012
Tell A Story Blog Hop
I NEVER KNEW
An original short story by Eliza Lloyd
I was arrested, tried and convicted of killing a man I never knew.
The lengthy investigation flamed, stalled, sputtered. My neighbors spoke in whispered concern and outright lies. I listened. I heard. I thought I was aware of every aspect of the inquiry into the double homicide.
A crime of passion was how most people described the troubling episode.
No one paid a bit of attention to me until someone remembered they’d seen me with him.
But I was still surprised when they came for me. A knock on the door. A warrant for my arrest. A phone call. Ridiculously high bail. And then the waiting.
My defense attorney, a bright and shiny advocate fresh from law school, stood by me. He assured me that the jury would never believe I had a thing to do with this murder. He said I had a certain air of innocence and naiveté. My alibi was weak, but then anyone who lived alone would have the same predicament.
The victim was found naked, in bed with a woman of astounding beauty. There was no mistaking the man’s reason for being there. Do I need to mention that she was also naked? And stone-cold dead?
Opportunity? We lived in the same apartment complex. I thought it seemed like a nice place to live when I’d moved in two years ago—close to work, near the mall and my favorite restaurant.
Means? The crime scene photos caused me to turn away. They weren’t gruesome, just passionate. A single shot in the head for her. A single shot through the heart for him. Based on the blood smatterings, they thought he’d been killed after the woman. Perhaps he’d turned to beg mercy from the killer. Perhaps he laughed. Would anyone ever know?
Bang?
Bang, bang.
Motive? During the trial, they said he was a professional gambler and cheat. They said he used women to get what he wanted. They said I was typical of his victims.
Other photos were displayed. Him with other women. Him without a care.
They said the case was all about him.
The case revolved around circumstantial evidence, and I began to feel relief that the end was in sight. My attorney had thought he was cock of the walk, until two days before the trial ended when a search warrant had turned up the gun used to kill them. Him, really. She was just an afterthought. They’d found the gun where I had hidden it. Inside his casket.
I had worked at the mortuary in charge of his funeral. Possession of the gun would have been something of a problem to explain. My anxiety had fled in a moment of crazed relief as I’d read the clipboard with the duty assignments. After the autopsy, his body had been sent to me.
I don’t know about poetic justice. Perhaps it would have been, had I gotten away with the crime.
Typical of his victims? No. His other victims had let him get away with the swindle and heartbreak. His other victims would quietly nurse their wounded pride while he went about the business of emptying bank accounts, ruining lives and living large on other women’s ignorant generosity.
My grandmother always said we were a family of passionate women.
I found out the night I killed him, she was right.
Even though he was my lover, I never knew him.
Thanks for stopping by TELL A STORY Blog Hop. Don't forget to leave a comment. Here is the link to the rest of the hop participants:
And back to Allison's blog where you can also track through: http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com...
An original short story by Eliza Lloyd
I was arrested, tried and convicted of killing a man I never knew.
The lengthy investigation flamed, stalled, sputtered. My neighbors spoke in whispered concern and outright lies. I listened. I heard. I thought I was aware of every aspect of the inquiry into the double homicide.
A crime of passion was how most people described the troubling episode.
No one paid a bit of attention to me until someone remembered they’d seen me with him.
But I was still surprised when they came for me. A knock on the door. A warrant for my arrest. A phone call. Ridiculously high bail. And then the waiting.
My defense attorney, a bright and shiny advocate fresh from law school, stood by me. He assured me that the jury would never believe I had a thing to do with this murder. He said I had a certain air of innocence and naiveté. My alibi was weak, but then anyone who lived alone would have the same predicament.
The victim was found naked, in bed with a woman of astounding beauty. There was no mistaking the man’s reason for being there. Do I need to mention that she was also naked? And stone-cold dead?
Opportunity? We lived in the same apartment complex. I thought it seemed like a nice place to live when I’d moved in two years ago—close to work, near the mall and my favorite restaurant.
Means? The crime scene photos caused me to turn away. They weren’t gruesome, just passionate. A single shot in the head for her. A single shot through the heart for him. Based on the blood smatterings, they thought he’d been killed after the woman. Perhaps he’d turned to beg mercy from the killer. Perhaps he laughed. Would anyone ever know?
Bang?
Bang, bang.
Motive? During the trial, they said he was a professional gambler and cheat. They said he used women to get what he wanted. They said I was typical of his victims.
Other photos were displayed. Him with other women. Him without a care.
They said the case was all about him.
The case revolved around circumstantial evidence, and I began to feel relief that the end was in sight. My attorney had thought he was cock of the walk, until two days before the trial ended when a search warrant had turned up the gun used to kill them. Him, really. She was just an afterthought. They’d found the gun where I had hidden it. Inside his casket.
I had worked at the mortuary in charge of his funeral. Possession of the gun would have been something of a problem to explain. My anxiety had fled in a moment of crazed relief as I’d read the clipboard with the duty assignments. After the autopsy, his body had been sent to me.
I don’t know about poetic justice. Perhaps it would have been, had I gotten away with the crime.
Typical of his victims? No. His other victims had let him get away with the swindle and heartbreak. His other victims would quietly nurse their wounded pride while he went about the business of emptying bank accounts, ruining lives and living large on other women’s ignorant generosity.
My grandmother always said we were a family of passionate women.
I found out the night I killed him, she was right.
Even though he was my lover, I never knew him.
Thanks for stopping by TELL A STORY Blog Hop. Don't forget to leave a comment. Here is the link to the rest of the hop participants:
And back to Allison's blog where you can also track through: http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com...
Writing Means Editing. Accept It.
The writer's journey is filled with...edits! And everytime I write on the blog, the real decision is whether to post beautiful men or talk about writing. Writing wins this time though I am giving you a David Gandy treat at the end.
Edits. Every writer has them. Every writer handles them differently.
I don’t have a formal procedure for handling edits but I do have a process. It all starts with the writing of the manuscript. I tend to edit as I go, down to the punctuation. I do not like to finish a sentence that is not as polished as it can be. Each sentence has the exact period, quotation marks at the end.
Now, if you were to ask my editor what my main problem is, she would probably tell you that it is the comma. She wouldn’t like the comma I used after the word now. Some of this is house style, but I haven’t gotten used to it. Yet.
Descriptive tags at the end of my sentence don’t exist. If I write ten tags during the writing of a manuscript, I would be surprised. I tend to avoid them all together. I think the dialogue is much snappier without any sort of identifier. If it is a long conversation, I will include a “he said” in the middle of it as a reminder of who is talking and to keep the reader focused.
One of my favorite examples of a descriptive tag is used by Ken Follett who wrote Pillars of the Earth. In this monster novel, he used this phrase twice and it jumped and screamed at me both times.
…” she said techily.
I had to look it up! It means: peevishly, fretfully, irritably.
I also pay particular attention to the end of my sentences, paragraphs and scenes. I do not like pronouns at the end of a sentence. “He didn’t mean anything to her.” Well, if you are in “her” POV, why include it?
Do you see that “it” I just wrote? I hate ending sentences with it. There I did it again. Why not turn that boring old phrase by transforming the “it?”
For example, “I hate ending sentences with the most boring and trite of all phrases.” I love the amp factor that replacement words can provide.
Once I’m done writing, another of my secrets is to add one more sentence to each page of my manuscript only it must be an emotional sentence – something that adds feeling and depth to my characters. Well, I’m not saying it works, just something I do during the editing process.
Oh, and I just thought of something else my editor would probably chide me for. The echo. I am stunned by the number of times I will reuse the same word within close proximity. It must be a brain function. A phrase may get locked in your brain as you write and then it’s the first one you grab when you need another quick word. Surely, there is a study that helps explain this phenomenon.
Having a clean first draft is the most important reward I can give myself as an author.
Well, happy writing folks.
And for those of you who made it to the end, check out your reward below – the beautiful David Gandy.
And my next two book covers... What do you think?
Edits. Every writer has them. Every writer handles them differently.
I don’t have a formal procedure for handling edits but I do have a process. It all starts with the writing of the manuscript. I tend to edit as I go, down to the punctuation. I do not like to finish a sentence that is not as polished as it can be. Each sentence has the exact period, quotation marks at the end.
Now, if you were to ask my editor what my main problem is, she would probably tell you that it is the comma. She wouldn’t like the comma I used after the word now. Some of this is house style, but I haven’t gotten used to it. Yet.
Descriptive tags at the end of my sentence don’t exist. If I write ten tags during the writing of a manuscript, I would be surprised. I tend to avoid them all together. I think the dialogue is much snappier without any sort of identifier. If it is a long conversation, I will include a “he said” in the middle of it as a reminder of who is talking and to keep the reader focused.
One of my favorite examples of a descriptive tag is used by Ken Follett who wrote Pillars of the Earth. In this monster novel, he used this phrase twice and it jumped and screamed at me both times.
…” she said techily.
I had to look it up! It means: peevishly, fretfully, irritably.
I also pay particular attention to the end of my sentences, paragraphs and scenes. I do not like pronouns at the end of a sentence. “He didn’t mean anything to her.” Well, if you are in “her” POV, why include it?
Do you see that “it” I just wrote? I hate ending sentences with it. There I did it again. Why not turn that boring old phrase by transforming the “it?”
For example, “I hate ending sentences with the most boring and trite of all phrases.” I love the amp factor that replacement words can provide.
Once I’m done writing, another of my secrets is to add one more sentence to each page of my manuscript only it must be an emotional sentence – something that adds feeling and depth to my characters. Well, I’m not saying it works, just something I do during the editing process.
Oh, and I just thought of something else my editor would probably chide me for. The echo. I am stunned by the number of times I will reuse the same word within close proximity. It must be a brain function. A phrase may get locked in your brain as you write and then it’s the first one you grab when you need another quick word. Surely, there is a study that helps explain this phenomenon.
Having a clean first draft is the most important reward I can give myself as an author.
Well, happy writing folks.
And for those of you who made it to the end, check out your reward below – the beautiful David Gandy.
And my next two book covers... What do you think?
April 6, 2012
Words With Editor
Here's a silly post.
I played Words With Friends today - with my editor! She spanked me, but I must say it does give me even more confidence in my editor's abilities. There is something comforting about knowing the person who is evaluating your work has a strong command of the written word!
Here's the end puzzle. She killed me at the end with AFOOT and GAMINE when I was sitting with a tray full of vowels! Rematch.
I played Words With Friends today - with my editor! She spanked me, but I must say it does give me even more confidence in my editor's abilities. There is something comforting about knowing the person who is evaluating your work has a strong command of the written word!
Here's the end puzzle. She killed me at the end with AFOOT and GAMINE when I was sitting with a tray full of vowels! Rematch.
