Writerly Ways

What’s in a name? A great deal really. It’s our sense of self. I’ve already blogged about picking names for characters, or at least avoiding picking really silly ones. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my non-erotica pen name. I need to make a decision soon. There are a least two stories that I could put out there for publication that are not erotica and it would be nice to have them under what I hope will be a name to use in the future.

Picking the erotica name wasn’t as hard. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how successful that I would be at it (more than I thought as it turns out) but I had always rather liked one of my Great-Grandmother’s name ‘Jana.’ Denardo is another Great Granny’s surname. I had thought to use Concetta (I’ll be keeping my actual surname).

I mentioned this to my parents since hey, this would be the name they could actually tell their friends to look for. Mom seemed unimpressed and suggested I use her grandmother’s name, Guiseppine. I’m guessing she probably means for me to use Josephine, which is what we called Great Grandma. I, on the other hand, am less thrilled with it. Maddelena was another suggestion. I like that name. In fact, it’s the name of my vampire protagonist in Machiavelli Moon. Hmmm what to do, what to do.

Names are an interesting thing. Mom and her brother are cleaning out Grandma’s house and repainting it and otherwise bringing it up to code for the inevitable sell-off once she passes (she is 96). They found out that Grandma’s brother, Al’s, real name was Libertino. Grandma’s name is NOT Assunta on her birth certificate but rather, Santa and her name appears differently on the birth records for her three kids. We just learned the Italian surname of Mr. Christie, Great Granny’s second (or was he the third?) husband but mom and dad have yet to email me the spelling.

I need to decide what name my stories will (hopefully) be sold under. Naming is always the hardest part.

Yearly word count

4861 / 75000 words. 6% done!

Machiavelli Moon & Until the Ice Breaks & Splinters – all untouched.

Need to check the word count limits but it's probably around these...

Geek love -

2296 / 10000 words. 23% done!

Scarred -

1742 / 10000 words. 17% done!

making up work & weight off

I have a series of towels I believe are now cursed. two weeks ago the dryer they were in didn't dry so I circulated them right back into the wash last week. The dryer worked but still didn't dry these towels (I'm highly allergic to mildew/mold so I need my towels to DRY). Today the washer didn't wring out and they're STILL not dried. I put them outside since it was warm and sunny. Nothing like an air dried towel. Might as well dry off with sand paper. shudders. And they SMELL. Not sure if that was outside or if it was from the washer. head meet wall.

I'm working on a lecture and the course proposal in between cleaning up house. didn't make much progress on anything, let alone the writing. sigh.

I did forget to put this on my writing blog.
writing a press release It's geared for the indie author but a lot of ebook and self pubbers might find it helpful.

Mom just sent over step-Great Grandpa's actual name (instead of Jim Christie) Concezio Carestia


As for the weight off, one week of exercise = one pound gained. bite me body.

okay back to work.

BTW am I the only one who didn't hate Madonna's performance??

ETA - My rotator cuff muscles have been in a spasm causing me much pain, costing me sleep and puttnig me in a very crabby, depressed mood