Playlists, IWSG Day, Knitting in Public, and Elephants!

laylists!


I made a playlist back when my characters hosted the writers' houseparty in Constantinople, but for some reason didn't make any other playlists until the houseparty in San Francisco.

Since then, I've made a playlist each time!

Given that our characters come from many different periods, with writers taking their inspiration from all kinds of music and musicians, they make very eclectic lists.

Enjoy!

Constantinople, 1492

San Francisco, 1860

Grand Finale, Christmastime

Never Have I Ever

Today is Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!

This month's question is: What's harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?

The title, I suppose. It takes a bit of research and some thought, as I try to come up with something symbolic to the story, never or hardly ever used before, and with an element of mystery. They're all working titles until they find a publisher, though!

I find both aspects lots of fun. Names usually come quickly, though they might change slightly if I'm using an Anglicised version in my head but realise the character's name needs to be in their own language (this happened with Rose/Rosa and Amelia/Amelie. Magdalena/Mawdlen is also a bit problematic, because I don't think many girls in 15th century Spain were named after Mary Magdalene). I can't really begin to write a character until I have their name, even for secondary characters and walk-on parts. Surnames are lots of fun to research!

As for ROW80 goals, I still haven't caught up on editing. But I have started a new knitting project.

Timely, as Saturday is World Wide Knit in Public Day!

"World Wide Knit in Public Day is the largest Knitter run event in the world. It started in 2005 and is now celebrated in 57 different countries (2016).
The mission is: 'Better Living through stitching together'"

Find a KIP near you!


I've also just discovered this website:
Speak Elephant, hosted by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: An online translator into elephant!

"Founded in 1977 by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E, in honour of the memory of her late husband, famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park, David Leslie William Sheldrick MBE, the DSWT claims a rich and deeply rooted family history in wildlife and conservation.
Mission statement: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that compliment the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife. These include anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown.
At the heart of the DSWT’s conservation activities is the Orphans’ Project, which has achieved world-wide acclaim through its hugely successful elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation program. The Orphans’ Project exists to offer hope for the future of Kenya’s threatened elephant and rhino populations as they struggle against the threat of poaching for their ivory and horn, and the loss of habitat due to human population pressures and conflict, deforestation and drought.
To date the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully hand-raised over 150 infant elephants and has accomplished its long-term conservation priority by effectively reintegrating orphans back into the wild herds of Tsavo, claiming many healthy wild-born calves from former-orphaned elephants raised in our care."

Where do you get your inspiration for book titles or character names?

Can you speak elephant?