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

Playlists!


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!










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?

Comments

Tamara Narayan said…
I'm a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but not that particular song since the overplaying on the radios back in the day kinda killed it for me.

Every time I'm in Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics, I linger in the yarn section, wishing I knew how to knit. It's on my bucket list for sure. Beautiful piece you finished there.
Interesting mix of music.
A publisher might change it so just as well you don't get too attached to a title.
Chrys Fey said…
I struggle with the names of minor characters and tend to put in a blank line like this _______ just so I can keep on writing. But I can only do that for one character or else that would get confusing. lol
Crystal Collier said…
I love music mixes! It's crazy how varied a book's soundtrack can be, eh?

Titles for me too. Glad that burden falls on the publisher.
Hi Deniz - lots to knit for now ...?! love those colours. I can't knit for toffee ... but excellent to see so many groups being set up on Saturday - they'll garner loads of interested learners ...

Devising blog titles nobbles me sometimes ... but not as essential as getting them right for one's books - good luck with all things - cheers Hilary
Denise Covey said…
Hey Deniz, I came by to tell you WEP's prompt this month is UNRAVELED YARN. I thought of you with the knitting and how wonderful it would be if you could post a non-fiction article about knitting! Hope you have the time/inclination! Posts are June 20...details at WEP or on my blog.

Denise
dolorah said…
Its been a long time for me also in creating a play list. Though, I think I've only done it once. Fun to do, takes up time. Now I just listen to music. Ugh, now I need to see what music is on my computer!
Beth Camp said…
Nice mix of thoughts for this month's IWSG. I just discovered writing to music with my current project, so I don't have playlists yet, but I enjoyed listening to yours. Saloon music! Fun!
I like that there are organizations out there that help animals; it makes me feel good to know that there are good people out there who have devoted their lives to helping them. I donate money sometimes to one animal rescue organization in particular, Hope for Paws; they have a YouTube channel that shows them rescuing animals.
Titles are hard for me to come up with too. I heard a former editor from the New Yorker say once that writers could use specific lines or objects from their stories as the title, and I liked that idea.
Deniz Bevan said…
Belated thanks, all! Now I'm hunting for names for Santiago and Magdalena's story!