Thursday, November 3, 2011

T-shirt

Happy Thmonday, everyone!

As I write this I'm sitting at home but dressed up in my ironed button-down shirt and slacks, trying to decide if I should go into work or just work from home and skip the commute. Either way, I'll probably be spending most of time learning how to write a case statement.

But! This week I have been doing an awful lot of non-non-fiction writing. I had been stuck on the last section of Cyberlama and so had decided to go back to the beginning and work on another draft as I collected more clues about where the story should go. Well, the clues have been collected, and last night in the shower I figured out where I want the story to go. Thinking about the next section of events gives me the chills because I get to dip into the dark side of human nature and show my character's desperation, and so I'm excited to try and write it. And, a new character that I had just introduced, a Belgian scientist, is going to play a rather important role whereas before I thought she was perhaps just a pointless person who I would end up editing out. Now I see her clearly, and she helps to bring the story full circle in a way.

After I realized where I wanted to go, I thought again of a possible title for the book. First, ideas I didn't like came up: sands of time, the last grains, stuff like that. Then, I re-examined my two titles that I at least sort of like, The Monuments and Jacaranda. Then. Then! I thought of a title I liked. Only it wasn't for Cyberlama, but instead was for my other untitled novella that Scott wants me to call The Whole Wide Open. This is the story about a man who abducts a young girl and keeps her locked in the basement for many years. The title that came up amid the steam was The Aging House, or Old House, and I think it can work, but maybe Scott with all of his opinions will disagree with me.

Now I have to decide if I will change back into a T-shirt.
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22 comments:

  1. scott g.f.baileyNovember 3, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    I won't disagree with you using all of my opinions, but I will disagree with you. Mostly because The Whole Wide Open is such a beautiful title and invokes ideas about the future and possibility, where The Aging House seems to close things in, to limit the meaning of the story. Such power I assign to a title. But I'm not the boss of you, Malasarn. And I'm often wrong about these things anyway.

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  2. Davin MalasarnNovember 3, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Well, Bailey, in all fairness I was planning to reread the novella to see if either title really worked. But that's for a later date.

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  3. scott g.f.baileyNovember 3, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    I think you should call the Cyberlama novel Outliving You.

    Frankly, I suck with titles. I hate every title I come up with. I've always been bad at naming things. All of my cats have been named "Cat." All of my rock bands had really dumb names.

    I'm thinking of changing Cocke & Bull to The Tragic History of John Cocke & William Bull. Because a longer title equals a better book, right? Right?

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  4. scott g.f.baileyNovember 3, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Oh, but the important thing: I'm delighted to hear that you have clear, exciting ideas for the book! Go, you!

    T-shirt or suit?

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  5. Davin MalasarnNovember 3, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    I feel like finding titles is more of a philosophical debate than anything else. Which means that I suck at them too. Although I really do like Rooster as a title. I'm still wearing my nice shirt, but mainly because I started working and then didn't want to stop. Now I plan to sketch out some diagrams, and that calls for more comfortable clothing, I think.

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  6. Anne GallagherNovember 3, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    If it matters, I agree with Scott, The Whole Wide Open is a beautiful title with lovely imagery, even though the story seems to be dark.

    I did get dressed up today, but now it's time for yoga pants and and hoodie.

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  7. Davin MalasarnNovember 3, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Thanks for chiming in, Anne. I like the title too. I just don't know that it fits the story.

    Ah, the yoga pants. People seem to think they're comfortable. I don't really know what they are, but I'm imagining ballet tights. But maybe that's because I accidentally went to a ballet class instead of a yoga class?

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  8. Michelle D. ArgyleNovember 3, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    I swear, if I don't get to read that kidnapping book soon, Davin, I'm going to do something rash. Like stop eating chocolate or something. You would die from the guilt, now wouldn't you? I think The Whole Wide Open is a very poetic and beautiful title.

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  9. Michelle D. ArgyleNovember 3, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Now let me read the book!

    *sniff*

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  10. Davin MalasarnNovember 3, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Um...Hi Michelle! I knew I shouldn't have brought up that story, LOL. Okay, I'll take a look at it and send it to you through Lulu soon! (But, hey, aren't we already waiting for Scott's book??)

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  11. Davin MalasarnNovember 3, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Just to be clear, Michelle started it. My only fault is throwing you under the bus.

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  12. scott g.f.baileyNovember 3, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Damn.

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  13. Michelle D. ArgyleNovember 3, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    That better be true, Mr. Bailey! I'm going through withdrawals, you two. I think that's why I've been having these bouts of depression. Seriously.

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  14. scott g.f.baileyNovember 3, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    And yes, Michelle, something new from me soon.

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  15. Davin MalasarnNovember 3, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Scott sends his book to everyone.

    I send my novella to everyone.

    Anne sends yoga pants to everyone.

    Deal?

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  16. scott g.f.baileyNovember 3, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    We still don't know what yoga pants are. I'm waiting for that information before I agree to anything.

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  17. Davin MalasarnNovember 3, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Meanwhile, I'm willing to wear any pants I can get for free.

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  18. dolorahNovember 3, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Oh, I'm jealous; you can decide where/when you want to work . .

    Well, I hope you changed back into the T-shirt :) Sounds like you had lots of good ideas going on. Don't they just show up at the most inopportune moments? I liked The Whole Wide Open, sounds interesting. But I like The Aging House too. I guess you would have to look at your novel premise and see what best relates to the overall concept.

    Titles are not my favorite things about writing; I'm worse at those than beginnings . .

    I hope you made progress at whichever you chose to do today Domey :)

    ........dhole

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  19. dolorahNovember 3, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    Hmm, now that I've read the whole comment thread I feel left out on new book reads . .

    ........dhole

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  20. Davin MalasarnNovember 3, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Ah, Donna, thanks for liking both titles! As for the books, we're doing an exchange. We'll send one book out to anyone who mails us yoga pants.

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  21. AnonymousNovember 4, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    I love the moments where everything comes together in your mind. That makes writing so thrilling. Suddenly, all the little clues your subconscious was leaving fit somewhere! Awesome! And good luck with settling on titles; I'm struggling through a few of those, too. :)

    ~Ashlee
    http://ashleesch.com
    http://theDragonsHoard.bigcartel.com

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  22. AnonymousNovember 6, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    I think you should go to work somewhere where they'll let you wear a t-shirt occasionally. Personally, I dress down and keep a suit in my office for emergencies.

    Titles - The Whole Wide Open is something I want to read! Not so sure about Cyberlama.

    ReplyDelete

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