Hello, and welcome to a another weekend selfie.
My, how the weeks fly by. And always they are punctuated by what we in the UK call 'bank holidays'. Easter has thankfully come and gone, but not the eggs that proliferate everywhere at this time. Strangely, our hens went on strike for a few days over the easter period. No doubt pleased that the chocolate variety had taken some of the strain from them.
Anyway, without further thoughts of tin foil coated chocolate eggs, no doubt laid by startled chocolate chickens and delivered by chocolate rabbits, Mrs H has confirmed she and I have a small stash, or rather 'clutch', of eggs in the fridge to see us through to next year.
We here at the Manor House have been hard at work. Mrs H and I have been writing as well as editing. It is a tricky time as it is hard to settle on writing book three of my adventures whilst awaiting the imminent return of book two line edits from our editor proper.
If any of you good folks have ever done research for a book, or for that matter, any sort of work, you will know the pleasures and pains involved. As a teaser, well, a bit of one, let us explain. Book three of our adventures sees Mrs H and I heading abroad for a much needed rest after the trials and pains of book two.
The location is around Africa/Middle east. The time, 1923. Authenticity is key to any work, fact or fiction. So those places we visit/mention need to be correctly described, named and also located/placed for the period.
What a ride it has been to cross reference names, places, and descriptions. You'd have thought something as simple as a bridge would have a name that ran through, if not centuries then decades, right? Of course the answer is a resounding 'WRONG'. If it wasn't for the fact that this particular bridge is interesting, then we would have given it a miss.
So plough on we did and soon discovered the bridge had been tinkered with and rebuilt and renamed three times, as well as having many local names as a result. None of the names are wrong, but each isn't definitive. When local historians can't even decide what a place is called, no doubt because local documents can't decide either, then there is little chance of a humble writer getting it exact, either.
Fortunately, unlike many other places in the story, it hasn't moved, at least not that much.
Finally, for all the research that Mrs H and I have done, we know very little will be actually used in the final account of our adventure. Enough that it whets the taste buds without weighing it down. Also enough to satisfies the strictest of the very few readers that will pick the book up and say: "Ah, but it wasn't called that then."
Due diligence is a long process. It sometimes involves making trade-offs, balancing, if not hard facts, then slightly soft facts against the need for people to be able to relate to modern times and places. At least for fictional works.
We have even had to do due diligence on a fictional beast. Now that might sound strange, but you have to be able to say that its appearance doesn't conflict with anything else.
For all the woes, stress and strain, it makes for a wonderful conclusion and great feeling, to see the book out there in the world.
So without further ado, and with the utmost due diligence, I give you ME!
We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, from the Cat on My Head blog in America. Click this sentence to visit Janet Blue's site.
Till Laters!
ERin
That is a beautiful selfie.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your new book in the future. So many names vary through the years, either local spelling or name but that doesn't worry me. What infuriates me is poor grammar and thoughtless spelling. Our local newspaper was dreadful for that. What happened to proof reading?
I don't use spellcheck as it tried to tell me to spell the American way. I always check my comments, posts, emails etc. before I send. Yes, I may occasionally miss something, and if I do I get annoyed with myself. I have started to go off track, but good luck with the new book.
Thank you. The one body you would think would get it right, often gets it wrong. Between some dyslexia, dyscalculia and various word checking tools, we do try to get it right. But even so, we do get it wrong. Spell checkers do need to be reset to English English rather than American English, but even so, we get the strangest of suggestions.
DeleteThank you. Book two is hoped for later this year, and book three next.
ERin
Furrst of all, ERin, that is a beautiful selfie. You are furry mewtiful! And second - We look forward to your new book!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, that is most kind. We will let everyone know when the book is finally out. Till then, and charitable works permitting, we will not be as frequent visitors to the blogosphere.
DeletePurrs
ERin
Nice selfie! And best of wishes for your new book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, on both counts. May your week be full of happiness and light, and the bowls full, too.
DeleteERin
Princess ERin, we are now intrigued by the mentioned bridge! We will wait impatiently to read all in the new book. You definitely deserve a real vacation now.
ReplyDeleteAh, well, I didn't mean to infer so. But, when the book comes out, that bridge will be there for all to enjoy. As to vacations, well, yes I do need another. Mrs H says that a hard week's worth of work does not need ANOTHER week off! I beg to differ :)
DeleteERin
ERin now that is a very fine due diligence pose...very regal showing highlighting your beauty
ReplyDeleteHugs cecilia
Thank you. I was diligently me and all me, though the location MAY have changed over the period of time, MOL ;)
DeleteERin
Sweet selfie, Erin!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I feel I shall look better in my new book. At least, I'll look better some of the time. The rest I'll be wrestling all kinds of baddies. ;)
DeleteERin
lookin my tee gorgeouz ERin S'Ears...can we bee lookin for werd ta book two oh whitetails treasure !!!! ☺☺♥♥
ReplyDeleteBook two of P&P will be some years away I'm afraid, if at all. Time will tell....
DeleteERin
ERin, that is a beautiful selfie. And we are so very excited to know you an Mrs. H will have a new book in he future. It sounds like the research process has been quite arduous. XO
ReplyDeleteLots of hours spent with bemused looks and curses as we end up down a dead end with more contradictions than answers.
DeleteThank you, I did try but was tired.
ERin
That's one purrfect selfie! Best of luck on the new book :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for both.
DeleteERin
Your research wore me out Erin. I sure as heck hope I don't need to do that!!
ReplyDeleteMarjorie and Toulouse
It is best done when needed, yes. For places you are familiar with, your own knowledge will undoubtedly bring the correct feel and vibe of a place quite naturally. For other places, I do recommend it.
DeleteERin
That's some seriously challenging work but I know the results will be terrific. Your selfie is most terrific sweet Princess!
ReplyDeleteIt is. And we can but hope over all, it all comes together seamlessly.
DeleteERin
My hat is off to all who write books and your selfie is excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt is a noble art, and can be costly too. But we hope it raises funds and brings much pleasure.
DeleteThank you, I do try to smile, honest. :)
ERin
Sounds like you and Mrs. H have been very busy. I look forward to your next book. That is a gorgeous selfie. XO
ReplyDeleteThank you, and yes, we have been very, very busy.
DeleteERin
You look very wise and thoughtful, Erin...
ReplyDeleteAll this research has you needing a rest, eh?? Yes, we could all use some R & R betimes!
Best wishes for your newest book.
Thank you. Research is best done when awake. I do have great adventures when i'm asleep, but Mrs H says they do not count, MOL
DeleteERin