Notes from aboveground

[sovay]

I have strange_selkie and darthrami to thank many times over for the actual print copies of the January 15th—21st issue of the Washington Post's Book World that they shipped to me, such that I was able to show off the review of Singing Innocence and Experience to my advisor, who happened to be waiting in the same line at the pharmacist's: that was simultaneously random and cool. The fact that this review was out there on newsstands for anyone to see really does blow my mind. I've acclimated my brain to the idea that people whom I do not know personally will read my stories. But that people who've never heard of me might find out through the Washington Post? I've got think about this one for a little.

Immense archaeological coolness continues to happen in greyselke's neck of the desert. If I were a member of a team that had discovered a statue of Queen Ti, I'd be grinning, too.

Does anyone other than fleurdelis28 want me to write about snails?

Comments

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

Snails would be lovely.

Huh?

[sovay]

They were used as a comparative in a conversation with erzebet: but you will have to ask fleurdelis28 to explain the Allegorical Wandering Snail. Just because it evolved out of a conversation in which I was involved doesn't mean I know where it actually came from, only that it does exist: and probably plays chess with the Well-Rested Ammonite.

[erzebet.livejournal.com]

Snails! :)

[larryhammer]

Snaily scribbles would be fun.

---L.

[kraada.livejournal.com]

Snips, snails, puppy dog tails . . . whatever!

So long as I get my regular dose of Taaffe every now and again, that's all that really matters.

Because really, you could write a phonebook entry and make it stirring and moving. And then we get Colin Meloy (had to look his name up -- lead singer for the Decemberists to read it, and we die of happiness. Because Colin is LOVE. (Whoa, I just devolved 5 years and turned into a girl . . . lord help me . . .)

[sovay]

And then we get Colin Meloy (had to look his name up -- lead singer for the Decemberists to read it, and we die of happiness. Because Colin is LOVE. (Whoa, I just devolved 5 years and turned into a girl . . . lord help me . . .)

Put down the fangirl poetry. Put it down.

Although if Colin Meloy were ever to read anything that I had written, that would be formally damn cool.

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

Hoddydods!

Nine

[sovay]

Etmyologize that for me? It sounds like a child's rhyme (the inexact reduplication. I bet there's a real linguistic term for this. I don't know it).

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

A dodman or a hodmandod or hoddy-doddy is a snail. (I've used the word in my writing.) The OED is puzzled, but suggests a connection with "dod," which is Northern dialect for a roundheaded hill.

Reduplication" is the linguistic term; and "ablaut reduplication" for words like "chit-chat" and "riff-raff." The vowels have to go high to low in English: you wouldn't say "knack-knick."

Nine

[sovay]

I actually had a passing acquaintance with the word "hoddydod," probably because of your writing. I just didn't know where it came from: I can understand "attercop," but this one really did look like a nursery rhyme.

"Ablaut reduplication" is the term I wanted, although the example I had in mind was "shilly-shally." I know reduplication and the concept of ablaut ("those scary little noises in the night," as my advisor calls the effect; for years, they gave Homeric scholars headaches) from Greek linguistics. I am never sure which concepts carry across languages and which ones don't.

Thanks!

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

I was trying to remember thingy--you know, thingy, that poet with the name like Dilly-Dally. I had to Google "O Sophonisba!" to get to Jamie Thompson to get to Ambrose Phillips to get to "Namby Pamby."

As the neurons go out all over the brain.

Could you say "dally dilly" in Greek?

Nine

[sovay]

I don't think so, actually. Reduplication in Greek is most often seen in the perfect stem and involves epsilons; τέθνηκα from θνήσκω, πέπαυκα from παύω.

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

There is such a thing as having too much time on one's hands.

[sovay]

Hey! That was off the top of my head!

[kraada.livejournal.com]

There is such a thing as having too much time one one's head.

If I recall correctly, you can balance a book on top of your head . . . though I imagine the spacetime continuum is a little bit too complicated . . . not to mention heavy . . .

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

Your posts and your friends who comment are providing me with such entertainment. Hoddydods, and all that followed. I've been out of the academic world a long time (maybe should have opted for a job in a university instead of the commercial world and child-rearing), and reading bits like this in the morning is almost as good as being back. So, thank you. And you've reminded me of a poem I wrote called "A Snail Trip through Heroin." Years ago, so it might be crap, but I think I'll take a look. In the meantime, I hope you write something.

[sovay]

"A Snail Trip through Heroin."

With a title like that, I really want to see it . . .

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

Did you see. Thing. In ellen_kushner's LJ. With the anthology you should do.

Am also coming to Readercon. If my wife comes, we'll be staying in the hotel; if not, I'm reserving a blanket on your floor. Or if you want to stay in the hotel, I'll split the cost with you. Something. Not thinking right now. Sleep.

[sovay]

I am absolutely planning to send a story. Are you?

Yay, Readercon!

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

You will be at readercon, right? We can sell each other's respective books. I'm keener on the virtues of yours than mine. Re anthology, I'm not sure what sort of thing is actually wanted.

[sovay]

I will be at Readercon. Will there be Seal Wife there? I would sell the hell out of that book.

'm not sure what sort of thing is actually wanted.

Me neither: I couldn't define "interstitial" with a map and a flashlight. But I'm still going to send a story and see what happens.

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

I want Seal Wife to be there; If I get it finished by the middle of February, like I'm wanting (we've reached the second-guessing stage) I think it could be done in time.

[sovay]

(we've reached the second-guessing stage)

Do I get to read any of it?

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

Not till it's done! *retreats back to the land of the insecure and profoundly underslept*

My wife hasn't even read it. Mostly because she isn't the sort at all, but still.

[larryhammer]

I couldn't define "interstitial" with a map and a flashlight.

I don't think anyone can.

---L.

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

Yet another ill-posed literary movement!

[larryhammer]

Hey -- I can define Well-Versed Skiffy. Does that make it a good movement? And if so, will anyone else join?

---L.

[schreibergasse.livejournal.com]

Back to Egyptology. DAMN cool. Maybe I should have gone into archaeology after all...

and the concept of ablaut ("those scary little noises in the night," as my advisor calls the effect;
groan. Rede nicht zu mir über Ablauten und Vokalveränderung--es erinnert mich an meine kommende Mittelhochdeutschklausur. (Nicht, daß es wichtig ist, ob ich durchfalle, aber ich soll trotzdem lernen...)
OK, I should also stop showing off.

[yukihada.livejournal.com]

You most definately do not know me. And I adore your stories. Just think one day, if I get a job in Senior high (rather than middle school), a classroom of teens may be reading your stories as well. I certainly hope to bring some of my interests into the curriculum.

And I'm quite happy because if I start spouting my love for your work and don't have a computer to point at your Bookslut interview, I can always unfold the Washington Post from my space pocket to show to others.

[sovay]

You most definately do not know me.

Well, but I know you exist. People I don't even know exist are apparently reading my work. And this is a weird, weird, and pleasing thought.

a classroom of teens may be reading your stories as well.

Thank you. I'm honored.

[yukihada.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine what that must feel like. (Not having ever been published -- not having ever tried either.) But then again, I like to think I have good taste in literature, so I'm not entirely surprised that there are others like me, who thoroughly enjoy your writing.