{Cover of my e-book edition of Mistress of the Sun.}
In preparing to e-book publish my existing novels in the UK and beyond, I’ve had to revise, and then have them retyped and proofed. (Thank you so much, my FaceBook Fan Page readers!)
I, too, have had to carefully reread all of them, which has been quite an experience for me.
As well as timely.
In preparing to write a Young Adult novel about Josephine’s daughter Hortense, it has helped a great deal to re-read the Trilogy.
In writing This Bright Darkness (working title of The Next Novel) — a novel set in the Court of the Sun King — it’s been vital for me to reread Mistress of the Sun.
Firstly, I’ve recognized important changes I will need to make to This Bright Darkenss.
But secondly, I have had the opportunity to revise Mistress of the Sun. (The process never stops!)
At the Banff Book Discussion Weekend this last summer, a reader questioned the use of the word “shenanigan” in Mistress of the Sun.
Quite rightly! The first use of that word wasn’t until 1855.
I considered changing “No shenanigans—” to “No nonsense—”, but that didn’t quite convey the meaning I wanted. (Clorine is warning Petite not to have sex with old Gautier.)
Exploring possibilities in the on-line Oxford English Dictionary is one of the tasks I love best, so after some searching, I settled on another word. It’s quite old, quite rare and mysterious, but I think it gives more of a sense of Clorine’s meaning:
Clorine wagged a finger. “No chuffing—”
“Don’t worry!” Petite said, cutting her off before she said more.
Do you love it? It’s a word that goes back to 1200, and it means cheating, deceit, or falsehood. Plus, if you ask me, it sounds just a little bit rude.
Update: I admit I’m chuffed over how many have expressed interest in the word chuffing. (Thanks to Anita Davison for pointing out the modern English use of the word.)
Now, another change. Although “nickname” is a very old word, it feels modern to me — and, I suspect, to readers. Thus, I’m changing it to the dignified “sobriquet.”
I find chuffing an interesting word. I read the Josephine triology and have decided it’s my favourite Historical series EVER!!! I just wasn’t into MOS. I guess I wasn’t into the time period or just was unable to follow the diaglouge when I first picked it up. But Chuffing sounds interesting and will have new readers guessing(Readers who aren’t familar with you books). I’d love to hear more about Hortense and even Josephine’s son. So I guess that will make for an interesting read as well.
Thank you, Krystal! I’m excited about exploring Josephine’s world again. Both Hortense and Eugène are such interesting characters.
Interesting, Sandra as in modern day England, the word, ‘chuffed’ means to be delighted, thrilled, or ‘made up’
True! “I’m chuffed!”
Darn! I missed the timeline for Chuffing by 10 yrs- my manuscript is from 1190– think anyone would hang me? I LOVE it, Sandra!
I have a question for you. When you were beginning, how did you first decided…OK- this is it. Enough is enough. And send it out into the world?
For sure you can use it, Janet! Words exist in the spoken language long before they appear in print.
Exhaustion has a say! But basically, a novel goes through many hoops (and each one is exhausting): my approval (endless drafts), reader approval (more drafts), agent approval (several drafts more, plus tears), editor approval (more, more, more and more): and then, yes, it goes out.
By the time the publisher has the novel in their sales catalogue, it MUST go out into the world by a certain date.
If you’re self-publishing, you have to figure out how to put up these rigorous roadblocks yourself. A novel deserves it! (And the readers.)
Thanks for such an interesting question!