The title of the book is, obviously, one of the most important parts of the writing process itself. If you have a stupid name, despite how good the book may be, people are going to judge it and be less likely to pick it up or buy it.
Being that I work in a bookstore, I encounter some pretty heinous book titles quite often. Namely, romance and mystery titles. They’re often punny or just straight up ridiculous.
Ideally, you would name your book something enticing that relates well with the plot or characters. For example, my favourite book, Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon, is called Outlander because the main character, Claire Randall, is nicknamed Sassenach by her confidante Jamie Fraser; Sassenach is a Scots Gaelic word meaning, you guessed it, outlander (at worst; at best, it means Englishman, which Claire also is). Continue reading →
I just reread my all-time favourite book for the 8th time recently, taking a record-breaking day and a half to finish it. Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon, and the entryway for my passion of all things Scottish. This isn’t a review – this is a “go read it now if you know what’s good for you.” Also, it’s something to post until I actually have something. Thinking of continuing an earlier short story. We’ll see.
“Let’s see,” I said counting on my fingers. “According to you, Frasers are stubborn, Campbells are sneaky, MacKenzies are charming but sly, and Grahams are stupid. What’s the Murrays’ distinguishing characteristics?”
“Ye can count on them in a fight,” said Jamie and Ian together, then laughed.
“Ye can too,” said Jamie recovering. “You just hope they’re on your side.” And both men went off into fits again.
So, from Friday to Monday, today, I was in Edmonton visiting my father. Edmonton, for those who are unaware, is the provincial capital of my neighbouring province, Alberta. It’s about an hour flight away. My dad offered to use his airmiles to fly me out, and since it’s Alberta Family Day this weekend, he wouldn’t have to work and we could hang out.
And for those who are also unaware, Edmonton is home to the West Edmonton Mall, lovingly referred to as West Ed or WEM.
West Edmonton Mall (WEM), located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth largest in the world. The mall was founded by the Ghermezian brothers, who emigrated from Iran in 1959. It was the world’s largest mall until 2004.
West Edmonton Mall covers a gross area of about 570,000 m2 (well over 6 million sq ft). There are over 800 stores and services and parking for more than 20,000 vehicles. More than 23,000 people are employed at the property. The mall receives 28.2 million visitors per year; it also attracts between 60,000 and 150,000 shoppers daily, depending on the day and season. The mall was valued at C$926 million in January 2007. From Wikipedia.
So there you have it. It’s overwhelming. It’s not only a mall, but home to a theme park with the world’s largest indoor triple-loop roller coaster (more on that in a moment), a water park, a theatre with IMAX and 3D, a sea lion show, a skating rink, a stage, and a street for restaurants, not only a food court, which is aptly named Bourbon Street.
Fun fact about me: When I was in grade five, about 10 years old, I went with my mother and brother to see my father in Edmonton. Naturally, we went to West Ed. At Galaxyland, the park/fair/thing, there is this roller coaster, previously mentioned, called the Mindbender.
Three loops. Lotta Gs.
Being a brave and by that I mean retarded 10 year old, I wanted desperately to go on it. My brother, two years my senior, was smart enough to say no. I was too little. It could not be.
Side note: the maximum G-force of the Mindbender is 5.5. Typical people can handle 5 before losing consciousness.
This time, having grown a fair bit and being almost 10 years older and not nearly as brave/retarded, it was decided that my dad and I would go on. It lasts for just over a minute. Not so bad.
The pull of it was so extreme that on the loops you can’t move. My chin slammed onto my chest and stayed there until we were on a level surface. It is going so fast (though it doesn’t look it, you can’t tell until you’re actually on) that you’re too stunned to scream. We all suffered in silence. Even the parts that didn’t seem so extreme, like the upward helix where the picture is taken, were hell.
When I got off, I could barely walk and was nauseous for hours afterwards. We then went on the relatively mild (only 3 Gs) Space Shot.
But holy God. Go to Edmonton to die on the Mindbender. It’s happened before.
We also went to the Titanic exhibit at the Telus World of Science. Real artefacts pulled from the wreckage, and the stories behind them. The extra fun part was that when you entered the exhibit, you’re given a replica boarding pass with information on actual Titanic passengers, and at the end there was a list of all passengers and crew, and who survived and died. I was a third class, 15 year old newlywed wife from Lebanon. Being that I was female, I survived! Good news. But it was a fascinating exhibit besides. It’s amazing how perfectly preserved some artefacts are. It’s been 100 years since the Titanic sank. It’s haunting stuff.
Anyways. In other news, I went to Build-A-Bear and got my second bear! My first, I got in Calgary last summer when I went to see Prince Will and Kate. He’s a Jedi, and his name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Another huge fandom of mine is Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. So when I saw the Highland costume…
Scots outlaw and Jedi general.
James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser and Obi-Wan Kenobi, or just Jamie and Obi-Wan, for short. Jamie came complete with tam, booties, sporran, plaid, kilt, socks, coat, tie… you name it. I love Build-A-Bear.
Also also! If you’ve never shopped at ModCloth, an online vintage shop, you should. I did. And I got the BEST DRESS AND SHOES EVER.
The dress!
I have a thing for pinupy 50s/60s dresses I’ll rarely wear.
The shoes!
This was so worth it.
The HMV in West Ed was two storeys. Excellent. That, plus when I got to the HMV in Kelowna today after landing, I have a nice hefty number of new movies. Love ’em.
So that’s an update on my exciting weekend. I’m going to watch movies, go to work, then get drunk, as British Columbian law dictates when you turn 19. Oh, yeah, it’s my birthday tomorrow. Yay! :3
I’ll do that regular post thing later. Maybe a short story or teaser. Peace!
JP Marshman 