Tuesday, June 15, 2010

A short post in which my name is drawn and quartered but my manuscript survives with only minor injuries.

Wow, that is a long title. First off, sorry this post is so late. I've been at the WIFYR workshop the last two days and haven't had a chance to blog. It's late now, and I have to re-write my first page, so this will be short and maybe to the point. Okay, probably not.

My pages were critiqued today, and it wasn't as agonizing as I feared. No one burned them and presented me with their ashes. No one kept them and gave me manure in return. (Hmmm that reminds me of the time I turned in fresh horse manure for a high school English assignment.) I digress. Back to the critique. No one made me bleed, well not too much anyway--my intestines are regenerating nicely.

But in all seriousness, we have an awesome critique group. Thanks a zillion, guys!

The one thing that didn't survive the day was my name. Our amazing teacher, Dave Wolverton, used my name as an example of why someone might want to publish under a different name.

Leisha, you see, has all kinds of connotations and images that come to mind when you say it. Apparently they all have to do with dogs, leashes, and the act of binding a dog to said leash so it can run around you in ever-decreasing circles until you trip and fall on your face.

That just screams, this book is awesome! Read me!

Doesn't it?

Okay, it's not the best image.

Maw makes you think of being mauled. Nuff said.

So, anywho, not only will I be shopping my manuscripts around, I could be in the market for a good name, too. I'm just not sure how to tell my parents, or my hubby. Hmmm.

Me: Mom and Dad, my name is for the dogs.

Mom and Dad: Oh.

Me: Really. I learned it in class, so it must be true.

Mom and Dad: Oh.

Me: Can you pick another one? I need a do-over.

Mom and Dad: Um.

I often leave them speechless. Come to think of it, I leave hubby that way, too.

But in all seriousness, it was in good fun, and Dave may have a point. He is awesome, after all, and he did like my pages. All-in-all, it was a good day.

What name do you think would be good? And come on, who hasn't dreamed of renaming someone they know?

8 comments:

Jenilyn Collings said...

Ooh, I'll have to think on that. We could have a lot of fun renaming you.

Honestly, I never thought that at all with your name! I like your name.

The Stanley's said...

I wonder what I'll be doing with my spare time now?

How about Likha Mawbook? he he

Pirate Princess said...

First of all, I have to say your manuscript was awesome. ;)

Second, I scrolled down and read your post on preparing for the conference - you're a hoot!

Third, I have no ideas for you. I intend to keep mine, although I know no one in the US will say it right. Bah humbug! :D

~ Aine

Rebecca J. Carlson said...

I was just dying on your behalf when Dave started going off on your name! My eyes got bigger and bigger, I thought, "I can't believe he's saying this!"

Your name is distinctive. Unusual. I like it. I won't ever forget it. Me, on the other hand, well, let's just say, the "J" in Rebecca J. Carlson is veeeery important, esp. when doing an internet search.

Hermana Maw said...

Jenilyn, it could be fun, don't you think, but thanks for liking my name. :)

Anita, Likha is kind of catchy, Mawbook not so much. He, he.

Aine, thanks for thinking I'm a hoot and not cerifiable. ;)

Rebecca, it was kind of funny if you think about it. A lot. Naw, I'm all good with it. And I agree, the J is really important for you.

Matt said...

Well, you can always go with L. M. Lund. Then you get to keep your name, your married name, and sport your maiden name again...how nostalgic.

Hermana Maw said...

Matt, not a bad idea. :)

Cherie said...

I'm with Matt on this.

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