Spunky Heroine
Indianapolis, IN 46214
lisa
Fun Facts
Many of my stories include new vocabulary, historical and literary references and sometimes "period" information that might not be familiar with younger readers. Keep a look-out here for words or places or events, etc. that you might not know!
Word of the week
Oriel Window (noun)
A form of bay window commonly found in Gothic revival architecture, which juts out from the main wall of the building but does not reach to the ground.
Still room (noun)
The still room is a workroom in a great house. By the 20th century, the distillery room in a great house had become known as the still room. Drinks were made there, as were jams. Breakfast trays were (lain) "laid up" in the still room. It is a functional room like a butler’s pantry or a laundry room.
The still room was staffed by the still room maid.
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Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist whose realism, biting social commentary and masterful use of free indirect speech, burlesque, and irony have earned her a place as one of the most widely read and most beloved writers in English literature.*
Miss Austen has been a great influence in many aspects of my writing and reading -- so much so that I created a character (well, several actually) to honor her. Look for Darcy and her sister Brontë and brother Austen in The Bookshop Kids mystery series.
*The above description comes from Wikipedia. To read more about Jane Austen, check out the link here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen
Bard: (noun)
- One of an ancient Celtic order of minstrel poets who composed and recited verses celebrating the legendary exploits of chieftains and heroes.
- A poet, especially a lyric poet.
Because I am a musician myself, I always reference singing, poetry and playing instruments in my stories. Bards often play a very important part in the tale.
Didactic (adj)
- Intended to instruct.
- Morally instructive.
- Inclined to teach or moralize excessively.
In fiction, the third definition is often the primary meaning. In other words, to be didactic is to lecture someone.
Petulant: (adj)
- Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish.
- Contemptuous in speech or behavior.
1. A wall hanging; a tapestry.
2. A curtain or wall hanging, especially one of Flemish origin.
A wall tapestry of this sort could have several purposes -- one was merely to be decorative, another to tell a story of some historical event and most importantly it helped keep out drafts in those big stone castles! Castle Huntingdon in "Marian" has several useful arrases.
Terce: (noun)
The fourth hour of the Divine Office, roughly celebrated between 9am-11am. The hours are as follows: Matins (2am), Lauds (5am), Prime (6am), Terce (9am), Sext (Noon), Vespers (6pm), Compline (8pm)
In both "Kingdom" and "Marian," the rituals and routines of a monestary figure prominently. Time was told by the hours of the Church rather than the clock during this historical period ("Kingdom" has the feel of a similar historical era)
Harper Lee: 20th century American author, best known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
Holden Caufield: fictional character and protagonist of the novel Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, published in 1951.
Harper & Holden are twin brothers in my work-in-progress, The Bookshop Kids. Their father Perry is a novelist and gave his sons 20th century literary names. (The main character of the book, Darcy, and her family are similiarly given literary names from the 19th century -- Jane Austen-centric most particularly.)
Loupe: noun
A small magnifying glass usually set in an eyepiece and used chiefly by watchmakers and jewelers.
Sanguine
ADJECTIVE:
- Of the color of blood; red.
- Of a healthy reddish color; ruddy: a sanguine complexion.
- Having blood as the dominant humor in terms of medieval physiology.
- Having the temperament and ruddy complexion formerly thought to be characteristic of a person dominated by this humor; passionate.
When I use this word, it's mostly likely the third definition that I mean -- in other words... it's all good, dude!
Eleanor of Aquitaine (or Aliénor), Duchess of Aquitaine and Gascony (old north Basque country) and Countess of Poitou (1122–1 April1204) was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Europe during the High Middle Ages.
Eleanor was Queen consort of both France (to Louis VII) and England (to Henry II) in turn, and the mother of two kings of England, Richard I and John. She is well known for her participation in the Second Crusade.
Eleanor figures prominently in my novel, "Marian of Huntingdon." To find out more about this powerful and strong woman, check out here page on Wikipedia here:
Sang-froid (noun)
Coolness and composure, especially in trying circumstances.
In other words... cool as a cucumber!
Chattel: (noun)
1. Law An article of movable personal property.
2. A slave.
In other words... something (or someone!) that is only valuable because it is owned by someone else! SO not cool!!
Chatelaine: (noun)
1. a. The mistress of a castle.
1. b. The mistress of a large, fashionable household.
2. A clasp or chain worn at the waist for holding keys, a purse, or a watch.
In other words... the lady in charge of the household!
(And a belt she might wear to hold the keys to various doors and cupboards, etc.)
Feign (verb)
1. To give a false appearance of.
2. To represent falsely; pretend to.
In other words, well... it's pretty self-explanatory, yes? :-)
Nurse: (noun)
1. A woman employed to take care of a child; a nursemaid.
2. One that serves as a nurturing or fostering influence or means.
In other words a woman who is hired to take care of a child full-time within the family unit -- like a nanny!
Nonce: (noun)
The present or particular occasion.
In other words... right now... at this moment in time.
Swain: (noun)
1. A country lad; a shepherd
2. A beau.
In other words, a boyfriend!
Copyright Spunky Herione, Inc. All rights reserved.
Indianapolis, IN 46214
lisa
