Did that get your attention?
I love that yesterday’s comment thread turned into a discussion of the use of backgammon in literature. Who knew we had so many aficionados amongst blog readers?
(Confession: I’ve never actually played backgammon myself. I have, however, had a head wound.)
The other thing I did yesterday was turn in preview material for the title-less SSG4. There are currently 64 wannabe titles in the running. I think that’s the longest list we’ve ever made. I’m confident that we’ll know “the one” when we see it, though. There are a lot of “close” titles right now, but none where I’m going “this is it!” But title or no, what SSG4 does have is an excerpt in the back of ROS(B), so that’s exciting.
The other thing that’s exciting is that SSG4 starts precisely where ROS(B) leaves off. I’ve never done that in a book before. There’s always been a little break in the story between books, where I don’t really cover what’s going on in Amy’s life (for instance, the summer she spent in D.C. between book one and two). So this is a change, but I think it’s necessary for the story, both from a schedule perspective (graduation’s coming up soon!) and because a lot of the plot points arise directly from things that happen in book 3.
Wow, vague enough, Di? This is always the point in a book production’s “life cycle” that feels oddest to me. I’m working on the next book, and the previous one hasn’t even hit the shelves yet. Do any other writers of series have that feeling?
February 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
For the record:
Diana has TRIED backgammon. I was there, on the other side… multiple times.
If I felt like shifting through tons of pictures there might be one of the time on the trip to the Grand Canyon.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I most certainly have not. I’ve *tried* Chess. Backgammon: no.
Come on, CG, you remember the rules. If it wasn’t a game I could beat you at, I didn’t want to play. This is why you learned to cheat so well at Monopoly.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Can you accurately depict Backgammon having never played?
February 27th, 2008 at 10:01 am
You’ll have to read the book to find out, Pat!
However, I will say this: I’m an avid swimmer and scuba diver, and I’ve now written three books about a girl who is terrified of the water. I make shit up.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Like I’m not going to read the book just because my wife beats me at Backgammon and I am resentful and only play Chess and other games that I win.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Does getting a head injury while playing Backgammon give you bonus points? You see, I was at the Ritz executive lounge with a friend, playing backgammon and sipping on wine when a very large RAT scurried across the floor in the periphery of my vision. I freaked out, screamed, and my chair flipped over backwards, and I hit my head.
(hey, I can make shit up, too! But only one part.)
February 27th, 2008 at 10:35 am
I was the Ritz part, right, Rhiannon? You were really at the Red Roof Inn. It’s okay, you can admit it.
See, Sailor Boy will tell you how my prejudice against chess is so strong, given the way that Caesar here used to own my ass at it all through childhood, that I will not play with him, not once, in seven-plus years.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:43 am
How is it that women folk can stop playing Chess, yet I am forced into being beaten at Scrabble, Backgammon, Monopoly and Clue on a regular basis?
February 27th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Patrick, you know not what you’ve said. Are you and SB in cahoots?
February 27th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Actually, it was the Ritz. I was at the Ritz, and there was a Rat, and there was Backgammon. It was an especially ugly post-katrina rat. I thought I was hallucinating. I didn’t flip over and hit my head though.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I’ve never played backgammon! Now after all of this discussion, it makes me want to try.
Yes, yes! I completely know what you mean about being in an odd place. I’m working on my third book and the first one isn’t even out yet. Tricky place to be, LOL.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I feel his pain.
Wives should play chess regardless of how snide we sound when saying “Are you sure that’s where you want to put your bishop?”
February 27th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
It all sounds really exciting Diana. I can’t wait to read it.
Oh and I love Backgammon.