January 27, 2009
Here’s something to watch out for when writing. Sometimes, I’ll read or hear a word during the course of the day, and it’ll settle into my mind for no particular reason. It could be any uncommon word, one I’d expect to notice because I don’t often see it hanging around. Later, I’ll be typing away, working on a novel or story, and that very word will jump out and plant itself in the manuscript. It’ll land there and giggle and hide in the depths of the paragraph, and I’ll keep typing right on past it without even noticing…at least not right away. Sometimes, usually after rereading that section later, I’ll spot the little bugger, be amazed it found its way in there, and pluck it out. Today, that word was “Celestis.” This evening, I decided it would make a great name for an organization in my latest novel. Upon rereading, however, I realized there was something about the word that bothered me. I Googled it, and sure enough, it’s the name of the company that’s going to send Gene and Majel Roddenberry’s ashes into space. I’d just read about Celestis this morning in a news story on the Internet. Good thing I caught it, because I would have used the word repeatedly and conspicuously throughout the book…not a good idea when you’re dealing with the name of a real-world company. Another close call averted! See you tomorrow!
