Say my name

Posted byKatie SullivanPosted inDubh an Suile, The Book, The DialogueTags:, , , , ,
The mess called my desk
Somewhere in this chaos is Dubh Súile’s real name.

A: Guess who just finished her book?

TC: JK Rowling

A: JK Rowling can kiss my a*s

(No disrespect intended to JK Rowling, or her work, of course.)

* * *

A: Clocking in at a terror-inducing, unedited 112,865 words, the first book in the Changeling time traveler series is done. Theoretically. Until tomorrow. When edits start {sob}.

D: Would you stop crying? You did enough of that last night.

A: Which was totally allowed! It was emotional, D what with the . . . and the whole other . . . and that . . .

D: . . .

A: I’m not sure if you’re speechless or mocking me.

D: Can’t it be both?

A: Perhaps. Speaking of both. Or three or how about five? I am not speaking to you.

D: That made no sense. I’m not even sure you can mock the English language like that by declaring that coherent in any way.

A: Don’t you want to know why I’m not talking to you?

D: Not especially.

A: D!

D: Well, I already know why, and you’ve been yelling at me ever since you found out.

A: Do you blame me? You changed your name D! You changed your name in the book’s home stretch. Changed your name. You. Name-Changer!

D: I don’t know why you’re so upset. I didn’t change it so much as reveal my birth name. And it had to be done that way – you couldn’t know until everyone in the story knew. It wouldn’t have had the same emotional oomph otherwise.

A: Emotional oomph? D, it’s a book. I’m a writer – we aren’t going for on-screen reactions. You are not a director!

D: Yet.

A: (Eye roll) Seriously, D. It was a little disconcerting to find out that the name I thought was yours was not, in fact, your real name. 13 years I’ve had that name in my head. 13 years.

D: Exactly, A – 13 years I’ve had to put up with you not knowing my real name.

A: Don’t change the subject. What if I told you A isn’t my real name, hm?

D: I know it’s not your real name, A. See, I do know all your names and A is simply a title you’ve given yourself.

A: . . . Stop looking smug.

D: You made me.

A: Name changer.

D: I’m still not seeing the problem.

A: Fine. At least when I spell it wrong it makes a dirty word, and that makes me smile.

D: You are my punishment. I know that now.

A: Cheers, D.

Want to know what D did while I finished writing the first book of his series? Check out Green Embers’ highly entertaining response to the “where did summer go” prompt at the Community Storyboard: The Bad Plot to Steal Summer Forever. I’m still giggling.

Tell me your best story about how the characters in your head defied your whims, your expectations, and some of the most fixed ideas you had about them. Please. Because I know I am not alone in this! 

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Published by Katie Sullivan

Descended of pirates and revolutionaries, Katie Sullivan is a lover and student of all things Irish. Born in the States, she is a dual US/Irish citizen, and studied history and politics at University College, Dublin – although, at the time, she seriously considered switching to law, if only so she could attend lectures at the castle on campus. She lives in Milwaukee with her daughter, two cats and a pesky character in her head named D (but you can call him Dubh). Her first series, The Changelings Saga, a young adult historical fantasy trilogy is available on Amazon. She can be found writing with said character at her blog, The D/A Dialogues.

22 thoughts on “Say my name”

  1. Pingback: What’s in a name? | The D/A Dialogues
  2. Pingback: Hidden: Dubh Súile Speaks | The D/A Dialogues

  3. First, of all, that first bit? Hilarious! I’m sure no offense was taken by that subtle remark 😉

    Second, 112,865 words!!! Yowzers! That’s like a 451-page tome. I bow to your brilliance!

    Congrats!!!!! 🙂

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    1. It is 450 pages! It will likely end up being 2 books as it does have a nice “end” ish in the middle.

      I’m reading it right now as the first part of the edits – reading without making changes. I had to put it into adobe just to stop myself. It’s a killer!

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    1. I don’t think so – I don’t have the resources (read: cash) to make that a successfully viable option. I’m looking for readers and whatnot, to make it as polished as possible before I start flogging it to publishers/agents, but a line/content editor is way out of my budget. Same with art.

      I never say never, so if something happens in which I could self-publish, then I would go that route. I like the control, but I’m not sure I have the time/resources to devote to it.

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  10. Kira Grasdon from my first book. She was a third tier character with one scene and snagged more scenes with every edit. Then one editing run, she seduced my main character and threw one of his storylines and his entire development into disarray.

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