Not at all, and thank you for replying (didn't think anybody would actually see this!).
Answers:
1) Because, honestly, her memories of court are neither fond, nor strengthening. She's dreading going back, because the last time she was there, she was six years old and heinously shy. Besides, she really thinks "Handsome Bastard" is a good choice for the throne (she's not the best judge of character).
2) Good point. I like the idea of her being forgotten by most people, though, and left to her own devices, because it means she's had more time to get the skills she's going to need that her teacher either couldn't or didn't have the chance to teach her.
3) Another good point. Perhaps he merely brings improvements that they've missed out on. Either way, he's gunning to take down a large group of tradesmen-mages by replacing them with machines, and that's an element I feel needs to stay.
4) I'm not sure what the local equivalent would be. I'm going for a steampunk/arcanepunk story, as both magic and technology will be playing a huge role in the story. I also wanted there to be a working class youth cultural movement that's strongly tied to one of the major plot-threads. I only used those words because it was the closest I could think of to the style and aesthetic I was aiming for.
5) Trouble is, I didn't really have anything other than the English terms. Those were descriptive names in my notes (Witchwood is rumored to be haunted, Runebridge has a super-old bridge with ancient writing all over it, etc.) that were really nothing more than placeholders until I had better words. I don't know much Russian, except a few words here and there and some less-than-civil language that I learned for a LARP character with a salty mouth and a bad temper.
6) No offense to your hometown meant! I guess it's like Los Angeles in my mind. The city's full name translates as "Our Lady, Queen of the Angels," but, really now, who uses it anymore? Back in the first century or so after founding, sure, the city was referred to in full.
In short, I wish I had better answers for all of this. It had seemed like such a neat story two years ago. I'm okay with making changes (hell, the old novel was essentially "Around Steam!Europe in 80 Days" and it SUCKED). I'm totally open to criticism and advice.
I'm already using your advice about "pick a country and stay there". All the personal names, except for a few exceptions that are justified, are Russian in origin (or at least, as close as I could come with the resources I have). I'm trying to get better information on the Russian Orthodox Church and I'm doing my damndest with their pre-Christian beliefs and legends. The cultural aspects you picked out are the ones that would need the most fixing, but I'm still doing research into things like dress and food and etiquette. My best source is a translation of a 19th century Russian cookbook, which, like many cookbooks of the time, has some insight into these things. But, that's probably not going to be enough, so I may have to fall back on fantasy and pray.
Thank you again for the advice and I will gladly list you in the novel's dedication if you'll let me!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ninetydegrees
Re: man, I'll learn to type eventually... :/
on 2010-06-17 08:58 pm (UTC)Answers:
1) Because, honestly, her memories of court are neither fond, nor strengthening. She's dreading going back, because the last time she was there, she was six years old and heinously shy. Besides, she really thinks "Handsome Bastard" is a good choice for the throne (she's not the best judge of character).
2) Good point. I like the idea of her being forgotten by most people, though, and left to her own devices, because it means she's had more time to get the skills she's going to need that her teacher either couldn't or didn't have the chance to teach her.
3) Another good point. Perhaps he merely brings improvements that they've missed out on. Either way, he's gunning to take down a large group of tradesmen-mages by replacing them with machines, and that's an element I feel needs to stay.
4) I'm not sure what the local equivalent would be. I'm going for a steampunk/arcanepunk story, as both magic and technology will be playing a huge role in the story. I also wanted there to be a working class youth cultural movement that's strongly tied to one of the major plot-threads. I only used those words because it was the closest I could think of to the style and aesthetic I was aiming for.
5) Trouble is, I didn't really have anything other than the English terms. Those were descriptive names in my notes (Witchwood is rumored to be haunted, Runebridge has a super-old bridge with ancient writing all over it, etc.) that were really nothing more than placeholders until I had better words. I don't know much Russian, except a few words here and there and some less-than-civil language that I learned for a LARP character with a salty mouth and a bad temper.
6) No offense to your hometown meant! I guess it's like Los Angeles in my mind. The city's full name translates as "Our Lady, Queen of the Angels," but, really now, who uses it anymore? Back in the first century or so after founding, sure, the city was referred to in full.
In short, I wish I had better answers for all of this. It had seemed like such a neat story two years ago. I'm okay with making changes (hell, the old novel was essentially "Around Steam!Europe in 80 Days" and it SUCKED). I'm totally open to criticism and advice.
I'm already using your advice about "pick a country and stay there". All the personal names, except for a few exceptions that are justified, are Russian in origin (or at least, as close as I could come with the resources I have). I'm trying to get better information on the Russian Orthodox Church and I'm doing my damndest with their pre-Christian beliefs and legends. The cultural aspects you picked out are the ones that would need the most fixing, but I'm still doing research into things like dress and food and etiquette. My best source is a translation of a 19th century Russian cookbook, which, like many cookbooks of the time, has some insight into these things. But, that's probably not going to be enough, so I may have to fall back on fantasy and pray.
Thank you again for the advice and I will gladly list you in the novel's dedication if you'll let me!