That Was the Week That Was…*
* See last week’s post for an explanation of the title.
It’s Sunday, so here’s a roundup of some blog things, and non-blog things, from the past week!
If you’re an aspiring writer and aren’t subscribed to Rachelle Gardner‘s blog, you need to do that now. Go on. I’ll wait. Done it? Good. This week, she posted an article called “It Doesn’t Have to be Hot to SELL.” In it, she explains the difference between a great project and a hot project. Why is it some books get snatched up by publishers, while others might be on submission for months? Are the latter books not as good? Read the article for an explanation.
Also this week, Veronica Roth, author of DIVERGENT, my book of 2011 (have you entered my GIVEAWAY for this?), gave us A Peek Behind the Publishing Curtain. Are you curious about what goes into getting a book published? Do you wonder why it takes anywhere from six months to a year for a book to go from acquisition to bookstores? Veronica’s article explains everything–just about!
I recently received notification that Paul McCartney has a new CD coming out in February. It will consist largely of covers of songs from his youth that his dad used to play, which goes to show that Macca is settling into his later years (this kind of nostalgia is popular among the aging–as I can personally attest!). What caught me off-guard was the name of the CD: “Kisses on the Bottom.” I’ve already confessed to having a weird sense of humor, but when I read this I laughed. I get what he means: it’s kisses on the bottom–like on the bottom of a card or a letter. But he’s English, and, to the Brits, “bottom” also refers to a body part:
Your Friend: What did your wife give you for Valentine’s Day?
You: “Kisses on the Bottom”
Your Friend: Oookay… my wife and I just snuggled in front of the TV, but whatever floats your boat…!
Finally, the other day I was watching an old edition of Top of the Pops (check the link for more info) from 1977. It was a nice bit of nostalgia (see, I’m old), hearing songs that were popular when I was in single digits. Then a song came on that at first was unfamiliar, though I thought it actually could sound quite contemporary (sort of Jason Mraz kind of thing)–nice, a bit jazzy. But when the chorus hit… O MY GOODNESS. I was suddenly transported emotionally back 35 years. I knew the song. Very well. It was played a lot on the radio. And it was like this chorus had lain dormant in my head for ages, and was suddenly reawakened. And now it’s there to stay. It won’t go. But that’s okay, cos I kinda like it. Let me share it with you:
That’s all! How was your week?
Aw, Top of the Pops! Takes me right back! Thanks for that dash of nostalgia 😀
I enjoy watching old editions of Top of the Pops–music has been such a big part of my life for so long, the songs, fashions, and even the DJs bring back fond memories.
I’m glad to be a purveyor of happy nostalgia. 🙂
Just joined Rachelle Gardner’s blog as per your request. Not sure why I didn’t sooner. Will have to check out the post you referred to 🙂
It seems whenever I post a review of interesting blog articles over the past week, invariably one of them is something Rachelle posted. Hence the recommendation. I hope it serves you well, Jaime. 🙂
Oh my goodness, I’d forgotten this song 🙂
And was that you I saw getting an honourable mention in Janet Reid’s last contest? If so, congratulations!
That “OH MY GOODNESS” moment happens increasingly less often the older I get, which is why it was so remarkable when it happened last week. And I love those moments. It’s like reading Harry Potter for the first time–there’s a thrill and excitement of discovery that you can never get again.
And yes, that was me. I enjoy Janet’s contests. I always enter before reading the other entries because they’re all usually so good I know it would discourage me from trying. Once again, there were some incredibly creative takes on the challenge (my favorite was the Little Red Riding Hood/Goldilocks story), so I was honored to be one of the six finalists. Thanks for the congrats, Sarah! 🙂
The Paul McCartney thing is hilarious!
I’m off to check out those links. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Peggy! I guess Paul McCartney is at an age and career status where he can call his CDs whatever he wants. Frankly, he could have called it anything, and it’d still sell millions.
Blimey! I didn’t get the song until the chorus either. By the by, the title ‘Kisses on the bottom’ I believe comes from the song ‘I’m going sit right down (and write myself a letter’. 🙂
That is indeed where Macca got the title from. However, when you just pull that line out of context and slap it on your next project… well…! “Flowers in the Dirt” worked much better as a line-pull, since that’s a bit mysterious, evocative, and so on. But “Kisses on the Bottom”? Surely there’s a better line in the song for an album title? Honestly, he could have just called it “My Next Album” and it would probably sell as well… or better, “What Will YOU Be Doing When You’re Seventy?” 🙂