Master's Degree

[Carmenere_lady]

Hello again Ms. Howell,

A little off topic but..........

As one who ended her college career at Bachelorate, can you please tell me what would have happened had Connie not passed her orals?  She ponders on page 9 that if  she looks "in the shelves of her mind and finds them empty"............"she would pack her bags and go home."  Would that be the end for a Master's candidate and what would her options be at that time after investing so much monetarily and in time?

Thanks,

[JerseyAngel]

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Katherine_Howe wrote:

What persuaded me to give it a try was the realization, while I was researching, that "Mercy" and "Marcy" are actually the same name, differently pronounced. I felt like a little lightbulb went off over my head. Similarly, "gal" is not slang for "girl" - it *is* girl! I thought that the slippage of that name would be a potentially interesting research hurdle for Connie, but the only way to make it work would be if I played around with phonetic accents in the writing. To keep it from being totally tedious to read, I decided that main characters would not have them spelled out (Dane family, Goowin family, close friends and advisors). Notice that we only learn that Chilton has one through Connie's reflection on it, and then during the Marcy/Mercy conversation, and at no other time. Fringe characters were fair game.

So my question for you and the First Lookers would be, how would the book be different without the accents? Would your reading pace have changed, either for better or worse? Would something have been added, or been taken away?

KH

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Thank you so much for explaining this. I had seen some posts where people thought it was only the blue collar types that had the accents. Sort of insinuating that only the lower class had accents. I knew that couldn't possibly be what you intended. Your explanation definately helps in the understanding of how you chose who would & would not have their accents "shown". I do agree that if the entire book was this way, it most likely would have been tedious. In answer to your questions, I think the characters in '91 could have done with or without. I honestly don't think it would have changed anything for me. I did enjoy it for the 1600 Interludes. As stated before, I think it brought an authenticity to those chapters as well as helping to bring you right into that time. You did a wonderful job visually with the clothes, settings, etc so the accents simply added that extra touch. It also helped, as you said, with understanding Connie's findings of different spellings of names, such as with Mercy/Marcy.

Thanks again for taking the time to explain your thoughts behind this!

Stephanie

[Katherine_Howe]

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hookedonbooks09 wrote:

Hi Katherine!  Welcome and thank you for writing your book!  :-)

I have two questions:  The first is, how much of Arlo did you take from your own dog, if anything?

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Hi Hookedonbooks 09!

I am so glad that you are enjoying the book. I promise to get right to work on another one!

Arlo, as you surmised, draws a lot of his traits from the dog in my life: his size seems to change according to his mood, he is simultaneously incredibly brave and a complete wimp, and he somehow manages to be everywhere in the house at once.

I found him on a website that specializes in magical dogs, called Petfinder.org

http://www.petfinder.com//index.html

[krb2g]

Hi Katherine!

I really enjoyed reading the book. I particularly loved Arlo/Deliverance Dane's dog (yes, I prefer to read them as the same dog), Sam's work as a steeplejack, & the academic hunt that Connie pursues. I really identified with Connie: I'm getting ready for my orals in the fall (but in 19th century American literature) and I happen to live with a Latin teacher.

My questions are more to do with the writing process than the book itself, though. In the letter from Matthew Pearl on the back of the ARC he says that you said you might write a novel for National Novel Writing Month; did you write a draft of this book during NaNoWriMo? Were you writing while working full-time in your PhD program? 

I must admit, the accents threw me at first. But as the Mercy/Marcy connection became clear (which is all the more plausible given the 18th century's looser conventions about spelling), I started to think about how I'm used to reading accents and dialects. Putting aside English/British literature (where I tend to hear dialect/vernacular usages as a class marker), I often think of dialect in American literature as a regional marker--and more often than not, that region is southern. Thinking of dialect in that context then, I actually began to think it was refreshing to see dialect marked in a New England text: it works against the tendency to normalize New England and see the South as a national other. 

Thanks so much for sharing your book with us in the ARC format! I hope you have much success with this novel (and others that may follow)--and with your dissertation/academic interests!

[eadieburke]

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Katherine_Howe wrote:

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PB684 wrote:

I was trying to find a translation of the spell, presumably written in Latin, that Connie finds in Sophia's note cards at the end of Chapter 14. I was wondering, Ms. Howe, if these are just latin words strung together with no real meaning or if you have the translation. The site that I used was only able to translate a few words that did seem to refer to plants and growing and I thought it would be interesting to get the full meaning.

PB684

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Hi PB684!

It definitely has a meaning - I had that spell specially commissioned by a promient scholar of Medival Latin at a major research university in Texas (it's okay - we went to high school together).

However, I would like to hold off on offering the translation right at present. We are hard at work on www.katherinehowe.com, and I'm keeping the spell up my sleeve for that.

Speaking of which, if anyone would like to be on the Physick Book mailing list, I'm starting to put one together, particularly for those not given to Facebook. Email connieandarlo@gmail.com!

Now, the question for First Lookers: how would you all imagine the spell to be translated?

KH

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From what I could find out:

Agla means "Thou art powerful and eternal Lord" or the "Alpha" and the "Omega"

Pater  means "Father"

Dominus means "Lord"

Tetragrammaton means "Yahweh"

Adonai means "Lord"

so:

"Agla Pater Dominus Tetragrammaton Adonai Heavenly Father I beseech thee bring the Evildoer unto Me" would be invoking every form of God to bring the evildoer forward.

[Thayer]

Ms. Howe,

I am greatly enjoying your book. Your descriptive writing style draws me into the story and I can visualize the characters, locations and events in my mind's eye, much as you describe Connie doing.

What I find truly appealing about this book, is that it evokes so many diverse topics of discussion. From not only the debate as to the validity of witchcraft, but also the roles of women in history as well as today, religion and history to name a few. As you can see from this forum and its MANY postings, not only do you entertain your readers, but you spark many intelligent conversations.

You are a truly gifted writer. I look forward to following your career-and purchasing your next book.

[krb2g]

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Katherine_Howe wrote:

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PB684 wrote:

I was trying to find a translation of the spell, presumably written in Latin, that Connie finds in Sophia's note cards at the end of Chapter 14. I was wondering, Ms. Howe, if these are just latin words strung together with no real meaning or if you have the translation. The site that I used was only able to translate a few words that did seem to refer to plants and growing and I thought it would be interesting to get the full meaning.

PB684

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Hi PB684!

It definitely has a meaning - I had that spell specially commissioned by a promient scholar of Medival Latin at a major research university in Texas (it's okay - we went to high school together).

However, I would like to hold off on offering the translation right at present. We are hard at work on www.katherinehowe.com, and I'm keeping the spell up my sleeve for that.

Now, the question for First Lookers: how would you all imagine the spell to be translated?

KH

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I had read over the spell without going into too much detail while I was reading the book (I recognized "Pater in caelo" as "Father in heaven" and words like oro, hanc herbam, and crescere, and could make decent guesses about some of the others like vigere--and I know enough Latin at this point to recognize most of the grammatical elements), but after this post, I had to sit down and translate it for myself.(Yes, I am procrastinating, why do you ask...)

The part that was most difficult for me was the very end: catena temporis non vinctam--mostly because I am BAD with fourth principle parts/participles & how they're used (I always think they're scarier than they are)--but vinctam goes with herbam (I think) and then catena and temporis are ablatives to modify. 

The problem with online (or any) dictionaries is that Latin is so heavily conjugated and declined you have to find the base form before you can look something up--so sinas is actually a subjunctive form of sino sinere.

[Rachel-K]

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PB684 wrote:

I have a question for rkubie: I know that we are supposed to keep "spoilers" out of the chapter discussions but is it alright to ask questions regarding the entire book in this section? I was just wondering because I wouldn't want to spoil the book for anyone.

PB684

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PB684,

It may be nearly impossible to keep spoilers out here, but try to hold off if you can. Everyone wants to read this thread right away to hear from Katherine!

If you are including an important event that happens later in the novel in your question, please remember to post the big SPOILER notice at the top.

Thanks (and sorry for the interruption)!

Rachel

Message Edited by rkubie on 04-06-2009 11:20 PM

[hoot]

Do you believe that there may have been some witchcraft going on at the time of the trials, even possibly today? Or do you go with historical analysis of the time period?

Connie seemed to lean towards the historical analysis, feeling as if she was jumping through hoops for Chilton in answering his outlandish question. As time went on and she discovered some evidence of actual witchcraft she started to change her opinion. Would it take proof to make you a possible believer, or are you open to the possiblility of anything? Outside of the fictional world that is. 

Holly

www.bellasnovella.com 

[thewanderingjew]

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Katherine_Howe wrote:  

So my question for you and the First Lookers would be, how would the book be different without the accents? Would your reading pace have changed, either for better or worse? Would something have been added, or been taken away?

KH

I rather liked the use of accents. Since I live part of the year in MA, I am very familiar with them and I felt it lent authenticity to the book and its time and place. It took me into the moment, so to speak. I think it enhanced the telling but I think the tale is so interesting that it would have succeeded with or without them. For my part, I am glad they are there.

I have a question for you too. I believe there is more than meets the eye in this world and I was wondering if you believed in witchcraft and/or spirits? I have only read half the book so far since I am reading with our schedule, so I am not sure if your main character changes her own mind about them.

twj

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[deannafrances]

This may seem like a strange question, in the beginning of the book when Connie goes to check out the cottages the lawn is wild with plants -especially tomatoes.  Having grown a garden in the midwest for 40 years--would volunteer tomatoes come up in Salem--I thought tomatoes were annuals??  

I love the book and enjoy reading the past and the present--I vividly remember the "add more weight scenes" from the Cucible is it the same character in your book as the play? 

[tammypennington]

Thank you so much for the opportunity to preview your novel!  I have enjoyed reading it very much and have just finished part 1.  I am only half way through and am looking forward to a sequel!  Please say it is so. 

I think that the use of dialect was just right.  If it was used throughout it would have been very distracting.  

I hope that you will be coming to the Seattle area when on your book tour.  I am sure that you will find a large audience here in the northwest!  

Keep up the wonderful work!

[ClaudiaLuce]

Hi again, Ms. Howe,

You asked a question of us, the First Lookers: "So my question for you and the First Lookers would be, how would the book be different without the accents? Would your reading pace have changed, either for better or worse? Would something have been added, or been taken away?".

My answer to you is that I felt the accents were just perfect!  The book would not have been the same without them.  I can only speak for myself, of course, but my reading pace would not have changed if they had not been there, nor if there had been more added.  I can say, though, that I feel that something would have been missing in the book if the accents had been left out.  It is my opinion that they definitely added flavor to your delicious novel.

I would like to answer this question as a literature teacher, the way I would answer it for my 7th graders.  The accents helped to place the setting.  They helped the reader to hear the surroundings for the story.  My kids sometimes have trouble understanding that the setting includes more than just time and place and you have provided me with an excellent example of how hearing plays into setting.  I can take your novel into class with me and read passages which allow them to hear the sea, the boats, the people, and give them insight into how an author incorporates these things to give us a sense of where a novel takes place! 

Again, thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to preview this wonderful work of art before publication!  I wish you much success with it.  I know it is coming your way - how could it not with such a wonderful piece of writing!!

Much success!

Claudia

[abbyg7]

Hi Ms. Howe,

Thank you for being a part of First Look.  I am only to Chapter 7, but I am enjoying your book a lot.

So far most of my questions about the book have already been asked, so I'll have to come up with something after I read more.  However, I am wondering what are some of your favorite books and who are your favorite authors?

Thanks, Abby.

[januttall]

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thewanderingjew wrote:

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Katherine_Howe wrote:  

So my question for you and the First Lookers would be, how would the book be different without the accents? Would your reading pace have changed, either for better or worse? Would something have been added, or been taken away?

KH

I rather liked the use of accents. Since I live part of the year in MA, I am very familiar with them and I felt it lent authenticity to the book and its time and place. It took me into the moment, so to speak. I think it enhanced the telling but I think the tale is so interesting that it would have succeeded with or without them. For my part, I am glad they are there.

twj

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I completely agree with TWJ.  The accents are one of the many nuances within this book, which enabled me to become completely lost in the story!  Maybe that's partially because I've lived in MA for over 20 years and "heard" the modern day parts as they would've been spoken .

Julie

[kren250]

*********Warning: this post contains what could possibly be a spoiler---read at your own risk;-)*****************

Welcome Ms. Howe! Thank you so much for joining us, and congratulations on your first book! If responses here are any indication, it will be a big hit.

(Spoiler alert!!)

Several of us noticed the unbelievability of the garden blooming in early June, and running water in a non-electrified house that's been abandoned for a number of years. Is the reader meant to infer that the house is under a magic spell, and that's why these things are happening? And why is it that Connie and Liz don't notice there is something strange about tomatoes in June?

Thank you for your time!

Kelly

[PB684]

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Katherine_Howe wrote:

Hi Mooks,

The ARC is a fairly accurate picture of what the final book will look like, barring a few editorial corrections here and there. Part of the reason that the women in the past in Physick Book have such a fragmented story is that it mirrors our understanding of history - every so often we can find these very vivid representations of a moment in someone's life, but so much of the rest of their story will be lost to time. 

However, I will admit to harboring secret plans for a sequel. I agree that there is definitely more to say in this story, and I am glad that you feel that way too.

Thank you for reading!

KH

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Very glad to hear that there might be a sequel to this wonderful story. I always love to find new authors to follow! Please keep us posted.

PB684

[Katherine_Howe]

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kren250 wrote:

*********Warning: this post contains what could possibly be a spoiler---read at your own risk;-)*****************

Welcome Ms. Howe! Thank you so much for joining us, and congratulations on your first book! If responses here are any indication, it will be a big hit.

(Spoiler alert!!)

Several of us noticed the unbelievability of the garden blooming in early June, and running water in a non-electrified house that's been abandoned for a number of years. Is the reader meant to infer that the house is under a magic spell, and that's why these things are happening? And why is it that Connie and Liz don't notice there is something strange about tomatoes in June?

Thank you for your time!

Kelly

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Hi Kelly,

Thank you so much for reading the book. I hope that you have been enjoying it.

I addressed this question, in part, yesterday in the post marked "tomatogate." The way that I would respond is to mention that if a detail really leaps out at you while you are reading, it is probably designed that way by the author. There is a line, I forget the exact page, that occurs while Connie is surveying the garden for the first time: the line reads "it is as if this tomato plant alone in all the world didn't die at the end of every summer."

If we assume that all the various seemingly "wrong" elements in and around Granna's house are intentional, what does that tell us? Like many of the more, let's say, unusual elements of the story, the house steps just over the line of what might be possible, and it does so in a way that would not be immediately obvious to two dorm-dwelling city women. Liz and Connie might have quite a lot of standard-issue book smarts, but that doesn't necessarily translate into practical, everyday knowledge - for them, tomatoes are something you buy at the grocery store year-round.

So my question for you would be, how is the Milk Street house made different, or special, by all of itsincongruent elements? How would the story have been different if it were just a regular old house?

KH

[Katherine_Howe]

Hello hello!

A couple of people have asked if I, myself, believe in witchcraft in the real world. This is definitely a tempting question to ask. However, I worry that if I answered, it might change the way you read the book. Instead, this is another one that I would prefer to hear answered by First Lookers.

Do you all believe in witchcraft, however we might understand it to be?

KH

[MYK]

Hi Katherine,

It is an honor to be an AR of your novel. Thank you, Barnes and Noble, and Hyperion for making this possible!

Congratulations on your first novel. If I may, I am predicting you have a Best Seller!!

History, combined with your imagination and a curiosity for the unkown, has made this book a favorite of mine! I will admit I read beyond the Chapters in discussion, so vaguely I want to mention I could not read Chapter 19 fast enough!

I highly recommend your book, and will be buying it to give as gifts as well.

I saw the mystery of the tomatoes in the garden right away. I knew it would have a larger part to play later in the book. Open mind and faith in your ability to write served me well.

Regarding Arlo..I think he plays a role in Connie's time, not as a reincarnation. He is, as dogs are, inquisitve, perceptive beyond our human qualities, and protective of their loved ones. Most importantly, they provide unconditional love, as some of the characters, past and present, seem to provide.

Question:  How long, from your first to last written word, did it take you to write this novel?

Thank you once again!

MYK aka Marie