Hello hello!

[luvmykiddos]

Ms. Howe I am so excited to hear that you are "harboring plans for a sequel"!  I have throughly enjoyed this book.  Would you consider going down the First Look path again with your sequel?

[luvmykiddos]

Witchcraft,however we all understand it to be, I believe is real and true to an extent. And I think  real and true  depends upon the individual and what they want it to personally be for themselves. Witchcraft historically I think was a lot of ignorance and fear.  These days I think it has a whole new meaning. As a Christian, I was hesitant to read your book wondering what avenue you would take in your writing. Would you be completely into the sorcery  and spell aspect of it all? I was pleasantly surprised. You took a great avenue relaying facts weaved in with a good story line. And I appreciate that. No matter ones beliefs things were what they were back then and I loved reading your approach to them!

[hookedonbooks09]

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

---

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

---

Oh, so happy to hear your guy came from Petfinder!  I'm the corresponding sec'y for Last Hope Safe Haven.  If I had a farm and unlimited funds, petfinder.com would be out of business.  Thanks for giving them a plug here.

The inclusion of animals seems to create a whole other layer in novels; it bridges events/emotions and is very handy to have in the mix!

Barb

[luvmykiddos]

Sorry I thought I had quoted Katherine's post with her question to us in my previous post. FYI so there is no confusion as to where I was coming from!

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Katherine_Howe wrote:

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]

I see you already answered the question on how long the book took to write.

Another Question: How did you come upon the idea of a mandrake? In just some prior reading? Very interesting plant. Known to supposedly have animal life. I found it appropriate that Arlo found it! I wonder if it really could actually scream. Are you much of a gardener? Do you find any qualities in yourself that you can relate to your past relatives, such as do you have a herb garden or do you find yourself seeking natural remedies?

Thanks..

MYK

[hookedonbooks09]

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Katherine_Howe wrote:

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

---

When I was a child, I loved to be terrified by the Wicked Witch of the West---the extreme of witchcraft!  But from having worked with herbs and homeopathy, I see the other end of the "witchcraft' spectrum, which is healing, and of a much more spiritual nature.  I think that the current trend toward mysticality, alternative medicine and spirituality is actually the renewed interest in these old ways.  And probably why your book is such a hit!

As seen in your book the use of witchcraft, however it began, ended up in many cases being the scapegoat of misfortune. 

So to answer your question, I believe in the positive, "magical" (healing) aspect of it, but would probably not align that with the negatively-connoted "witch"-craft.

Barb

[debbook]

Katherine, thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book ahead of time. I really enjoyed it and am glad you are considering a sequel. ( I hope you aren't toying with us). I enjoyed the flow between the past and the present, you did that very well. Some authors don't pull that off.

Is Chilton loosely based on any professors you had? I hope not!

Also, what authors do you enjoy reading?

[deb-oh]

First off I wanted to say thank you for a great read.  Really enjoyed meeting the characters, especially enjoyed the switching from time present to time past. Having grown-up on the Northshore, and spending quite a bit of time in Salem and Marblehead, I loved the fact that I KNEW where the characters were, & could see it so clearly from your descriptions.  You were so right when you said that we New Englanders loved our pasts; I am part native american and love to hear and read anything that may bring me closer to knowing my ancesters.  My ? for you is with all your research into the past, did YOU find what you were looking for?

Thanks again for a great read; I will be reccommending it to everyone looking for a great book this summer!

Debra

[canterbear]

Katherine,

thank you so much for taking part in our discussion.

 I am so loving this book.

 I am amazed how you use description to drive the story.  I feel like I am really there, feeling and seeing what Connie is seeing and feeling.

1. Have you always been intersted in psychic things, like auras, and energy etc.?

 I had an odd experience before I ever got the book, I kept dreaming about your character.

When I read the description of Connie..I was amazed to find it was the person in my dreams.

  2. How did you find your agent? Did you try a few before you found the right one?

  3.  Are you also on Twitter?  There seems to be many authors there.

  Thanks for answering all the questions so far and telling us about the writing process.

  This is a wonderful book.

[Katherine_Howe]

---

luvmykiddos wrote:
Ms. Howe I am so excited to hear that you are "harboring plans for a sequel"!  I have throughly enjoyed this book.  Would you consider going down the First Look path again with your sequel?

---

Hi luvmykiddos!

I am so glad that you are enjoying the book. First Look has definitely been a great experience for me - it's one thing for your husband or your parents to say they like your book, but to have real readers like you all enjoy it makes me feel very happy. If invited back, I would absolutely participate in First Look again.

The book that I am currently working on is going to be set in Boston in 1915 - similar in tone, style, and mood, but with a different set of characters. However, like some of you, I feel like we haven't learned all there is to learn about the Dane/Goodwin family, and so I have a direct Physick Book sequel percolating. To stay up to speed on both projects, visit me on Facebook, or sign up to the Physick Book mailing list, connieandarlo@gmail.com.

KH

 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Katherine-Howe/47456997235

[Katherine_Howe]

---

MYK wrote:

I see you already answered the question on how long the book took to write.

Another Question: How did you come upon the idea of a mandrake? In just some prior reading? Very interesting plant. Known to supposedly have animal life. I found it appropriate that Arlo found it! I wonder if it really could actually scream. Are you much of a gardener? Do you find any qualities in yourself that you can relate to your past relatives, such as do you have a herb garden or do you find yourself seeking natural remedies?

Thanks..

MYK

---

Hi MYK!

Thank you so much for reading Physick Book. I'm glad that you are enjoying it.

As part of my research, I read a fair amount of sources, both antique and contemporary, about magical beliefs around specific plants and herbs. Mandrakes come up again and again - the comment about dogs being used to dig them up that appears in the book actually came from my research, not from my imagination. I'm told they figure largely in the Harry Potter books, and a mandrake was in the recent film "Pan's Labyrinth."

Until last summer, I hadn't had a house of my own before, and so didn't know if I was much of a gardener or not! But last year we planted many kinds of herb and tomato, and the tomatoes especially took over a good percentage of the yard. We also discovered a few unusual things already growing in our garden, including both echinachea and wolfsbane. Then the turnips started coming in, and things really got out of hand.

I think this year will be the heirloom carrot year. But we shall see.

I gather there are a number of gardeners here in First Look. Any especially unusual garden stories you all can share?

KH

[Katherine_Howe]

---

debbook wrote:

Katherine, thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book ahead of time. I really enjoyed it and am glad you are considering a sequel. ( I hope you aren't toying with us). I enjoyed the flow between the past and the present, you did that very well. Some authors don't pull that off.

Is Chilton loosely based on any professors you had? I hope not!

Also, what authors do you enjoy reading?

---

Hi Debbook!

Thank you so much for these kinds words. I'm delighted that you think the two time periods worked well.

I should say, for the record, that I have *never* had a professor even remotely like Chilton. He was another reason that 1991 seemed like a better time period for Connie than 2009. Academic culture has, thankfully, changed very much over the years. 

If you haven't checked out Physick Book's site here on the main Barnes and Noble page, you definitely should - there is a whole long interview that talks about books and writers, films, and other fun things!

KH

[liisa22]

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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

---

Hi Katherine, and thank you so much for allowing us to read your book. I predict this will be a best seller! 

I liked the accents in context; I think that it gave more flavor to the setting, letting people really have the feel of being in the Boston area. I think that not having them would have taken  away from that feel, especially since it is a very distinct accent that those of us from that area have even when we have not lived there in many years. 

[Katherine_Howe]

---

Carmenere_lady wrote:

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,

---

This is an excellent question.

A humanities PhD has three major stages. First is coursework, which lasts about two or three years. After finishing coursework a student usually gets a master's degree "in course," which just means along the way. Then the student must take the general exam. This requirement varies from school to school and program to program, but it's generally the midpoint. In the old days if a PhD student failed the exam, she would have to leave the program (but with a master's degree, so it's not the end of the world). These days they usually don't let you sit for the exam if they don't think you will pass. After the qualifying exam, a PhD student is "advanced to candidacy" and starts working on a dissertation, which is like writing an original nonfiction book. The national average for length of time for a PhD is about seven years from beginning to end.

So when we meet Connie, she is right at the big midpoint of her career as a graduate student.

I hope that this helps!

KH

[DebsScott]

---

Katherine_Howe wrote:

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

---

ARG!  My post poofed into cyberspace.  Okay, will try to rewrite...

Believe in witchcraft?  The Expelliarmus wand-waving, sparks-flying, spell-casting kind of witchcraft...no.  (Althoooooough witches and wizards DO cast oblivious spells to make us forget we've seen them and they DO live in hiding...no, no silly of me)

As far as the earth religion of witchcraft, I do believe because I have a friend who practices just such a religion.  Lisa has told me much about what she practices and believes...mainly because I'm a nosy person and a curious person and I asked her.  She, being the patient, kind person that she is, answered my questions fully and honestly.  No, she does not partake in satanic rituals, she does not sacrifice puppies nor does she swipe innocent babies from the street.  I really think this is where a lot of people get confused about witchcraft...they associate it with devil worship (many make that mistake, Lisa said, because they get the five-pointed pentagram...a sign of faith...mixed up with the INVERTED pentagram which is a sign of satanic worship).  If ever I have a complaint or misery, I can expect a recipe in my email or a package in my mailbox.  If a few choice words were muttered over the top of the remedy, more power to ya.  Most of the time, they work.

I have a very open mind where this kind of thing is concerned.  I do not judge people by their beliefs and I certainly do not allow someone's belief system determine whether they are going to be my friend (okay, if I WOULD have to draw the line at people who DO sacrifice puppies and swipe kids).  I certainly believe witchcraft exists.

[crimekitty763]

Ms Howe,   I was so pleased to read that you are thinking of a sequel for this book TPBODD, I am very interested in reading it.  Will you give us,  First Lookers, the first chance to read and view the sequel?  This has been such a fascinating book.  It has been difficult for me to read only the suggested pages for each week.  I must admit I am guilty now of finishing the book ahead of schedule.

[PB684]

---

krb2g wrote:

---

Katherine_Howe wrote:

---

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

---

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

---

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.

---

Hi krb2g!

It seems like you've got somewhat of a handle on the Latin...I'm impressed! If you decode any more I'd love to hear it. I'm wondering if it might help my vegetable garden this summer!

PB684

[PB684]

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rkubie wrote:

---

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

---

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

---

Thanks for editing my post Rachel, I'll try to contain myself from now on

PB684

[MYK]

---

Katherine_Howe wrote:

---

JerseyAngel wrote:

Katherine,

   Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I've only read to chapter 9 but am fully enjoying it so far. You definately have a gift for bringing the reader right into the story as if we are part of it!

    I'm curious, mainly because it's been a topic of discussion, about the accents. They don't bother me. In particular, when during the Interludes to the 1600's, I find them enjoyable. They seem to almost bring some authenticity to those parts of the book. I was wondering if there was a particular reason why you chose to spell out the accent? Whether it was simply to bring the reader closer to the story or for another reason? And also why some in the 1991 time have the accent while others do not?

Thank you again!

Stephanie

---

Hi Stephanie!

I'm so glad you are enjoying the book so far! I hope that you like Part II as well.

I've seen some of the discussion on accents, and I too was really on the fence about it. I have read books in which it made the story, and I have read books where it was sort of awkward and intrusive. It's a fine line to walk.

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

---

Like herbs and spices are to food... the accents enhance the story. My reading pace would have changed without them, but not enough for me to have noticed! It is for the better..it  made me focus and more devoted to the details.

MYK

[MYK]

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eadieburke wrote:

---

Katherine_Howe wrote:

---

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

---

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

---

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.

---

That translation bout sums it up. I would imagine that to mean...all forms close to God. Animals, plants, people,significant objects that draw good energy. Hmm faith,love, this can go pretty deep!