9 Phrases That Don't Belong In a Regency-set Romance

So, if you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that I recently started a new Twitter account called The When of Words, where I'm tweeting any word that I check the etymology of while I'm writing. These range from the surprising (unorthodox, adj. - 1657) to the mundane (pencil, n. - late 16th C.) to the just, plain, can't-be-used, (glitch, n. - 1962). You can follow the crazy bouncing ball of my current work in project if you follow @whenofwords on Twitter.

That said, it got me thinking about things that I'd really like to write, but that I just don't think would fly (read: things that would give my editor hives) in a Regency-set Historical. For example, my hero is an antiquarian, but it might not be ok for his friend to reply to his reference to the heroines marbles with, "Is that what they're calling them these days?" Funny? To my latent 13-year-old boy, yes. Historically accurate? Well, I'm guessing I'd get kicked out of the Beau Monde chapter of RWA. And, frankly, I kinda like the Beau Monde.

And then, I started getting punchy.

So, without further ado...I give you, 9 Phrases That Don't Belong in a Regency-set Historical:

9. "OMG, I totes love you."
8. "That's what she said."
7. "My dancemaster is insisting I learn the Robot."
6. "I saw what she wrote on your Facebook wall, my lord. I know that you've poked her."
5. "I'm happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but the Duke of Wellington was one of the best military leaders of all time."
4. Anything involving "bases."
3. "You have impugned the honor of my lady. Paint ball at dawn."
2. "I don't like to kiss and tell, but have you seen the girl's ankles?"
1. "I should like to take you riding...if you know what I mean."

ok. i think it's best if i back away from the manuscript. Right now.

But not without asking you what I've missed, first!

Cass McKenna on Inside the Character's Studio!

Give it up for Cass McKenna, the star of Megan Crewe's Give Up The Ghost, on Inside the Character's Studio!

Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance...

Welcome, Cass!

What is your favorite word?
Truth

What is your least favorite word?
Fake

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
People who say what they mean, people who listen instead of judging by appearances, seeing justice done to people who deserve it.

What turns you off?
Liars, cheaters, bullies, poseurs, and especially people who are all those things and get away with it.

What is your favorite curse word?
Crap, or, if no one who's going to get on my case is listening, sh*t.

What sound or noise do you love?
My sister's laughter. I wish I heard it more often these days.

What sound or noise do you hate?
The school bells. I have to spend way too much time in that place.

What profession would you like to attempt?
I don't know, I haven't really thought that far ahead.

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything where you have to make nice to annoying people.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Good work, Cass, you made the world just a little more honest!

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

Valerie Leftman on Inside the Characters' Studio

I am so happy to have a chance to host Valerie Leftman, the star of Jennifer Brown's incredible Hate List, on Inside the Character's Studio!

As those of you who follow me on Twitter know, I fell in love with this book when I read it...and I really believe it's one of the best debuts of the year...possibly of the last few years. Hear me when I tell you that you should go out, buy a copy, read it, and take it to heart. I, for one, am trying my hardest to "see things as they are" after reading this incredible book.

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saves the life of a classmate, but is implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things they hated. The list her boyfriend used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

Welcome, Val!

What is your favorite word?
"Forgiveness". But you don't hear it very often.

What is your least favorite word?
Right now, "guilt."

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Definitely drawing and painting. And visiting my therapist.

What turns you off?
My parents.

What is your favorite curse word?
Some people would say that my boyfriend's name is just about as bad as a curse word now. But I still like the sound of it: "Nick."

What sound or noise do you love?
I love the sound of total silence, especially in the art studio.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Gunshots. I never want to hear that again.

What profession would you like to attempt?
I think I'd do okay as a psychologist. Dr. Hieler inspires me.

What profession would you not like to do?
English teacher. I don't think I could handle reading Shakespeare anymore.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Don't worry; Nick made it here, too."

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

Gianna Z on Inside the Characters' Studio!

Give it up for Gianna Z, the star of Kate Messner's The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z, on Inside the Character's Studio!

Gianna Zales has a lot on her plate this fall – a father who drives her to school in the family hearse, a mother who’s turned into the junk food police, a little brother who thinks he’s a member of the paparazzi, and a grandmother who leaves false teeth in the refrigerator. Worst of all, she’s left her 7th grade leaf collection to do at the last minute. It’s a monster project, and Gianna will miss cross-country sectionals if she doesn’t meet the deadline. She’ll need the help of her geeky friend, Zig, and some brilliant ideas of her own to pull it off.

Welcome, Gianna!

What is your favorite word?
Pandemonium (because it sounds so colorful!)

What is your least favorite word?
Leaf project

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Running. And my art.

What turns you off?
Leaf projects. Did I already mention that?

What is your favorite curse word?
Oh gosh! Nonna would be scolding me in Italian for days if I answered that question here in front of everybody.

What sound or noise do you love?
Zig's special knock at our door

What sound or noise do you hate?
Anything that comes out of Bianca Rinaldi's mouth.

What profession would you like to attempt?
I'd love to be an art teacher and then coach track.

What profession would you not like to do?
Professional leaf collector.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Welcome! There's a whole room full of art supplies over there. Don't worry about making a mess - Pablo and Claude and Jackson get paint everywhere, too. And if you're hungry, Nonna has a batch of wedding cookies in the oven. (There should also be a sign on one of the clouds: No Leaf Collections Allowed.)

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

My friend Dave is the awesome.

He sent me this:


Which makes me happy.

Apparently it's called The Tea Party, but we can't find any info about the artist. Maybe you can help?

ETA: Thanks to newport2newport's mad googling skillz, I now know that the artist is Frederic Soulacroix!

Katherine Howard Gets Kanyed

Dear Person Who Made This,

I think I might love you. Like, in a totally inappropriate, stalkery kind of way.

Much Love,
Sarah

ETA: The internet is AMAZING! The maker of this awesomeness is rroughmagic! Go give her love!

9.11

Every year, September comes, and every year I think 'this year, it won't be weird. This year, the day will come and go and I won't think about it.'

Of course, it is weird. I do think about it.

Today, I lose my ability to be articulate. I forget how to say things eloquently, how to explain my thoughts and feelings using the words that I so carefully choose and so proudly master on other days.

Today, I am quiet.

Because there are no words that can say all the things that I want to say. And the sentence I would like to write--it never comes.

Emily Carson on Inside the Character's Studio!

Give it up for Emily Carson, the star of Jennifer Jabaley's Lipstick Apology, on Inside the Character's Studio!

Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick - her mother's last words.

Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media - and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family - one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser - Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

Welcome, Emily!

What is your favorite word?
Family

What is your least favorite word?
Apology

What turns you on, creatively, spiritually?
Owen's green eyes. Anthony's kindness. Owen's charisma. Anthony's jokes.

What turns you off?
Meanness

What is your favorite curse word?
Crap

What sound or noise do you love?
The sound of the trees rustling in the breeze. It reminds me of home.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Planes flying above.

What profession would you like to attempt?
Maybe a make up artist like my aunt. or a hair stylist like Trent. Or maybe just a great mom like my mom was.

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything involving chemistry.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Welcome, Emily. Your parents are waiting for you."

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.