Oct9

The birth of Ilsa Rey

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The birth of Ilsa Rey

I know I’m supposed to do My Birthday Month, Part 2, but something came up.

Months ago, I was chatting with one of my favorite thought-provoking blog buddies, Endless Weekend, about the novel I was working on and what author name I might use should this project come to fruition.

I was considering using a pseudonym to distinguish my fiction from my three non-fiction books. Today, I confirmed that decision with a little thought, a little prayer, and a coin toss. (Best way to make all major life decisions, really. My husband would still be single if not for me flipping heads. Kidding, kidding.)

Endless Weekend helpfully sent me a link to every derivation of my name used throughout the world. I sloughed through a TON of names, nearly giving up before sitting up straight at the sight of “Ilsa.”

First, it’s just a cool name. Also, there’s Ilsa Lund–the tragic heroine of Casablanca, played by Ingrid Bergman. And who doesn’t appreciate a good classic?

Then I thought of Ilsa Faust from Mission Impossible, probably my favorite movie character–a kick butt female, and, most importantly, a sniper. (I have a long history of liking snipers. When I wrote the intro for this blog 13 years ago, I began by comparing the assembly of a baby bottle to that of a sniper rifle, so, yeah, I’ve been weird for a long time.)

Not that I intended to brand myself off movie characters, but there’s also Rey from Star Wars. She starts out as a nobody who then discovers hidden talents and becomes another bad butt. That depicts my main character, Ana, to a tee.

Yes, she does become a martial artist, but you have to wait until Book 2 for that. Sorry. I drafted this book before starting MA.

Signing my book contract. I always do these pics au natural: messy desk, no makeup, grubby clothes, aside from my new fabulous shirt… This is me IRL.

So, after learning of Black Rose Writing from another brilliant and talented blogger, Cheryl Oreglia, I signed on Friday and have a release date of late next year.

The book is about a teenage girl who is turned invisible by her genius best friend who then immediately (because, of course) gets kidnapped. She must find him for the antidote within a week, or she’ll remain invisible forever. The lovely side-effects of that proposition are insanity or death, most likely both (because, of course).

There’s mystery, humor, romance, complex family dynamics, and danger. Like, stressing-me-out-just-writing-it, danger.

It’s called Wish I Was Here. And if all goes well, my sequel, Wish You Were Here, will follow. If all continues to go well, we’ll round the trilogy out with Wish We Weren’t Here.

We’ll just have to wait and see what Ilsa Rey can do.

Okay, okay, just hear me out on this one. All that talk of snipers got me thinking of a new game: Ilsa trivia in the form of two truths and a lie. Which one of these is a lie?

  1. Probably in the top…. fooooouuurrr(?) of my bucket list is shooting a sniper rifle. One of my characters becomes an expert marksman in Book Two, so I’ll need to do some research.
  2. Many years ago, my Australian friend came over with her visiting New Zealander friend. I said something he apparently found witty, so he said, “You’re like a sniper.” It was one of the best compliments of my life.
  3. My uncle apparently goes “helihunting.” That is, he shoots pigs. With a rifle. From a helicopter. (Only in Texas. Though probably elsewhere, too. So, not only in Texas, but you get me.)

Regarding the last post’s trivia question: My trivia book says the London Eye Ferris Wheel is sponsored by Coca-Cola, but Andrew, who seems to know what he’s talking about, said it used to be Coke but is now the travel company lastminute.com. So there you go.

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103 responses »

    • Congratulations, Ilsa (but you were always Ilsa to me 🥰)! I’m doubly honored: first, because, well, because I know (sort of, at the very least! Or blog-know you? One or both for sure) you. And second because of the honors you bestowed upon me. As an author you know better than most the honor (or morale boost, or both?) of having your words stay with someone. Especially when they stay for a while.

      I disappear for just a little (?) while and the world changes! Thank you for helping charge it for the better!

      Might I ask for the background on the book contract?

      Like

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      • Can’t wait to hear more about your new adventure. I just saw this quote that had me running back here to share with you, it went something like this (already forgot the exact wording but not the enormously powerful sentiment) : “People die, but books never die.” And I’m reading a book that starts off by telling of a tradition of a child “adopting” a forgotten book, and making sure throughout their lives that the book does not retain the “forgotten” adjective. How powerful is that? How powerful is what you’re doing?

        Like

      • You know, it would have been fantabulous for it to have been a real life thing, or rather, for it to BE a rl thing! Imagine that when kids are young enough to care and not be governed by being cool, they get a book that is their responsibility to keep “alive”, in our “memory”…

        But, no, it’s a book that I forgot who recommended to me, and I was number 456 on the waitlist in the library, and I forgot all about it (of course 🙂 ) and all of the sudden it popped up (after a pretty short wait, not at all the 456 person waitlist!) and so far it’s just as enchanting as you think it would be.

        Love the idea of it being a rl thing, though!

        Liked by 1 person

      • It is a fantastic thing to be rl. But, are books really in danger of being forgotten these days? (Maybe the ones I write. Wuah-wuah.) But libraries are grand! I feel you on the long wait list thing. Been there! But I also have a dreadful problem with finishing books because I am so ADD about books. Oooh, a new shiny one! I think I have about eight started. 😦 Ugh. I so so wish I had more time to just relax and reeeeeeaaaaaadddd.

        Liked by 1 person

      • In the spirit of Halloween,

        🤣 And what’s my little friend? Audiobooks. It’s amazing to me how many books I’ve been going through ever since I’ve started reading/listening to in the kitchen. Who knew how much time I spend there 🤓

        As for forgotten books, never yours! But if you look at the bestseller list from 40 years ago (I did 🙃), there are quite a few books there that would qualify as now (mostly) forgotten?

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      • Yes, I listen to audiobooks when getting ready for bed and doing laundry. It just never takes long enough to get very far each time. But, truly, they are terrific little friends like that cute grape!

        Sad about the 40 years ago books. I suppose since there are so very very many, some are bound to be forgotten. I guess that’s why the author of the book you mention came up with that premise!

        Liked by 1 person

      • I tried audiobooks before, but I’m either too distracted or sleepy or don’t spend enough time there… except the kitchen.

        Oh, I thought that was a little chocolate candy, or a baby peep, I didn’t see it as a grape, eagle-eyed Ilsa. Oops. Somehow chocolate worked better in my head with Al Pacino’s voice 😁

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  5. How exciting! I imagine choosing a pen name is more fun than actually writing a book, which seems very laborious to me. Congratulations on all of it! I pick #3 being the lie!

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  6. Sadly there is no way of knowing which statement is false, Betsy. I would hope the hunting of pigs from a helicopter is the one but that would be a guess from the heart. Congratulations on your books. The story sounds like a good one.

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  9. Congratulations, whoever you might be. It’s generally best for snipers to be nameless. But personally I just don’t see it. You seem much less like someone who sits a mile away to attack — much more like “Get in your face and punch it” kind of person.

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  10. Best of luck with the book. I hope you become a millionaire because of it 😉

    Personally, I’d LOVE to go helihunting. My guess is the new zealand slang is the lie. Looking forward to your next post when you reveal all 😀

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Helihunting sounds wild. I just want to ride in a helicopter. I couldn’t shoot an animal, though.

      I’m not setting my expectations for the book nearly that high, but I do appreciate your enthusiasm, Booky! Oooh ooh! You’re whole schtick is reviewing books! I know this isn’t necessarily your genre, but we’re old friends! (For the past few months…) You see where I’m going with this.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • You can drive the helicopter and I’ll do the shooting. That way we both can have fun 😀
        Oh wait, you said ride. You know what? I’ll kick out the windshield and shoot and pilot at the same time. You’ll have an EXTRA exciting ride then, hahahahaa.

        Ahhhh, Betsy. You should read my Review Policy.

        My Review Policy

        In the comments you’ll notice a guy named Lazarinth. He managed to convince me to read his book. Right after his comment is a link to the review I did. Read the comments section. It is enlightening. It is also why I never review books of people I know, even online. And trust me, you do not want me reviewing your YA book, you really don’t.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. #1 is the lie. C’mon…too easy!

    A girl named Ilsa once rang my doorbell (not a metaphor) and tried to sell me an oil on canvas. She almost succeeded, because she was absolutely gorgeous. I couldn’t convince my then-wife that we needed artwork though, dammit.

    Congrats on the novel and potential trilogy! I haven’t announced this publicly yet, but I’m kicking around the idea of doing NaNoWriMo this year to finally start on my NTFK sequel. Any chance you might participate? It’s a big commitment, but can really push you to write.

    And if you ever need a beta reader, I’d be down.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • What I’m learning from this is I should get some plastic surgery before the book comes out, then sell it door to door.

      I’ll think about NaNoWriMo. On the one hand, I am stupid busy. I barely have time to blog or read other’s blog (have you noticed). But on the other hand, maybe it would kick my butt in gear. I have the sequel to finish (Seems like wishful thinking, but I’ve read that when your first book happens, all the marketing, etc, leaves little time for writing the sequel so it’s best to get this in order even before book 1 launches. … We’ll see. And I have the memoir about my martial arts experience kicking (ha!) around in the back of my mind. And then of course the 3rd book. Yeah. I have some work to do.

      You want to beta read my current? Dude. You would be an expert at spotting typos to boot! I have looked back on my blog posts, spotted mistakes, and cringed, thinking, “Mark no doubt noticed that. Face palm!” So, sure! I’ll take you up on that. Not sure YA is your standard fare, but…. (Did I even use the right fare?)

      One last thing: I was thinking of doing a future trivia Q about why the launch date of my book is apropos and significant, but you would be the only person to figure it out. So I’ll just ask you now: December 23, 2025. Forever away, but, Mark, why is that day (not so much the year) important and fitting????

      Liked by 1 person

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  19. My publisher and my agents advised me against using different names for publishing fiction and non-fiction, and that approach has worked well for me. I cannot see any reason for publishing with two different names. As a successful author, your name is like a brand mark. Look at contemporary authors like Knausgård and Houellebecq – they don’t publish fiction and non-fiction with different names.
    Klausbernd
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  20. I love the name!!! Isla is a beautiful name and Isla Faust indeed is such a great name and great character. I can see why you are drawn to her.

    Good luck with the publication of your novel. It sounds awesome and fingers crossed you get to complete your trilogy as planned! 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

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  22. YEA! I am so happy for you. This is all very exciting! When does the graphic novel version come out? How about the movie? Who is going to play Ana? Can we buy movie tickets yet? 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  27. Oh my, a snapshot (literally) into Betsy’s writing lair – thanks for that. I tried in vain to read what’s written on your shirt – do tell. I noticed with dismay the pine cones on your lamp because they’re dropping by the hundreds into our backyard grass right now. And your headphones look like a deadly viper sitting quietly on the corner of your desk. Watch out, Ilsa!

    Liked by 3 people

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  28. Nice name. That was my grandmother’s name. I didn’t know her, so can’t tell you if it is a good name or not. But from what I’ve heard and read about her – she was successful in her craft – so I’m hoping you will be too!!

    Liked by 2 people

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