Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR

Querying The Bone Ransom, my post-colonial fantasy. For a free download of related poems, see

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@mcgillmd921 Vespasian was a down to earth, effective ruler with a self-deprecating sense of humor. As he died, he mocked the deification of emperors with, "I believe I'm turning into a god."

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@gshorebeach @YouReNoob4 @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy This is a mixed case. Her argument about "dog-face" seems sound, but her translation is not. The two shouldn't be conflated.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@gshorebeach @YouReNoob4 @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy Personal attacks are not exactly the hallmark of solid scholarship.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@gshorebeach @YouReNoob4 @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy Where the fuck are you getting that connotations involve literal cutting out? They're more a matter of perspective.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@gshorebeach @YouReNoob4 @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy "published before he was born? Huh?

And why would publication date matter?

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@YouReNoob4 @gshorebeach @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy Ignoring the sarcasm, it is, of course, the latter. Translators often have a look at earlier work

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@YouReNoob4 @gshorebeach @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy I read Old English, not Homeric Greek. I can give you an OE example.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

📷
· 9hBruce Byfield @byfield.bsky.social
My mistakes as a new novelist:
*prioritizing atmosphere over plot & character
*a slow start
*never killing Darlings
*mediocre comps *
querying too soon

I've learned but maybe too late. I'll keep trying all the same.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@gshorebeach @YouReNoob4 @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy I've done small Old English translations. While doing so, I've looked at other translations. I've noticed that all most all use the same literal, obvious words. Often, that obscures the overall meaning. So Wilson's claims are at least plausible to me.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@YouReNoob4 @gshorebeach @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy Exactly.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@YouReNoob4 @gshorebeach @wordsaladjones @_ghost_____ @romanhelmetguy It's not so much that common word choices are incorrect. They're usually related to the meaning. But the nuances may be lost, resulting in blandness and distortions that amount to half-truths.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@BretDevereaux Livy is reminiscent of the myth-generation of much of 19th century historians.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@KyleLeeWriter It can be useful to know more than you tell readers about your world. Sometimes, that secret knowledge lets you discover unique plot elements.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@Tool_Being It's naively biased to believe that right wing books - in fact, books of any persuasion - aren't equally as slanted.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@Medievalhtybuff When he first ruled, his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine was around to guide him, and he mostly listened.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@DoriJeanDill Prologues that are info dumps should be avoided in the modern market. Pronouns about events that influence the main story can usually work.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@Medievalhtybuff However, even if Edward did promise William the throne, technically the decision was the witan's, not his. A strong king could probably enforce his will against the witan, but Edward was a weak one. And Godwins probably dominated the witan.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@Medievalhtybuff On one hand, Edward had Norman feelings, but England wouldn't easily welcome a Norman king. His reign was propped up by Godwin's family, but at least early in his reign, he resented how much they controlled him. So he might have flip-flopped about the succession.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@Medievalhtybuff Harold Godwinson signed himself "sub-regulus," which sounds like he was Edward's assistance. He was a proven leader in war, and had the support of his influential family, including his sister, the Dowager Queen. These credentials made him the prime candidate.

[Bruce Byfield@Prentice Pieces: Querying TBR @PrenticePieces]

@Rosie_Gamgee_ That's true for a specific value of "good."