Somehow, linguistics and language issues—particularly semantics—manage to infiltrate every book I write.  I don’t mean in application, but in commentary: I actually make statements on my thoughts and feelings about how language works in my stories.  It isn’t something that I seek; rather, I’ve come to consider it one element of my style, these passages of metalanguage (there’s a lot of metafiction in some, too).  What, you want an example?  Okay, well, in my never-to-be-named-on-this-site-until-sold children’s fantasy (which a publisher has had in entire manuscript form—requested—for one year this week), I have a fairy who majored in Homo Sapien Semantics and Semiotics or, as she explains to my confused protagonist, “What humans call stuff.” 

And just a few days ago a linguistic element popped into my head for a potential sequel to the above-mentioned book.  Can’t go into much detail, but the situation involves a great leader who is given magical powers and protection due to her station, and who later abandons her post.  In this crisis, someone has to replace her, only he doesn’t receive all the abilities and protections that came with her official position.  His interim position comes with a kind of runner’s up set of powers, headlined by—don’t know who’ll get this, but I love it—magic stupid powers.  NOT stupid magic powers.  

I was going to write just what I mean by the distinction (for those who, quite reasonably, aren’t aware of how the six—I think it’s six?—level hierarchy of English adjectives is structured), but I think I’ll make you wait for the book’s release.  That may be, I don’t know, about four years.  I guess that makes this a teaser.  Well in advance.  Well, well in advance.

Anyway, does anyone have linguistic issues spontaneously pop up in their creative writing?  You know, commenting on the complexity of article use, literally, by referring to the fact that ”a 360 degree angle” is correct and ”the 360 degree angle” isn’t for the first introduction of said angle?  (It has to do with that whole definite/indefinite thing…)  If so, I have only one thing to say…

How weird are you?

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In other news, when I visit schools I offer to post drawings of dragons that kids do here on the site.  I think the first such drawing is in the mail (the educator swears she’s already sent it).  When I get it, I’ll post it here for everyone to enjoy, along with proper attribution for the student.