I never understood Shakespeare until I heard it read and performed. The hearing of it brought it to life. It's true for all poetry, I think.

Taking that one step further, Bev, I never fully appreciated Shakespeare until the Ken Branagh adaptations because of his insistence that the dialogue be spoken as conversationally as possible as opposed to with a theatrical inflection. It was amazing how much more devastating Henry V was and how hilariously funny Much Ado was.

because of his insistence that the dialogue be spoken as conversationally as possible

The scene between Harry and Kate in Henry V is even funnier than I could believe, I had to look it up to make sure the lines were as said, especially the "Here comes your father" right after they kiss.

Thanks for the feedback, y'all. Those lines did scan a little bulky to me.

My copy-edited manuscript arrived on the doorstep today.

This is no reason to freak out, I know.

Does that knowledge stop me from freaking out a bit? Ha.

Just keep in mind, Jilli, the copy editor is generally not your actual editor and that the power of STET is yours.

Especially if the C.E. is being a noodge.

I lucked out. My copy editor is awesome. I'm doing the second pass on the copy edits today, and then the manuscript gets mailed back.

In other JilliBook news, my editor let me know that the publisher and editorial director read the manuscript and are really pleased with it! But they're worried that the current cover design isn't elegant and gothy enough, so they want the art department to come up with some more designs. The current design is the standard Lady of the Manners portrait in black, white, and red, on a black background (matte, with gloss black pinstripes).

I'm assuming the publisher and editorial director reading and being pleased with the manuscript is kind of a big deal, yes?

I'm assuming the publisher and editorial director reading and being pleased with the manuscript is kind of a big deal, yes?

Yes, it totally is.

I'm assuming the publisher and editorial director reading and being pleased with the manuscript is kind of a big deal, yes?

I'd whimper in jealousy if it was almost anyone else. As it is, I'm super pleased for you.

I had no idea that the publisher and editorial director were ever handed manuscripts to read. So when Emily the Awesome Editor sent me that mail, I kinda stared at it in open-mouthed bogglement.

Jilli, I fully expect you to be invited to talkshows, because Goths are hip, they're happening, they're now, and you look so wonderful.