In my last post, I introduced the Aurelius siblings, and today I thought I’d say some more about the actual book they inhabit.
The Other Half of Everything is set partially in our world in a vaguely modern time… I haven’t decided the exact location. But there is also a good deal of hopping over to fantasy worlds, which I’m very much looking forward to. In spite of what may sound like somewhat dark story-arcs for Teague and his siblings, I actually intend for the book to be fairly whimsical and humorous.
Although the Aurelius siblings are the ones who I’ve introduced, the main character of The Other Half of Everything is Meridian, who is very different than I am, and is going to be very interesting to write. I’m currently thinking of writing the book in first-person from Meridian’s point of view (which would make this my first book that wasn’t in third-person) but I haven’t decided yet. I think of the book as being primarily Meridian and Teague’s story.
Here’s a little (okay, long-ish) blurb-like bit about the story, and then, to get a further peek into it, some snippets, yay!
I also have a PINTEREST BOARD for it.
Summary
All Meridian Brownley wanted was a job to help pay for college. Instead, she found an unwanted adventure when she became the housekeeper of the top floor of the enormous old house she had lived in all her life.
Everything she found there was unexpected (except the dust). Mr. Stottleshaw was not at all the white-haired old man who everyone along the street had not seen go down to his mailbox in thirteen years and was vaguely suspected of being a magician (which was nonsense). There was nothing very glamorous or mysterious or magical at all about the upper floor, although there was certainly an unusual amount of papers, and even larger quantities of frustration to be had.
Meridian avoided writers like the plague, which was unfortunate, as that was what Mr. Stottleshaw turned out to be — although that did not even seem to be his name. He was in fact Teague Aurelius, a young and extremely absentminded writer, who sometimes got lost in his stacks of books and papers, forest of sticky-notes, and armada of looking-glasses. He had very odd relatives who would drop in at the most inopportune times, and a bad habit of forgetting to eat unless Meridian cooked for him. And an even worse habit of disappearing for days.
Until one time, he took Meridian with him.
Snippets
The phone rang, a long, forlorn, wailing noise that seemed to echo through the rooms as if it was being abandoned. I soon found out why.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?” I asked him on the fourth ring.
“No.”
I paused, somewhat shaken at his flatness of tone. “But… if someone’s trying to get a hold of you…” I began.
He didn’t even look up, but interjected absently, “If they really want me to pay attention they can email, or text. Or write a letter,” he added as an afterthought.
I never wrote or typed anything if I could say it instead, and found it annoying when people insisted on texting and especially not answering their phones. “What if they want to talk to you?”
“Then they can come to the door,” he said, unperturbed and still not looking up. “I answer that. Most of the time.”
Eventually, after the phone had rung repeatedly at intervals and been ignored by Teague every time, I lost my patience and answered it, looking directly at him so he would get the hint. “Hello? Teague’s residence—how many he not help you?”
***
“Why do you have all these looking-glasses?” I found myself asking out loud as he passed one time.
I felt like I had cleaned a dozen already and was not looking forward to the nightmare of who-knew how many more.
“So that I won’t forget I exist,” Teague said.
I eyed his face, waiting for him to smile at his own joke. And then I realized he was being serious.
***
“Well… What are you writing?” I tried.
“Novels, naturally,” he said, in a way that seemed to imply that there was positively nothing else in the world that could be written.
I noticed that he had used a plural. “How many?” I asked.
“I haven’t the slightest idea,” he said unconcernedly. “As many as want to be written, plus several that don’t.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Thank you again.”
“I am not complimenting you.”
Teague smiled his absentminded smile—I was beginning to wonder if he had any other kind—and answered calmly, “Maybe you don’t think you are, but you may be wrong. When two people think opposite things about something and one person says something derogatory about the other… it can amount to a compliment. Compliments are slippery things.”
His logic was equally slippery, and, I thought, inaccurate, but I could not figure it out enough to argue. I shook my head and gave up. “I will never understand you.”
Teague’s vague smile widened as he walked dreamily to the next room, saying, “And that is the highest compliment of all.”
I want to read this book very, very much please. 😀 It sounds absolutely awesome. I like Teague and Meridian already, and the sneak peeks are awesome, especially the last one.
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*squeal* I’m so glad you like the sound of it! Thanks so much! ❤
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I am in love :D. Deb I must read this I must, please is there anyway. It is beautiful and the type of book I have been scouring bookshelves looking for.The part where she asked him what he was writing. “Novel’s naturally,” Perfection 🙂 I love it.
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*blinks* Um… okay then! XD Thanks so much! I haven’t started writing it, but when I do I shall remember you! And yes, I love books like that which is why I want to write one. ^_^
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That blurb! I am super intrigued and very put-out to discover this is not yet written. Please drop everything else you are doing, write this story, and send me a copy! 🙂
In all seriousness, this sounds like a fantastic and super fun story. Love the snippets.
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EEP, thanks! 😀 And haha, I’m flattered. XD Believe me, I would LOVE to drop everything and work on it, but it still needs work… 😉 Hopefully soon, though! I’m so glad you liked them! ^_^
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It’s not every day I fall so hard for a book. I AM IN LOVE (like Skye said)! EVERYTHING about this is utterly delicious. A blurred intersection of reality and fantasy? A big old house full of books and papers? A spunky heroine and absentminded writer? Humor? YES PLEASE. ❤
Until one time he took Meridian with him. :O That was perfect. It literally made me sit up straighter and think "Uh oh" and "Oh goodie!" at the same time.
And also: "Hello? Teague's residence–how may he not help you?" XD
Celti, askjfdlkupq, I have no words! It sounds like exactly the sort of book I'd love. And those pictures are the best. This post is like the smell of your favorite food baking–so tantalizing, and yet you can't eat it yet because (*wail*) it's not ready!
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Awwww, thanks so much, Tracey! ^_^ You made my day. ❤ And yeah, I know that feeling! I'm sorry you'll have to wait! *flail* I so need to write this sometime though! Thanks so much for your sweet words! 🙂
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You’re welcome. ^____^
It’s okay! Like I said before, take your time. 🙂 I just had to let you know how AWESOME it sounds!
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Well thanks so much!! ^___^
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I just love the picture quote you put up at the beginning! But the story sounds awesome too! 🙂
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AAAHH yes, I love that quote! I read it recently and just HAD to make a picture quote of it! ^_^ And thanks! 🙂
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Can I steal it? I just want it around for it’s awesomeness. 🙂
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Absolutely, go right ahead! 😀 I think if you click it it should go to where I put it up on pinterest. ^_^ It is such a fabulous quote, isn’t it?? ^_^
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OHE POST.
*HUGGLES IT*
HAVE I MENTIONED I LOVE THIS STORY ENOUGH YET? BECAUSE I LOOOOOVE THIS STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I NEEEEDSSSS IIIIIIT.
This post was perfect. The summary, the pictures, the snippets! It was such a treat reading those snippets again because they’re just the best. Everything about this story is the best! It’s all my favorite things rolled into one. *FLAILS* I JUST LOVE IT.
And *gasps* that quote at the beginning! Does that mean the “other worlds” Teague goes to have something to do with the books he’s writing??? *wriggles eyebrows* I must know mooooore.
I LOVE THIS STORY. ❤ ❤ ❤
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*flail* EEEE THANKS SO MUCH! ^__^ You made my day, Lauri! *huggles*
And heehee, yes, there waaas sort of an idea about the other worlds having to do with what he’s writing…
*shifty eyes* We shall see!
YOU ARE THE SWEETEST AND I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKE IT. I MUST WRITE IT SOON.
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Ooooh, portal fantasy! This sounds very intriguing, Deborah. Are you thinking this will be a YA fantasy? Or adult? It could probably go either way.
That’s an awesome library picture, btw. It reminds me of Derby Square Bookstore in Salem, MA, with towers (literally, towers!) of books from tabletop to ceiling. A very dangerous place, but wonderful too. 😉
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Thanks! I haven’t heard the term Portal Fantasy before, but yes! 😀 And it’ll be YA. ^_^ I pretty much just write YA. XD
And ooh, sounds cool! I loooove library pics and books and stuff like that. 🙂
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It’s not necessarily a subgenre. But it has that common “portal” similarity with Narnia and the Harry Potter novels (“portkeys”). That’s what it reminded me of. 😉
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AHH! This story sounds sounds absolutely incredible!! And the snippets are fascinating and just lovely! I really want to read The Other Half of Everything now!! 😀 😀
A writer and a housekeeper and another world. Sounds perfect. Let me know when its published, 😉 🙂
Blessings!! ❤
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Aww, thanks so much! ^_^ Made my day. ❤ And heehee, I will, if it ever is. 😉 Blessings to you too!
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Love the snippets!!! 😀 Can’t wait to read!
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Thanks! ^_^
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