Four years ago in my critique group I had to defend my choice of spelling. So here I go again. But I’d like to pose a question first. What if I wanted to be creative with the word or words I use? You know, make up my own thing. I mean fantasy writers make up new worlds, rules, peeps, and even languages. So if I want to dub my title Secondhand Shoes then I should, right?
Since I’ve been more verbal on the blogosphere about the release of Secondhand Shoes, peeps have been leaving comments. They politely let me know something about Second Hand Shoes. I get it. But I want to settle why I spell secondhand the way I do.
Just to let you all know, I own like twenty dictionaries and have been known to read them for fun. When I began my tenure at school, my family learned I was dyslexic. I had issues with reading and spelling in the wee years of my education. Even in college it reared its ugly head but I graduated with double honors. Really. But I have to admit that the first law firm I worked for informed me after three months I would never succeed past the reception desk to paralegal status because of my spelling issues. It was at that time I became obsessed with the dictionary because I wanted to be more than a receptionist.
So I give you the reason for why I spell secondhand as secondhand and not second hand.
Cambridge Dictionary
Secondhand- owned before
Second Hand- a long thin pointer on some clocks and watches that shows how many seconds have passed
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Secondhand
1- received from or through an intermediary: borrowed
2- acquired after being used by another: not new
Second Hand
1- an intermediary person or means: intermediary
2- the hand marking seconds on a time
Okay. So these are the reasons for the title being spelled Secondhand Shoes. Lila’s wedding shoes were bought at a consignment shop and she’s one of those people that never expected the best for her life. In the beginning of her journey she accepts things as they are to keep her controlling mother off her case.
And now for some announcements.
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Lydia Kang over at The World is My Oyster is doing a giveaway in celebration for her birthday. Stop by and wish her well. Leave a comment and you could win a book of your choice.
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Jolene Perry is giving away an Arc of her book, Falling. Check her out at Been Writing.
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Lynda R. Young is also giving away an Arc of her new novel coming out. Check her out at WIP IT.
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E.J. Wesley is doing a Bury the Hatchet Blogtour in celebration of the release of his debut novella, Blood Fugue. Check him out at The Open Vein. You could win a Nook out of this deal. This tour ends October 19th.
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Gwen Gardner and Pal are having a blogtour starting next week through October 31st. Go check them out at Paranorm YA.
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I hope every one has a great weekend. I’m off today. Yay! But will be hair lopping Saturday and Sunday. So I’ll be lurking.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
