Nomenclature & Novels (short & complete)
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The CBB -> St Clare's House

#1: Nomenclature & Novels (short & complete) Author: XantheLocation: London PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:26 pm
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The names in this story are taken from the very amusing http://www.notwithoutmyhandbag.com/babynames/index.html which has been causing Rosie and me to have hysterics for much of this afternoon.

Book titles belong to the Imaginary Library of Pim & Xanthe and are strictly copyrighted.


Jo Maynard, world-famous author of children’s books, was stuck. It was not often that writer’s block hit her, not least because the school supplied her with more than enough adventures and excitements to fill an entire library of books. Her “Pim” series – particularly “Pim Begins” and “Pim in Charge” - had been hugely successful; her foray into dancing stories with “Ballet for Xanthe” (dedicated to Felicity, naturally) had been met with acclaim; her latest historical novel “Tim Goes To War” was doing very well; and now she was attempting to start another school story. She had a plot in mind, but names for her characters were eluding her. Normally she “borrowed” names from the school, but as things had become increasingly incestuous and isolated over there, this was no longer possible. There were only so many Josephines, Margarets, and Helenas a story could realistically stand.

With a little sigh, Jo moved over to her desk and turned on the computer. She wasn’t very fond of it, much preferring her old type-writer, but she did find the internet very useful for keeping up with people. Surely there would be something on here she could use? What was the name of that search engine thingy again? Jo’s fingers flew over the keyboard. The top ten girl’s names (Emily, Ellie, Jessica, Sophie, Chloë, Lucy, Olivia, Charlotte, Katie & Megan) failed to inspire her, so she clicked on. At last she found the sort of thing she was looking for. Some beautiful and unusual names. The website even suggested making up your own names for your children (with some helpful guidelines to stop them being ridiculous). It also suggested giving traditional names new and unusual spellings. Fantastic. Jo scribbled down a list from the site, added a few of her own, and then returned to work on her story.

“The first day of term at St Genevieve’s followed a well-established pattern, only broken with once, when the members of Lower IVA had barricaded themselves into their form-room against Attila the Hun and his hordes (Lower IVB), claiming they were reenacting St Genevieve’s story. Their reward (making the punishment fir the crime) was a lengthy spell of prayer and fasting, and ever since the first day of term had had a reputation for being remarkably tranquil in comparison to the high spirits often found in other schools. Allikaylor Smith, leading light of the current Lower IVA, and her especial coterie of friends were clustered round the fire in the Middles’ Common Room, knitting. Aubriana and Thazel, the twins, were knitting socks for their sister Odessa’s birthday; Aria-Ocean was finishing off a jumper for herself; and Allikaylor was knitting squares to be sewn into a blanket. As they knitted, they were discussing their Christmas holidays with vim – Allikaylor and her small sister Karlakenya had had double pleuro-pneumonia following a skating accident, so there was certainly plenty to talk about…”

Jo was pleased with the way the story shaped. The disruptive new girl from London (Emtw’ntïfyv) settled in after clashing with almost everyone. Gwennog-Gwylan, “the little Welsh songbird” shot to unexpected fame after the school play, where her talent was spotted by the famous conductor Marc Anthony Latin, uncle of the Head Girl Quinlynn Brown. Catationia Calliope West was unmasked as a cheat. The chemistry lab exploded; the crown of a small Baltic state was saved; and Allikaylor gained her remove to the Lower V. It was a masterpiece. A modern classic. Jo could hardly wait to send it to the publisher as she was already coming up with ideas for a sequel…

#2:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:29 pm
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I think I'd like the sequel as well, please.

Such names!

#3:  Author: Rosy-JessLocation: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:32 pm
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I'm never ever going to complain about my name again. Brilliant Xan, ty.

#4:  Author: arky72Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 5:35 pm
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Fabulous! Thank you Xan!

#5:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:04 pm
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Wonderful Xan - would also like a sequel please! Wink

#6:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:32 pm
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Fantastic!
Thank you Xan. I must admit to having visited and giggles at that website on several occasions, (although I do think some of those parents should be tried for child abuse!!)

#7:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:38 pm
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I've had a good giggle at that site as well. Thanks Xan. Laughing

#8:  Author: KatLocation: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:38 pm
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Laughing

Fabbity!

Thank you Xanthe and Rosie! Very Happy

#9:  Author: leahbelleLocation: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:50 pm
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Brilliant! Thank you Laughing .

#10:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:34 pm
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*giggles*

Thanks you two - that site was brilliant!

#11:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:43 pm
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Laughing Laughing Laughing

Thanks, Xanthe.

I'd love to read the Pim series!



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