Author Topic: Author! Author!  (Read 360779 times)

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1520 on: February 09, 2011, 05:37:31 PM »
Pedln - no accessories so far.  The price they charge for this thing, you would think all the extras would come free in the box - but sadly all you get is the charger cable.  I saw a beautiful bag for it in J Lewis, but felt I couldn't have any more self-indulgences in one day.

R

roshanarose

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1521 on: February 10, 2011, 10:32:30 AM »
Rosemary - Go on.  Buy it.  Life is too bloody short anyway.
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?  - Plato

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1522 on: February 10, 2011, 02:01:13 PM »
 ;D

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1523 on: February 11, 2011, 04:56:46 PM »
At last! I hear you cry - here is the new quiz:

Author:       I changed my views radically in mid-life

Character:   I am naive, but not for long


If this is too easy, I'm sorry - moving house is not good for the brain cells!

R

straudetwo

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1524 on: February 11, 2011, 08:09:38 PM »
Too easy ?  Not for me. 

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1525 on: February 12, 2011, 02:20:38 AM »
Well that's a relief ! 

Gumtree

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1526 on: February 12, 2011, 05:37:38 AM »
Me either!
Reading is an art and the reader an artist. Holbrook Jackson

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1527 on: February 12, 2011, 06:37:51 AM »
more clues?

Gumtree

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1528 on: February 12, 2011, 11:09:48 AM »
Please!
Reading is an art and the reader an artist. Holbrook Jackson

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1529 on: February 12, 2011, 01:01:43 PM »
Author:       I spent much of my youth in the South

Character:  My adventures begin when I move to the big city

straudetwo

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  • Massachusetts
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1530 on: February 13, 2011, 05:40:36 PM »
It's not the South of the Moon, is it ? :)

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1531 on: February 14, 2011, 02:33:31 AM »
No sorry - but I am going to look that up to see what it is!

More clues -I'm sure you'll get it now:

Author:       I began my career as a journalist

Character:   On my first day in the city, I receive a rather unusual gift

roshanarose

  • Posts: 1344
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1532 on: February 14, 2011, 10:41:35 AM »
Is it Helen Gurley Brown?
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?  - Plato

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1533 on: February 14, 2011, 03:59:34 PM »
No, sorry!

Back with more clues tomorrow (if you want them)

R

PatH

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1534 on: February 14, 2011, 04:41:49 PM »
I'm sure when someone finally gets it we'll kick ourselves for not getting it with all those very specific clues.

straudetwo

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  • Massachusetts
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1535 on: February 14, 2011, 10:27:09 PM »
Rosemary,  when I joined this group, the respective challenger added a new clue once a day until all elements of the quiz, i.e.  author,  book and main character, were found.

In this case we have too little information to know ion what (where and when) to focus.  Sorry.

P.S. When the game was invented and the very first quiz posted by Ginny,
only the character (in fiction or non fiction) was "wanted".

By the time I joined, the quizzes had "evolved" to include additional elements. So I simply followed suit. Was that o.k., PatH?

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1536 on: February 15, 2011, 02:51:06 AM »
Sorry, will I stop?

Gumtree

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1537 on: February 15, 2011, 09:25:06 AM »
Good Heavens NO!

More clues, please!
Reading is an art and the reader an artist. Holbrook Jackson

PatH

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1538 on: February 15, 2011, 12:02:46 PM »
Traude, Rosemary, the rules of this game are pretty flexible.  Anything that works and is fun is OK.

Goodness, Rosemary, don't stop now, we'll get it sooner or later.

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1539 on: February 15, 2011, 12:37:46 PM »
Author:      a chance encounter with another writer led to that person writing their own very
                            popular series

Character:  my best friend has a nominal connection to an American icon

Book:         was serialised on television some time ago

roshanarose

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1540 on: February 16, 2011, 09:20:23 AM »
Rosemary - How is the dreaded moving going?

Would it be at all possible for me/us to have a clue as to 1) what city; and 2) what date it is set /eg 40s, 50s, 60s whatever?
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?  - Plato

rosemarykaye

  • Posts: 3055
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1541 on: February 16, 2011, 11:04:28 AM »
Well I have managed to be out most of the day - have come back to almost empty house, depressing but at least it's done.

Of course you can have more clues!

It is set in the 1970s - which is an integral part of the story.  I can't tell you the city without giving it away completely (I suppose that in itself is quite a big clue), but I can say that one of the things it is famous for is a particular form of transport.

Hope that helps,

Rosemary

roshanarose

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1542 on: February 16, 2011, 11:04:11 PM »
VW Kombie Vans  ;D
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?  - Plato

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1543 on: February 17, 2011, 02:32:18 AM »
Not quite!  Although they would probably have been/still are popular with some of the locals.

It's a form of transport very popular with tourists.

Here are two more clues: 

Author:  Has an unconventional marriage

City:      Known for its liberal atmosphere

I'm sure you'll get it now!

R

roshanarose

  • Posts: 1344
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1544 on: February 17, 2011, 10:49:23 PM »
Rosemary - As I was waking up this morning I had a "Eureka" thought about your puzzle. 

The Tardis
Doctor Who


As I sat down to my computer, my fingers tingling with the excitement of my find; my chin started to quiver when I read "It's a form of transport very popular with tourists".  Even I, with my fertile imagination, couldn't visualise a city full of Tardis.  I will make the Plural Tardii?

Sounds like Paris is the city, but don't like to stereotype.
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?  - Plato

roshanarose

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1545 on: February 17, 2011, 10:50:07 PM »
Balloons perhaps?
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?  - Plato

pedln

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1546 on: February 17, 2011, 11:33:51 PM »
roshanarose, are any of those guys (Dr Who guys) from the South, one-time journalists?  Paris would be a good city, my thinking was not quite so worldly.  It could be Rome, Berlin, or Chicago.  Wasn't it Sister Carrie who went to Chicago, ran into problems.  But that author is not from the South.

Rosemary, have you tossed us any red herrings here?    ;D

You wouldn't do that, would you?      :P

I thought I might have it, but could find no evidence of mini-series,tv, or film.

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1547 on: February 18, 2011, 01:56:45 AM »
Hello,

No intentional red herrings I promise.

Ingenious thought! But -it's not Dr Who, and I'm afraid I don't know who Sister Carrie is.

Another clue:  the city is in the USA, and all of the action in the book (so far as I can remember) takes place in that one, famous, city, which is also where the author lives.

A big clue:  the character is given the unusual gift that I mentioned earlier by a very unusual landlady, who is a major character in the book

If you don't get it now (and I'm sure you will), I am going to have to research for more clues!!

R

Gumtree

  • Posts: 2741
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1548 on: February 18, 2011, 02:52:14 AM »
Well I'm not going to get it - not in a million years - or with a million clues. - nothing you've said is ringing any bells for me so I'm guessing I've not read it. And will I be mad if I find I have and missed the clues.

Roshanarose - love your Dr Who bit
Reading is an art and the reader an artist. Holbrook Jackson

rosemarykaye

  • Posts: 3055
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1549 on: February 18, 2011, 03:29:58 AM »
Oh Gumtree!  I really thought I had given it away with that last clue.  I will wait till later today or tomorrow and if no-one's got it by then I will concoct some more clues.  Moving day TODAY, so I will be glad to have clues to think of to stop me getting morose  :(

R

rosemarykaye

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Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1550 on: February 18, 2011, 03:39:18 AM »
PS - Roshanarose - it's not balloons but something much more earthbound - it's appeared in films and even in a song or two.

I really did think this book was well known - even my husband has read it!

roshanarose

  • Posts: 1344
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1551 on: February 18, 2011, 08:06:34 AM »
One last gasp - San Francisco and trolley cars!

pedln : I must still be in the Land of the Lotus Eaters, as I have no idea what you mean here.  Please enlighten me?  roshanarose, are any of those guys (Dr Who guys) from the South, one-time journalists?
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?  - Plato

pedln

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  • SE Missouri
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1552 on: February 18, 2011, 09:59:10 AM »
roshana, those were earlier clues.  The author grew up in the South, and first started out in journalism.  I think now, however, we're on the same wavelength.

Rosemary, I thought maybe the South was a red herring ---  for South Africa, South America, south of France.  I was working on Isabel Allende, as she fits some of those clues.

pedln

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  • SE Missouri
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1553 on: February 18, 2011, 10:04:54 AM »
Is it Armistead Maupin,  Tales of the City?

I haven't read the book, but saw some of the tv shows several years ago.

straudetwo

  • Posts: 1597
  • Massachusetts
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1554 on: February 18, 2011, 12:00:11 PM »
Hello everyone,

My computer has given me much grief this week.  Things are no quite right,
No need to describe the ensuing frustrations,
I'm on hin ground; 2 previous messages disappeared, but I'll give it one mor shot.
So to be brief before everthing vanishes again, hefe goes.

Re Pedln's # 1553.  I agree.
The "chance encounter between  the author and another literary figure"'
 took place a a dinner party at the home of Amy Tan in SF.'
The other literary figure was Alexander  McCall Smith, who admired the concept of  Tales of the City = the serialization of a novel in a daily newspaper, long held obsolete.  McCall Smith was not convinced.

And set out t orove the opposite in hi series 44  Scotland Street. -- still going strong.

Hoping this gets out before vanishing,  with good wishes to Rosemary in settling in the new home.
If there are typos, please ignore. I can barely see what I am ty ping ...


rosemarykaye

  • Posts: 3055
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1555 on: February 18, 2011, 05:46:58 PM »
Yes!  Yes!  Hoorah!

I am not sure which one of you actually got it, but thank goodness you did!

Armistead Maupin grew up in N Carolina (I hope that is the South, I thought it was).

He had conservative views in his youth, but then changed his mind.

He is married to his male partner.

His chance meeting was indeed with Alexander McCall Smith.

Tales of the City is set in San Francisco, known for its cable cars.

Mary Ann Singleton, the character in the book, arrived in SF from Cleveland.  On her first night in the boarding house in Barbary Lane, her landlady Mrs Madrigal pinned a joint to the door of her room as a welcome present.

Mary Ann's best friend in Barbary Lane is Michael Tolliver or "Mouse" (as in Mickey).

The novel is set in the 1970s.

It was televised with Olympia Dukakis as a memorable (to me anyway!) Mrs Madrigal.

I hope there weren't any red herrings - if there were, it was my fault entirely and not intentional.

Thanks for sticking with it.

Rosemary 

straudetwo

  • Posts: 1597
  • Massachusetts
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1556 on: February 18, 2011, 06:22:10 PM »
IMHO the honor for solving the quiz belongs to PEDLN.

Had she not mentioned San Francisco,  the pearl of Northern California,  I'd never have made he connection. I was lost   in the South  :)

rosemarykaye

  • Posts: 3055
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1557 on: February 18, 2011, 06:30:40 PM »
Straude, thank you for your good wishes.  After a very long day indeed, the girls and I arrived at our temporary home (in my friend's house in the country) at past 8pm.  I am not used to driving in the dark on unlit roads any more, so it took ages to get here - but dear Heather had prepared a wonderful roast chicken dinner for us, and now I am lying in my bedroom (in the flat that forms the basement of her house) - the sheets are pure white linen with a beautiful cream bedspread, the window looks out onto the garden, beside my bed there is a little table with an antique lace cover - I feel like I am in a luxurious country hotel, but with all the added blessings of good friends.

Snow forecast for tomorrow - but we don't need to go anywhere  ;D

Rosemary

Gumtree

  • Posts: 2741
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1558 on: February 18, 2011, 06:48:49 PM »
Sounds like bliss Rosemary - enjoy. Hope the rest of your move goes well and painlessly.

I'm so relieved to know I haven't read your quiz book - should I? I keep adding to my TBR pile so often lately - and then instead of reading one of those something else captures my attention... though when I think about it I realise how lucky we are to have books always on hand.

Traude So good to 'see' you - I had noticed you were having computer problems - hope they go away permanently.
Reading is an art and the reader an artist. Holbrook Jackson

roshanarose

  • Posts: 1344
Re: Author! Author!
« Reply #1559 on: February 18, 2011, 11:54:45 PM »
pedln - Well, as you say it could be South anywhere.  We even have a South Australia.  As Dr Who is a TimeLord, he can be anywhere, or for that matter, anyone.  I do admit that I was being a bit flippant.  I often am when I don't know things, one must have some recourse.  Gum caught on.

rosemary - Your temporary sojourn with a friend sounds just like what you needed.  A bit like landing in a beautiful city between long airline journeys with a friend to greet you.  I do hope your moving is proceeding as you wish.  I really can empathise with you on moving.

straude - How frustrating.  We are so dependent on these confounded PCs, that a glitch or two (or 500) can ruin one's whole week.
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?  - Plato