Quel Cochon!

mainly sunny, temps 13

Lovely day, but only got outside long enough to run across the street for lunch...to the Lone Star Texas restaurant. I had a faijitas and Michael had ribs. Then scooted back.

Had a massage too.

Spent most of the day in the room, in my sweats...mostly answering email and doing interviews. But the other thing Michael has been trying to organize is creating a company. Our accountant, Frank, has ben after us for a while to incorporate, because of the novels and tax purposes. So figured it was finally time.

But the first thing we had to do was choose a name. And the corporate lawyer, Richard, would then have to search it to make sure it wasn't already taken. first I chose Village Inc. He said that was taken. Then I thought about it and decided on, Some Pig Creations.

This is a reference to Charlottes Web - the book that convinced me, at the age of 8, that I wanted to be a writer. It also happens to be a clue in The Brutal Telling. And Minotaur Books, to celebrate the launch of The Brutal Telling, found a first edition of Charlotte's Web and gave it to me. This was my wonderful editor's idea...Hope Dellon.

Can you imagine a more wonderful gift - a more thoughtful and meaningful gift? What a fabulous editor she is, and an amazing imprint, Minotaur Books.

Some Pig is what Charlotte wrote in her web in the hopes of saving Wilbur, the pig.

So for me it means my dreams of being a writer, it means The Brutal Telling, it means Hope and Minotaur. But it also means small 'h' hope. And second chances. And friendship. And community.

And i could think of no better name for a company that would represent the Gamache books.

The lawyer, however, could. Indeed, in his opinion almost any other name would be better. Michael and I could not understand his objections...so he explained it vewy, vewy slowly.

To incorporate in Quebec your company name must be translated into French...which would make it Creations Quel Cochon.

Yes, so? we said, still not understanding his objections.

Cochon? Richard tried again.

Yes...we said.

He thought for a moment then plunged on. (Richard is a delightful, almost courtly man who chooses his words carefully) 'If my 20 year old son was going to a stag party and watching those special films, they would be called "cochon" films.'

It took us a moment, then our eyes widened.

Our company, in French, would be the equivalent of, Porno Creations. Or, more precisely, Some Porn Productions.

Can you imagine? though sales of the books would certainly sky-rocket. Funny, I never realized that cochon meant porn. Must be generational. And gender.

Still, it was a close call.

So now we're in search of another name. Three Pines Inc. New Knowledge Inc. Remain Calm Inc. Ink inc.

Feeling a lot better about the Connelly thing - actually, I'm feeling neutral about it...forgotten...except I wanted you to know I was no longer concerned or hurt. A flesh wound. Healed.

thank you for your balm.

Relaxed day tomorrow too. have a book club conference call at 6:30pm but nothing else.

Hope you're well.