In which Rolanni has the headache

[rolanni]

By the time I left work yesterday, it was 34F/1C, snow falling from the sky and the snow that was already on the roads melting. That was Strange and Interesting. It continued to snow into the evening, the temperatures dropped and this morning, with pink-edged grey clouds giving way silver-blue sky. . .my car was frozen shut. I didn't have any luck trying to get in, and Steve did go out to do the honors, though probably he shouldn't have done, and off I drove. The roads were snow covered and slick until I got into town proper, when they reverted to just wet, and so to work, only a few minutes late.

I've had a headache for the last couple days; stupid thing just won't quit. Not bad enough for Big Drugs, and not really responsive to aspirin. Yesterday, I napped for a couple hours after work. That didn't really help; and it was waiting for me when I got up this morning.

In and around all that excitement, the edit letter for Mouse and Dragon landed, and the poor copy editor wants, as copy editors do, Rules. The facts of High Tongues, Low Tongues, modes, and pilot hand-talk are frustrating her, which is understandable for someone coming to the universe cold. Worse, Mouse and Dragon is all-Liaden-all-the-time, so there's not even the relief of a naive viewpoint to help explain things.

This means trying to condense twenty years worth of world-building into succinct sentences and paragraphs -- and forming occasional Rules. I don't know that I'm the best person for the job, frankly, headache or no. Steve's doing his pass today, in-between naps, and we'll compare notes this evening.

In the meantime, I have a few things to do for the day-job, and an after-work trip to the grocery store scheduled (I got paid! I can buy food!), then to home. And maybe a nap.

How's your day shaping up?

Comments

[baggette.livejournal.com]

Not being an editor, I wouldn't understand her point of view,
BUT, as a reader, I thought that your previous explanations sufficed quite nicely. You don't have to UNDERSTAND the rules to comprehend that the tone (MODE) of an exchange changes with circumstances. I would not speak to my Mother the same way I would engage with my friends........ or a Senator.....or the butcher.

Just my two cents worth.
what would that be in Laiden cash?

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

Hey, maybe throw the question out to your readers, and ask us to write what we perceive as the rules: then you just need to winnow through rather than formulate the original statement?
Just brain storming....

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

I agree with queenmaggie -- toss those questions out to the irregulars and let us chew on them for a bit. We'd probably enjoy the questions, even if the answers we provide might not be as useful and pointed as those of your co-author.

[scrapcat.livejournal.com]

Maybe what you have is a sinus headache brought on by barometric pressure as the weather changes. Try a decongestant like Sudafed. I get headaches like this all the time.

Sinus Headache

[redpimpernel.livejournal.com]

Weighing in alongside Scrapcat. When it's a headache that aspirin won't touch and it lasts for longer then it should, theses are indicators of a sinus headache (as are random tooth ache, sore cheekbones, earache, spike in the eyeball feeling, etc.) Mine are most often triggered by low pressure weather systems with precipitation. Suggestions for drugs, generic versions of antihistamines, Claritin (my drug of choice), Zyrtek.

A word of caution, avoid the "-D" (decongestion) version of these drugs (Sudafed is also in the decongestant class) unless you really need that. These formulas can interact adversely with other medications and can increase blood pressure in some. Unlike older antihistamines (like Benadryl) the newer ones usually won't make you drowsy.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy-medications/AA00037

Aiyyee

[(Anonymous)]

Your headache sounds like the migraines I sometimes get - sleep is
only a temporary solution, I'm afraid. Pain killer of your choice
helps (I've had luck with Advil, Aleve and Excedrin - though the
last has caffeine and I think Tylenol in it too, so beware if
you're sensitive to them.) I've got a stash of migraine meds ready
to go for my next bout but it's the first time I've tried them so
I can't say yet if they'll be effective. Like you, it's a low
grade pain that's not quite enough for an aspirin or sudaphed but
it lasts for daaaaaayyyyyyssss. Those inhalers are better for me
than sudaphed but they take 3 days to really kick in - and they're
mild steroids to boot so I'm leery of them. I take it when I gotta
though because I can't just Not Sell Books.

There's a few teas, both herbal and otherwise, that are supposed to
be decent...but I like cold beverages when I'm like this. Still,
maybe you'll prefer the steamed beverages? Ginger, mint, cinnamon,
that sort of thing.

Is your copy editor looking for some explanatory lines for herself
or for the book? If it's for the book, it might be worth a little
excerpt (maybe from Anne Davis' books?) stashed in front as a
prologue or in back as an appendix. Something you can re-use in
other Liaden books? I'm vaguely recalling Miri reading something
in Carpe Diem. Though there were some good explanations to
Priscilla in Conflict of Honors...from her librarian-boss, I think.
Lena?

Lauretta (@ConstellationBooks)

Today's Agenda

[redpimpernel.livejournal.com]

To actually answer the question asked, since I've already done the the knee-jerk giving unasked for advice (why is that such a strong urge?)

Since I shopped yesterday (double coupon day!), today is the day to actually send in applications to this week's small pile of job listings I may be qualified for. The hardest part of my week. I hate writing cover letters.

[ebartley.livejournal.com]

(Greedy look) Will there be an ARC when the copy editor is done?

My day's shaping up well -- finishing up lunch, contemplating if I've had enough water today. Probably not. Dry winter air.

(Unsolicited advice)

Alternating hot and cold packs on your temples and forehead for the headache? That helps all the flavors of persistent headaches I've had.

Sinus headache, maybe? Barometric changes + dry winter air + even the tiniest touch of runny/stuffy nose & sinuses = sinus headache.

If it's a sinus headache:
- inhale steam, drink lots of water, nasal spray, any painkiller, tiny dose of Tiger Balm or equivalent on your temples, forehead, and to either side of your nose

If it's a migraine:
- hang out in the dark, warm, caffeine, Aleve

If it's a tension headache:
- soak in a warm tub (hot shower helps some too), ibuprofren, Tiger Balm or equivalent around your neck and back

These are not mutually exclusive: I used to get migraines triggered by sinus headaches.

Back when I was in college and getting all of the above I used to hang out in the shower for two hours with the bathroom light off. Now that I've got my sinuses mostly under control and keep up a high mostly consistent caffeine intake, I feel much better.

[paw3pals.livejournal.com]

The answer, for a copy editor coming to the Liaden universe cold, is to read some of the prior books.

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

Or if you were feeling kind, give them extracts where it is explained to characters in previous books.

If you were feeling sad at having to find them all, your noble readers may well happily assist in finding the passages, as they have in the past.

is to read some of the prior books.

[bookmobiler.livejournal.com]

I'm sure they'd enjoy them but they probably don't have the time.

They're probably copy editing something else while waiting for a response.

I seem to recall that a copy editor was very upset dealing with Janet Kagen's Hellspark because of the alternating pronouncing thing.

Hell Spark v. Hells Park

[(Anonymous)]

That was my favorite part!!!

My day was quiet early on but I got a fair amount
of backoffice work done while waiting for customers.

Customers showed up later when their work was
over...several told me I missed a power outage by opening at 11am. (!Good thing to miss!) A couple
of college kids came by to order history texts for
the Spring semester (sigh, it starts so fast). I
went home via the Post Office to mail 2 packages of books and 3 letters to the local politicos in support the latest attempt at an e-fairness bill.
Walked dog, heated and ate dinner (and ignored sad
puppy dog eyes).

Life is Good.
Lauretta@ConstellationBooks

PS Hope your headache is better

[seabat4.livejournal.com]

When was the last time you had your glasses changed? Just got rid of my persistent headaches that way.
Cathy

headache medication

[(Anonymous)]

Direct from my mom, the doctor and migraine and sinus/tension headache sufferer--

If not contraindicated for other reasons, you can take both Tylenols (acetominephen) and aspirin OR advil. Advil and aspirin work similarly and should not be taken together. Either one of these can be taken with Tylenol which works differently and can sometimes knock out a mid-range headache.

+1 on the cold cloth to the forehead for a migraine.

Re: headache medication

[bookmobiler.livejournal.com]

Direct from my mom, the doctor and migraine and sinus/tension headache sufferer--

Is your mother a doctor?

Otherwise I get a picture of a patient whose doctor has a very poor bedside manner.

:)