What happened AFTER the I-25 Japanese submarine entered the Columbia River in June 1942? That’s the subject I cover in Strong Currents that will release November 29, 2022. It’s my sequel to Books Afloat, January 2021. Strong Currents again presents quirky Columbia River area residents, but includes global focus. I’m considering book cover choices now.
Question—what other aspects of WWII would you like to see covered in fiction? Share ideas here and they may come to life 😊
Bonus— The English language is rich and complex. I’d hate to say how many university English classes I’ve completed without hearing of Contronyms. I first heard the term this week when a former student/present friend posted on Facebook. Why had I not heard of it?
I researched and sure enough, Contronyms are words with contradictory meanings—containing their own opposites. I chose examples from Google and changed the wording of some. I see many more online. Which are your favorites?
Apology: A statement of contrition for an action, or a defense of one
Bill: currency, or an invoice for payment
Bolt: To secure, or to flee
Bound: Heading to a destination, or restrained from movement
Buckle: To connect, or to break or collapse
Cleave: To adhere, or to separate
Clip: To fasten, or detach
Consult: To offer advice, or to obtain it
Custom: A common practice, or a special treatment
Dollop: A large amount (British English), or a small amount
Dust: To add fine particles, or to remove them
Fast: Quick, or stuck or made stable
Fine: Excellent, or a penalty charged for an offense
Garnish: To furnish, as in food preparation, or to take away, as with wages
Give out: To distribute, or to stop because of a lack of supply
Hold up: To support, or to impede
Let: Allowed, or hindered
Out: Visible, as with stars showing in the sky, or invisible, in reference to lights
Overlook: To supervise, or to neglect
Presently: Now, or soon
Rock: An immobile mass of stone or figuratively similar phenomenon, or a shaking or unsettling movement or action
Sanction: To approve, or to boycott
Scan: To peruse, or to glance
Screen: To present, or to conceal
Seed: To sow seeds, or to shed or remove them
Skin: To cover, or to remove
Splice: To join, or to separate
Strike: To hit, or to miss in an attempt to hit
Temper: To soften, or to strengthen
Transparent: Invisible, or obvious
Trim: To decorate, or to remove excess from
Trip: A journey, or a stumble
Variety: One particular type, or many types
Wear: To endure, or to deteriorate
Wind up: To end, or to start up
I used the word “apology” in a college paper for a venerable professor I esteemed (and still do), and was surprised he didn’t know it could mean the defense of an action. He focused on ancient Rome and Christianity from a non-believer’s perspective, and apparently never learned about Christian apologetics/apologists. ???
I never heard the word “contronym” either, but “cleave” has long been a favorite weird word of mine because it means opposite things.