Api tou heliou metastethi (Stand a little out of my sun.)
It’s all Greek to me.
This is my first post on the A-Z challenge and I’ve got my own theme for the month that comes from the book I’m working on now that takes place in 1914 England where Greek and Latin ruled as education in the “classics”. How each of these sayings deals with writers today will be my own stretch. So stop by and see what I come up with.
Api tou heliou metastethi (Stand a little out of my sun.)
So replies Diogenes the Cynic when asked by Alexander the Great if he had any wish he could fulfill. You gotta love that with a rim-shot for punctuation.
Something I recently overheard from a writer at a conference who was published with a big house when asked about the kind of support and publicity campaign she was receiving: “Oh it’s great except they always put me next to the (choose your megastar writer – there are only a few) so I might as well not even be there.”
Me I like being next to the megastars. At Charlottesville, being next to Alma Katsu (The Taker) on a panel meant people on her line (long line) sometimes drifted over to my line when they finished having her sign their book. Hey. You gotta start somewhere. Alma is a very cool writer whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet twice at two different conferences. I can stand in her shadow any day, ’cause one person’s shadow is another person’s sun.
Where is Diogenes when you need him?
Lunievicz 
Hi–I am jean. How fun to meet you. I am in the A-Z challenge too! I have been to one of those book conventions. Actually, although I was there because I wrote a book on jewelry design, I am smiling because I had Greek and Latin lessons as a kid. Because I adore words and language I really enjoyed it. I bet your book is great!
My blog is here: http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
best wishes, jean
April 1, 2012 at 7:08 am
Nice to meet you, Jean, and thanks for the comment! – Joe
April 1, 2012 at 11:01 am
Absolutely love your attitude!
April 1, 2012 at 7:58 am
Only way to survive the writing world. best – Joe
April 1, 2012 at 11:33 am
I love your sentiment. Oh, to bask in the shadow of JK Rawling! Feather
April 1, 2012 at 10:28 am
I love it! Thanks for visiting. – best – joe
April 1, 2012 at 11:34 am
I often beam with joy when I read your posts. I especially love this one.
Greek and Latin fill me with glee.
I am not good at Greek and Latin. But I used to make prank phone calls in Latin when I was in high school.
Good geek times.
I’d stand in your sun–or Matthew’s, or Andrew’s, or Sara Zarr’s or A.S. King’s–or any number of suns–any day of the week.
My life is all the better for having all these suns to stand by.
April 1, 2012 at 1:44 pm
I’m not good at Greek or Latin either but this is how I learn. I read and let my imagination wander.
April 1, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Love the Greek, and the phrase! Looking forward to read the rest of your saying-themed posts. 🙂
April 1, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Thanks for visiting! – best, Joe
April 1, 2012 at 9:15 pm
I like this post–and the quote you chose…very much! You have a wonderful outlook. Now I will have to ponder whose shadow is my sun. Oy! There are so many from which to choose. 😉
April 1, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for visiting and I’m glad you liked the post! – best, Joe
April 1, 2012 at 9:16 pm
This is brilliant, Joe. And I think it’s a point well made and taken. I don’t need to be rich or famous, I just want to tell stories, and have a few people enjoy them. For that, all I need to do is be a fraction as great as the writers I love, I think.
Talk more soon, it’s going to be a crazy month!
April 1, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Man, is it every. I don’t know how you’re doing it!
April 2, 2012 at 8:25 am
Great theme. Your book does sound good. The sun and shadow statement is very thought provoking.
April 2, 2012 at 8:56 am
thanks for the comment. I’m glad you liked the post. Best – Joe
April 4, 2012 at 5:51 am
Aspire to write(be published actually)…busy farming right now. A-Z Challenge is a good prompt.
Check out my blog, the theme is community.
Best,
Jody
http://www.cdrvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
April 2, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for the comment. I’m heading over to your blog now! best – Joe
April 4, 2012 at 5:56 am