Word of the Day
Friday, May 25, 2007
Derdriu (proper noun) – the last name of the main/lead female character's name in the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods by fantasy author Sandy Lender; Amanda Chariss Derdriu

Etymology: Chariss's last name used to be Dieron, which I just made up because I thought it was what Chariss had whispered to me, but then I read a myth that just tickled me and her last name morphed into Derdriu. It's the first name of a lady with magical powers in mythology. She was a beautiful daughter of a guy named Uisliu, and in the myth I read, she grabs her dad by the ears and says, “You’ll come with me or else I’ll put a curse upon you.” Now, Chariss would never grab someone she loved and threaten them that way, but she's got that kind of spunk and spirit in her.

Word in a Paragraph (from the text of Choices Meant for Gods, page 162): "Little Amanda Chariss Derdriu. Jamieson Drake requests an audience with you." The huskiness of the voice dripped with animosity. From across the city, Hrazon felt Chariss's mind slam fear into him with a force like the winds that had ravaged Arcana months before.

Your turn! What do you think? Do you have any sentences about a spunky Chariss in you today?

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Sandy Lender, fantasy novel, fantasy author, Amanda Chariss, Word of the Day