WHAT IS THE MELISSA BOOK ABOUT?
FOR THE MEDIA: An 180-word
cut-and-paste Synopsis:
Written by Perth journalist,
Melissa BEE; "The Melissa Book" is a fascinating insight into the name,
history and evolution of a first name and the naming of women in western
society from 'Pioneer Melissa' to 'Millennium Melissa.'
This
unique book is the first of its kind to ever put a first name so completely
under the microscope. "The Melissa Book" looks at Melissa from every
possible point of view: history, geography, food, wine, arts, acting,
singing, dancing, products, flowers, streets and much more.
"No
matter who you are -- you have been affected by Melissa in one way or
another in your lifetime. Beelieve it or not," said author, Melissa BEE.
You
will be delighted, stunned and shocked to uncover many fascinating facts
about Honey, Bees and Melissas you may have previously known nothing about.
Particularly relevant are the Melissa Snapshots with Australian Melissas
that are some of the best men, women, products, places and sweets - in the
world!
For more information,
chapter outline and easy ordering information; check out the book's website:
http://www.melissa.net.au
CHAPTERS
Introduction
Chapter 1 Who Are
You?
Chapter 2 Melissa Frequency,
Popularity & Usage
Chapter
3 Melissa in
Australia
Chapter 4 Melissa in
Business
Chapter 5 Melissa
Flora
Chapter 6 Melissa
Fauna
Chapter 7 Melissa Dancers &
Entertainers
Chapter 8 Melissa
Music
Chapter 9 Melissa
Places
Chapter 10 Melissa Art &
Fashion
Chapter 11 Melissa
Athletes
Chapter 12 Melissa Medical &
Legal
Chapter
13 Bad
Melissa
Chapter 14 Melissa
Food
Chapter 15 Melissa Mothers &
Babes
Chapter 16 Lady
Writer
Chapter 17 Melissa TV &
Movies
Chapter 18 Miscellaneous
References & Bibliography
INTRODUCTION FROM THE
BOOK
In the first chapter, I examined
the nitty-gritty of the name Melissa. The etymology (word origins) and the
onomatology (proper name research) of the name. I looked at the popularity of
names, naming trends and the development of the English language through Latin
and Greek roots both in speech and writing. Then dissected the name; similar
and related names. Italian and Greek influences on Melissa wrap up the first
chapter.
In the second chapter, I
explained my terminology and how data was collected. I then worked my way
through the Censuses and records for the USA, UK, Scotland Ireland &
Wales, Canada, Asia, New Zealand and other countries. I also introduce you to
the first Melissa SNAPSHOT. A mini-profile of a Melissa and a slice of life in
that era.
In chapter three Melissa in
Australia is examined in detail. An overview of the history of Australia is
given (mostly for the benefit of international readers). Pioneer Melissa is in
this chapter. Millennium Melissa is in chapter fifteen. Pioneer Melissa is
illustrated with a picture of Melissa Moore (not Australian) but she was a
Melissa that lived in that era. All the censuses & records, state by state
are examined. BD&M data and popularity data where known for Victoria, NSW,
ACT, QLD, SA, TAS, NT & WA. The chapter is finalised with a chart
illustrating Melissa data from all states from 1970-2005.
Chapter four examines the role
of Melissa in Business within Australia and around the world. There are
numerous snapshots including Melissas' Cameron, Sangster, Noonan, Craig and
the company Melissa International Inc. (Japan).
In chapter five, I cover Melissa
Flora: Bee balm or Melissa Officinalis the herb, and nine types of flowers all
called Melissa. There are also Melissas who own flower shops and many Melissas
with floral names.
Chapter six looks at the Melissa
Blue Butterfly, then at bees, honeybees! Australian bees, bee dancing, the
sting, bee products, Australian honey, honey & bee problems, bee healing
and medicated honey. Bee symbolism & totems, trivia and honeybee poems.
Chapter seven starts getting
into the wonderful talents of Melissa. This chapter examines the world of
dance, starting with ballet. What little girl doesn't dream about being a
ballerina. Snapshots of Melissa Hough and the amazing Melissa Hayden. Then
other dancers, Melissa entertainers, comedians and more snapshots.
Chapter eight is a big one.
Melissa in music was extensive. The chapter starts with some number crunching,
then honey related music & bands. Then all the various Melissa-related
music from albums, songs, lyrics, a musical, plays, bands called Melissa, and
Melissas who sing and play in bands. There are heaps of Melissa snapshots,
some mini-snaps and the biggest snapshot in this book, four pages on the
amazing Melissa Etheridge. I also look at some fabulous Australian Melissa
musicians and singers, finalising the chapter with a two-page spread on the
very hot Australian, Melissa "Missy" Higgins.
The ninth chapter was the most
interesting to write and dealt with places. There are Melissa towns and
villages, a crater on the moon called Melissa, a whole city in Texas called
Melissa! Lakes, rivers, streams, mountains, and Melissa Hotels. Also some
Twisted Melissa Geography and of course Melissaville! (sing along to the tune
of Jimmy Buffett's " Wastin' away again in Margaritaville, Searching for my
lost shaker of salt...") There is Melisa's meadow and Melissa Street.
Examining Australian Melissa Streets was fun and the results shocked many.
Melissa Art & Fashion in
chapter ten dealt with all the creative aspects of Melissa in the arts and
fashion worlds. It included; paintings, artists, cartoon and cartoonists,
Melissa dolls and toys, jewellery, household items, furnishings, fashion and
some snapshots of some amazing women including Perth model, Melissa
Moyle.
Melissa Athletes and sports stars
were covered in chapter eleven. A number of extraordinary women were covered
in snapshots including Australian weight lifter Melissa Nightingale,
indigenous champion surfer Melissa Combo, and champion triathlete Melissa Moon
(New Zealand). Also Melissa body builders, weight lifters and wrestlers!
Mini-snapshots of Melissa Soalt (Dr.Ruthless) and Melissa Ward, the first
black female pilot.
Chapter Twelve dealt with the
amazing array of Melissa honorific's. Academic Melissas, Doctor Melissas,
Melissas in every walk of life. The chapter starts with a look at the MELISA
MEDICA System and The Melissa Institute. Then moves on to individual Melissas
in their fields of endeavour. Medical, Academics, Pathologists, Vets, Nurses
and a snapshot of Major General Melissa A, Rank. Then the legal Melissas and
Melissa ESQ.
Thirteen is an unlucky number
and a 'bad number' for many. It seemed appropriate to keep this chapter for
BAD Melissa. Here I cover The full story of The Melissa Virus and assilem.
Melissa deaths. Obituaries of older Melissas. Melissas who died 9/11.
Snapshots of the deaths of Australian, Melissa Christiano, Melissa White and
Melissa Hobart. Melissas murdered tells the gruesome tale of four Melissa
murders (Smith, O'Connell, Morrison and Byers). Then a look at some evil
women, the Melissas Drexler, Tanner, Rowland and Friedrich. Lastly the chapter
covers Melissa Porn, a topic some readers may find
distasteful.
Chapter fourteen covers Melissa
Food. Restaurants and eateries, Melissa Chefs, Melissa foodstuffs (tea, oil,
chocolate etc) Snapshot of Australian Confectionary company, Melissa Sales and
others. Lastly Mead or Honeywine, what it is, mead recipes, where to buy it in
Australia and honey cocktails.
Melissa Mothers & Babes is
covered in chapter fifteen. Melissa birth, Melissa babies born 2003-2005 and a
snapshot of MILLENIUM Melissa - baby, Melissa Grimes. Melissa mothers, mother
of the year, and celebrity mothers.
Chapter sixteen covers
Melissa in literature, Melissa characters in books, Melissa titles (fiction).
Melissa novel snapshots, Melissa authors (by name, genre, and sample).
E-books, writers, journalists and articles. Publishing & printing,
magazines and newspapers called Melissa. Poets & poetry, short stories,
editors and illustrators. INTERNET Melissa, pages, lists. Melissa websites and
Melissa domains. Other web Melissas.
Chapter seventeen was the
fattest chapter of all and had to put on diet. It deals with films called
Melissa, actors who played the role of Melissa, Melissa's relationship with
soap operas snapshots of Melissa Brennan, Archer, Bell, Gallo, Leo &
Wilkes. Special effects & animation: Donald, Best, Whitmire. Stunts;
Barker and Stubbs. Melissa's related to other actors/famous and Melissas
famous by association. MELISSA IN THE MOVIES: crunching the numbers, Melissa
actors (overview), actor profiles on Melissas' Hart, Jaffer, Stribling, Brite,
Tkautz, Regan, Gold, George, Disney, Crider, Caudle, Gilbert And Melissa Sue
Anderson. Melissa on the radio & Television. Reality shows and
contestants. Aussie Melissa's on TV. Snapshots of Melissas; Downes Andersen,
Bickerton, Bell, Campbell, Chambers, Chappell, Boyd, Crawford, Mckeane,
Pasikowski, Rudd, Spinks, Trovato, Cretney, Docker, Eccleston, Gray, Hannan,
Hodder, Ippolito, Kotsos, Kounnas, Mcmahon and Thomas. Other Melissas, not
necessarily actors and how many Melissas on Australian films, dramas and
TV-Series. Finally I wrap up the chapter with a word about tall poppies and a
two-page spread on the amazing Melissa Doyle.
The last chapter
deals with Melissa surnames; second or middle names and the most popular of
those. Also Melissas that are men!. Melissa pet names and nicknames and
Melissas that are pets.
Presented in this book are the
highlights of an enormous amount of research into the name. I hope you enjoy
reading about Melissa as much as I enjoyed the research and writing.
Cheers,
Melissa BEE
24th November, 2005
