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The ‘pilcrow’ is more commonly known as the ‘paragraph mark.’ It is used to denote a new paragraph and first came into use to indicate a new train of thought — before the convention of paragraphs even existed. It has an extensive Wikipedia entry.
(No, “Word of the Day” will not become a regular feature.)
“Esther Einstein & the Great Pilcrow Debacle” would be a fine title for a Nano novel, don’t you agree?
Close — but I see a typographically-themed series for young adults. And the character should be Escher Einstein, an amateur intellectual who enjoys a good puzzle and is a part-time MC.
The first novel can be “Escher Einstein and the Pilcrow Paradigm” followed by “Escher Einstein and the Ampersand Affair.” Further books could include “The Elipses Effort”, “Tilde Trouble” and “Apostrophe Prime.”
I see these as a cross between Encyclopedia Brown, the Bobbsey Twins, and the “National Treasure” movies.
I will write the first installment in November 2010. *
*But probably not.
…with bear cyborgs.
“Escher Einstein and the Interrobang Illusion”