Fairy Tales: Modern Fairy Tales

Hello, Friends.

Sorry this is late! Today, we are talking about modern fairy tales. Fairy tales appear in many more places than we think, and archetypes can reduce pretty much anything to basic fairy tales.

However, our society still loves fairy tales, despite that they're centuries old. Disney's first movies were fairy tales, like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. Recently, live action versions of these movies have been made. Books have been based on fairy tales, or if not based on fairy tales, contain some hint of folklore. The Shadow Queen, by C.J. Redwine, the Lunar Chronicles, by Marissa Meyer, and Uprooted, by Naomi Novik are some of them. The Shadow Queen is a retelling of "Snow White," with a few embellishments and characterizations. Cinder, the first book in the Lunar Chronicles, is a retelling of "Cinderella," but set in the future, and although you can clearly see the story of "Cinderella" through the book, the fairy tale is twisted into something completely new. And Uprooted has hints here and there of fairy tales, but doesn't follow one specific tale.

Once Upon a Time is a TV show based on fairy tales. (My mom and sister watch it; I can't. It's too stressful. It's basically fairy tale soap-opera.) George Lucas claimed Star Wars was a modern fairy tale.

What are some modern fairy tales you like? Why?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/castle-france-le-mont-saint-michel-1149756/

On My Mind: Books with Powerful Messages

Hello, Good People!

Before we start, this post is about books with powerful messages, as I'm sure you guessed from the title. :) If you do not like reading summaries of book messages, just go read the books. Skip this post. You'll see what I mean once you're done reading them.

As you know, I love books. I love many books. I love a variety of books. We all do. But today, I want to talk about books with powerful messages. What does that mean?

"Powerful" means compelling, soul-wrenching, making you think, life-changing.

"Messages" are themes, morals, ideas, the author is trying to convey (intentionally or unintentionally.)

Many books have messages of some sort, and most authors are trying to say something through their work, but some books have particularly strong messages. These books stay with us forever, and change us. These books (and movies) help heal us, show us truth, help us believe again. Here are some:

A Tale Dark and Grimm (Also, I reviewed this series here.)
A Tale Dark and Grimm, and the rest of the series, helps heal. There are very few people in the world who actually believe in the power of children, and Adam Gidwitz is one of them. Not many people are willing to believe children and trust that children are often wiser than adults, and not look down on children. Even I struggle to do this. Adam Gidwitz trusts children, believes in them, and listens to them. It's hard to explain.

Also, the way Adam Gidwitz writes makes you gasp with wonder. I can read the A Tale Dark and Grimm series more than once, and find beautiful things. I'm not going to ruin it for you, but read this series more than once, and pay attention. Adam Gidwitz is beautifully gifted, and captures the hurt so well. If you want to know more about this (sorry, I am being rather cryptic :) ) this article and this article are great.

Uprooted (For a full review, click here and here.)
Uprooted is a fairy tale-esque story. The messages in this book are so strong and so powerful, but not overshadowing. I really can't say much without spoiling everything. Just go read it. :) It's about love, though. Not romantic love, which is generally the first thing we think of, but loving others. It's about how sickness in our minds (don't worry--it's not psychological, it's very much fairy tale) makes us and others act differently, out of character. It's about how we are not seeing the person, we are seeing the manifestation of the sickness. Maybe that person chooses to try to get better. Maybe they don't. That is definitely their decision, and they are harming themselves and others if they choose not to get help, but it doesn't mean they aren't suffering, too. They are still sick.

Uprooted teaches you to look past the sickness, to ask: What would this person without this sickness look like? And suddenly you can see them truly, how they were meant to be.

Go read beautiful books, beautiful people.

What books have you read that have strong messages?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://www.amazon.com/Uprooted-Naomi-Novik-ebook/dp/B00KUQIU7O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529601259&sr=8-1&keywords=uprooted+naomi+novik

https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Dark-Grimm-Gidwitz-2014-03-06/dp/B01K9290RC/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1529601420&sr=1-4&keywords=a+tale+dark+and+grimm

Book Reviews: The Princess Bride

Good Day, Friends!

Okay, so I'm assuming you have seen The Princess Bride and know what I'm talking about. If not, shame on you. Go watch it right now. In any case, for Christmas, I got the 30^th Anniversary Edition of the book The Princess Bride was based on. (The book is also called The Princess Bride.) I just wanted to share my thoughts on it.

I gave this book 4.5 stars. I like the movie better, but there were definitely nice things about reading the book.

Pros:

• We got to read Inigo's and Fezzick's backstories! It was so fun to see where they were coming from and what made them who they are.
• Buttercup is sensible and practical! (Well, a little.) "Oh, the boys!. . . I do not care about 'the boys.' Horse loves me and that is quite sufficient, thank you."
• Humperdinck's Zoo of Death
  • This adds another trial/layer to the story, and it adds a good amount of depth to Humperdinck's character. However, it is cruelty to animals, so if you're sensitive to that, beware. (I do not like that part.)

Cons:

• The characters didn't have much more depth than they did in the movie. This doesn't seem like an issue, but usually, even though we don't realize it, book characters have more depth than movie characters, because we can't read movie characters' thoughts like we can in books, and movie characters have much less time to develop a well-rounded, not flat character. Therefore, the amount of depth a movie character has in order to seem realistic is much less than the amount of depth a book character has to have. So, it was kind of disappointing when the book characters in The Princess Bride were not more well-rounded and did not have more depth than the movie characters.
• Fezzick was portrayed as quite dumb and childish, which I didn't like.

Another note: The author has some. . . interesting commentary. You'll have to read it and research it yourself to get what I mean.

That's all for today!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Bride-Deluxe-Gift/dp/B000YE1808/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1529370642&sr=8-6&keywords=the+princess+bride+book

Fairy Tales: Thoughts on Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Hello, Mythical Creatures!

Today, I just wanted to share my thoughts on Beauty and the Beast, the Disney movie. I know there is quite a bit of controversy over this, but these are just my views. You don't have to agree with me. :)

First of all, Beauty and the Beast is my absolute favorite Disney movie.

I want to share my thoughts on why this movie was revolutionary and brilliant for its time.

I love that Belle doesn't fit in, is a reader, smart, and won't just marry some guy because he's cute.

Thankfully, this movie goes against many stereotypes, like women can't be smart, and can't or shouldn't read. Belle loves to read, and isn't a typical princess in need of rescuing. In fact, she does the rescuing: she rescues her father. That is brilliant, and upends so many stereotypes already.

Also, she's practical, and will stand up for herself. She will not marry Gaston, no matter what the town thinks of her, and no matter what he threatens. She wants to marry someone who is smart and caring, and she's not afraid to make that known. Gaston comes to propose to her, and she slyly throws him out.

Another thing that resonates with Belle for me is she doesn't quite fit in. She's not like the other girls in town, and no one really knows what to make of her. However, she doesn't give up her dreams, hobbies, or character in order to fit in. Despite all this, she is still a hero and celebrated as a Disney princess, which overturns stereotypes all over the place.

• Gaston, who's supposed to be the hero, is the villain, and the Beast, who is supposed to be the villain, is the hero.

Although this storyline seems familiar or common, it went against the stereotype of the handsome prince coming and saving the day, by killing the hideous creature. Although this storyline is extremely old as well, for whatever reason, in American society, it is less prominent. If you are interested in different versions of and stories related to Beauty and the Beast, I posted a couple posts on it. Here are the links: Part One, and Part Two.

In any case, the amazing thing about Beauty and the Beast is the Beast did not start out as a good character. He treated Belle terribly, had a horrible temper, and although he wanted to find love, it could be argued his main reason for wanting to fall in love (at least, at the beginning) was so he could have his human body back, because he hated his beast form. However, slowly, he grew to care for Belle, partially because Belle was honest with him. For example, she refused to come to dinner, and yelled at him to control his temper. By the end of the movie, the Beast transformed, physically, but also emotionally. He was able to care for someone else, learned to work through his problems instead of run away from them, and learned what the Enchantress wanted him to learn. In short, his heart changed.

Beauty and the Beast teaches the Beast, but also the children/people watching, in the Enchantress's words, that “Beauty lies within.” Truly. Beauty and the Beast accomplishes this so well by making the handsome man be the villain, and the horrific Beast be the hero.

In any case, these are some of my thoughts on Beauty and the Beast. However, I just wanted to mention one more thing. The Beast did not treat Belle well at all when she first arrived at his castle. I love this movie because the Beast's heart changed, not because he treated her so terribly.

Those are just a few of my thoughts, and why I love Beauty and the Beast so much! What's your favorite Disney princess movie? Why?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: 

https://pixabay.com/en/nature-roses-romantic-nice-love-3061486/

https://pixabay.com/en/library-education-wisdom-3115371/ 

Extra Week: Guest Post: (Not Really): Adam Gidwitz*

Hello, everyone!

So, as we know, for extra week posts I can write whatever I want. Today, I want you to read these two amazing articles by Adam Gidwitz. I put links to them, so it's not really a guest post, even though you're reading someone else's articles.

http://www.adamgidwitz.com/why-do-i-write-fairy-tales-if-theyre-so-bloody/

http://www.adamgidwitz.com/tears-into-blood/

I hope you enjoy these deeply thought-provoking, amazing, articles.

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Dark-Grimm-Gidwitz-Paperback/dp/B01071EW46/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1504653856&sr=8-9&keywords=a+tale+dark+and+grimm

*Post actually written on September 5th. See here for details. 

Topic of the Month: Art

Hello, Artists.

What is your favorite type of art? Who is your favorite artist?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/vintage-book-illustration-literature-1721884/

Fairy Tales: Illustrators

Good Day, Friends!

Today, we are going to talk about fairy tale illustrators. Or, rather, different pictures for the same fairy tale.

Here are all fairy tale books I own. I have included links to the illustrations inside the books because I am not allowed to actually post them on my blog.

1) A Treasury of Children's Literature by Armand Eisen, Scott Gustafson

This book was illustrated by 16 different illustrators, all who have their own unique style to create

breathtakingly gorgeous illustrations. Here are some of them:

Sleeping Beauty: https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1440910596i/16040439._SX540_.jpg 

Peter Pan: https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1440911967i/16040727.png 

Little Red Riding Hood: https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1440910596i/16040440._SY540_.jpg 


 
2) Fairy Tales by Berlie Doherty, Jane Ray

Jane Ray's illustrations are some of the most beautiful, non-conventional, awe-inspiring, illustrations I have ever seen. Here is a link to one of my favorites: the Cinderella illustration.










3) Treasury of Fairy Tales by Dorothea S. Goldenberg, Bette Killion

This was my mom's book of fairy tales, and is was one of the first fairy tale collections I have ever had. When I was little, we would often use it for practical uses, such as looking up fairy tales for various purposes. The illustrations are more cartoon-y, however. Here is a picture of the Snow White one. 

4) 100 Classic Stories by Miles Kelly, Victoria Parker

I got this as a birthday present, and I really enjoy it. :) I couldn't find pictures online, so you'll just have to guess based on the cover.

5) Jim Henson's The Storyteller by Anthony Minghella

This collection was based on Jim Henson's TV series of the same name. I barely know anything about the TV series, but I love the book. The collection has odd versions of some fairy tales, as well as lesser known fairy tales. The illustrations are also beautiful. Here is a picture. (Sorry, I can't remember which fairy tale this picture goes with.) 

6) Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Arthur Rackham

This version doesn't have colored pictures, but still Arthur Rackham is an amazing illustrator. He is a very well known fairy tale illustrator, and his pictures possess a sort of magic. It's hard to explain. Here's one of his pictures.
 










Who is your favorite fairy tale illustrator?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grimms-Complete-Fairy-Tales-Classics/dp/1435141792/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501514453&sr=1-1&keywords=grimms+complete+fairy+tales+isbn+1435141792 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jim-Hensons-Storyteller-Anthony-Minghella/dp/039458256X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501514658&sr=1-1&keywords=isbn+039458256X

https://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Classic-Stories/dp/1435106377/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501514860&sr=1-1&keywords=isbn+1435106377 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Treasury-Fairy-Tales-Editor/078530701X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501515005&sr=1-1&keywords=isbn++078530701X

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/cka/Fairy-Tales-Berlie-Doherty/0763609978/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501515134&sr=1-1&keywords=isbn++0763609978

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Treasury-Childrens-Literature-Armand-Eisen/dp/039553349X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501515302&sr=1-1&keywords=isbn+039553349X

Creative Complex: Flowers

Hello, Friends!

This is a guessing game. Which flower goes with which story? (Okay, so sometimes I get bored of just making you do something to do with writing.)

A) Rose
B) Golden Flower
C) Flower

Here are your hints:

• One is from a fairy tale twist. (But does not appear in the original story.)
• One you should know right away.
• Two are from princess stories.
• One has been transformed into a flower.
• The previously mentioned one is found in Grimm's fairy tales.

What's your guess? Post in the comments!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/red-rose-rose-rose-bloom-blossom-320892/

Fairy Tales: Tropes

Hello, Magical Beings!

I know we've talked about archetypes before, but today we're going to talk about tropes. I've written a few posts about archetypes:

Mental Library: Archetypal Hero Journey

Mental Library: Critical Lenses: Archetypal Lens

Mental Library: Archetypes

These might help you understand tropes a little better.

Tropes are like archetypes, but smaller. This means they only exist in a certain culture's fairy tales, or they are not common enough to be archetypes.

*Disclaimer: I have not studied these matters thoroughly. This information is based solely on what I have read and observed from reading fairy tales.

Some of these include:  

-The three dresses, each more beautiful than the last

These are sometimes described as one being as beautiful as the moon, another being as beautiful as the sun, and the last being as beautiful as the stars. Anyways, girls keep showing up wearing these three dresses, mostly throughout Grimm's fairy tales. (The dresses would be much more beautiful than this one, and ball gowns, but I was having trouble finding pictures.)

-Witches who live in huts with bird feet

This is mostly Baba Yaga in Russian fairy tales.

 

Now imagine bird feet on the bottom.

-Iron shoes

These have appeared in multiple cultures. The wearer usually has to walk until they've worn out all three pairs before they can find what they are trying to find.

-Disobedient wives who suffer as a result

If you've read the post about "The Robber Bridegroom," "Fitcher's Bird," "Bluebeard," and "Mr. Fox," you know what I'm talking about. These wives appear in multiple collections of fairy tales.

What tropes have you noticed in fairy tales?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/background-page-template-old-1659622/

https://pixabay.com/en/bower-cottage-witch-s-house-2259199/

https://pixabay.com/en/shoes-metal-modern-iron-wear-1982935/

https://pixabay.com/en/castle-ominous-sky-turret-1246628/

Fairy Tales: What Type do You Like?*

Hello, Friends!

This is kind of like a Creative Complex, but it's still fun. :)

What type of fairy tale do you like? Do you like happy or sad? Long or short? Gory or not gory?

Post in the comments!

Spruce Nogard

*Post actually written on June 23rd. See here for details.

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/fairy-tales-dragon-castle-princess-482143/

Extra Week Post: Fairy Tales from Around the World*

Hello, Collectors!

This is an extra week post. For more information, click here. (The second paragraph under the first picture explains extra week posts.)

Previously, I have mentioned a few fairy tale collectors, as well as multiple fairy tales. Now, however, let's continue by talking about fairy tales from around the world.

1) Russian Fairy Tales

Famous for Baba Yaga, the witch who is known to eat human flesh, but has also been known to help others. . . You may have heard of her hut, the hut on chicken legs. I haven't read very many Russian fairy tales, which is something I hope to change. :) You may have also heard of the tale "Ivan and the Firebird," and multiple fairy tales are similar to their counterparts from other countries. Russian fairy tales are wonderful, beautiful, and have their own set of tropes.

2) Norwegian Fairy Tales

I've talked about "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" before, and sadly, that's pretty much the only one I've read. Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe are the two most famous fairy tale collectors of Norwegian fairy tales. As always, I can never have enough fairy tales, so I'll have to start reading Norwegian fairy tales soon. . .

3) Irish Fairy Tales

Irish fairy tales, of course, have the most stories about children getting carried off by fairies. The fairies are a big part of Irish fairy tales, sometimes mischievous, and others more sinister. I know Joseph Jacobs, who collected English fairy tales, also collected some Irish ones, but I'm not sure who else collected Irish fairy tales. I've talked about Irish fairy tales somewhat here, and I included links to Irish fairy tales.

4) Tales of the Arabian Nights

Tales of the Arabian Nights are mostly Middle-Eastern and Indian fairy tales. The main story is the story of Scheherazade, who becomes the wife of the sultan to save other women from suffering the wrath of the Sultan: every night, he marries a new wife, and every morning, he cuts her head off. Scheherazade cleverly asks the sultan if she can tell her son one last story before she dies, but she doesn't tell the whole story. The sultan keeps her alive the next morning so he can hear the rest of the story, then the night after to hear the end of the new tale she's started. . . This continues for 1,001 nights, and this is where the fairy tales come from. It is uncertain which of the tales considered to be from the Tales of the Arabian Nights now were in the original volume, or even if the original volume was complete. Many scholars think multiple authors wrote the Tales because of the variety of styles, traditions, and cultures seen throughout Tales of the Arabian Nights. In any case, these are all wonderful fairy tales, from "Aladdin," to "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." 

What fairy tales from around the world do you enjoy?

Spruce Nogard

*Actually posted on June 1st. See here for details.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Thousand-and-One-Nights

Attributions:

https://www.amazon.com/Russian-Fairy-Illustrated-Alexander-Afanasyev/dp/1908478683/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1496436188&sr=1-2&keywords=russian+fairy+tales
https://www.amazon.com/dAulaires-Norwegian-Folktales-Ingri-d-Aulaire/dp/0816699321/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1496436381&sr=1-2&keywords=norwegian+fairy+tales
https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Tales-Enchantment-Scotland-Brittany/dp/145215175X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1496436559&sr=1-2&keywords=irish+fairy+tales
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Arabian-Nights-H-Dulcken/dp/089009800X/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1496436754&sr=1-12&keywords=tales+of+the+arabian+nights

Writing: Creative Complex: Elddir

Hello, Srellet-Elddir.

I know we've done posts about riddles before, but today's is a little different. Today, make up a riddle or a little poem using stressed and unstressed syllables.

Riddles are a little bit like optical illusions. What do you see?

Here are some examples:

• "Be bold, be bold, but not too bold, lest that your heart's blood should run cold." -Mr. Fox
• Link to my post about "Mr. Fox"
• "It is not so, it was not so, and God forbid it should ever be so." -"Mr. Fox" (Also quoted in Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare)
• "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary" -"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe (And the rest of the poem)
• Link to full poem
• "You heard as if an army muttered" -"The Pied Piper of Hamelin" by Robert Browning
• Link to full poem
• "Double, double, toil and trouble;/ Fire burn and cauldron bubble" -Macbeth by Shakespeare
• Here is a link to the Hogwarts Choir singing a song based on the witches' potion in Macbeth

If you can't quite remember stressed and unstressed syllables, see Dragomir's post about them here.

Share your creations in the comments!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/photos/?q=face+vase&image_type=&cat=&min_width=&min_height=

Books: Fairy Tales: Unusual Mythical Creatures

Hello, Fantastical Beasts!

We recently saw an exhibit about mythical creatures. Some of these creatures were mentioned there, but some weren't.

1) Kraken

Origin: Scandinavian

A kraken is a giant, octopus-like creature that sailors claimed sank ships. It had octopus-like arms, one giant eye, and a beak.

Here are links to pictures (I can't put them actually on my blog because they're copyrighted.):
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/1b/08/78/1b087858e78cc7092331505dd167d0dd.jpg
https://thoryshinwa.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/kraken-03.jpg

2) Roc

Origin: Madagascar/Other East African islands, Tales of the Arabian Nights

A roc is a giant bird that eats elephants. Many accounts of giant roc eggs exist throughout the islands where the roc was said to be found.

Pictures:
http://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2015/03/list-6-mythical-monsters-roc-E.jpeg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/52/1c/fd/521cfd972090c9e35a307bc054208aa7.jpg

3) Kappa

Origin: Japanese

A kappa is a Japanese water spirit/creature that sometimes drowns people, and loves cucumbers. Also, it gets its power from water it keeps in its head.

Pictures:
http://i.imgur.com/Fv1o07V.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/05/30/article-2644036-1E53F56300000578-658_634x286.jpg

Spruce Nogard

Sources:

A Field Guide to Fantastical Beasts by Olento Salaperainen

https://www.britannica.com/topic/roc-legendary-bird 

Books: Favorites: Chalice

Hello, Friends!

Today, I'm going to tell you about Chalice, by Robin McKinley.

I just finished reading this book yesterday, and I really enjoyed it. The writing flows very well, and it's quite interesting because Chalice takes place in four parts, and although there are page breaks, there are no chapters. However, the page breaks separate the book into tidy sections, so it's not too much of a problem if you just want to read until a nice break before going to bed, etc.

Mirasol, the main character, is a woodskeeper, and her land and bees have been in her family for generations. One day, a neighbor gives her the news: the Master and Chalice have died in a fire. The demesne, which was already strained, is thrown into even more chaos, and a few weeks later, the Circle comes to tell Mirasol she is the new Chalice. Her head spinning, Mirasol must learn the duties of a Chalice, whose main job is to bind all parts of the Circle and the demesne together. At the same time, a new Master is put in place. To make matters even more difficult, the new Master is a Priest of Fire, and is not a normal human anymore. With threats all around her and the demanding task of healing a land that has been hurting too long, Mirasol must do what she can to save her people and her land.

An interesting aspect of this book was it's nonlinear storytelling. At first while I was reading, I kept second-guessing myself, and had to check that I had not accidentally started with the second book in a series. Although you don't get the traditional setup of the story right away, you do eventually get the beginning. The storytelling was unique from most books I have read, but it was unique in a good way.

I love Mirasol. Mirasol keeps bees, and a cottage, and I just love her home. I'm irrationally afraid of bees, but it was so nice to imagine having a bunch of soft, humming, little friends always around. I  enjoyed Mirasol's thoughts immensely, which is the primary way we learn information in the novel. It's hard to describe how the book reads without just reading it. :)

Not to mention, there's honey magic. Literally magic with honey. That was pretty awesome. :)

Also, is anyone else sick of reading pretty much any YA book and finding a good bit of romance in it? Because, I don't mind a little bit of romance, but I don't like a lot. And really, can't there just be stories where people don't care nearly as much about dating?

Chalice is such a relief in this sense, too. Although there is the slightest, slightest hint of romance, it's actually an interesting story about someone who does something other than fall in love.

Overall, I really enjoyed Chalice, and hope you do too! What are your favorite fantasy books?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://www.amazon.com/McKinley-Chalice-Reprint-Market-Paperback/dp/B00SB1PCQ2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1491683069&sr=8-2&keywords=chalice+robin+mckinley

Books: Fairy Tales: The Lure of Fairy Tales

Hello, Creatures.

What is it that we like fairy tales so much? Why do they draw us towards them so strongly? Why do we constantly recreate and reimagine fairy tales?

Is it because we like having stories to relate to? Is it because we wish for a place to escape, at least for a little while? Where did these stories come from? How many times have these tales been remade before they have reached our ears?

Because, you know, Disney's Beauty and the Beast wasn't the original tale. And out of the millions of versions of the Cinderella stories that exist, which was the first? How important is this really?

I believe that it's a vital part of our life and of fairy tales themselves to continually be recreated.

For, how else would we continue learning?

*On a side note, as I have been very excited about Disney's new Beauty and the Beast movie, I have kind of written very many posts on Beauty and the Beast. Here's a list:

• Books: Fairy Tales: What's Your Favorite Fairy Tale?
• Books: Fairy Tales: Hans My Hedgehog, or the Compilation of Tales Based on and Similar to the Greek Tale of Cupid and Psyche Part One
• Books: Fairy Tales: Hans My Hedgehog, or the Compilation of Tales Based on and Similar to the Greek Tale of Cupid and Psyche Part Two
• On My Mind: Beauty and the Beast
• Mental Library: Lenses: Feminism (Someone I know mentioned that Scarlet contains traces of Beauty and the Beast.)

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/little-red-riding-hood-red-little-1130258/

My Writing: Folktale: Why a Certain Group of People Play with Fish on their Instruments

Hello, Friends!

This week is an extra week, so here is a folktale. (This folktale is untrue, however was inspired by true events.) By the way, can you tell which fairy tale this one is loosely based on?

Now, I know you wouldn't dream of putting fish on your instruments. That would be awful.

Now, this story was told to me by my great-grandfather almost 20 years ago.

You see, there was a certain group of people that got in the habit of performing some of their music with fish on their instruments. As you can imagine, this was the source of infinite confusion for their diverse audiences. However, no one had the courage to ask why such a renowned group of musicians did something so strange.

One day, a little girl with her parents was watching them perform. Finally, she turned to her mother and said: “Mommy, why do they put fish on their instruments?” The girl was too young realize she was being rude, and, as a result, talked so loudly the musicians heard.

“Well,” said the leader, kneeling down, “I'll tell you why.

“For a long while, all of us only played American music. Eventually, we got sick of that, and decided to play music from as many countries as the human race had created. One day, we came across some French music, and, right at the beginning, someone had written: 'Sardines.' We all thought this was very odd, but we had to do as the music said. I had our violinist buy sardines from the grocery store, and we put them on our instruments.” He smiled at the girl and stood up.

“But that's silly!” the girl cried. “Show me the music!”

“Now, now, honey,” the girl's mother said. “Leave them be.” She turned apologetically to the band. “We should go.”

The leader, however, smiled. “No, no, it's quite all right.” He brought their music to the girl.

“Why, that says sourdines, not sardines! It just means mute in French!” The girl exclaimed. “What's 'mute'?”

For, you see, the girl was bilingual.

And that is how a small girl made fools of some of the most famed musicians in all the land.

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/sardines-fish-lunch-healthy-plate-1468422/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/violin-classic-music-opera-156558/

Creative Complex: Doodle

Hello, Friends!

Today, pick a doodle or a simple drawing, then see how many ways you can change it but still keep it the same in essence. Or, I suppose, since this is supposed to be about writing, you could do a simple story and then change it in as many ways as possible but still keep the essential story.

For example: (Drawing-wise):

• Pirate ship
• Fairy
• Crown
• Dragon
• Tree
• Etc.

Think of questions like:

• Are there different textures I could use to make my picture different?
• Are there different details I can add?
• What are distinguishing characteristics of types of my picture (species of tree, color, etc.)?
• How can I be more creative?

For example: (Writing-wise):

•  A princess story
• Many different types of princess stories; pick one
• A fable
• A description
• Etc.

Think of questions like:

• How can I change the story?
• Point of view?
• Are there different details I can add?
• What are distinguishing characteristics of types of my story?
• How can I be more creative? 

This is a good mind exercise. It'll help you think more creatively. :)

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:
https://pixabay.com/en/fairy-tale-disneyland-disney-paris-1788212/ 
https://pixabay.com/en/stained-glass-stepmother-fairy-tale-1788211/
https://pixabay.com/en/ship-boat-pirate-buccaneer-corsair-146312/
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/01/29/19/45/boat-2019184_960_720.jpg
https://pixabay.com/en/pirate-ship-ship-pirates-sail-2028574/
https://pixabay.com/en/cyprus-cavo-greko-cruise-ship-1374775/
https://pixabay.com/en/pirate-ship-sea-moon-fantasy-ocean-1719396/
https://pixabay.com/en/sailing-vessel-coast-sea-ship-1740721/
https://pixabay.com/en/cannon-fire-pirate-ship-sailing-ship-296555/

On My Mind: Beauty and the Beast

Hello, Storybook Characters!

Today, I am excited about Beauty and the Beast. The old Beauty and the Beast movie was my favorite princess movie when I was younger. Actually, it still is. I loved Belle because she was a reader, just like me. Also, I loved the songs, and, well, everything else. :)

I remember when I first heard they were making a live-action Beauty and the Beast, in 2015. I remember thinking 2017 was so far away. But now, here it is. I'm seeing it tomorrow, and I can't wait!

I also am excited Emma Watson is playing Belle. Emma Watson is such a great actress, and seems the perfect fit for Belle. Not to mention, as someone online remarked, Hermione and the Beast's library has got to be a wonderful scene.

Are you excited for Beauty and the Beast? Are you nervous about it? What was/is your favorite Disney movie?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/beautiful-beast-characters-963893/

*Post written on 3/27/17 

Creative Complex: The Irish Stories

Hello, Friends!

As usual when posts are up late, I apologize. (I'm writing this on Thursday, despite what the above date says.)

Next, go dig out your musty volumes of Irish folklore! Of course. It is almost St. Patrick's Day.

If you have the misfortune not to have books of Irish fairy tales, check out these websites.

This digital library is insane. There are so many fairy tales, from so many places. I love fairy tales, but it makes me feel a little overwhelmed looking at them all. :)

This link is a "digital library" of "Folklore, Folktales, and Fairy Tales from Ireland."

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/ireland.html

This link, however, is another library of tons of fairy tales from everywhere. The ones that say "Ireland" after the title in parentheses are, obviously, the Irish ones.

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/folktexts.html#i

Now, spend some time curled up somewhere listening to nice music and enjoying a cup of tea (or other drink) and just reading some Irish fairy tales.

After you have read a few, you can:

• Write a story based on one or multiple of the tales you read
• Write a story which alludes to a story you read
• Analyze the tales
• Find patterns, points of interest, themes. . . 
• Use a quality of one of the tales in your story
• Write/draw/compose/etc. a:
• Poem
•  Piece of music
• Piece of art
• Anything else
• Anything else you can think of!

Have fun!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/celtic-celts-circle-color-colors-1292841/

Mental Library: Critical Lenses: Archetypal Lens

Good Day, Friends.

Before we start, I just wanted you to know that I could be reading right now. Instead of writing this. In all honesty, I should be doing homework. Any way, I will not be getting enough sleep tonight. Please realize how much I love you all.

Today, we are talking about the archetypal lens. I wrote a post about what archetypes are here. The archetypal lens looks at how archetypes influence the text, or what archetypes are used to suggest. For example, the color white is used to symbolize innocence. If you are reading a book in which a girl wears a white dress when she is young, and gradually stops wearing white, you can use that information to uphold the argument that she experiences the stages of loss of innocence. Also, archetypes can be used to help the other lenses.

Many archetypes can be seen in fairy tales.

There are so many parts of the archetypal lens. I should really just do a series on the archetypal lens specifically.

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/once-upon-a-time-writer-author-719174/