Myth and Magic in Romance

Flossie here - wishing you Happy May! The month of May frolics onto the green stage, dressed in purples and pinks—and all the colors of spring. She is nothing if not decked out! Her fragrance uplifts the spirits. When I open my back door, hypnotic jasmine permeates the air. Out front, the sweet scent of phlox takes me back to childhood. With May comes the full intensity of spring.

Greeks and Romans celebrated May as a time of spring and rebirth in honor of Maia, a mountain nymph remembered today as one of the Pleiades. Her father was Atlas, who carried the earth on his shoulders. Her son with Zeus was fleet-footed Hermes, known to the Romans as Mercury. May was also of high importance to the ancient Celts and northern Europeans. On the Wheel of the Year, May 1st marked the halfway point between spring equinox and summer solstice. Heralding back to the Celts as a pastoral people whose survival depended on cattle, April 30 (Walpurgis Night) and May 1st (Beltane) were celebrated with bonfires and other rituals to protect the herds.

Such old stories as these are what drive my need to populate my fantasy romances with goddesses, ghosts, guardians, nymphs, fairies, angels, demons, and other magical beings. I don't necessarily use the exact name or attributes of a mythological being. Oftentimes I tweak and switch things around. The connections can be loose, fun, and modern. In the Wytchfae world all pantheons thrive in dimensions parallel to earth. Humans with fae blood and other sensitives can often communicate with otherworldly inhabitants and even travel to magical realms and forgotten times.

I want to share with you a few of the ways the Wytchfae Series delves into mythology. These short descriptions are not meant to sound as spiffy as blurbs. They are meant to give an idea of the various mythologies and beings that fired me up during the writing of the stories.

Wytchfae Runes - The hero, a Viking ghost, and heroine, a Wytchfae (fae blood, witch training) travel back to the Viking age and the Underworld to undo a curse. They play hardball with Helle (based on the Norse goddess, Hel) and a sorceress, Skada (based on the giantess Skadi).

Guardian of the Deep – A succubus and undersea guardian, Samael, (name has angelic ties) go on the run from Lilith (based on a Sumerian demon).

Mind Your Goddess – Epona (based on the Celtic goddess) loves dark guardian Eshigel (name linked to Sumerian myth). The hero encounters a dangerous, lovesick Lamia (Greek myth - half woman, half snake).

Time Singer – A Wytchfae travels back to ancient Ireland, falls for a warrior, and encounters numerous fae, including a cat sith (woman/cat shifter). Most of the characters are based on Irish legends and myths of the Firbolg people and the Tuatha Dé Danann (the original fairies), including King Nuada (the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann).

Lord of Fire – An otherworldly guardian banished to the earth realm (name Gabriel has angelic ties) gets all shook up by a Wytchfae and fights a reptilian demon (Sumerian) who has transported the heroine to medieval times.

Demoness Dreams – We are back to Norse mythology with this one. Goddess of the Underworld, Helle, sends an assassin to deal with the potentially lethal heroine. Another rendezvous is with the sorceress Skada. Along the way we meet some entertainingly fierce ice demons.

Soul Weaver (to be published) – The heroine, Resa, little sis of the Three Fates (Greek mythology) and the hero, Rhade, a Sumerian war god, fall in love while fighting off ancient warriors who have regressed into ghouls.

Silver’s Angel (to be published) -  This is the love story of a cat sith/shifter (Celtic mythology) and a rock star (American mythology LOL).

Suggestions for May: Go outside. Get some sunshine. Plant your garden if you haven’t already. Water and nurture it. Smell the flowers! Oh, and also—find time to relax and read the books you enjoy. We Pen Dames are doing our best to write the stories we hope you’ll love. We have another cool contest coming up, too. Stay tuned for that.

Heart, Humor, & Happily Ever After!

Flossie Benton Rogers

The Hidey-Holes in My Brain

 

The Hidey-holes in My Brain

If you are a writer, perhaps you, like I, have been asked—why do you write? It’s a legitimate question. Why do I write? Without getting all philosophical and perhaps boring you to tears, let me share with you why I write.

I was born with an expansive imagination. Like most children, I had imaginary friends with whom I had realistic conversations. I could read before I entered first grade. (Kindergarten didn’t exist way back then). I’ve made no secret to anyone that I grew up in an abusive home environment. Thus reading became an escape, a way for me to shelter from emotional and physical pain. My imagination also grew and story ideas developed, and the hidey-holes in my brain nurtured those stories until it was time for me to share them with the world.

Writing for me is a great outlet for creative expression. My grandmother was a seer. When I was a little girl, she’d often say, “Retta, when you hear names in your sleep, pray for that person because they have a need and are asking you for help.” As crazy as it may sound, I often wake up in the wee hours of the morning with story ideas floating around inside my head. It’s as if I can hear the characters whispering their words in my subconscious. This makes it impossible for me not to write. Otherwise, the ideas, or maybe the characters, will keep nagging at me until I get the words written down. Yeah, I know, it’s wacky.

I try to write fast-paced books. My goal is to keep every reader interested in the story—even those readers who might not be interested in that particular genre. I also write to educate and too inspire. My author brand is “Romance with a Twist…Expect the Unexpected.” This means that readers will find a little mystery, a little adventure, a little paranormal, and a little surprise, in every book I write.

I write so that I can, hopefully, make a difference in a reader’s life. In general, I enjoy researching information to make sure my novels, although fiction, are historically and factually correct. I also love to exercise my imagination when I’m working on my novels. I enjoy living in the imaginary world of my characters. Writing also forms an outlet for my urge to share my personal and professional life experiences, only in novel form.

I write because I want to entertain. I take a great deal of pleasure from making others happy, and I use my writing as a means of pleasing others. I also enjoy hearing from people that have read my books, and especially when I have succeeded in captivating them.

So, if you are inspired to write a novel, a novella, or a short story, pour your heart and soul into what you create because it is a closely tied string back to yourself. It will forever be attached to you and it will forever be a piece of who you are.

My life changed when I started writing, and I’m willing to bet yours will, too. One last word—Create a story that is worthy of readership. Now—Go. Write!

A Love Letter to Libraries #Library #Librarylove

 

Last night as I pondered what to write for my April blog, I came up with a blank, but my brain worked on it while I was sleeping. I woke this morning thinking of the perfect concept--discussing a pop-up picture book titled, What’s Happening at the Library? 

The image in my mind was so realistic, I was certain this already existed. So, I searched fifty pages of Amazon offerings containing almost everything (even a pop-up Kama Sutra!) except one about a library. Maybe paper engineers don’t consider libraries interesting enough, but I do, and I bet all the other bookworms will agree. Maybe I should create it.

This wouldn’t be just for children, but something for everyone to enjoy. With its intricately cut, detailed, three-dimensional illustrations on glossy paper, it would feature all the amazing services our libraries provide. Here’s how I envision it:

The first two pages portray rows of wooden shelves packed with intriguing hardcovers and paperbacks alongside overstuffed leather armchairs perfect for comfortable perusing. A twelve-inch, bronze, metallic, raised-relief floor globe in a cherry wood frame stands in a bay window surrounded by bright red, cushioned benches for children to sit and explore the world. Large windows leading to a high ceiling allow sunlight to suffuse the room. A smiling librarian at a circular check-out desk completes the scene.

In the next tableau, computer monitors and keyboards, each with an attached mouse, rest on high-sided metal desks with task chairs. Printers, crisp white paper, and reference materials await the eager hands of youngsters and adults.

Following are meeting rooms where groups learn new skills or discuss issues. In others, a volunteer reads to children or teaches crafts.

Authors exhibit stacks of their new releases, reading excerpts and signing copies for patrons.

Displays of local artist’s works; performances by community dancers and entertainers; mentors helping students with literacy, math, languages, and other courses are all shown.

My book would be immense! I probably won’t ever craft it, but that’s all right. We don’t need this to tell us what’s going on in these magical sanctuaries. We can walk in the door and see for ourselves.

April 4 - 10 was National Library Week. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep love for our libraries. From the small building in my hometown where I checked out stories as a child, to the large, modern structure in the county where I live now, these institutions have been, and will always be, enthralling places for me.

Over many years, I watched them evolve into true community centers that are welcoming havens for all people. Libraries opened up the universe for me, taking me to locations I never thought I would visit, and domains where I could only go in my imagination. They ignited my creativity, and I will always be grateful.

Would you tell me your favorite story of how a library has helped you? Reply below. I’ll collect all the responses and send them with this blog to my local library. I will also include them in posts on social media (anonymously if you wish). Feel free to share! Let’s show our library staff how much we appreciate them!

Thank you for spending time with the Pen Dames. Please check back every month for new blogs, contests, excerpts, and more!  

 

                                                                  

   

Inspiration and Unlikely Heroes

 

Nothing scares some writers like a blank page. For others, the words flow easily and they look up, bleary-eyed, hours later. "Why, where did the time go? I worked-no-played through lunch."

 I am not one of those authors, and I never miss lunch. After publishing three historical romance novels, I've learned a few things about facing that Great White Space. 

1.  Do not expect perfection. If you sit there waiting for the perfect word to slide into your mind like an Olympic ski champion at the finish line, it will likely not happen, and years later, your loved ones will find you covered in spider webs and muttering words like, "shards, Slinkees, despair."  Put something on the page, whether you're starting a novel or just a new chapter. Write now, delete later. Let the words add up. 

The thing is, sometimes those rough drafts (and they're called "rough" for a reason) contain little pieces of treasure, because they come from your subconscious mind. Be kind to yourself. You'll have plenty of time to become the Commander of Words later. 

2. Get away from the computer. Sit in a comfy chair and sit with your legal pad or notebook. Let's say you're starting a new romance. Sometimes changing locations takes the pressure off. 

Start with a character. Who would you like to materialize in front of you that very moment?  What would they say to you? Despite the fact that you're wearing your old pregnancy pants and haven't shaved your legs since 1982, what would you like your hero to say to you? What would take for him to make you glow all over?  Daydreaming is essential.  Delve into your hero's personality, and think about what would make you swoon and what would make you gnash your teeth.  Got some ideas in your notebook? Type them up. Do not delete.

3. Trying to decide on your hero's occupation? Set the timer and give yourself a certain amount of time to research. Why a timer? It's easy to go down the research rabbit hole and it's also a well-known avoidance technique. In my experience, I sometimes get ideas for a plot, or a character, when I'm researching. For instance, in #3 of my Rhythm of the Moon series, Echoes of the Moon, the hero, Henry, is a night soil man. With his young son George helping him, he spends his nights emptying the townspeople's cesspits. I strongly believe that everyone deserves a chance at love, no matter their imperfections or their occupations. Think of the television series, "Dirty Jobs."

Back to research. I got the idea for Henry's occupation when I saw an authentic 18th C. calling card (basically a business card) for a night soil man. It was pretty fancy. I like a challenge, and so my hero was created. There's more to Henry than meets the eye. My heroine, Bethan, despite her distaste for his occupation, finds herself attracted and intrigued by him. Burdened with the care of her mentally ill identical twin, Bethan never thought love possible. Here's a passage where Bethan is watching their early morning progress up the street:

    Henry grunted as they lifted the yoke onto their shoulders, the barrel at the end. "Remember what the old bard said?"

    "I don't know. He said a lot of things."

    "Oh, it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant."

    Bethan forgot the stench upon recognizing the words of William Shakespeare. Measure for Measure? How did a night soil man come to quote the immortal words of the bard? Most puzzling, and likely the reason she couldn't get Henry out of her mind.

    They soon returned to the wagon, and Henry watched George, a small smile on his face. 

    George scratched the horse behind his ears. "Good girl. I shall never hurt you."

    They made their way up the street, and the closer they got, the more repulsive the odor became. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief but couldn't take her eyes away from his broad shoulders and wide back, looking strong enough to carry any burden. Even hers He waved at her and strode up the street. 

    He walks like royalty, not as if he has the most disgusting job in town. She lowered the cloth as curiosity got the better of her. 

    He stopped a good twenty paces from her, took off his work gloves, and bowed. "I shan't get too close, Mistress Bethan. Good morrow." He had eyes the color of Lena's best summer ale. "You're up early."

    She nodded. "It's peaceful this time of day, when the town is still asleep."

    "Except for us." He grinned. He wore no hat, and his black hair curled around his face. "I enjoy my work for the same reason."

    "You enjoy your own work?"

    He nodded, his eyes darkening from summer ale to stout. "Why should I not, despite the nature of it? It's honest and important work." He turned toward his son. "And a good trade for young George to learn."

    What a snob she was. "I didn't mean to insult."

    He stepped forward, and she stepped back, rapping her elbow on the door frame. "Ouch!"

    He rushed toward her. "Are you all right?"

    His fingers on her arm were warm and reassuring as she closed her eyes and waited for the stars to disappear from her vision. Then she came to her senses and recoiled from him. 

    He backed away. "I'm sorry to have disturbed your reverie, Mistress Bethan." Formal, cold.

    Emptiness echoed in the pit of her stomach; she had offended him. Why should she care? Nevertheless, she watched him retreat down the hill toward his son. Such a mystery.

The creative process is fascinating. We all have our own ways of creating our art, whether it be painting, sewing, decorating, gardening, or cooking. What do you do when inspiration has disappeared? I'd love to hear from you.