Favorite Fairy Tale encounters from 2013

      

My Favorite Fairy Tale Encounters from 2013

I'm not always reading the most current books or watching the most recent movies or tv shows. I'm always a little behind, especially when it comes to fairy tales. But even so, I like to share my favorite fairy tale encounters from the past year. I've had plenty. I met magicians, witches, vampires, ghosts, ghost killers, gods, dream scientists and several different people who did not stay dead. I encountered secret smells, the color of death, selkies, aliens in disguise, factions I also did not fit into and districts where I did not want to live. I visited a city that transformed between the night and day. I read a story with parallel plotlines. I got lost in two different wild forests and survived to fight another day.

The following awards are entirely made up, basically just so I can talk about these particular books. However, two awards repeat every year, because I always can find a resourceful orphan and a horrible, terrible, and by far the worst kind of parent.

The most dangerous book I read this year: Reckless by Cornelia Funke

This was more of a personal problem. There's nothing dangerous about the book's content. It's your ordinary fairy tale based adventure. However, I read it while I was in the middle of drafting a story, which happened to be a fairy tale based adventure. Uh oh. Was I giving myself a little challenge not to be overly influenced?

 Luckily, Reckless features modern day characters, Jacob Reckless and his brother Will, who find a way through a magic mirror into a world where fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty are real. And much more dangerous than the stories told you. Its nothing like my story. Mostly.

Winner of the Most Talking Animals: The Prince Who Fell from the Sky by John Claude Bemis

In this book there are talking bears, coyotes, wolves, rats, dogs and cats. Human speech is no where to be found, so if you are unable to understand grunts, growls, squeaks or other subtle body language don't bother picking up this book. .... just kidding. (I didn't want to spoil anything.)

Runner up: Wildwood by Colin Meloy

Winner of the Most Surprising Heart Award: The Scarecrow from The Scarecrow and his Servant by Philip Pullman

A turnip-head scarecrow comes magically to life and the story follows his misadventures with robbers, a theatre trope, a broom, an army, and a kingdom of birds. He is accompanied by his faithful servant, a young capable human boy. The scarecrow keeps a very important document inside himself. I love the language in Pullman's stories. The descriptions and actions are simple, but they have just the right turn of phrase. This was my favorite of the three I read this year.

Winner of the most terrifyingly injury award:
Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Chapter 5 begins with the main character examining his foot, which has a small pink scar and a hole. That's right a tiny little hole in the bottom of his foot. Inside he finds a worm, which he proceeds to pull out of the hole with tweezers. That's when everything starts to go wrong. And this is how we know something is not right, because of that tiny little hole.


Winner of the transformation Award: The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan

This was the first book I read in 2013, so I know I started the year off right. To call this book just a story based on selkie mythology doesn't do it justice. Margo Lanagan does a stunning portrayal of a small seaside village and its inhabitants. The men of the island can get themselves a perfect seawife if they're willing to pay the witch's price. And how do the real women react? Well, its impossible to compete with someone who has supernatural beauty, who is obedience, and simply lovely beyond reason, the perfect wife and mother. Most of the real women leave. The seawives can't. They might long to return to the sea, they might be miserable, but they can't without their 'skins'.

There are several view points portrayed in this book, one of the sons who decides to help find his mother's skin, a young man who returns to the island and is not looking for a perfect seawife, but ends up with one anyway and a woman who decides to leave the island after her husband gets himself another 'wife', but the most heartbreaking is the witch's story.

Runner up: The Magician King by Lev Grossman


Resourceful Orphan Award: Mosca from Fly Trap by Frances Hardinge

Poor Mosca as if the story didn't start off bad enough: her companion Eponymous Clent is in jail, her goose has run off and she's broke. Then she gets kidnapped just because she can read! Whether escaping from farmhouse cellars, sneaking around a strange city with a split personality, facing down thieves, mayors, or the infamous, treacherous locksmiths, Mosca's your girl for adventure and getting into and out of trouble. The story weaves in strange ways, but it all comes together and Mosca not going to stand by while people suffer or let the impostors get away. She'll give them what's coming to them, even if that means revolution or burning and tearing down an entire city. You go girl!

Also, Hardinge's books remind me ever so slightly of Diana Wynne Jones, beautiful language, curious situations and strange characters to encounter throughout.


Fourth Annual Worst Parent award: the Mother from Ico:Castle in the Mist by Miyuki Miyabe

There were other terrible parents I read about this year, neglectful ones, absent ones, a father in prison with unreasonable expectations, another father who does something horrible to his little boy, but the worse parent I encounter has to be the Queen from Ico: Castle in the Mist.

There's something epically horrible about a woman who claims her birthright as the child of a Dark God, tries to destroy the world and decides to drag her daughter along with her. For some reason being trapped together for several timeless centuries doesn't help them get over their differences. Huh.

First Runner up: the Father from Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Second Runner up: the Dowager Governess in Wildwood by Colin Meloy


Other favorite fairy tale books »
2012's Tales
2011's Noteworthy
2010's Notables

Not just poetry. Here is a play for you too! (ooh, I'm impressed Roe!)

BASKETS
Act 1, scene 1

setting: Entrance and dining hall at the Tambre Inn

ANN IS SWEEPING VIGOUROUSLY, TIDYING UP. WILLIAM ENTERS AND STARTS UPON SEEING HER. HE APPROACHES FROM BEHIND, THEN CHANGES HIS MIND AND HEADS OFF STAGE. SECONDS LATER HE REAPPEARS, MORE DETERMINDED. ANN DOES NOT NOTICE HIM AT ALL. 

William: My love, I -
ANN SHRIEKS AS HE TAKES HER BY SURPRISE. THEY STARE AT EACH OTHER. 
William: Sorry, wrong sister.

FROM A BACK ENTRANCE MARI ENTERS, DRESSED IN A LONG CLOAK, WITH HER HEAD COVERED. SHE ATTEMPTS TO SNEAK TO THE FRONT DOOR UNSEEN.

Mari, aside: Stay calm. He hasn't seen me yet.
Ann: Oh Mari dear, there you are! Have you only just woken up?
William: Mari!
Mari: Oh, perhaps. Have you finished all the washing up then?
Ann: Nearly I-
Mari: Good, then you don't need my help. William, release my hand at once.
William: of course, I only . . .
Mari: Yes?
William: Ah, um, just going out? Are you? Here, let the door for you. Might I escort you this morning, somewhere.
Mari: No thank you. I shall be fine.

MARI EXITS

Ann: Don't forget Auntie Wren will be here to- day.
William: Now, she's gone. Why can't I say something to her? Why do I stutter, my words fail me. A fine speech maker I'm not, but a simple 'hello Mari, how are you? Good Morning. You look lovely as day, today.
Ann: Thank you.
William: Oh, I don't mean you Ann. You're a nice girl. You're alright, but your sister. Mari is . . .
Ann: oh brother.
William: An Angel. Truly descendant upon this earth. Glorious to behold. None can - dare compare to the splendor that is ...
Ann, reciting along with him and finishes for him: Glorious to behold.  None can - dare compare to the splendor that is Mari Tambre.


(Ah, but sadly, its unfinished. . . )
(What a shame. I really liked where it was going too.)
(Thank you Lackscroft.)
(Perhaps I should finish it for you?)
(IF you think you can. . . )


image credit goes to...

Curses, another poem (someone must have taken over this blog) (Wasn't me, how about you Roe?)

The Cursemaker Returns

The cursemaker is coming.
The cursemaker is coming.
It's not enough to say it once.
Three times and you know it to be true.
The cursemaker is coming.

She'll be there giving birth to salamandar toads.
She withers birds with her eyes, and keeps them in a cage.
Her nettle-wine and fish-eye stew smell like sour sweat.
Don't let her touch you.
Don't get too close.
She'd try to snatch you and catch you and eat you.

The cursemaker is coming. 
Quickly, hold your breath.
The air stinks like ink. 
You know it to be true.
The cursemaker is coming.

Stones crumble at her feet, the water boils, the fishes bleed,
she has a grip to hold you down like a spider's web of iron.
She doesn't burn. She doesn't drown. She must be quite the -
Don't say it.
Don't even whisper it.
She'll know you did. She'll pin you down to stitch your lips.

The cursemaker is coming.

Confession

Confession

I must confess something
get this off my chest.

I'd like to say I wrote this story,

but it really wrote itself.

It demanded to go one way

when I wanted to go the other.

It was stubborn,

uncooperative

immovable.

If I didn't follow the story

then we never got anywhere.

It said things unexpected.

It did things I never thought of

and went in entirely different directions.

Maps were useless,

schedules ignored,

the story was in charge, not me.

Sometimes I couldn't figure out what

the story wanted,

nothing I tried worked.

But I kept trying.

I kept at it.

Early mornings, while eating lunch, after dinner, late into the night.

The story couldn't be left unfinished,

it needed an ending, of some sort.

Conversations needed to be spoken,

actions taken,

the end written at the end.

Now, it wants to be shown off,

copied, reproduced, distributed and read

It is very bossy, I know.

Would you like to see it?

Fairy Tale Favorites from 2012

      


It's a little late in coming, but I felt like sharing a few of my favorites from last year. 

I didn't read as many fairy tale books last year. I'll have to do better next year. 

However, I did meet plenty of interesting characters. There were 8 different orphans, an amnesiac hero, a girl without a hand, and a boy without a hand, a girl with wolf ears, and another girl with cat whiskers. I read books with giant monsters, witches, vampires, werewolves, pirates, cyborgs, ghosts, evil stepmothers, and puppets. I attended a circus in the middle of the night, traveled to several parallel worlds, and saved the world several times over. 

Phew. Onto the awards:

Winnner of the Longest Title: 
Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog confounds her friends, astounds her enemies and learns the importance of Packing Light by Ysabeau Wilce
runner up: Kalpa Imperial: the Greatest Empire that Never Was by Angelica Gorodischer, translated by Ursula Le Guin

Somehow I always read a book with a long title, that I particularly enjoy. I never plan for it, I don't go out looking for books with long titles, it just happens. 

Best Monster/Giant Hunter: 
Barbara from I kill Giants by Joe Kelly and J.M. Ken Niimura
Runner up: Rossamond from Lamplighter (Book 2 of the Monster Blood Tattoo Series) by D. M. Cornish

Killing monsters is rather fairy-taleish. The graphic novel 'I kill Giants' has a classic, familiar fairy-tale feel to it, but still manages to be its own story too. This one also caught me off guard. A powerful tale of a fifth-grade girl who fights giants, from the bully Taylor, to the one living upstairs in her house. She's preparing for the "giant" coming any day now. She makes traps for it, she studies ancient texts about giants and the Titans so she will be ready to fight. Don't we all fight giants in some way? 


Winner of the FlipFlop Award
Kylie Galen from the 'Shadow Falls Series' by C.C. Hunter
Seriously, girl pick one guy or the other. Either the hot werewolf or the gorgeous fey, you can't keep flipping back and forth between them. It's making me crazy. I am so over love-triangles. Give me a good solid romance between two people. That is hard enough.

Runner Up: Beatrice Shakespeare Smith from Eyes like Stars by Lisa Mantchev. Check her out at the Theatre Illuminate.

Favorite Twist in a Story . . . goes to Absolute Midnight by Clive Barker
Runner Up: Chime by Franny Billingsley

I try not to give away secrets here, at least not the really good ones. I hate to spoil good secrets. That's why I can't explain the reason for these winners. All I can tell you is these two stories have twists in them that really surprised me. Sometimes I can guess where a story is going, I can see a twist coming, but sometimes I'm wrong. Sometimes the story or a character does something completely unexpected.


Best Story within a Story: 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
runner up: The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

Most Memorable Opening Line: Railsea by China Meville

"This is a tale of a bloodstained boy."

Winner of the most resourceful Orphan 
Rossamund from The Foundling: Book 1 of the Monster Blood Tattoo Series by D. M. Cornish
Runner up: Sham from Railsea by China Meville

Orphans are everywhere, I realize it's convenient  but even so there are always surrogate parents popping up somewhere in the story. We can't ever escape them. Some orphans manage better than others, some are more interesting than others. A lot happens to Rossumond, to start it off he was given a girl's name and to make it worse he lives in a world filled with monsters. 

The world D.M. Cornish creates is fascinating, with its vinegar sea, fortified cities and towns, the people all dress in fancy tri-cone hats and wigs and frock coats. It's like a Charles Dicksen story set in a RPG fantasy world. The monsters are real and scary, yet it so much more complex than that. While Rossumond's journey takes him from the orphanage to the home of the Lamplighters, he learns how some humans can be cruel and mean, and that not all monsters are evil. Don't be too intimidated by the size of these books, because half of it is a dictionary/encyclopedia about the world Cornish has created. You don't need to study it, Cornish weaves in the details effortlessly, think of them as extras.

Third annual Worse Parents Award
Winner of the Worst Father of the year goes to . . . Hector Brown, also known as Prospero the Magician, from The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
runner up Bill Quakenbush from Absolute Midnight by Clive Barker

Just as orphans abound, so are parents that shouldn't be allowed to be parents. They're neglectful, abusive, cruel, and inescapable. The orphans have it easy, if you ask me. The ones who really have to struggle are the ones like Celia and Candy, with parents like Hector Brown and Bill Quakenbush. Having parents like these  - that force you to learn magic so you can play a mysterious game, in Celia's case, or try to steal your magic with some weird soul-sucking machine, in Candy's instance - they make you wish you were an orphan. 

Well, there you have it. I could probably assign an award or prize to every book I read last year, but I won't. 

Here's my sorta review of Night Circus.

For previous Awards and Favorites:

Eleven Noteworthy books of 2011

Notable Fairy Tale books of 2010

I'm Not afraid of Love. (#39 of Iana's story)

The end of Chapter 5 is upon us. I wanted to finish a chapter by the end of the year, and here it is. Iana has finally discovered a means to save her kingdom and to back fight against her enemies. Can you blame her for letting down her guard a little? 

39#   I'm Not afraid of Love

"Are you ready Princess?" Olwen asked as evening came on the last day. 

"As long as it stays windy out," I said listening to the shutters rattle on the windows nearby.

The last ten days had flown by so quickly. Olwen and I sat together in the dining hall, not alone, of course. Aunt Luna was near the fire, her eyes resting. Joli had gone up to bed earlier, and Mother had taken some dinner up to her. I should have gone up to bed too, but I found myself wanting to stay in Olwen's company a little bit longer.

Look no further, Iana's Story #38 has arrived

So much to do. So little time. Ah, but it only feels like that because there is so much to do. If there wasn't, then it would feel as if you had all the time in world. Time slows down when you count each second, trying to hurry it along, but when you are having too much fun, when you are busy preparing for Christmas, why then it runs off and suddenly the month of December is half over.

A simple solution presents itself, has Iana found her answer at last? 

#38 Look no further

"Can I help you Princess?" Olwen asked, pushing at the door with me. "What are you doing?"

"Wait, you'll see, or you'll hear it. Listen!" I told him, pointing upward. 

Day 6 and Counting: Iana's Story #37

The countdown continues, which is appropriate considering the season.
Will Iana be ready to fight when the time comes? Or will it be too late? 

#37 At Day 6: Arrivals and Curses, again

I barely saw Joli the next day. I was too busy and, I think she was avoiding me as well. She could have easily found me in the kitchens collecting lunch for the villagers, or when we collected the roses and locked them away in an iron chest. Olwen kept the key to the chest, and Mother locked the chest in closet and kept the key hidden. That way no one would be tempted by them.

On the sixth day before the Lion and Wolf returned, the first of the summerguards arrived. A"boy" dressed in a long hooded cloak, who fancied herself in disguise with long trousers. She said her name was Ben. 

A review, sorta. Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I have no idea if I'm allowed to do this, but I'm going to anyway. I am on page 50 inside a chapter called "Truth or Dare" and I've decided to write a review.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a marvelous little book. According to the book jacket its going to be a love story and a sorta fairy tale. It's more of an adult book than children's book, and filled with great characters. Even I get to be in this story. Portions of it are told in second person, and while sometimes a second person story is just a first person story in disguise, this one hasn't been. I've seen myself inside it, attending Le Cirque des Rêves.

The book has  multiple points of view, so why not include myself, the reader, but also circus attendee, seeker of dazzling stories and performances that are impossibly, delightfully almost real. So far in the book there has been magic, illusions, young lovers, teacups broken and repaired, fake magicians and real magicians and a mysterious game to be played. Celia and Marco, the main duo, have yet to meet, but they will soon, perhaps they'll be at the circus I'm attending.

I don't want to give too much away, so think of this more as a preview than an actual review (and see my disclaimer below). Not that I can spoil much, since I don't know how the story ends. I know someone who likes to read the end, or at least peak at it, to take off some of the pressure of not knowing, and give herself something to look forward to. 

I like to think of a story as a promise from the author to the reader. The Night Circus has promised me a magical performance. What will happen when Celia and Marco met? What are Celia's father and the man in the grey suit up to? How will Bailey sneak into the Night Circus - what will he find there? 

The Night Circus only opens at night, and after waiting outside in the cold I've paid my admission and entered the circus tent. I'm in the audience now, waiting to be entertained. I don't think I'll be disappointed.

Find out more about Erin Morgenstern.

Other reviews you might be interested in: 
Lunar Chronicles: Book 1 Cinder by Marissa Meyer
 The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland by Catherynne Valente
Adventures in Space ca 1851: Mothstorm by Philip Reeve


(Disclaimer: Since I'm only on page 50 this review/preview/recommendation shouldn't be taken too seriously. I couldn't resist telling you about it though. I'm still in the delightful beginning stages, when nothing is certain. You never know, halfway through the book might change irrevocably  The story might go somewhere unexpected. They do that occasionally  They begin so well and turn out to be entirely different by the end. They can be disappointing. Lloyd Alexander's The Iron Ring was like that. The first half so marvelous and wonderfully crafted, then the story changed, infected by realness, consequences and war, and it was no longer the exciting adventure it had been. It was still a good book, a well told story, but no longer the best. I'm always looking for the best, the stories that make my heart sing and my head spin, the excitement so hard to contain I want to go running outside in the middle of the night; those rare five star stories, perfect from beginning to the end that I read chapter by chapter hoping they will never end.)

A Cinderific Story (or the Lunar Invasion begins!?)

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

You're familiar with the story of Cinderella, and Cinder (book one of the Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer has all the familiar parts. Cinder has a stepmother, and step-sisters. There is even a pumpkin (cleverly disguised). There is a prince, and a royal ball that Cinder is not allowed to attend because she has too many chores. Basically the story is summed up like this: 

"Cinder was not going to be the ball, because she is a cyborg"

Cinder lives in New Beijing, sometime in the future. She was originally human, but because of an accident that killed her parents, some of her body was replaced with cybernetic parts. She's half human - half robot, unlike her companion Iko who is an android - all robot, though Iko does has a quirky personality. 


I always believed Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine was the quintessential Cinderella retelling. It is so perfect. It makes so much sense and explains everything. Nothing could compare to Ella Enchanted, or compete. Why read another Cinderella story? And yet . . . Cinder works. Maybe it's not as perfect and classic, but somehow being a sci-fi fairy tale levels the playing field. 

I enjoy science fiction, (although I read space fantasy more often.) I don't usually see these two genres mixed. I'd definitely recommend the book, if only for the novelty. 

Although, I think the fairy tale elements might have limited the story. I realize it's odd for me to complain about this, but it's almost restricted. The characters and the story line had to fit inside the familiar, like forcing a foot into a too small shoe. I was ready to go somewhere else with the story, to see something different. There was potential for it too, with the Lunars showing up and their magical-psychic powers, the incurable disease called Letumosis. There is the the fact that Prince Kai will become Emperor someday, while Cinder is a nobody, a cyborg. How will they ever get together? It's a lot to cram into one book. 

And I have to warn you. This book is also Book 1 (of 4), and while the story sorta wraps up - a lot of mysteries are explained, and secrets are revealed - it doesn't really conclude. The next one Scarlet comes out in February.

I'm a greedy reader, it seems. I read books fast, sometimes within hours like a movie. I want the story to be exciting, a little adventure, and certainly romance, but not too predictable. A well told story. And sequels? To me they are a bonus. They shouldn't be necessary. Unless, of course, its available right now. I guess I hate waiting.

other reviews you might be interested in:
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland by Catherynne Valente
adventures in space ca. 1851: Mothstorm by Philip Reeve

National Novel Writing Month: RESOLUTION!

"Thirty days and nights of literary abandon!"

I first encountered National novel writing month ( or as first timers lovingly abbreviate- nanowrimo- and seasoned vets coolly type " nano") three years ago on a hot november day.  I had just moved in the spring from my beloved Montana to Northern California to be near my fiancee.  I was jobless, living with my future in-laws, and a touch homesick for my friends and family in the mountains.  Nano became a welcome relief! Anglebird and I encouraged eachother from afar. My novel was a miserable mess of sloppy plot points but I had fun!
Another year rolled by.  I got married. By the time November rolled around I was in my second trimester and working full time.  I signed up for Nano with good intentions which quickly went down the drain because the baby overtook the organizational part of my brain.  In short, I forgot it was November and what I was supposed to be doing.

This year: I will be a professional JUGGLER:  I'll be working full time, chasing after a 6 month old, and writing on the fly. I fully resolve that I WILL write during nano!!!

And now to end with a poignant and inspiring quote:

" Time is a' wasting
the Turkey is a' basting
And we all want to eat
but what a stink!
What a smell!
could it be hell?
no, it's our feet.
what a neat feat
to ruin our trick or treat.


Lackscroft and Roe

To Stay or Go (Iana's Story #36)

I keep reminding myself, this is a story, you can't just summarize what's happening. Something dramatic must happen, action, and emotion, and above all keep it short. That always was been my goal, to keep it short and still have something happen. Iana is still preparing for the upcoming fight, but at what cost? 

#36 To Stay or Go

I found Aunt Rosemary standing near the far end of the long table. Several village men sat on one side eating a stew made old potatoes and dried leeks from last years harvest.  I didn't run, but I wanted to. Aunt Clo sat near the fire knitting away, balls of yarn in her lap and all around her feet. Aunt Luna held one of the yarn balls and helped unravel it, all the while telling one of her outrageous stories to Aunt Clo. Aunt Rosemary was counting out seed packets, then placing them carefully in a large bag at the end of the table. I looked down inside it.  She'd packed up her smaller tools, and had a sketch book and several thin journals. I don't know where she put her larger journals. 

I noticed she wore a simple wool dress, sturdy boots and her long brown cloak rested on the bench. Traveling clothes.

"You're leaving?" I asked, trying to keep the tremor from my voice.

What is Necessary (Iana's Story #35)

Where will Iana's resolution to fight lead her? What will happen between her and Joli next? Sometimes I ask myself all these questions, and then I wonder, where is this story going? Does it even make sense? Read on, and let me know.

#35 What is Necessary
I stopped to rest a moment near the chapel door, which was still boarded up until the chapel roof was repaired. That wouldn't happen anytime soon. 

"I can't believe you're doing this." Joli stood further back on the stone steps watching as glass shards fell, littering the ground like snow. "Have you no heart?"

Preparing for Battle (Iana's Story #34)

Previously. Iana's story continues. . .

#34 Preparing

Ten days was not much time. Everyday felt shorter than the next, yet it seemed like those ten days stretched on forever. If not for Olwen we would not have been ready. He was remarkable. No wonder the castle hadn't completely collapsed, what with Mother's firm meticulous control and Olwen capable of filling any role and finishing any task no matter how impossible. He juggled more than a juggler. 

#33 Iana's Story (A Recap Episode)

You might have noticed that I took the summer off, staring in May actually. Now that the end of August is almost here, back to school thoughts roam around my head and its back to the usual.

Not that I'm giving up summer completely. I'm planning one last camping trip this weekend. Hurrah! 

I must also confess, I've been somewhat fighting with Iana's story, and what happens next. Finally its out here, after months of wondering and worrying does this work? It feels so permanent to post it here for you to read. Well, I'll fix it later if I have to. The next scene will come sooner, tomorrow actually, since this one is mostly recap of what's happened. You'd forgotten the story, admit it you need a recap of what's happened.


#33 Iana's Story
We would fight. We must fight. There was no other choice. Giving up, or giving in like my sister Joli was the same as death to me. I refused to do something so stupid, and I had no intention of letting Joli throw her life away. Not even for love.

I told Olwen everything. We stood in a small alcove away from the rooms where I told him what I knew, from the very beginning, from the time I spent in Catha, our life there, until the moment I received Mother's letter demanding our return. If only my last desperate attempts to remain in Catha with Lady Amelia Hildegale had worked! 

#32 of Iana's Story: Troublesome and Strange

I've put up Letter Ten, even though you can't really comment on it Terrwyn. I still wanted to put it up. I couldn't resist. We've revised 42% of the story. Almost halfway, perhaps I should get on with the letter Eleven, then we'd be at halfway. 

In the meantime, I had this already written and I'm finally posting it. After a troublesome argument with her sister, Iana's troubles continues.

#32  Troublesome and Strange
My room was too cold to consider sleeping in it, not unless I covered the window again. I wasn't going to tackle that task on my own. 

The wind howled through the glassless, gaping hole. The night sky was black as a cave, no moon or stars visible out there. I wrapped an extra wool shawl around my shoulders and hurried out into the hall, only to run straight into Olwen. He caught me with one arm. In his other he held a short candle. He wore an alarmed look on his face, and concern in his warm eyes. "I heard a loud crash and then shouting. Are you hurt, your highness?"

He must have been standing in the hall for sometime. How much shouting did he hear? It was dark enough now at least the shadows could hide my blushing. Was it Olwen? I wondered. Olwen and Joli? The thought was just too silly, I dismissed it immediately. "No, I'm fine. A little bruised maybe, but it's no more than I deserve," I told him.

"Is there anything I can do for you, Princess?" he asked. 

Bravely Broken #31 Iana

Iana and Joli. Joli comes from the french word for pretty. Iana is from . . . actually I have no idea. I think I just made it up. The confrontation between the sisters continues below. How easily we say things - or shout things - we don't mean to our family.

Bravely Broken

I waved to Joli from the window, tipping backwards unsteadily. She hauled me inside, dragging me roughly off the sill and down I crashed to the floor. My landing was not elegant, and I would certainly have bruises tomorrow.

"Didn't you hear me knocking earlier?" I asked.

Her face turned from pale to a livid purple, as it does when she is angry or embarrassed.

"Since you weren't answering," I complained. "I had to come around from the outside."

"That's no excuse."

"Sorry, I wanted to talk."

Ten Winners - the goofy, gleeful and goosey

}

Last year, I started out with this idea of presenting various books, movies, characters, songs, TV shows, anything or anyone that had a wonderful element of goof. Only the silliest, funniest and ridiculous could be chosen for a Gooseyness award.

Last Years winners were predominately from books. No surprise there, I read more books than I watch movies. We had Victorian space epics, princesses with gravity problems, or hair problems, a group of  friends with weird hobbies -  the jellyfish obsessed kind - and a girl named September.

I'm starting to better understand what qualifies for a gooseyness award. I made a shelf of books that include some of the winners from last year, and as I was adding books I found other ones that I want to share with you.

Sisters, Iana's Story #30

I try to keep these posts short, under 1000 words; I aim for around 600-800, although sometimes they come out longer. I make all these plans about what will happen next and then the story expands all of a sudden. Gah. My general rule is, whatever the story wants, the story gets. That's why I had to split Roderick's latest adventure into Part1 and Part 2. Chapter 4 of Iana's story ended with a startling declaration by Joli, and now chapter 5 begins right where we left off.  

Sisters

I looked at my sister, noticing her hands clenched tighter than before. "I will go. Iana can stay," she said as if that decided the matter.

"You can't mean that," I declared.

Part 2, from the Travel Journals (Iana's story #29)

From Prince Roderick's Travel Journals


3 days counting, before April, in the year 217 - Evening

There has been an incident. We might be stuck here longer than we thought. I do not quite know when it happened. It occurred sometime after our visit to the village matriarch.

"Grandmother is resting. You'll have to wait Strangers." The matriarch's granddaughter said, but allowed us to come in to wait. She kept her face turned wore a simple veil over her head, so we only saw her left side in profile. I could see only shadows on the right half. She led us to chairs by the hearth and fetched mugs of something warm and strangely spicey. She said Blind Thomas was allowed to stay only if he didn't play with his lute. Blind Thomas soon left, clutching the lute under his arm, saying he'd be at his usual spot by the well, practicing if we needed anything.

The home of the matriarch was the largest I'd seen in the village of Lost Hope, with a covered porch around three sides of it, while inside was a large stone hearth, and two other rooms besides the main room and kitchen. One room was where the matriarch slept. There was a bed also in the main room. It was occupied by a girl who appeared soundly asleep. We kept our voices low, to not disturb her, until the granddaughter told us, "Don't mind her. She'd can't hear us, or even if she does she won't wake up. She has to sleep during the day and is awake only at night."

"A curse?"