I found Rachel online when I was researching all the things I needed to know as a South African author. I signed up for her newsletter and got the first two Creepy Hollow books free. And then I won the third book – signed! – during a holiday give-away. The first three books of the …
One of my favourite faeries to use in my writing – sometimes just popping up in a story without forethought! – is the will-o’-the-wisp. Folklore Most faeries with fiery appearances and a tendency to lead night-time travellers astray are categorised as “will-o’-the-wisp”, which is why there are so many differing names for something that seems …
Celebrating the success of Once… Tales, Myths and Legends of Faerie, I’m sharing a couple of book club questions. Original book trailer: Audiobook book trailer: Book club questions Once… Tales, Myths and Legends of Faerie If you were a dragon, would you hoard books? Why/why not? What do you think of Beira? What do you …
So, we have looked at what dark fantasy is and what types of folklore I use in my writing. Another question that frequently comes up in interviews, online chats and talking to readers via email and at book signings: What do you write about? They already know how the content is dealt with (dark fantasy) …
Celebrating the success of The Fae Realm, I’m sharing a couple of book club questions. Book club questions The Fae Realm Do you agree with what Sia did? Why/why not? Did you know what she was before the folklore explanation? When? What do you think of the person dancing for the Dark King? Do you …
Last week we looked at what I write: Dark Fantasy. This week we’re looking at what features in my writing. Once upon a time I wrote about what folklore is and why folklore is important. I wrote about how we embrace it in our Disney movies and young adult novels – disguised as fairy tales. …
I’ve decided to share some of my favourite fantasy reads here on the blog. OVER THE WALL THEY CAME TO HUNT HUMANS. BUT NOW, A HUMAN’S GOING TO HUNT THEM. THIS GIRL’S NO ONE’S PREY. In rural Wisconsin, an old stone wall is all that separates the world of magic from the world of man—a …
I decided to do a bit of research on Japanese folklore creatures (yokai). My favourite among these, and regularly confused with each other, is Yuki Onna and Tsurara Onna. Tsurara Onna is the Icicle Woman and Yuki Onna is the Snow Woman. Enjoy! Folklore about Yuki Onna and Tsurara Onna KWAIDAN: Stories and Studies of …
Everyone always talks about having a muse to help them with their artistic endeavours. Yeah, some muses are a little trickier with what they want out of the deal than others. Today we’re looking at the Leannan Sìth. Leannan Sìth in Folklore Survivals in Belief Among the Celts by George Henderson [1911] The forester was …
I’m enchanted by the old lore of the world – especially the Celtic goddesses. The Cailleach is one of the most fascinating, powerful and terrifying of the Celtic goddesses. It is said that she is ancient. The Cailleach in Folklore Carmina Gadelica Hymns and Incantations Ortha Nan Gaidheal Volume II by Alexander Carmichael [1900] Cailleach, …
