Today I put on my trusty boots and went to see what was new in the woods. Snow melt and rain have combined to fill the creek. The water is brown from all the mud. I’m betting this is the highest the water gets all year.
I slogged along on the soggy ground. The skunk cabbages haven’t made much progress since the last time I checked.
This is the stone wall that may or may not mark the edge of our property. I wonder again who built it so long ago.
The ocean nymphs (Nereids) represent a portion of the Okeanides, or water nymphs. According to Greek mythology, the Okeanides watch over all the earth’s water. The Okeanides each have their area of specialization: some are Cloud-Nymphs (Nephelai), Breeze-Nymphs (Aurai), or Spring and Fountain Nymphs (Naiades), and more. There are one thousand of them, and they’re all the daughters of the ocean god Okeanos, and Tethys, his wife.
I am interested in ocean nymphs, because I’m about to write one into my book. The Nereids, goddess-nymphs of the seas are not dangerous like the kelpie. The ocean nymphs preside over the all the sea life. They protect sailors and fishermen and help those in distress.
When I give a writing prompt, I expect you to choose whether you want to write about yourself (in first person, “I”) or a character.
Here’s an idea to spark a story:
A kid is walking in a park. He or she sees a large pair of wings on a park bench.
What does the character do?
What happens next?
The ants found the faerie gifts first.
I have to rethink this faerie gift thing. Any ideas?
Walking in the woods today, I found greening star moss.
A yellow crocus . 
And a faerie castle.
March 2017
Nathaniel Hawthorne, the young hero in Hansen’s book, confronts the greatest adversary of all time: Mr. B., the Devil himself. The story takes place in a small community theater in the Midwest, where Nathaniel helps his Aunt Misty put on performances. When Mr. B. joins the company, he is, of course, an excellent actor. However, Mr. B. has higher aspirations: to rule the world. It is up to Nathaniel and his friend, Keisha, to stop him.
With Nathaniel, we watch plays performed, and make a short visit to Hell where we meet the current Seven Deadly Sins. Author Hansen manages to sneak in a lot of interesting information about plays, their production, and Mr. B.’s various appearances throughout human history.
I particularly liked the end of this book, because it surprised me. It wasn’t your typical happy ending, that’s for sure. But maybe that made the conclusion more satisfying.
Hansen is the author numerous books and short stories and an editor for Stinkwaves Magazine and Handersen Publishing. He also happens to be my editor for the Magic Trilogy.
The kelpie, a water spirit in Scottish legends, lives in streams and rivers. Some sources say kelpies also haunt lakes and seas. The kelpie is a shape-shifter who can appear as a beautiful horse or a lovely woman. In her horse guise, she lures people onto her back, and then dives deep into the water, drowning the rider.
Kelpies warn of approaching tempests by wailing and howling, and continue their chilling cries throughout the storm.
One can only tame a kelpie by taking possession of its bridle. Then the kelpie must submit to the owner’s will. Kelpies are strong, and can do the work of ten horses. However, capturing and mastering a faerie spirit like a kelpie is a dangerous undertaking. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Today I made my first attempt to leave gifts for the faeries.
I read that faeries like sweets, cream, butter, pretty stones, and shells. Hunting in my craft supplies and my fridge, I found some of these items.
Faerie gifts: butter, cream, raisins, a slice of turquoise agate.
With my heart-shaped plate of faerie goodies, I went down to the stream behind our house. A hollow at the base of a tree seemed like a good spot. I brushed away the leaves, and set up my offerings.
I also read that there are special chants or songs to sing when offering gifts to the faeries, but I didn’t prepare any. The faerie gift hollow is going to be a work in progress.
Tomorrow I’ll check to see what happened.
Our house sits on the edge of woods. Behind the house is a creek. These days, I can hear its rush and gurgle all the way from my front door.
In the puddles among the soggy leaves, the skunk cabbages are pushing up their striped heads.
On a slim, dead tree, I found little ruffles of fungi.
This is my favorite time of year to follow the stream and observe all the new beginnings.
February, 2017
When an author comes to visit at a school, kids often ask, “Where do you get your ideas?”
My best ideas come when I’m sitting quietly, doing something that’s not related to writing, such as sewing, taking a shower, or cooking. But the story that I’m writing is always alive in my mind. We writers call this “percolating.”
Maybe you’ve been given writing prompts at school. Writing prompts are a good way for writers to get into a story.
In my book Tangled in Magic, Malcolm learns how to throw sparks from his fingers. What magic power would you choose to have?
Here’s a writing prompt for you to try:
You (or a character) have a magic power. What is your magic power? What might you do with it? And what happens then?
Tangled Magic 