Song

Go, and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root
Tell me, where all past years are,
Or who cleft the Devil’s foot,
Teach me to hear mermaids singing,
Or to keep off envy’s stinging,
And find
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind

If thou find’st one, let me know,
Such a pilgrimage were sweet,
Yet do not, I would not go,
Though at next door we might meet,
Though she were true when you met her,
And last, till you write your letter,
Yet she
Will be
False, ere I come, to two, or three.

~John Donne, 1572-1631

(From the opening pages of Stardust, by Neil Gaiman)

Continue reading Catch a Falling Star →

Its Suggestion Time!!!!

For the journey we are all undertaking in the:

Challenge

It was probably the height of folly to include other categories and not just call this a ‘fantasy’ challenge. The four categories that I wanted to highlight mix and intermingle in ways that can often be indistinguishable. In addition, fantasy has a seemingly infinite number of subgenres. So why list four categories? The primary reason was to avoid the common misconception among those who don’t read fantasy literature that books of High Fantasy, like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or purely magical books, like the Harry Potter series, are the only kinds of fantasy available.

Nothing could be further from the truth. One of my goals was to provide an avenue for all of us to share with each other the wonder that is fantasic, mythic, magical literature in its myriad forms. And while many of these 4 categories can be found present in a number of the books I may recommend, I will at least attempt to categorize some suggestions for those who are either new to the genre, or those who are just looking for something good, and different, to read. Keep in mind that the books I place in categories are my own, non-expert opinion. Many are easily a blend of more than one of these four. In fact, it may be more helpful to consider this a Fantasy Challenge with 3 subgenres: Mythological Fantasy, Folklorish Fantasy, and Fairytale Fantasy.

Continue reading Once Upon a Time, a beginning →

(Image by Charles Vess)

The much ballyhooed Fantasy Challenge kicks off this coming Monday, March 26th. Before you rush off to work, school, or whatever other fun things a Monday brings, be sure to stop by and read Monday’s post outlining the various aspects of the challenge.

Continue reading Friday Favorites: A Preview →

Droppings will be unmanned for the next three days as Mary and I travel to eastern Missouri to stay at Epple Haus Bed and Breakfast . Three days of wine, my woman, and song. Sounds heavenly. I’ll be back rested, refreshed, filled with thoughts of spring and ready for the Fantasy Challenge. Have a great Mon, Tues, and Wed everyone.

Every week I feel that I need to reintroduce myself. “Hi, I’m Carl V….I used to be a blogger…”. Rather than lament my lack of time spent here and at your wonderful sites, let me tell you about something new. “Yes, Preciousss, distracts them with something shiny!”

I mentioned last week that I had been given the honor of being one of the ‘fab five’ moderators for Lisa Snellings-Clark’s new Poppet Planet forum. The forum is a place for all things creative, including the chance to ask Lisa questions and learn about the technical aspects of her art. This weekend marks the Grand Opening of said forum and I want you all to come by, sample the wine and cheese, and add your conversational flare to the discussions going on.

Continue reading Introductions, Poppets, and the Fantasy Challenge →