Hello!
A few weeks ago, our family visited two universities where our son had been accepted. While walking around the colleges to get a feel for campus offerings and atmosphere, we discovered that both universities also have ponds with cute ducks and adorable turtles. :)
While both ponds are meant to be scenic areas where people can socialize and relax, at one of the schools it also serves as an educational tool. The pond is a living laboratory, and students study both the pond water and the turtles living in it.
I like this idea of having a dual purpose. As a writer, I can construct a scene which is vital to the plot, but then I can layer on details about characters, setting, theme, and of course, folklore. Like the pond, the scene serves multiple purposes and is more engaging for the reader. But maybe I should also think about adding some turtles or ducks to my scenes!
Writing Update
I've reached a turning point in the drafting of my novel. I've finished the scenes that set up the plot and characters—now it's time for building toward the midpoint, where my protagonist will begin to shift her mindset and evolve.
Also, since my last letter, I have formatted and sent out my short story to a literary magazine. In addition, a poet in my writing group told me about a local poetry + art collaborative she is involved with. It sounded fun to contribute, so I wrote and submitted a poem for it as well.
Exploring Folklore: Birds of Rhiannon
So although I was joking about adding ducks and turtles to more scenes, I actually do include quite a few animals in my writing. In the poem I wrote for the collaborative, birds take center stage, both real and mythical. In my poem, the real birds remind the narrator of the birds of Rhiannon—magical birds referenced in early Welsh literature.
Rhiannon is an otherworldly woman, who is generally considered a Celtic horse-goddess. She plays a prominent role in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales. The birds of Rhiannon also appear in the Mabinogion and are somewhat elusive—it is unknown how they are linked to Rhiannon or what their origin myth is. The fact that there are few references to them in medieval Welsh literature only adds to their intrigue.
While their species is unknown, the birds of Rhiannon are songbirds, and their singing can charm the listener for years at a time. There is a passage in the the Mabinogion where the birds of Rhiannon captivate surviving warriors for seven years with their singing:
And there came three birds, and began singing unto them a certain song, and all the songs they had ever heard were unpleasant compared thereto; and the birds seemed to them to be at a great distance from them over the sea, yet they appeared as distinct as if they were close by, and at this repast they continued seven years.
The birds’ spellbinding capability kept the warriors from being aware of the passing of time as well as from feeling any sorrow. I find this combination of a time lapse which lifts the weight of sadness intriguing, and it is what led me to reference the birds of Rhiannon in my poem.
As ever, thank you for subscribing and reading.
All the best,
Steph
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