 |
 |
|
The Holidays are here. Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid-al-Adha, Kwanzaa. Bodhi Day and Boxing Day. Junkanoo and Hogmanay. Winter Solstice.
Actually, holidays (holy days) run the solar gamut—practically every day, some culture somewhere in the world is celebrating or commemorating something or someone: holidays are our cultural myths.
Well, that’s nice. Why should a writer care?
Because myths are the stuff of legends, and the engines of stories.
We humans have been telling stories since we learned to talk. No doubt those tales that sent torrents of adrenaline through our veins also seared the strongest tracks in our memory, and were told and retold through generation after iPad-less generation. Indeed, the definition of myth is “a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or culture, or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.”
So where do you draw the line between a myth and a fictional story?
You don’t. You write one into the other.
That's what I've done with my novel about the history of cacao. In my research I discovered that there was a Maya king named Jasaw Chan K’awiil I, also known as Lord Cacao. I swear on my 80% cacao Panama Extra Dark chocolate bar. It just so happened he was the man who brought Tikal back to power in the 7th century, and Tikal is close to where my story takes place. He had to be part of the narrative.
But you cannot simply graft a myth onto your narrative. So I created a fictitious myth around the real myth of Lord Cacao, one that aligns directly with the plot line of the novel, galvanizes the final conflict, and takes the story to its climax. In fact, the new hybrid myth became the very backbone of my story. Nothing less.
Countless dark chocolate bars later, I'm down to the final weeks on this book. Stay tuned, hungry hearts! I shall have a release date soon.
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of my blog post on the power of myth.
~ Birgitte
|
 |
And so we arrive at yet another year's end. The closing of a cycle of 365 days, begun at the same time last year, at about the same spot in the Earth's orbit, one year before the next year's New Year.
This is a time of warmth and closeness, of hot spiced cider, a few great books, and a crackling fire, of reflection and intimate discourse, of memories held tight under a blanket of snow.
This is a time of cocooning, of drawing deliciously within by firelight, preparing for the metamorphosis of the New Year and the turn of calendars sweeping change through your house, when the cycle begins again, crackling underfoot like freshly fallen pine needles.
Apparently the world's marketing machinery never got that memo.
Have you seen Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Mr & Mrs Valentine sitting in the corner over there in the VIH (Very Important Holidays) Lounge, trying to stay away from prying ads? Did you hear they're all planning an elaborate scheme to infiltrate the ranks of average humans, disguised as ordinary weekdays?
So watch out for a furry red hat on Monday and jingling bells on Tuesday.
As for me, instead of a holiday-long discount on our books and apps (!!), let me leave you with a wonderful article in The Atlantic about some of today's best-known writers and their thoughts and sentiments about the craft of writing.
The ability to write is truly a gift. Treasure it, whether you or another possess it. It's our gift, from one to another, for all of us and all of humanity.
Whatever your faith, whatever your culture, may your Holiday be blessed, may your sleep be restful and profound, and may the company you keep be as warm and bright as the first snowflake that melts on your cheek this season.
Happy Holidays. See you in 2014!
|
|
|
|
Connect with me:
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
You are receiving this message because you have signed up for my mailing list, registered with a user account on my author's web site, or otherwise communicated with me and/or shown interest in my work or the official Birgitte Rasine author
web site, or because you are someone
I know personally. If you have any questions, please contact LUCITÀ via email at info@lucita.net or by telephone at +1 408.542.9942.
Copyright © 2013 LUCITÀ Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
|
