I’ve said before that fairy tales, as they were originally told and shared, weren’t strictly for kids. However, they certainly have become synonymous with children’s literature today. There are myriad reasons for that, but I wanted to take a closer look at one of them today: The Lang Fairy Books.
Tag Archives: Writing
Fairy Tales and the Rule of Three
The number three crops up a lot in fairy tales. Three wishes, three princes on a quest, three trials to overcome, three nights at a ball. But is that just a coincidence, or is there a deeper reason behind the choice of number? (Of course there’s a deeper reason. I wouldn’t be writing this blogContinue reading “Fairy Tales and the Rule of Three”
Reflecting on 2025
The year is drawing to a close, and as I’m starting to look forward and make plans for the next few months, I find myself looking back on 2025. If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen my big news from this week: I finished the first draft on the manuscript I startedContinue reading “Reflecting on 2025”
The Brains Behind The Beauty (and the Beast)
Fairy tales are a beautiful genre of literature, tracing cultural mindsets and priorities through time and across the globe. Their origin as oral tales makes them profoundly unique, as no two tellings were ever exactly the same. But at the same time, that can make it hard for anyone to trace their history. There haveContinue reading “The Brains Behind The Beauty (and the Beast)”
What’s In a Name
Romeo and Juliet has never ranked among my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays, but I have to admit there are some lines from it that have stuck with me. “What’s in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other word would smell as sweet.So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,Retain that dear perfection which he owesWithout that title.” Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2 It’s a beautiful sentiment Juliet expresses here, explaining that Romeo’s name, the hated name of her family’s enemy, doesn’tContinue reading “What’s In a Name”
The Mightier Pen: Episode 6
Episode 6 of my D&D/writing podcast is up! Until next time, word nerds!
6 Essential Questions for Building a Magic System
World-building is one of my favorite parts of writing (and DMing – insert shameless plug for my new podcast style YouTube channel about D&D and storytelling). As a fantasy writer, one of my biggest challenges (but one I enjoy immensely, make no mistake) is creating magic systems. There are a lot of really great resourcesContinue reading “6 Essential Questions for Building a Magic System”
Tricksters: Chaos, Cleverness, and Change in Myth and Modern Story
What do rabbits, spiders, and fairies have in common? If you answered that they’re all associated with the trickster archetype in literature and folklore, then hypothetical cookies for you (or some other imaginary treat of your choice)!
Metathesis
Fairy Tale Facts: Jack and the Beanstalk
There are some fairy tale images that just stick with you. A glass slipper alone on a staircase. An isolated tower with braided hair hanging out the window. A castle surrounded by thorny vines. A rose with falling petals. A magic mirror and a poisoned apple. A giant beanstalk stretching through the clouds.
Kate G. Jameson 