Where Did “The Warrior” Come From? Nobody needs help picturing this archetype. It’s one of the biggest the world over. At some point in every great story, characters must fight. Whenever they pick up a weapon, prepare a spell, or steel the mind, the Warrior is there. To fight is…
Years ago I learned the surprising history behind a certain English word. (It’s in the list below…can you guess?) The curious story of its evolution stuck with me. Almost without looking I came across more such words, each with strange origins. Since you too enjoy a bit of the curious,…
It’s the beginning of a new year. We’re all trying out new things, looking to improve life a little more. Yes, even me. I know it seems odd for such a perfect specimen to ‘improve’…but one can try. To such an end, let’s finish January with some pithy sayings for…
It could finally enter. It had invaded the boy’s dreams for weeks now. On and off, small touches, whispers and promises slipped into his growing mind. The entity could make the pain in his legs stop. It could bring Daddy back home. It could give them all the money they’d…
How’s this for a name? Yes, we’re talking about “Zwarte Piet” today. That is an actual name for an actual legend. He’s a companion for St. Nicholas, like Krampus, but in different countries than where you’d find Krampus. Zwarte Piet shows up in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and surprisingly, Indonesia. (Old…
Well, I said last month that plenty of material existed for a discussion on “The Witch,” didn’t I? Might as well hop straight to it! The concept of the Witch is, arguably, more modern than that of the Wizard. It has endured the ages a little better, and I think…
Hello, my name’s Chris Dirkins, with the Extra-Normal Podcast. We’re here with Roy, a genuine ghost, who’s agreed to talk to us about…Roy? You there? Yep, right here. Er, where? Oh right, you can’t see me. Here. Oh, I see, you’re on the chair. I just heard the thump. There…
It’s time for another archetype discussion! Last time we discussed the Fool. This time, we’re talking about the Wizard. When you read that term, an image popped into your head right away, didn’t it? I could even guess what it was. An old man with a long beard, wearing a…
Writing of the newest novel proceeds apace. I’m still in the first third of the book, but it’s making good headway. I want to reach 30,000 words – a little less than half the book – by June 1. That way I’m on track to finish, edit, get a cover,…
The infamous writing prompt. Meant to provide a creative ‘floor’ from which the writer may spring forward! (Little DST humor there.) Thing is, I find writing prompts amusing, but not helpful in their intended purpose. I don’t use them to start writing. Instead, I sometimes use them to plug in…
