Sidhelagh's Blog
24 Posts
Long Time No See
Posted by Sidhelagh Jun 16, 2015
Yes it's been a long time between posts here ...
*laughing*
The title of this post could have been used as a subtitle for the book Danann that bulldozed its way into being a few months ago.
Finished with the Mamm Books, I was ready to begin the 'next' set: Alianora's books ...
But something wasn't clicking. Three times I started the first book of that set. Three times the flow to which I had become accustomed seemed to be naught but dry sand.
And came the Voice of Danann.
'I'm next.'
What do you mean you're next? You're dead, Danann. You're in Atonement for three thousand years. You can't be next.
'I'm next.'
Ye gods and little people. Danann, you are dead. Your Story isn't until the year 3487. Alianora is next.
Arguing with Fictional Characters, Shiela?
Really?
Really. And it never works, believe me. They're always right.
And so it was with Danann.
Giving in, I started on Danann, the book. The flow I had been missing didn't just flow, it flew. No little trickle, this. Not even a regular river. It was more like trying to ride a tsunami.
I think it was watching Stonehaven's Fireballs for New Year's that did it, to tell the truth. Stonehaven, in Scotland, has kept alive a tradition that goes back perhaps further than even they are aware. The Fireballs are amazing to watch. At the turning of the year, they light their packets of combustibles at the ends of their chains. Through the town they go, swinging ten plus pounds of packet and chain around them the entire way. Down to the harbour they go and into the sea with the fire. The whole thing is an impressive sight, even watching it from half a world away.
It apparently activated the Voice of Danann, because I had an internal argument about whether or not to contact the paper there to say thank-you for the Fireballs. Af course Danann won the argument and I just emailed the narrative I had written while watching the event, as a way to show them the impact it had on me rather than trying to find the words.
At any rate, Danann didn't shut up until I was well into the writing of his book.
Yes, the Fireball ceremony is included, even though the story of the book takes place in the year 3487. Stonehaven has kept it alive for this long; they won't fail to keep it alive.
It is in Danann that he is reunited with Sidhelagh. After three thousand years, the phrase 'Long Time No See' would certainly be appropriate.
Which is neither here nor there, really. It's a part of the reason for the long gap between posts, longer than usual even.
The rest of the reason has to do with the Younglings of Dunnottar, who have also begun yammering at me that it's got to be their turn!
Having just lost one battle with a Fictional Character, was I going to argue with half a dozen demanding younglings?
No.
They've been dominating and domineering.
In between times, the Sisters of Dunnottar - Alianora, Sass,Caileen, and Aine - have gotten good starts on their Collections of clothes and accessories, so it's not like I've been sitting around twiddling my thumbs here.
One final Adventure story to finish up for the set of Kin Cousin books (and the cover and illustrations to get done) and the four of them will be ready to roll. Since I'm doing a four by six foot pencil sketch of Dunnottar to use in the cover photo, it's likely to take a while before I'm ready, even though the text-work will be finished with another half hour's worth of writing.
I could probably have gotten permission to use any one of the incredible photos of Dunnottar I've seen ... but our Dunnottar isn't today's Dunnottar. So I have to do my own artwork - which is perfectly fine by me. There's nothing like making an intricately detailed pencil sketch of something to really get to know it. Whether it's a human face or the face of Dunnottar itself ... details that will in no way even show on any finished piece are a part of the process of putting together a piece of art, especially one that is as big as this piece will be.
Anyway, long time no see - and it will likely be again a long time of no see ...
Oh, one more thing before I go.
Those Younglings, the demanding and domineering ones, wanted their faces.
The adults have faces. The younglings want faces too. And not just any faces.
They want faces of today's younglings of their own area around Dunnottar.
They don't ask for much, do they? Still, they're getting what they want, thanks to some wonderful younglings who have wonderful parents.
Who says miracles don't happen?
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