Photo by Polly Atkin
Spring has sprung; little green tufts are appearing through the brown in the garden, robins are chirping at dawn, there is a different quality to the sunlight in the late afternoon. And, the surest sign of spring: Carl has posted the Once Upon A Time III challenge at Stainless Steel Droppings. What a way to kick start the season. It may very well snow again, but I will have a stack of books next to my bed and I won’t even notice! Fantasy, fairy tale, folklore, mythology! Last year, the challenge introduced me to: Neil Gaiman, Alan, Campbell, Jo Walton, Ekaterina Sedia, and a revisit of T.H. White. I am going to the library this very afternoon to get started…..I am thinking about dipping into some new Ursula Le Guin.
To those unfamiliar, please check out Stainless Steel Droppings to find the definitions of fantasy, fairy tale, folklore, mythology, and participate in the challenge – it’s a treat, it’s easy, and you will meet lots of other fun folks.
I am planning on joining:
Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time III criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.
I plan to visit the review/link site to check out what other people are reading as the challenge progressess.
This is a photograph I took in Savannah last spring, which inspired the young adult urban fantasy I have just finished writing. Who knows where the Once Upon A Time challenge will take you!
Look at all those doors –
...Kopi Time 
I’m doing Quest the First as well. I’m off to a good start _ so far! 🙂
Well, Maree…. I didn’t make it to the library today – just too nice outside! Tomorrow for sure, though. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Oh, TH White! I need to re-visit him myself!
Hi Pamela – I hope you do revisit Mr. White. The first book I read by him was “Mistress Masham’s Repose” when I was 11, and I have been living in a fantasy world ever since!
Happy spring to you and Edward!!
LikeLike
Wow, I can definitely understand why that image would inspire you. Its great!
Thanks so much for joining in the challenge. It is a real pleasure to have you participating and I hope that each book you read for it is a special treasure!
Thank you for hosting, Carl. That’s a big job, and I appreciate the effort you put in it! I am really looking forward to this challenge/read – it forces me out of my usual patterns of stopping at the “New Mystery” shelf in the library. I am inspired to expand my horizons!! Thanks!
LikeLike
Oh, my gosh! I just came over to find how to spell Grace O’Malley’s name and see it’s your Blogaversay today! Congratulations! Is this one year? Two? Whatever it is, you’ve been an absolute inspiration to me and I just love reading your posts, even though I’m not as good at commenting as I should be.
Not only your words, but your art and photography are beautiful. I’m so glad I saw the little “sign” – I’m looking forward to more delights in the year to come!
Oh for heaven’s sake, Linda. I’d been watching the days count down, and then totally missed the day today. Duh!! Thanks for reminding me, and for the kind words. It is two years, though I was very, very slow at the start. I do enjoy this kind of writing, and all the wonderful writers I have met.
Thanks!
LikeLike
Oh, my — I have missed several posts, so I’ll take the easy (aka the dial-up) way out and comment on all right here to catch up.
First, I’ll look forward to hearing about all your good reads this month! I suspect I would pick up some long forgotten favorites — Mists of Avalon, for one. other Arthurian tales… who knows?!
The Ireland photos are exquisite — really, they should be on cards or a calendar or something — they are beautiful and every one moves me. (But especially those arches!) I’m so very glad you found this little treasure trove of memories and beauty — it would have been oh, so sad, to loose it.
Now, that conference sounds fabulous and your workshop leader (Sheree?) divine. How kind and compassionate she sounds. I remember when my friend Judy got her book deal — the marketing was an absolutely essential part of the whole scheme, and I’m glad Sheree brought that up so clearly.
Oh, you sound busy. It’s good to check in with you!
It’s good to hear from you, Jeanie. Hope your arm isn’t holding you back too much! When are you going to get rid of that dial up, though?? I couldn’t bear it – no patience at all.
Are you getting snow this weekend too? Grrrrrrr. I love it through February, but almost April snow is no fun 🙂
LikeLike
What an awesome photograph! It goes perfectly with the Once Upon A Time Challenge, of course, but I’d like it in any context. Is the urban fantasy you wrote available? I’d love to buy a copy for myself. I’m looking forward, too, to seeing what you’ll read for Carl’s challenge. It takes me outside of my normal reading choices, which is a good reason to participate in a challenge.
Hi Bellezza – I have a couple more fantasies on the tbr stack – I am mostly reading YA at the moment, so that’s what is there. I’ll let you know when my urban fantasy gets published!! I have to find an agent first, though…
LikeLike