I openly admit: I am an avid reader of fantasy novels. The longer the book and the more volumes to an epic, the better. I can thank a friend from art school for introducing me. I told him I liked The Lord of the Rings (I think I kept my head down and spoke quietly as I revealed that) and rather than snickering he said: "Have you ever heard of Robert Jordan?" And so the love affair began.
This morning I went to Borders to pick up a book before my trip. Yes, it was a fantasy, and yes, it will be the eighth book I have read by this author alone. She is very good. I credit her with inspiring me to do many things beyond buying all of her books. In fact, a lady who worked at Borders was also vehemently in love with this author. Though strangely enough she kept calling "her" a "him". A little odd, don't you think, to praise an author so ardently and not know their true sex? Ah well.
Why do I even tell you all of this? Well first off, because it is a blog and the whole point of it is to talk about whatever the hell I feel like. And secondly, because I want to tell you why I like fantasy novels so much. I like them because they tap into true, real parts of our lives. Far truer than many other standard fiction books. No, not the parts about riding horses everywhere. And no, not the parts about having no electricity or running water. I always wondered why all of these sagas seem to take place in a fictional version of the medieval ages. Was life really so much better then? Weird. But, what does relate to all of us is the talk of us all being the creators of our own destiny. Of wild journeys through life that bring a person to stand before themselves and look at what they have become. All of these books, no matter the author or the basic storyline, they all say one thing: we make our own lives for ourselves. Charles Dickens was also very good at pointing that out and that is why he is my favorite author. We decided who we are, what we want from life, and how we are going to get it, no matter the odds. Raise your hand if this synopsis does not apply to the summation of your own life. If anyone's hand is still by their side then you have not come far enough along in the journey yet.
The outfit I put together today is a modern day version of something a character out of one of my books might wear. With the exception of the heels. All of the fantasy-world females prefer boots because they can walk or ride in them. These heels are pretty hot though and they pull the whole thing together. So I am keeping them. But the tunic, the vest, the leggings, all of the jewelry - all of that is perfect for a heroine who is saving the world. Her guise as she sets forth? A traveling minstrel. She must start somewhere to earn her meals and a roof over her head. Singing songs to others seems like as good a place as any to start. Who knows where she is headed. But most certainly she will end up exactly where she wanted to be.
Until next time,
The Gatherer
This morning I went to Borders to pick up a book before my trip. Yes, it was a fantasy, and yes, it will be the eighth book I have read by this author alone. She is very good. I credit her with inspiring me to do many things beyond buying all of her books. In fact, a lady who worked at Borders was also vehemently in love with this author. Though strangely enough she kept calling "her" a "him". A little odd, don't you think, to praise an author so ardently and not know their true sex? Ah well.
Why do I even tell you all of this? Well first off, because it is a blog and the whole point of it is to talk about whatever the hell I feel like. And secondly, because I want to tell you why I like fantasy novels so much. I like them because they tap into true, real parts of our lives. Far truer than many other standard fiction books. No, not the parts about riding horses everywhere. And no, not the parts about having no electricity or running water. I always wondered why all of these sagas seem to take place in a fictional version of the medieval ages. Was life really so much better then? Weird. But, what does relate to all of us is the talk of us all being the creators of our own destiny. Of wild journeys through life that bring a person to stand before themselves and look at what they have become. All of these books, no matter the author or the basic storyline, they all say one thing: we make our own lives for ourselves. Charles Dickens was also very good at pointing that out and that is why he is my favorite author. We decided who we are, what we want from life, and how we are going to get it, no matter the odds. Raise your hand if this synopsis does not apply to the summation of your own life. If anyone's hand is still by their side then you have not come far enough along in the journey yet.
The outfit I put together today is a modern day version of something a character out of one of my books might wear. With the exception of the heels. All of the fantasy-world females prefer boots because they can walk or ride in them. These heels are pretty hot though and they pull the whole thing together. So I am keeping them. But the tunic, the vest, the leggings, all of the jewelry - all of that is perfect for a heroine who is saving the world. Her guise as she sets forth? A traveling minstrel. She must start somewhere to earn her meals and a roof over her head. Singing songs to others seems like as good a place as any to start. Who knows where she is headed. But most certainly she will end up exactly where she wanted to be.
Until next time,
The Gatherer
