Free Thinks

Why do Witches Eat Children?

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I was thinking about Hansel and Gretel yesterday.

Which got me thinking about how stupid they were to use breadcrumbs to mark their path through the woods. Instead of saving food to eat, they mark a trail with it. I guess there could be good reasons for that.

But then they get to the witch’s cabin, made out of delicious candy and gingerbread and whatnot. Of course they’re going to dig in. And the mean old witch, well naturally she’s built said house to lure children to her so she can eat them.

And I’m like, whoa! Hold up.

Why does she need to eat children if she can make a whole house out of food?

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Free Thinks

The Nobodies of History

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A lot of historical fiction focuses on big events and famous people—those names and deeds that are well enough known they might intrigue an audience. There are certainly events which have gripped my imagination. The eruption of Vesuvius is one, and that’s why I wanted to include it in at least one book.

However, the flip side is that it’s not the event itself which fascinates me. It’s how such a big event affected your regular, average person. Makes me wonder

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Free Thinks

These Few Words

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For better or worse, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote A LOT of words. Even if none of the rest had value, it’s worth shifting through such tremendous output for these:

Not all those who wander are lost.

Every time I read it, I get that gut-punched reaction of: Bam! Right on!

It’s not wrong to wander, and search, and still enjoy. Doesn’t mean you don’t know who you are or where you want to go. It just means you’re not in a rush to get there.

Happy wandering, everyone.

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Free Thinks

On Truth, Honesty, and the Internet

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Warning: Introspective alert ahead!

I don’t like the word truth.

Why? Because it sounds like there’s only one.

Sometimes we use the word true to refer to fact. Like humans needing oxygen to stay alive—that’s true. (And yes, fighting over what is a ‘fact’ is a debate for another day.)

But we also use the word ‘true’ to mean what is ‘true for me.’

Yes, that dress makes you look fat.

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Free Thinks

Buffy and the Disappearing Vampire

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I’m a Buffy girl from way back.

The movie was the spark, but the show was the bomb! The seven-year series was creative, entertaining, enlightening, and sometimes controversial (perhaps one day I’ll post on the Willow-becomes-a-lesbian saga). Some of the storylines were not as strong as others, but there was always a compelling reason to watch the show.

One of the things Joss Whedon did brilliantly was to create the ‘disappearing vampire.’ When Buffy staked it through the heart – or managed some other fantastic kill shot – poof! Dust in the wind.

From a storytelling standpoint, this worked well because:

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