On any other day, I would quickly define what is in this picture. It’s a snapshot of my street. The snowy sidewalk. The covered curb. It’s a cerulean sky that is remarkably cloudless in a neighborhood that is bound for a quiet day; but, that would be before I found myself consuming 407 pages of a riveting fantasy written by B. B. Alston last night: “Amari and The Night Brothers.” There were talking elevators, flying ships, hybrid beasts and many other magical milestones. It reminded me of why I fell in love with the genre as a little girl across a breadth of nights under the cover, flashlight in hand, voraciously reading.
It also made me want to – try it. Could I bring characters to life in a way that I hadn’t imagined them before? Maybe, just a paragraph? An attempt? Would it make sense? If I haven’t learned anything else from teaching writing to children and adults and being taught by masters of their craft, it’s that the best way to explore what you can do in writing – is to write. In that vein, I’ve decided to look at this wintry layout with a new pair of eyes. Here’s what I see…with my Icy Lens.
Arbora was easily the most picturesque perennial in all of Nevea. Not many knew how to catch the snow in their tiniest branches to capture a crown filled with the delicate flakes. She wore hers like meticulously placed ornaments, her arcs extending to showcase their glistening shimmer. Passersby seldom noticed how diligently she refrained from swaying amidst the brisk breezes.
Those with younger limbs had difficulty holding on to their heavenly gift. Their boughs were often bare; but, the trees with stouter trunks were always more well seasoned, able to retain their posture so as to extend the time which they held on to their icy accoutrements. Not only was she in the forerunning for the Regal Rendezvous, she was most likely to dethrone Tremula, her aspen nemesis.
How’s that for a first shot? I don’t know – but I hope you like it! Cheers to the next 30 days of writing.
#lookingforwardtoit #icyeyes #ilovetrees #especiallywhentheycomealive #writinghelpsmebreathe #ilovebeautifulwinters #arbora #tremula #nevea #readersarewriters #writersarereaders #sliceoflife #priceless #carlamichelle
Dr. Carla Michelle Brown * Speaker * author * Educator 
I love how this is woven together, including the sharp visual for me, as the reader, to focus on while moving into this fantasy world that you seem to have created on the spot! It is a testament to your writing talent…and I want to keep reading!!
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Wow, amyilene. I’m so honored! To be honest, I remember many painful things in my childhood – and somehow, diving into books provided the most wonderful escape.
I think I gravitated to Fantasy in part because it seemed so far away from real and present trauma. I have wanted many days as a little girl to be transported to another world. Beautiful and amazing stories helped me to do just that.
Thank you so much for reading.
~Carla Michelle
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Thank you for taking us into your fantasy world genre. I could so easily travel into that land where recognition for beauty comes with age! “Those with younger limbs had difficulty holding on to their heavenly gift. Their boughs were often bare; but, the trees with stouter trunks were always more well seasoned, able to retain their posture ”
As a woman in middle age, I’m thinking… write that book… I need that message in my life 😉
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Jackie,
Thank you so much for sharing this perspective. I hadn’t even considered that, but it makes so much sense! In a world where it seems young beauty is often prized over “vintage” beauty (I learned that term from another literary great I met years ago [smile]), I can definitely see how that analogy is most significant.
I think it also unconsciously reflects how much I admire those who are both wise and beautiful beyond their years. I was a non-fan of over-emphasized aesthetics in younger women years before I came an adult. It just seemed so superficial.
I’d much rather be in the company of a middle age muse! Thank you so much for reading and offering your insight.
~Carla Michelle
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I’ve been feeling locked in to a few genres,myself, as a writer. You really busted out into a new genre here and how fun! Your post encourages others to get way more creative… thanks!
PS and I love how you embraced the opportunity to create names- fantastic!
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Dear Fran,
I’ve wanted to do this for so many years, but didn’t have quite the courage to try anything that I was willing to share. I am thankful to my peers at Slice of Life for inspiring me to take the leap.
I love how our own writing can compel others to do something adventurous as well. Regarding the names, I’ve long admired how people come up with characters and shape them so beautifully for us to enjoy as readers.
I thought choosing the names was among the most exciting parts. Plus, I’m just enamored with words in general – especially etymology. I have an affinity for old Latin and Spanish names. It helps me to think of things that I believe sound really neat!
Thank you so much for your positive feedback. It is most heartwarming.
~Carla Michelle
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I love this idea! Thanks for sharing. And I loved your writing- beautiful.
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hzreflections,
Thank you so much for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope you’ll love trying it even more. Cheers to you!
~Carla Michelle
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I love the names Arbora and Tremula. So fitting.
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Dear mgminer,
Creating the names was definitely one of my favorite parts! I derived “Arbora” from the Latin word for “tree,” – arbor. “Tremula” comes from the Latin name for the Aspen tree – “Populus Tremela.”
I thought that was so neat! Thank you so much for reading and noticing the names. I really enjoyed that part tremendously (smile).
~Carla Michelle
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Love your personification play here: the trees with stouter trunks were always more well seasoned, able to retain their posture so as to extend the time which they held on to their icy accoutrements. Just wonderful! Makes me want to read more!
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Dear wordancerblog,
I think I developed an affinity for personification as a little girl because I so often immersed myself in Fantasy. I was often fascinated with how authors brought otherwise inanimate objects to life with the mere will of their imagination.
That you want to read more I believe is among the highest compliments I’ve received! Please know that I take it to heart. I am grateful for your encouragement.
With Warmest Regards,
~Carla Michelle
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