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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 16

Oh yes, every culture with water has some form of water deity, nymph, or creature. Meanwhile, folktales were originally oral, so they traveled quickly and people added their own bits to them. It's interesting how many female water entities were said to be drowned women.

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 15

I've seen paintings of these mermen on Pinterest. They remind me of the mermaids in "The Lure," one of my favorites!

Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

"Boys and girls of every age, wouldn't you like to see something strange, come with us and you will see, THIS OUR TOWN OF HALLOWEEN!!!"

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

No worries! I'm a HUGE merfolk enthusiast so I kind of see the world through them. The Rhine Maidens are - to the best of my understanding - Germany's Rusalka, and Lorelei I believe is also of German origin. Derceto is actually the Greek version of the Assyrian Atargatis, one of the first mermaids.

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Oh, to hell with those "comp rules!" They say use comps, but only current ones... as if classic novels aren't still the foundation so many of us are using to craft our work! Not everyone knows the new bestseller, but how many adaptations of "Frankenstein" have their been the last few years??? LOL!

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Better than me, I hope! LOL! That sounds cool, like a nice balance! You've got a beautifully layered set of ingredients there!

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Nothing wrong with that. It keeps things interesting!

Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

You're probably right. Christianity is the youngest of the world religions, and the youngest tends to get the hand-me-downs. LOL!

Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

I remember one of my college professors linking The Power of 3 to Christianity (1 for the father, 1 for the son, and 1 for the holy spirit). I can't attest to its accuracy, but since there are often Christian elements in folktales and faerie tales, I assume there's at least some connection.

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Wow, this sounds intriguing. It sounds a little like "Stardust" also. Meanwhile, "E.T.' is my most favorite film of all time, so anything referencing it automatically has my blessing!

Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Congratulations! I know it isn't easy!

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Your comps made me smile because I just finished reading "Interview with the Vampire," and watching the AMC+ series. Your premise is interesting, and I'm curious where you go take it!

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

I can't help but smile at your excerpt. I take things literally also, so I know the struggle.

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Thank you, I certainly had fun writing it! It's my love letter to Hocus Pocus, Witch movies, and Halloween, but it's still a work in progress though! Meanwhile, the GIF you sent really makes me want to re-watch "The Lords of Salem!"

Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

That's exactly what I pictured! This sounds really rich and fun. Would you say it's more character or plot-based? Or is it a combination?

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Me too. My work is often faerie tale-based, so "Power of Three" comes up a lot there. 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 chances. etc. LOL!

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Interesting concept, and "Cerulean Sea" is a new favorite, so I'm definitely intrigued!

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Amen!

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Reposted by Von Beckford

Kristen Argyres || Add MY THORNS FOR YOUR ROSES on Goodreads @kargyres.bsky.social · Jul 13

MY THORNS FOR YOUR ROSES

A husband is a required inconvenience to escape Lark's home life, but when a faerie roots a rose in her flesh, rumors abound.

Lark must convince the petty bastard to remove the rose, but the forest is full of danger - & newfound desires.

#P #A #R #F #LGBT (Demi) #BluePit📖

A mood board for "My Thorns For Your Roses."

A collage of scenic photos which includes a night sky, a pine forest covered in snow, a bonfire, a stream in a dark wood, a butterfly on a thistle flower, a fox in an autumn wood, the Scottish lowlands, and a shrub of white roses in full blossom.

At the center, a quote is pair of quotes: "You shouldn't touch a woman who isn't your wife so casually." Then, "Is that a proposal?"

The COMPS:

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries. The cover depicts whimsical plants with blue flowers and red capped mushrooms and an open book at the bottom.

The caption reads: "Fae will be fae" and "Practical, adult heroine."

For the Wolf. The cover shows a woman clad in a red hooded cloak standing before a white-treed forest with a misty blue between her and the woods.

The caption: "A magical wood that isn't always friendly."

After the Forest. The cover shows a fox mask with auburn hair along with a variety of pinecones, leaves, antlers, a bear and a wolf, and a ginger bread house at the bottom.

The caption reads: "Faerie tale retelling" and "Complicated family dynamics."

Character art for Lark and Tamlin for “My Thorns For Your Roses” by Twitter user nanasuen2650.

Lark has long, tawny hair with decorative braids and a white rose behind her left ear. She is wearing a sand-colored dress with a paneled skirt and leather belt.

Tamlin has long, wavy brown hair decorated with flowers and wears a belted plaid with an intricate leaf design and accessories.

Lark's bullet points include:

Daughter of a famous, retired blacksmith
Oldest daughter syndrome (IYKYK)
Trauma, but not because her family was tragically murdered
Her parents and 4 younger siblings are all still alive!
Wants to get out of this town and needs a man to accomplish her goal
Doesn't believe in faeries for REASONS

Tamlin's bullet points are:

Child of the oldest oak tree in the forest
Faerie Lord of Cairnwood (local forest)
Shapeshifter - plants, animals, objects
Resents being told his kind don't exist
Enjoys messing with Lark
Totally not scared of his cannibal ex

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Intriguing! And I love that name! Morbius Drake!

Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

Ooh! Fascinating! I'm reminded of mermaid legends like Lorelei, The Rhine Maidens, the Rusalki, and Derceto.

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Reposted by Von Beckford

Elisa Winther @elisawinther.bsky.social · Jul 13

THE RIVER HAS ROOTS x MOON-BRIGHT TIDES

In her darkest hour, Nilah’s dalliance with Death sinks her deep into an ocean of grief. Destruction looms as the only way left is down, but what if that’s exactly what she needs? Will her needs align with her wants?

#Bluepit📖 #A #F #H #W #BluePit

Moodboard for the short story with the working title "A Teasing Fate So Cruel" by Elisa Winther. A speculative horror which includes the ocean, death, and rebirth. The imagines include a face of someone drowning, a glowing mermaid, underwater kelp, and the sea.

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

This sounds intriguing. The imagery you've included is especially interesting.

Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

The image you provided certainly gives me Maiden, Mother, Crone vibes, which I assume is intentional. It sounds like an intriguing speculative mystery.

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Von Beckford @vonbeckford.bsky.social · Jul 14

This sounds intriguing, especially Tamlin. He sounds like a real scene-stealer.