A Flash Fiction February Day 7 Offering to Lord Devereux.
A dying father confesses a family secret older than their bloodline — a duty he carried in silence, and a price that now falls to his son. In the quiet of a hospital room, the truth of the tithe comes due.
you seem to always deliver delicious stories...wooh where did that come from ... Lord Devereaux is rubbing off LOL. this was really Great and would make a fantastic series.
Actually had been thinking about something similar to this for a while. The whole idea of a generational tithe, a family that has to engage with some ancient agreement that fends off some greater evil. And yeah, it would make a pretty good series, I think. Sort of Evil (the tv series) mixed with some weird folklore elements. Maybe one day.
I got enough on my plate. lol. Still Water is taking priority over everything else right now except Flash Fiction Feb. Still Water, I think, has a good chance to get tradpub heat. I was worried about serializing such huge chapters but everybody has said it's been great so far, and the big chapters actually help pacing so... *shrug*
Honestly, I want to see if I can just produce 28 good flash fiction pieces. Said it before: I know I don't have a chance to win, too many, far more talented writers here. So to me it's just a trek to see if I can force myself to write the prompts every day.
I was actually thinking about the folkloric concept of tithes as seen in Celtic folklore. So this was like blood money paid for protection. In the case of stories like Tam Lin (I always bring this up because it's one of my absolute favorties), the fae keep Hell at bay in exchange for one soul every seven years. The fae doesn't pay this tithe, they take someone. They act as facilitators.
Tithes aren’t about sacrifice. They’re about obligation. The fae obey old rules because those rules keep their world running. Hell isn’t a Christianized boogeyman here. It’s infrastructure.
And in Tam Lin, a human finally says no. And then holds on for quite a ride. 😊
I'm actually kicking around an idea of doing a modern retelling of Tam Lin. I've actually drafted about 1/2 of part 1 (3 part series) but stopped. It was going to be a Halloween thing but I really didn't like the way it was coming out. Maybe next year.
This was a really good take and a very enjoyable story.
you seem to always deliver delicious stories...wooh where did that come from ... Lord Devereaux is rubbing off LOL. this was really Great and would make a fantastic series.
Actually had been thinking about something similar to this for a while. The whole idea of a generational tithe, a family that has to engage with some ancient agreement that fends off some greater evil. And yeah, it would make a pretty good series, I think. Sort of Evil (the tv series) mixed with some weird folklore elements. Maybe one day.
ok if you ever get bored just chat with me I can suggest you turn your stories into books, serials...you'll never run out of oh i could do that...
I got enough on my plate. lol. Still Water is taking priority over everything else right now except Flash Fiction Feb. Still Water, I think, has a good chance to get tradpub heat. I was worried about serializing such huge chapters but everybody has said it's been great so far, and the big chapters actually help pacing so... *shrug*
Honestly, I want to see if I can just produce 28 good flash fiction pieces. Said it before: I know I don't have a chance to win, too many, far more talented writers here. So to me it's just a trek to see if I can force myself to write the prompts every day.
A perfect ending.
The Queen & woodsman?! This is amazing. A series? Fighting the Queen?
I was actually thinking about the folkloric concept of tithes as seen in Celtic folklore. So this was like blood money paid for protection. In the case of stories like Tam Lin (I always bring this up because it's one of my absolute favorties), the fae keep Hell at bay in exchange for one soul every seven years. The fae doesn't pay this tithe, they take someone. They act as facilitators.
Tithes aren’t about sacrifice. They’re about obligation. The fae obey old rules because those rules keep their world running. Hell isn’t a Christianized boogeyman here. It’s infrastructure.
And in Tam Lin, a human finally says no. And then holds on for quite a ride. 😊
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tam_Lin
Robert Burns?!?! Ohhhh yes. I see this now. Oh my stars!!!
One version, yes. There's dozens and dozens of translations and versions:
https://tam-lin.org/versions/index.html
I think you'll love the story. It's about love and perseverance and in the end? The hero is Margaret/Janet. Girl power!
My favorite isn't listed on that site. It's a song by Current 93, and in my opinion is a great translation/retelling of the story.
Here's the lyrics: https://genius.com/Current-93-tamlin-lyrics
...and the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwVU590lsfw
(warning: David Tibet is a.... acquired taste. But I just love this story and song.)
Omgosh JM thank you so much for sharing this....I can not wait to dive into it this week!!! Saving these links now in my notes.
I'm actually kicking around an idea of doing a modern retelling of Tam Lin. I've actually drafted about 1/2 of part 1 (3 part series) but stopped. It was going to be a Halloween thing but I really didn't like the way it was coming out. Maybe next year.
It needs steeping time. That's okay. I love the idea & KNOW you will rock it!