Cindy Tomamichel's Blog: World Building, page 14

Anthology Askew review

Anthology Askew: a Collective Perspective by Rhetoric Askew

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Disclaimer: I have two poems in this collection.

This is a great read, a collection of short stories and poems that covers a diverse range of genres. An easy book to dip in and out as you finish each story. A good one to keep on your phone or ipad for those times when you are waiting- the time will fly as you are transported into some strange new worlds.

I particularly enjoyed Leo McBride's story 'The Clay Man.' He uses as inspiration one of the bog people, preserved for centuries in peat bogs. Instead of talking about death, the story celebrates his life, and paints an evocative image of the bog man and his thoughts.

Brent Harris has a spooky story 'The Intruder' which has a unique perspective that gives the story a spine tingling edge. Eric Martell has a post apocalyptic story 'One Candle from Dark' which keeps you flicking pages to the end, wondering. Mike Arneson also has an interesting twist on a detective story, where old fashion detective work must track criminals in a world of magic.

The book is enhanced with artwork by Dave Alexander.

Anthology Askew: a Collective Perspective



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Spiders in fiction

Spiders are some of the most formidable predators in the insect world, and have been living with mankind since we were walking through their webs to get out of the cave. Despite the majority being harmless to humans, the horror that a spider sighting ignites in most people is the reason they have been a potent and fearsome creature in myths and stories.

From the early beginnings of spiders in rock art, spider mythology evolved into the Greek myth of Arachne. Another mortal who fell out of favour with the fickle gods of Olympus, Arachne was a confident and unwisely boastful woman regarding her skills in weaving. With the gods, this sort of ‘I am better than the gods’ statement never ends well. The goddess Athena cursed her, and she was transformed into a spider, her very name becoming the scientific name for all spiders, arachnid.

From there on, it doesn’t get any better for spiders. In the early sci fi days, Frank Powell’s 1906 novel, “the Wolfmen” had a menagerie of creatures, one of which was a giant enraged tarantula spider. His book, which is quite rare, is part of the lost world idea, and authors such as Verne, Conan Doyle, Rice Burroughs and Michael Crichton have all made their contributions to this rich tapestry.

Tolkien also used the spider motif in both The Hobbit and LOTR, with the giant Shelob, who nearly ended the ring quest early for Frodo and Sam. Her vile descendants were encountered in a foreshadow by Bilbo in Mirkwood a generation earlier. Both continue the tradition of the inherent evil predatory nature of spiders. More recently JK Rowling created the fearsome Aragog, beloved only by Hagrid. In both of these stories the heroes barely escape with their lives.

In movies spiders fare no better. In the 60’s movie ‘Food of the Gods,’ giant spiders grow from toxic chemicals, and Joan Collins gets monstered. Even the more recent ‘8 Legged Freaks’ and ‘Arachnophobia’ continue the scary spider tradition.

However, there are some stories where spiders emerge as heroes, which is no mean feat. In ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ the spiders’ weaving gave the pig a reprieve from the frying pan. In one Enid Blyton story, Miss Muffet ends up giving the spider a mustard foot bath, as he is only grumpy because of a cold. Spider-Man is the most recent where spider characteristics emerge from the darkness and become good characteristics.

I imagine the use of spiders as a subject to terrify is not yet over, so long as there is a need for a terrifying thing, well, you may as well make it big and hairy with dripping fangs. But maybe it takes a greater effort of imagination and belief to turn a stereotype on its head and make us like it.

What do you think? Are spiders hard done by in fiction?

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Flick the Switch

I was fortunate enough recently to be a part of Madwomen Monologues, a stage presentation of short stories or monologues. All proceeds go to a women’s charity each year, and it is a fantastic night. If you are in Melbourne, Australia it is worth looking up Baggage Productions http://www.baggageproductions.com/ as they do shows through the year.

The video is of all the presentations. Mine starts at 18.38 minutes, but they are all worth watching and quite different. I am very proud to be associated with such a talented group of writers, actors and organisers.

Here is the link

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A Rather Dark Christmas Story

My first book, Druid’s Portal: The first Journey will be out in March 2017.

In the meantime, I thought I would share some of my flash fiction. This one came as a prompt from my writer’s group, a never failing source of inspiration.

The Bottle

I shook the bottle harder and the water bubbled, going a murky green. A queasy green, like public toilet splashes after St Patrick’s day. I swallowed hard, it had been a long time since my last drink, even longer since my last meal. ‘Please be a genie,’ I whispered. The stuff in the bottle settled, and I wondered what it was. It looked better than the last bottle of rotgut I had stolen from the old man. ‘He didn’t need it, he was close to death anyway.’ I sniffed and wiped my nose on his jacket. He hadn’t needed that either when I had finished with him.

I cracked the top of the bottle off, smashing it against the skip. If it was a genie, I wouldn’t have to sleep in there again. ‘ No sirree mister, its gunna be soft beds and a bathtub of booze for me.’  The bottle grew warm in my hands, and an awful smelling mist came out, swirling around my head. When I stopped coughing the mist had cleared and a tiny ugly creature stood in front of me. He was dressed what looked like a red Santa suit.

‘My first wish is..’ I started.

‘I am not a genie of wishes, fool.’ He snarled, showing green fangs.

‘What are you then? I want what’s coming to me, I released you.’ He wasn’t going to get away, I grabbed his skinny arm. ‘Three wishes, or I will stuff you back in that bottle in little tiny pieces.’

‘I give three things, not what you wish for but what you deserve.’ He licked his lips with a long forked tongue. ‘So, have you been naughty or nice?’

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