Natasha Sinclair's Blog, page 9
December 21, 2022
Scotland Banned Christmas
From 1640 to 1958, it was illegal to celebrate ‘Yule Vacations’. Christmas (then called Yule or Nollaig (Gaelic))was banned in Scotland for over 300 years. Christmas was regarded as a celebration held by the Catholic Church. After the reformations to Presbyterianism, Christmas was gradually downgraded until its outright ban. When Act 7, ‘dischairging the Yule vacance’ became legislation on 2nd June 1640, it read:
‘The estatis of parliament, presentlie conveind by his majesties speciall author...
Brazen Solstice 2022
December 21, 2022, is the Winter Solstice. It’s the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In Celtic Traditions, Winter Solstice sees the …
Brazen Solstice 2022
December 17, 2022
2022: The Year of Birds
Hogmanay nears, as does what can barely be avoided — the annual consolidation, the ‘review’ as we step over the next threshold.
It’s been another year of tumultuous news and events stabbing the air in-house and in close proximity. Health issues have arisen in many, some near and dear, some farther but no less dear to me—several with fatal implications, where time somehow runs faster on the clock. My heart has shattered a few times. Such is the way it goes.
Covid hit my house with a bang. I...
The Making of Delevan House #18
Wrapping Up Brazen Folk Horror presents the print cover wrap for Delevan House. Isn’t it a beauty! The cover image was created by the immensely …
The Making of Delevan House #18
December 13, 2022
Editing Software
In times when the costs of everything are skyrocketing, and artists have a hard enough time as is. I implore my fellow writers, even if you’re commanding the mammoth task of editing your own work, do not rely on editing software. It’s a mistake that your work and reputation will suffer for. Can your career afford that? Even premier-rated software is a poor substitute for the human eye and mind. This is especially true of fiction works.
I repeat: Editing software is not a s...
December 10, 2022
The Making of Delevan House #17
The Chill of a Cold Moon Cold Moon, Texas, U.S.A The last full moon of 2022 hit the sky in all its brazen glory this week; The Cold Moon. Some say …
The Making of Delevan House #17
December 5, 2022
Balanced Discrimination?
In this world of hyped-up political correctness, labelling and the push for artists to emotionally support, woo, and pamper the egos of a (potential) audience even before they have set foot in an exhibition, opened a book or hit play on that movie. Direct Discrimination thrives loud and proud with every cry for mythical balance through forced diversity.
Charades masquerading as ‘discussions’ that only bend one way do nothing but deepen discrimination such cryers profess to want to correct.
...December 3, 2022
The Making of Delevan House #16
That Which is Destined to Repeat Brazen Folk Horror ‘Delevan House’ Rituals and traditions feature in every culture throughout the known world and …
The Making of Delevan House #16
November 26, 2022
The Making of Delevan House #15
Converging Paths BrazenFolkHorror I share many old and new stories at home. As a family, we love to read aloud together. A habit I’ve shared and …
The Making of Delevan House #15
November 20, 2022
Incesticide: Collected Horror
Incesticide: Collected Horror has almost emerged! Due to some interruptions within the industry and the panic rumour mills spinning, I decided to get things placed early to ensure the print edition launched in time with the digital. Well, this strike was swift, and the print editions are now (quietly) available ahead of the official release of December 14th.
The collection features nine unique short stories, each followed by a nite on how they came to be.
I painted th...
