Michelle Franklin's Blog, page 36

#Nanowrimo Day 2: Fried Yams

Today in Frewyn is Tiusmiuir Shearla, or Parents' Day, a day on which all children are meant to honour their parents. The holiday started during King UiNeill's time as a small observance and since has flourished into a nationwide phenomenon. Brigdan, having grown up in Varralla with only his parents for company, lauds his mother and father for instilling within him excellent morals, good manners, and contributing to his generous disposition, and therefore has difficulty commiseratin...

Tales from Frewyn: Volume 2 Release Date!

Tales from Frewyn: Volume 2 will be out next week in digital format! The book will include many new stories, along with some reader favourites, and will feature ten of Twisk's brilliant illustrations.
Here are the two covers:





















For pre-orders, and for information about the paperback version, please visit Paper Crane Books.

Story for the Day: The Importance of Tea

Marridon's economy, and indeed its civilization, was changed forever when trade with Livanon and Lucentia introduced the great nation to tea. When it was first given to Marridon, it was considered a drink for the nobility, as it was very expensive to import. Now, however, tea belongs to all classes and is the lifeblood that flows through Marridon's veins. It is unheard of that a Marridonian does not like tea, and when Sir Damson Aelhelm, knight of Marridon, admits that he has no great lo...

Story for the Day: Gubbins

Richard "Dizzard" Gubbins is a magnificent coward. The legendary pirate who once sailed the Dremmwel was known for being a daring fool, and his folly brought him to the ship of Lord Danaco Divelima, which unfortunately brought about his demise as a ruffian of the seas. It was his own fault really, as he attacked Danaco's ship without provocation, and while he could have made his apologies and sailed happily on, his desire for revenge against Divelima exposed him for the palliard he was and ru...

Happy birthday, Vyrdin!

Happy birthday to Vyrdin, Bou's commander, Alasdair's uncle, Brigdan's most intimate friend, and King Dorrin's adopted son (and Teipha's hair-chewing object).
Draeden led the party to the capital wall, where they sat amidst the crenellations and presented the cake to Vyrdin in a more official tenor.                 “All in line,” Draeden announced.                ...

Story for the Day: Rannig, the friendly Frewyn giant

The Legendary Rannig was Brother Ciran's teacher, but before that he was a slave in Sesterna, taken from his family when he was only nine and set to work in the fields of the north. He escaped his servitude when he was put to work at the docks and was offered a ride home by Danaco, who promised to return him to his native Frewyn if he would be his boatswain for the space of a few months. Rannig fled Sesterna never to return, and became known as Danaco's right hand, galley cook, first mate, an...

Story for the Day: Bartleby Crulge

Bartleby Crulge is one of Marridon's greatest inventors. Today, he is credited with creating various contraptions that facilitate many aspects of Marridonian life, but he wasn't always a celebrated scientist. He was laughed out of his place in the Marridon Academy when one of his inventions went awry, and was demoted to research head at the Grand Marridon Library. Feeling frustrated with his peers, he left Marridon to enjoy a life away from the pressures of the Academy. During his time away,...

Story for the Day: Lord Danaco Divelima

Lord Danaco Divelima is Prince Lamir's oldest friend and greatest supporter, but before he was Captain of the Lucentian Royal Guard, he was considered an enemy of the crown. During King Reneldin's time, Danaco was exiled from his kingdom for what were deemed treasonous acts, when really all he did was have an excellent night with the king's concubines. He was expelled for his actions, and outside Lucentia he remained for nearly thirty years. During that time, he became a pirate, a trader, a f...

The Lads They Went A-Huntin' Print

Here is the famous Frewyn hunting song "The Lads They Went A-Huntin'" as drawn by Twisk. Oh, Mharac, you are so cuddly. Double-click the image to see it at its fullest resolution. If you would like to purchase a lovely print of the piece, you can do so here .

Happy Talk-like-a-pirate Day!

Yargh! Hoist the sails and grab yur ales, to-day's the day we be talkin' like be roam the barmy seven seas!

While pirates still exists, and are somewhat less lovable than literature and films would recommend, our idea of pirates with heavy Bristolian accent came from Dorset actor Robert Newton, who played both Long John Silver (fictional) and Blackbeard (actual pirate). Historians say that Blackbeard was born and lived in Bristol, and Silver was a parody of Gloucester author William Henley, fu...