C.G. Powell's Blog, page 13

The Confusion of Norse Mythology

Am I the only one who seems to be confused by Norse Mythology?  After reading hour after hour of it, I have come to the conclusion that the people of the Northern Germanic countries, during the Early Middle Ages, must have been tripping on some pretty good stuff to come up with such a bizarre history for their gods, such as Rainbow bridges and interplanetary squirrels. Although I do have to give them credit for thinking outside the box, during this time not many ancient peoples would have come up with the concept of nine entirely different worlds and a frozen hell inside a frozen hell. 

Ásgarðr, world of the Æsir. This is the home of the gods such as Odin and Thor, it seems they didn't get along well with others, even the other gods that lived on Vanaheimr had it in for them.  Valhalla is Odin's hall and the home of the souls of the greatest warriors, which reminds me of the movie Erik the Viking, because of its comical take on Valhalla.

 Vanaheimr, world of the Vanir. This is the home of Freyr and Freyja, it is also speculated that  Heimdallr was also a member of the Vanir, which kind of throws a wrench in the cogs of the movie Thor and makes me wonder if he wasn't a mole of some sort.


 Álfheimr, world of the Álfar (Elves). And who dosen't like magical elves...although the Norse divided this race into two, Light elves and Dark elves, most of us like to think of them in terms of Tolkien's elves and Santa's elves.

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I couldn't help but think of this elf in particular.

 Miðgarðr, world of humans. This is where we humans live, it is also known as Earth.  So, one day the gods, Odin, Vili, and Ve were skipping through the forest and found a couple of tree trunks, as a joke Odin gives them life, Vili gives them a tool to make bad decisions (a mind), and Ve gives them the ability to fully enjoy a rock concert and tell all their friends the next day (hear, see and speak).  That is how humans were made.

 Jötunheimr, world of the Jötnar (Giants).  The Frost giants are a product of Ymir and the icy cow Audhumla.  Yep, that's right I said cow....it kind of makes me wonder the true story behind this tale.  Whatever it might be, I'm sure it involved lots of alcohol and a drunken bet.

 Niðavellir, world of the Dvergar (Dwarfs). There seems to be some differing opinions about the creation of the Dvergar, some say they are god eating maggots that were gifted with reason and others say they are products of humans.  Either way you can't help but love these short little mountain dwellers, if not for them who would have taken care of Snow White in her time of need or entertained us with comical retorts in LOTR.

 Múspell, world of fire and the Fire Jötnar it is also known as Múspellsheimr .  The sons of Muspell are prophesized to be the breakers of Bifrost bridge.  There is not a lot of information on this place, most likely because it would have been a true stretch of the imagination for the people of Northern Europe, to envision such a warm place. 

 Niflhel, world of ice and mist, into which the wicked dead are cast also known as Niflheimr.  It is not surprising that in the world of the Norse, their Hell is a frozen one.  

Hel, world of the inglorious dead, located within Niflhel/Niflheimr and ruled over by the giantess Hel.  Ironically, Hel the being is also the daughter of Loki the trickster and to "go to Hel" is to die.  This is a frozen underworld where Hel receives a portion of dead.  Because one frozen hell is not enough, so the Norse created a second, colder one inside of it.

Okay this is where it all gets wonky.  These worlds are all joined together by Yggdrasil "Worlds Tree" which is inhabited by the squirrel Ratatoskr and makes me wonder why Asgard bothered building Bifrost the rainbow bridge, when they could have just scampered down to Miogaror with the squirrel?
So what is your take on Norse Mythology?  I like to look at the comical side of it, like my short story "Loki's Wife".  I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment.C.G. PowellAuthor of Spell Checked: Book One of The No Uncertain Logic SeriesFollow me!     Facebook | Website | Twitter | GoodreadsBuy my book    Amazon | Barns & Noble | Smashwords

Hy-Brasil - Lost City of Atlantis

Off the coast of Ireland is a mysterious island that has appeared and disappeared at will.  Legend has it that the island, cloaked in mist, was once home to Celtic priest and the High King of the World.  But for fictions sake I like to think of it as the home of an alien race capable of manipulating energy.  They were also the keepers of knowledge, and the ones who taught pyramid building across the world. Although it is thought that the island sank, there is always the possibility that they just packed up and left, that the island was not an island at all, but a very large spaceship, as depicted on the TV show Stargate Atlantis. 



Some of the facts that lend credence to Hy-Brasil being the missing city of Atlantis is its location beyond the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar), as mentioned by Plato.  But if you think about it, there is an entire world of sunken islands outside of the Mediterranean.  One of the most distinctive geographical features of Hy-Brasil is appearing on maps as a perfect circle, with concentric rings made of canals surrounding it.  The circular perimeter of the island was confirmed by both Saints Barrind and Brendan, who separately walked the shore to determine where the island ended, but never found it. Most likely, they were walking in circles.


 In 2010 Hy-Brasil was once again brought into light by the TV show on the History Channel program 'Ancient Aliens'.  In 1980 Sgt Jim Penniston was stationed at Brentwaters military base. During the UFO incident in Rendlesham Forest, he claims that he touched a UFO and telepathically received a message in the form of binary code, which he wrote down in a small note book shortly after the incident, telling no one about it for three decades. This binary was said to have been decoded by Internet programmer Nick Ciske.
Below the decoded message followed the navigational co-ordinates of an area off the west of Ireland which correlates to the site of Hy-Brasil.
 The decoded message read:
 Exploration of Humanity Continuous For Planetary Advance 52° 09′ 42.532″ N
13° 13′ 12.69″ W

 So, did / does Hy-Brasil actually exist?  Honestly I am excited to write fiction about this subject "The Words of an Immortal" is the third short story on the short story page of this blog.  It can be taken in so many different directions, and who doesn't love a good mysterious mist shrouded island.  The only thing missing is strange lights and a four hour time lapse.
Here are some links I found fascinating on the subject of Hy-Brasil.
Strange News Daily Blog
Historic Mysteries
Please leave a comment.  What is your take on Hy-Brasil?   

Bonnybridge UFOs

Bonnybridge Scotland, part of the Falkirk Triangle, is considered the UFO capital of world, averaging about 300 sightings a year.  With a track record like that, it kind of takes the wind out of Roswell's sail.  I found the activity in Bonnybridge a very interesting prospect as a likely location for an alien search party.  The fact that Bonnybridge is in the path of two major airports is a great cover for the Aliens, as most people tend to dismiss all sightings as no more than aircraft lights.

When I was researching a place in Europe with lots of activity this place was immediately on my radar.  Mostly because the activity is all recent, up until 1992 there was no UFO activity to be heard of, it wasn't until a newspaper article publicizing the sighting of unexplained lights, that the phenomenon took root.  Some say it's just the beginning to something big, but most just think the whole ordeal is ludicrous and the product of over active imaginations.
I personally am on the fence with this place concerning its authenticity, but it fits into my next story nicely, as the main search area here on earth.   What is your take on the sightings at Bonnybridge?  Should we hold our breath for something big to come or is fiction way more interesting than fact?  

I found this website to have a vast amount of information on UFOs  http://www.educatinghumanity.com/2011/06/ufo-ufo-hotspot-bonnybridge-scotland.html

The news report from 2008 was also an interesting read...mostly because they take things so seriously. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1323017.ece

This one left me on the floor laughing at the comments
http://ufos.about.com/b/2009/01/14/ufos-near-bonnybridge-scotland.htm

And where would we be without Bonnybridge on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonnybridge-The-UFO-Capital-Of-The-World/142619729117207
C.G. Powell Author of Spell Checked: Book One of The No Uncertain Logic Series Follow me! Facebook | Website | Twitter | Goodreads Buy my book Amazon | Barns & Noble | Smashwords

Helen of Troy

I have been doing a lot of research for my next book.  I found it interesting how most historical accounts of the Trojan War, omit what happened to Helen in the end, also her birth is a bit murky.  There seems to be much controversy not only about who was her father, Zeus king of the gods or Tyndareus her mortal father.  But, her mother is also in question.  Is she the daughter of Zeus and Leda – wife of Tyndareus or is she sired by Tyndareus?  It is also believed that she is daughter of Nemesis- Goddess of Retribution and Zeus.  Either way, one thing is known for sure, she was the most beautiful woman on earth and kings and gods alike desired her.


One of the things I found disappointing was that most depictions of Helen show her as a blond, unlike the populous of the area, which is depicted in pottery and wall murals of the time, as being dark haired. 


For the purposes of my book Helen is a raven headed beauty and the mortal daughter of Leda and Tyndareus, with Zeus being more of a godfather type.  She is sadly the pawn of the gods and finds true love in the form of a half god named Paris.  The two are lovers for the next 3500 years due to the trickery of Aphrodite.

I love this depiction of Helen and Paris for its historical accuracy and simplicity.  One of the better sites for info:Wikipedia

Advise for the Wannabe Writer

     Is it just me, or does every writer have a site with writing advice?  Here is my advice for writing and getting published...Just sit your ass down and write!  If you are going to write a book, then stop reading how other people wrote their book, or the billions of blogs on why you should go traditional, or the indie route.  In the end it all comes down to one thing...Sitting down at your keyboard and finishing a book.       Telling your story doesn't require workshops, classes or reading of any kind for that matter.  The only thing you need to know is that when you have finished your story, you can send it to a person who can fix the mechanics of if, before you up load it.  So stop making excuses, you either want to write or you don't.  Make it happen, work on one project at a time and stick with until it's done...your family and friends don't want to be part of the process, they just want to know a published Author!

4.5 Star Novel for only .99!

Big news everyone, "Spell Checked" is now .99!  That's right for .99 you get a 4.5 star full length novel!!!


This is what the reviews at Amazon have to say:


By ILgirl82 - This review is from: Spell Checked (No Uncertain Logic) (Kindle Edition)
Think you know all about vampires and witches? Well you haven't read nothing yet! C.G. Powell created a very original back story for her vampires and witches, one that any techno geek can appreciate. Spell Checked is fast paced, funny, and sexy! This book holds a great cast of characters! I'm very much looking forward to reading more from C.G. Powell!


By Mpolish - This review is from: Spell Checked (No Uncertain Logic) (Kindle Edition)
Wow! I was not expecting that! A great twist on how witches and vampires came about. A good love story with great imagination. I loved how C.G. Powell used different thoughts to make one story, she is agood story teller :) there is love and love more love and lust! Oooh! I appreciate the uniqueness and mostly original concepts..the origins of witches, vampires and the greek mythology that ties in and even though I hate sci fi it made a good twist :)
She thought she was going to Ireland with her best friend for a vacation; not because she had certain abilities and that another soul was trapped inside her. She also didnt know she would fall in love with someone that is a sexy, wealthy, smart and ohhh so tantalizing vampire.
Thank you C.G. Powell for a great read! You made it to my top ten books for this year! I'm incredibly impatient for the second book to come out!



C.G. Powell
Author of Spell Checked: Book One of The No Uncertain Logic Series
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Exile Bytes is now a work in progress

          Finally getting back to writing today, the back story to what disastrous thing Beck did in the past, is bouncing around in my head.  Mae and Beck's relationship is getting off to a rocky start and Mae's parents show-up, but not without problems of their own.  Will Mae's anger and desire for revenge lead her to her own destruction, or can Beck save her from going over the edge?


          I have some new players in book 2 including Nikola's father, members of the Black Foot tribe and a ruthless demon assassin sent to kill the remaining royal Veshtu family.  I wanted a more action packed book for "Exile Bytes".  Hopefully I will have it published before November.  

C.G. Powell Author of Spell Checked: Book One of The No Uncertain Logic Series Follow me! Facebook | Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy my book Amazon | Barns & Noble | Smashwords

Review : Burden of Blood by Wenona Hulsey

No one wants to know everyone's darkest secrets, especially not police officer, Nicole Keenan. All she wants is a blissfully normal life in the small, Alabama town where she was born. But as generations of power running through her veins start to wake up, an ancient grudge is ignited that threatens to push her over the edge. She can hardly believe in what she is, let alone that a dark force will not stop until she's joins them. Or is dead.
Nicole Keenan's life enters into a dangerous dance with warriors and gothic fairies. Southern tradition collides with Irish folklore as she learns about love, heartbreak, and The Burden of Blood.




Author Wenona Hulsey spends her time scaling roof tops, kicking bad guy tail and rescuing small kittens from tree tops.  But during the time when she isn't asleep, she's a mother of two beautiful children and fiancé to the man of her dreams.  She lives vicariously through great books and creates magical worlds in her spare time.  She is also an avid social networker, who loves to meet new people.  You can friend her on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/WenonaHulsey , like her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/WenonaHulseyAuthor or follow along on her Blog http://wenonahulsey.blogspot.com/ .

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by Wenona Hulsey.  The characters are memorable and believable, not to mention endearing.  It was one of the few books that I recently read, that I could remember the story long after reading.  I look forward to reading the next installation of this series.
available on Amazon and Barns and Noble

Random Knitting for Writers

   You are most likely wondering why I have posted a knitting pattern on my blog, especially since this this not a knitting blog.  Like most things I post here, I have my own bent up reasons for doing it.  But let me list a few just for grins and giggles because knitting is like many things we do in life:1.       You have to do it more than once to be good at it.2.      You can either learn from others, and make things easier on yourself, or get what you think you need and take a stab at it blindly.3.      If you don't enjoy it, don't do it.  It will show in the end product.4.      The more challenging it is, the greater the sense of pride upon completion.5.      Anyone can do it, some just have to work harder at learning how than others, but that does not mean that the end product is of lesser quality...it is what you put into it.
   Today we are going to learn to make a kitchen towel.  If you don't know anything about knitting, there is a great simple guide at Lion Brand. Materials:  Cotton yarn – one skein (Peaches & Cream brand form Walmart works great).  One pair of knitting needles – pick a pair any size, just remember the smaller the needle the smaller the stich and vice versa).  And that's about it.
Cast on:  As many even number of stiches as you want...It's your towel! This pattern is just a suggestion, use whatever pattern you want. Row 1:  *knit 1 purl 1*   repeat to end. Row 2:  *purl 1 knit 1* repeat to end.\ When it gets as long as you want it, cast off.
   Now, for you writers...just substitute writing for knitting in the above blog post.  Remove the word kitchen towel and replace with Novel.  Change Lion Brand to one of many free websites that offer free writing guides. It's your book, write whatever you want and make it as long as you want.

Speeding on the Jersey Turnpike

   Okay, I know what some of you are thinking...You...speeding?  Hahaha.  And for the most part you are correct in your assessment of my driving record.  I have been driving for 28 years and have only gotten one ticket...Thank you Officer Barns for ruining a perfect record.  But after I saw this photo I had to reassess my driving habits, especially in New Jersey.







   I don't know about you, but I sure as hell wouldn't mind getting pulled over by one of New Jersey's finest.  And I do mean FINEST!!!  So, in November when my Brother and his family come to visit, I have already planned a day trip to Hoboken to get cannoli from Carlos' Bakery with my sister-in-law, and if we happen to get pulled over on the way...Let's not tell our husbands it was planned...


C.G. Powell
Author of Spell Checked: Book One of The No Uncertain Logic Series
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