Sara C. Snider's Blog, page 17

Hazel and Holly — Skyward Promises

Previous: Odd Possibilities

Hazel and Holly walked along the darkening narrow path as the chirps and croaks of crickets and frogs pierced the warm twilit air. Hazel carried a lamp, but it would need to remain unlit for the time being.

“Are you nervous?” Holly asked.

“Why would I be nervous?” said Hazel.

“You’re going to become a Wyr witch. That’s kind of scary.”

“It’s just a formality, it’s not like anything’s going to change right away.” She glanced at Holly. “And why is it scary?”

“No othe...

A Brief Glimpse into Food and Cooking from the Renaissance to the 18th Century

You might not know this about me, but I have a slight food obsession—particularly in fantasy literature. I don’t know what it is, but descriptions of food in made-up worlds are particularly engaging to me. I think it’s because they help bring that world to life in a way that simple descriptions can’t. We all need to eat, and it can be telling what kinds food a person or a society eats. Also, I’m just fond of domestic life in general. When in a museum, it’s the paintings of kitchens and women...

Hazel and Holly — Odd Possibilities

Previous: Tea with Tum

Holly and Tum waited at The Green Man for night to fall. He drank three more beers, promising that the last was an advance on the following week’s wages. When the daylight finally faded and darkness settled in, he hopped off his stool, tottered a bit, and then righted himself and threw Holly a great big smile.

“Right,” he said. “Off we go, then.” He shambled towards the door.

“Where are we going, exactly?” Holly asked as she followed.

He stopped and blinked at her. “Go...

Hazel and Holly — Tea with Tum

Previous: Pyrus and his Particular Price, Part Two

Holly bounced around Hazel as she left Pyrus’ home.

“Well?” Holly said. “What did he say?”

“He gave me a name of someone we can talk to that might know where one goes to learn necromancy. I’ve also decided to become a Wyr witch.”

Hawthorn snorted. “A Wyr witch?” He shook his head. “Perhaps it would be best to stick to Weaving, and leave Wyr to the men.”

Hemlock put a hand over his face, while both Hazel and Holly glared at Hawthorn.

Holly pu...

A Moment of Thanks

November is a dreary month in Sweden. The beautiful autumn leaves have fallen and the trees are barren, the days are rapidly growing darker, and the snow hasn’t yet come to help brighten everything up. Motivation has a tendency to sink a bit during this month; everything seems just a little bit harder.

Even though we don’t have Thanksgiving in Sweden, it seems appropriate to take some time to appreciate the positives in life to help brighten the more dismal parts of the year. Plus I’m America...

Hazel and Holly — Pyrus and his Particular Price, Part Two

Previous: Pyrus and his Particular Price, Part One

Hemlock and Hawthorn left the parlor. Holly, however, planted herself firmly on the sofa and folded her arms.

“Why in private?” she said. “I don’t like all these secrets. I deserve to know too.”

“I’m sure you do,” Pyrus said. “But you are a Wild witch are you not? With a secondary in Hearth?”

“Yeah,” Holly said, scowling. “So?”

“So, this is a matter of discipline, young lady. A discipline to which you do not belong.”

“But Hazel does?”

Pyrus...

Hazel and Holly — Pyrus and his Particular Price, Part One

Previous: Hawthorn’s Help

Hazel, Holly, Hemlock, and Hawthorn sat in an ornate carriage as it rattled down the road. Holly stuck her head out the window, grinning as the wind buffeted her face. Hazel closed her eyes as she tried to keep her stomach from lurching in time with the coach.

“How is it that you know Pyrus?” Hemlock said. “Better yet, how is it that he owes you a favor?”

Hawthorn waved a bejeweled hand. “I know it’s sometimes easy to forget, but I am older than you.” He narrowed hi...

Confessions of a Scheduling Newbie

Things have been a little crazy for me lately, though it’s pretty much my own fault. I’ve given myself way too much to do. I’ve put off writing a blog post for the past couple of weeks because each time I think of it, it’s like I revert back to being a 10-year old, stomping my foot and complaining that I don’t want to.

The truth of the matter is that when I feel like this, on the edge of burn-out, it’s hard to create new writing–creative or otherwise. It’s also hard for me to write about some...

Hazel and Holly — Hawthorn’s Help

Previous: Spoil Sport

Hazel sat at the kitchen table, sipping some tea as she peered out the window. Where did Holly run off to? Not that she should complain. Hemlock would be coming over soon, and it was growing increasingly difficult to talk to him without Holly coming by to see what they were doing.

Hazel felt a twinge of guilt for excluding Holly in her dealings with Hemlock, but it really was for the best. Holly was a simple, gentle soul, and this grisly business with their mother was u...

Hazel and Holly — Spoil Sport

Previous: Dinnertime Drama, Part Two

“They’re up to something,” Holly said to the young doe grazing among the herb garden at the cottage. “But they won’t tell me what it is.” She poked a needle into a skirt lying across her lap and pulled the thread through. “I don’t know why. Either they think I’m stupid, or… or I don’t know what.”

The doe poked her head up and peered at Holly as she chewed on a mouthful of sage, her long ears twitching.

Holly waved a hand. “That’s enough of the herbs, go m...