Raven Oak's Blog, page 7

The Mythos of the Tooth Fairy

Today’s National Tooth Fairy Day.The mythos of the tooth fairy dates back to the 1920’s. A group of healthcare folks wanted to encourage kids to better oral hygiene and used various advertisements and health classes to do so. Part of the ads were created by Esther Watkins Arnold through a playlet called The Tooth Fairy.  There are also rumors that during the same year Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published photographs of two girls surrounded by faeries as “evidence” that faeries like the too...

Potatoes!

Today is National Potato Day, a day I know my friend and fellow author Jesikah Sundin enjoys. Oddly enough, potatoes are featured frequently in SF/F tales. They outlast apocalypses and feed hungry hobbits.As a child, I developed an allergy to tomatoes, which are part of the nightshade group. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve built up allergies and intolerances to bell peppers and other peppers. If I eat too many potatoes, my intolerance kicks in so I suspect that some day, I won’t be able to enjoy po...

Story Hour!

Along with Michael Conley, I was a guest on Story Hour last night, where I read a short story from my Dragon Springs & Other Things short story collection. I read the story with the same name as the collection, which features a young tinkerer who makes a dragon and chaos ensues. It’s a fun steampunk fantasy story.

You can view/listen to that at the link below. You do not have to have a Facebook account to view it.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=2456652891201838

The p...

Rosemary GF Cookies!

If you missed my Voices Carry Book Launch Party, which you can watch here, I mentioned a yummy Rosemary GF cookie recipe. Now I know what you’re thinking… rosemary? Gluten free? In the same sentence as yummy? But yes!!

This recipe was passed on to us from a great friend and fellow author, Jennifer Brozek, so thanks to her for this as well.

Shortbread amazing rosemary cookiesIngredients:

1 stick butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tabl...

How Music Made Me

Today, I’m a guest over on John Scalzi’s site as I discuss the Big Idea in my new book, Voices Carry, and how music both made this book and me.

If you know anything about me, you know that I’ve been a musician since I could breathe, much like writing and art. Music and I have a long history and it helped me find my way back to words and writing after having covid.

Go give the essay a read and enjoy the playlist.

The Big Idea: Raven Oak

The post How Music Made Me appeared first on RAVEN OAK.

The Corner of Story and Game

I’ve been on a lot of podcasts. It goes with the territory of being a creative and gamer. But recently, I had the great honor of being a guest on The Corner of Story and Game, a great podcast about how games influence our creative works.

Games like Final Fantasy VI and VII, Xenogears, Zelda, and Horizon: Zero Dawn have ingrained their complex plots and character arcs into my brain in ways that can never be erased. Part of who I am as an artist and writer is heavily influenced by not just the plo...

Seattle Gay News

Recently, I had the privilege to sit down with Lindsey Anderson of Seattle Gay News to talk about queerness, identity, education, and my new book, Voices Carry. 

The article’s title makes a great blurb, as it states:

Voices Carry is a love letter to the Queer educators fighting to keep classrooms safe.”

It’s also my love letter to finding oneself and the importance of diversity and equity. You can read the entire article here:

https://www.sgn.org/story.php?ch=arts__entertainment&sc=books&id=3345...

Making Waves

There’s a phrase from my life that I abhor, the expression about making waves.

It’s a phrase about how people shouldn’t rock the boat because if you do, you might tip the boat over and kill everyone in it. Historically, the idea of “making waves” has been used to keep marginalized folks in their place. In other words, how people like me should just shit down and shut up. If we’re heard, it’s perceived that we’re causing trouble or raising a stink by merely existing, let alone speaking our mind. ...

Dear Bartell Drugs

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Dear ______ blog post but today prompted one as it’s Disability Pride Month and I’ve had it with places of business deciding it’s acceptable to treat people with disabilities as if we aren’t people too. So on that note…

Dear Bartell Drugs of Mill Creek,

I have tried and tried to be patient with Bartell Drugs, particularly this location, since Rite Aid took over, but I am done. As of today, I am moving all of my prescriptions elsewhere since Bartell continues t...

Voices Carry Release Party!

We’re coming up on three weeks until the release of my memoir, Voices Carry: A Story of Teaching, Transitions, & Truths, which means it’s time to look at those calendars and figure out which Voices Carry release party you’d love to attend! Because of my long COVID, both events are virtual, which also makes it easier for those of you not in the greater Seattle area.

The More Traditional Release Party!

WHAT:    A short reading, Q&A, prizes, and fun!
WHERE:    Streaming on YouTube here: https://bit...