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#FlashFiveFriday – Myths

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This month Mr B and I are taking part in #FlashFiveFriday run by The Indie Exchange.

#FlashFiveFriday is a weekly flash fiction / flash blogging prompt.

The rules are very simple if you’d like to take part:

1) Write for no longer than five minutes

2) No upper or lower word limits

3) You must write something new

4) You can prepare your post ahead of time but the 5 minute limit still applies

5) If you add your blog post to the weekly linky you must visit five other blogs that week too to show your support

This week’s #FlashFiveFriday post

I am also taking part in NaBloPoMo August.

#FlashFiveFriday – Myths

Dave

Growing up, myths and legends for me meant either the Greek tales or the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Such stories have stayed with me into adulthood – I’ve even read all the stories in Thomas Malory’s Le Morte A’Arthur (about 500!), but since attending college my interests have broadened somewhat.

My first foray into writing was partly due to the discovery of the Norse myths of the Vikings. I’d never imagined that mythology could be so gritty yet so brilliant in equal measure. There was more realism to the Viking stories than the Greek tales for me.

My interest went even further towards the Icelandic sagas which were full of action, adventure, romance and intrigue. I finally braved the legendary poem Beowulf as well, though I was assisted somewhat by a translation from the poet, Seamus Heaney. For its age, Beowulf is a remarkable piece of literature and will stand up to many contemporary writers for centuries to come.

There is something forever fascinating about myths and legends. They helped inspire me to become a writer myself and in some ways I am building a mythology and legends myself, though it will never come to rival that of the past masters, I know that for certain.

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Donna

I can’t say I’ve ever been a huge fan of myths and legends. When I read how passionate Mr B is about them, I know I’ll never quite embrace them with quite the same fervour. Nonetheless, there are stories that you hear in childhood that stay with you for a long time. The minotaur. Medusa.

When I was idly Googling to get a little inspiration for this piece (as you do!) I came across this site, which has amazing resources to encourage children to learn about myths and legends. Everything from a myth map to a story creator. I remember when I was at school and we did something ‘interactive’ – usually involving those little bean-filled cushions for some reason – it would fill me with delight. Do children still feel the same now? Or have computers and interactive programs become the norm?

It makes me wonder if the days of story time and bean-filled sacks will soon be the stuff of myth and legend. I hope not!

NaBloPoMo
Which is better — ice cream on a hot day or hot chocolate in winter?

Definitely hot chocolate in winter! There’s something wonderful about snuggling up with a good book and a hot drink, all toasty warm even when it’s bitter cold outside.!

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