Happy New Year!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here. 2024 has had its ups and downs, as every year does.
I graduated from University with a 2:1 Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English Studies and Journalism Studies, and my Dissertation was in Creative Writing. I wrote a Contemporary Celtic Retelling of Peter Pan, where the MC is celebrating Samhain in a Scottish village when Pan, Slightly and Nib come through the Veil from the Otherworld and try to get her to come back through the Veil with them. It was so much fun to write and I honestly miss it. I wish to go back to the story someday. I ended it in a way that I could continue to write more of it if I ever get the chance.
In August, I started an internship with Ringwood Publishing, where I am still today. I’m now the Assistant Social Media Manager and resident Canva Goblin. (I truly love Canva.) I’m loving everything I’m learning.
Now that we’ve entered the New Year, like many other people, I’ve come up with New Year’s resolutions. However, I won’t be sharing all of them. Some are personal, some are just general goals I hope to achieve, and some are there knowing they won’t survive January, or even this first week.
One resolution I don’t mind sharing has to do with here—my blog. I’ve said it every year. I’ll come back and write more. I need to mean it now. This is my wee space, and I keep neglecting it. I want to write more–even if it is just like an online journal.
My goal with this blog is to post something each week.
Something that touches on Fantasy, Mythology and/or Folklore in some capacity. I would willingly tumble down the rabbit hole for them. I’ve already failed a little since we are a few weeks into the New Year, but I was a bit caught up in my head.
So, to start. I’m going to, briefly, go over my favourite fantasy finds of 2024 (that I can remember).
Bone on the Beach
Bone on the Beach by Fiona Gillan Kerr is a Ringwood Publishing book (the place I Intern at). The story switches perspectives between Deidre and Meghan, as well as switching times. Deidre’s half of the story occurs during 2003 and Meghan’s during 2018. Their stories are connected with Meghan wanting to find out more about this elusive Deidre she keeps hearing about and Deidre’s plays out as Meghan discovers information. It is a retelling of the Celtic Legend ‘Deidre of the Sorrows’, which I hadn’t heard of until being asked to read the book. It is a brilliant read, and I’m not just saying that. I did truly love it and probably would have read it on my own had I come across it in the wild.
Legends of Avantris
Chuckles is very convincing when it comes to building up his Honk Legion, that’s all I say!
I discovered Legends of Avantris through a series of animated Reels/YouTube shorts that came across my feeds. Now, I will say, I had seen some posts last year (2023, so technically 2 years ago now) and hopped onto their YouTube and immediately left.
“What do you mean three to four hours per video? I can’t watch Livestreams.”
Well, 2024 rolled around and the short-form content had returned. However, this time I was travelling with my family to the Outer Hebrides to visit my Auntie and Uncle. That is a long drive and ferry ride. So, why not give it a listen? At this point, I had started seeing short-form content that wasn’t animated and liked it, so I just had to do it.
Guys, I’m hooked. Three to four hours of content? MY GUYS! Curse of Strahdayna is like six to ten hours of content and it is no problem! None whatsoever. So yeah, I’m hooked.
(And I got a Torbek plushie, who I am very excited to arrive if he hasn’t already.)
DnD
Naturally, following on the LoA, I’ve finally gotten into DnD. My sister and brother-in-law have mentioned occasionally throughout the years that I would like it and once got me to sit down and kind of pick a character out, but the roleplay stopped me. However, I’m finally into it and love playing the wee sessions with them. Unfortunately, I’ve turned in a dice Goblin.
Harry Potter Thestral Plushie
To finish off, we have the Thestral Plushie.
I’ve been to the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour London many times over the years and decided to go back this year for Hallowe’en during the Dark Arts event. The last time I was there was in 2018, I had said “I wish there was a Thestral plush” as Thestrals are my favourite Harry Potter creatures. I kept looking on the website but never saw one. Then on the first day there, I found they had them. So obviously I bought one! I love him.
So, that’s been a wee catch-up and my favourite finds. I’m hoping I can keep this up. I’ve always tried to write in a professional mindset and all that, which I think is what is putting me off writing as much. Hence why I’m going to write in a more casual manner like I would with friends and family. Hopefully, this allows me to write more and keep this site, full of fun content.
Needle Punching
I found this through Instagram or YouTube (I can’t remember which). It’s so much fun! I love it. It’s basically using a hollow needle with yarn threaded through it and “punch” it through punch needle fabric and make cute designs. It’s loads of fun and I can combine this with binge-watching/catching up on Legends of Avantris streams. Since I have so much content to get through!
Anyway, Happy New Year, Everyone!
Bye-bye! Love you!
