Storybook Brainstorming: Possible Styles

I have decided to Dante's Inferno, with a modern twist that Professor Gibbs suggested! I am going to include modern celebrities. I think this is such a fun idea, and one that would allow me to get really creative. I am already thinking of ideas to work with!

I will rewrite this Poets and Philosophers section, because this is a section where Dante uses famous people from his time period. So, this would allow me to change it and add characters of my own.

Paola and Francesca is another section that involves someone famous from his time period. I may rewrite this section completely, or I may do a modern spin on it by making the same story, but about modern people, like Kanye and Kim or something. I think this could be really fun!

Dante's guide rebuffs Malacoda and his friends

Source: Wikipedia

Some different style strategies I am thinking about are below.

Script - I could actually do this, while substituting the different characters for new, modern ones. I could write it like a play that tells the original story, but using my new characters and adding some new dialogue, in addition to some new props. 

Tabloid Gossip and Scandal -  While this one could be more difficult, I do think it has some potential. I could tell the story from a third person perspective, looking at all the characters from the view point of a paparazzi or something. I will have to give this more thought, but this is an idea that I think I could run with. 

Divine Observer - This could be really fun since my story is about the different layers of hell. I could pick a god, and tell the story from that god's point of view. This would allow me to get really creative about how they perceived different things, and would let me include some of the god's personality in addition to the personalities of the new characters that I made up. 

Minor Character as Storyteller - I could do another twist with this by telling the story from the point of view of one of the new characters that I brought into this story. Again, I think this would be a difficult style, but I also think it would be a lot of fun and something that I will consider. 

I am going to include the link to the different styles page, because I am not sold on any particular style yet, and will continue to brainstorm possible ideas.

Storytelling for Week 3: The Failed Heist

Authors Note: In Apuleius's story, the scene opens up to Lucius, who is a man turned into a donkey, in a bandit camp with a girl who got taken hostage by bandits from the night before. His story gives no details on how this came about. The bandits are all sad about their fallen friends, and lamenting about how the heist did not work out. So I felt like this gave me enough details to write a background story on how the heist happened. I knew from the few details in the story what I needed to include, and also what I needed to elaborate on. While I understand why Apuleius did not add this in his original fable, I thought that it would be fun to write and a good addition.

I chose the image because it had the donkey in it, who's perspective I wrote the story from. I thought it was a good image that helped to personify the donkey, and give the reader something to imagine as they read my story. In this image, he looks not willing to eat and work with the person, which is kind of how he is made out to be by the author.

~~~

As soon as the sun set, the bandits began to break camp and pack up their things. Lucius, the donkey, could feel the excitement in the air, for they knew that the potential for a huge payout was in front of them. He had seen them scouting the area for weeks, trying to find where the owners hide their valuables, and planning how the best way to approach would be. 

As they began to ride out, their large group of about twenty men grew silent, for stealth was absolutely necessary. Lucius was also a vital part, because they were going to use him to carry out the valuables. He really would've rather stayed at the camp, but he had no choice. As they approached the estate, they readied their weapons. They got to the back door of the house, and forced their way in. Lucius was wearing saddle bags on his back, so they brought him inside too. A few of the robbers immediately went upstairs to make sure that the guards were taken care of. The others began filling my saddle bags. 

Soon, a loud commotion from upstairs was heard. There was lots of yelling and then several guards came down. The robbers who had gone upstairs apparently had not done their job. Most of the robbers around Lucius immediately began to panic and drew their weapons. They engaged in battle with the guards while a few others began to explore other parts of the house in search of more loot. 

Screaming was soon heard as the robbers returned, one of them carrying a girl. "She tried to club me!" the robber yelled. Apparently she had been hiding and tried to strike the robber in order to defend her parents estate. He grabbed her because he could not bring himself to kill this girl. He threw her on the back of Lucius, in the process knocking off the saddle bags, and hit Lucius on the behind to make him move while more guards amassed in front of him. Soon he turned and ran, with a few others that survived the attack. The spoils had all be lost. It was an utter failure, all they had to show for the raid was a single girl. But, there was hope, for she had rich parents who would surely pay a ransom for her. 

Donkey from Apuleius's story

Source: UnTextbook

Bibliography: This story is based on Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche written by written by Apuleius and translated by Tony Kline. Link

Week 3 Reading Diary Continued: Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche

Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche written by Apuleius. 

Bird tells Venus that Cupid has taken Psyche as a lover, Venus is furious. Psyche is meanwhile praying to the Gods that they will bring back Cupid. Psyche is captured and brought back to Venus. Venus tortures her, then gives a giant pile of different seeds for her to sort. Ants sort them for her. She captures wool as her second task. An eagle fills the phial for the third task.

She collects the phial of beauty, but is actually sleep which attacks her whenever she opens it. Cupid rescues her, and tells her to take the phial to his mother, and he will take care of the rest. They are married, and the story ends, returning again to the donkey. Robbers decide to kill the donkey, for it has only brought them bad luck.

The donkey escapes and rescues the girl. The end of the story.

Venus chides Cupid

Source: UnTextbook

Week 3 Reading Diary: Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche

Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche written by Apuleius. 

Story opens with Lucius as a Donkey. Old woman at first consoles her, then turns on her when the girl suggests suicide, saying that she will not have her young men's profit go to waste. Girl describes her dream, how she was snatched on her wedding night from her lover, and how her lover was then killed in his search for her. This is the dream that awoke her. Old woman begins to tell an old wives tale to divert the gils attention from this. 

People stopped worshiping Venus because this girl was so beautiful. Upsets Venus, so she summons Cupid. Tells Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with wretched man. Psyche's fate is transported away to a different place. In a huge mansion that is all hers, with invisible servants and cooks, all taking care of her.

Her new husband comes at night, lays with her then leaves. Forbids her to speak to others. Psyche convinces him to allow her to see her sisters. Her sisters are envious, plan to destroy her. Sisters are keeping secret from parents, have figured out that Psyche does not know what her husband looks like. Sisters convince Psyche to reveal her husband, and give her a plan on how to do so. 

Her husband is beautiful, and she accidentally pricks herself with his arrows, falling even deeper into love with him. Cupid leaves her, her sisters both commit suicide. 

Cupid and Psyche 

Source: UnTextbook

Storybook Topics Brainstorm

Possible Topic - Alaskan Legends

My interest in this stemmed from the fact that I did not know that there were Alaskan legends! Alaska has always been a place that has intrigued me, I have even visited once. The natural beauty is just astonishing. I want to learn more about the state, and this project will give me an opportunity to do that!

Research so far - I have done little research as to what stories I particularly want to write, but have read some of the legends. Some of the ones that intrigue me are The Origin of the Tides, The Flood, and The First Woman.

A lake with some mountains in the background

Source: Pixabay

Possible Topic - Georgian Folktales

I really enjoy folktales, but have never read any that are centered around Africa. So that alone was enough to intrigue me. I look forward to exploring and reading each of the folktales in preparation for my storybook. 

Research so far - I have read some about Georgia to better familiarize myself with a country I know very little about. I also took a look at some of the individual folktales, and am intrigued by a few. Some that interest me are Teeth and No-Teeth, Two Losses, and The Father's Prophecy. 

Some lions in Georgia

Source: Free Stock Photos

Possible Topic - Aesop's Fables (English)

I have already read one of the sections on Aesop's fables and really enjoyed it. So, I am jumping at the opportunity to read more of them. This project will allow me to do just that.

Research so far - I am already pretty familiar with Aesop's Fables, so I do not think I will have to do as much research with this topic as the others. I have already taken a look at the list of fables though, and some that intrigue me are The Gods, Fables about People, and Birds.

Illustration to one of Aesop's fables

Source: Wikimedia

Possible Topic - Dante's Inferno

Dante's Inferno has always been a story that has intrigued me, but I have never actually sat down and read. It is such a classic tale I feel like I need to read, and this storybook project will give me the opportunity to do that. I have friend's that talk about it occasionally, and it has inspired a popular video game that I played whenever I was younger. So that will make it even more interesting for me to read.

Research so far - I am somewhat familiar with Dante's Inferno through pop-culture, but I read some online articles about it. All of the different levels of Hell look interesting, but in particular The Fallen Angels, Limbo, and Jason and the Demons intrigue me.

Image from Dante's Inferno

Source: Wikipedia

Storytelling Week 2: A Very Brave Mouse

A Very Brave Mouse

Against Cat sat a Council of Mice.

Every Mouse came out prompt with advice,

And a bell on Cat's throat

Would have met a round vote,

Had the bell-hanger not been so nice.

~~~~

As the council concluded, suddenly a very small voice rose up from the back.

"I'll get the cat to wear the bell, for the cat and I are friends" said this small mouse "See, the cat doesn't eat me because I am so small, my meat is not even worth it."

The whole council stared in shock. The small mouse began to explain how he and the cat were actually friends, and regularly conversed. The council debated about how they could let such a small mouse take such a big responsibility. The debate went on for some time, but then the council decided that he was their best, and really only, option to getting the cat to wear the bell. So, after deciding this, they entrusted the bell to him. The mouse was excited to have an opportunity to prove himself. 

Picture from the fable "Belling the Cat"

Source: Wikipedia

After receiving the bell, the mouse had to think of a way to convince the cat to wear the bell. He knew that the cat would not wear it if it knew the mouse's original intentions, to make sure that all of the mice could hear the cat coming. So he had to think of a different way to reason with the cat, to convince the cat that there was another motive.

The mouse decided the best way to get the cat to wear the bell is if he could convince the cat that it was the cat was special, and such a good friend, that he had found this bell and thought the cat would love it. He would give it as a present to the cat, which he was sure the cat would love. 

Having the bell in his hand, he began to approach the cat like he always did. Cautiously, but not too worried because he would talk to the cat on a regular basis. The cat immediately noticed him approaching, and greeted him with excitement. As they conversed, the mouse explained how he had found the bell, and thought it was perfect for the cat.

At first, the cat was skeptical, but the longer the conversation went on, the more he imagined how pretty he would look with the bell. Eventually, the cat decided that he wanted the bell, and the mouse fixed it around his neck. Now, the cat could be heard walking around at all times day or night, and through this the little mouse had saved the lives of many mice. 

Bibliography: This story is based on a "Belling the Cat" from The Aesop for Children, written by Aesop, published in 2006. Link 

Week 2 Reading Diary: Aesops Fables - Wednesday Reading

Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs

Birds - "Do not trust flatterers", fox tricks crow into dropping his cheese. Peacock wants to sound like a nightingale, but is told to be content because he cannot be first in everything. Bird that does not join in either side of a fight cannot rejoice with either side when the fighting is over. 

Insects, Snakes, Crabs - Grasshopper does not prepare for winter, ends up starving because of this, and watching the ants feast. I am pretty sure I have watched a cartoon about this fable. Mother crab tells her baby crab to walk straight, but is not leading by example.

Frogs and Fish - "Self conceit may lead to self destruction", frog blows himself up by trying to swell himself up bigger and bigger. Fish jumping in a fisherman's net whenever he plays his bagpipes. 

Nature and Inanimate Objects - Man asks trees for wood only to use when chopping them down. "Kindness affects more than severity", wind and sun try to get man to take off his cloak to prove strength. 

Humans and Gods - "The gods help those who help themselves", a god tells a farmer to get himself out of the mud instead of praying.

Family and Friends - Man tries to bite off his own mothers ear because she encouraged theft. "Never trust a friend that deserts you at a pinch", man leaves another man to die to a bear. 

People Wise and Foolish - "Words may be deeds", trumpeter of army is killed for encouraging others to fight.

More Fables - Maids kill a rooster because it annoys them and wakes them up too early, but then they have trouble waking themselves up every morning. Fir tree looking down on a bramble as it gets chopped down. "Fate can meet as well as follow", lion waits in cave for deer to return so that he may eat the deer. 

A stork from the fable King Log and King's Stork

Source: UnTextbook