When I tour school children through our museum's classical galleries, I tread carefully around some of the uglier aspects of Greek mythology. I might say something like, "Zeus fell in love with Europa and took her to Crete." Or, "Zeus loved Leda and came to her as a swan, etc., etc."In other words, I tiptoe around the fact that the head god of the ancient Greeks was … [Read more...] about The Darker Side of Greek Myths
Friday Funnies–The Hunger Games!
Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games has so many references to the classical world (see my 2010 post here), I don't feel like I'm cheating when I focus this week's Friday Funnies on the amazing blockbuster book/movie. Or, at least, that's what I tell myself. Enjoy!Artemis: "Um....Katniss who?" … [Read more...] about Friday Funnies–The Hunger Games!
A Deleted Scene–And Why My Editor Killed One of My “Darlings”
People often ask me what it was like working with the great Cheryl Klein (delightful!) and how I responded when she suggested I cut or rewrite scenes (jump? How high?). Yet Cheryl encouraged me to stand my ground if I felt strongly about something. But claiming that you want to keep a scene just because you "liiiiiiiked it," wasn't good enough. Let me give you an example. … [Read more...] about A Deleted Scene–And Why My Editor Killed One of My “Darlings”
In the You Can’t Make This Stuff up Dept: PURIFICATION BY PUPPIES!
According to Plutarch, ancient Greeks sometimes purified themselves by "rub[bing] around with puppies." There was even a name for it: periskylakismos or "puppifrication."Puppifrication, people! Ritual purification by puppies!See, this is why I love history so much. You COULD NOT make this stuff up if you tried! How awesome is that? I want to be purified by puppies? Where … [Read more...] about In the You Can’t Make This Stuff up Dept: PURIFICATION BY PUPPIES!
When All Else Fails…
You know what's great when you draw a blank about what to post on your blog? Photos. Yay for easy, slacker solutions! So here's a roundup of recent events via visual shortcuts:Photo by Elizabeth O. DulembaThat's moi with the inimitable Adele Geras, and the wonderful Tracy Barrett at The Carlos Museum this past Sunday. We held a panel on historical fiction in YA. Adele was in … [Read more...] about When All Else Fails…
