Author's note: After studying original documents from the 1700's at the Missouri History Museum Research Library, I wrote a fictional narrative based on real-life events.
I chose multiple, five part segments of Händel's two hour Sarabande as the official musical theme for Here Be Dragons and wrote the story quite often with it playing on a loop in the background. The story is 5 parts as a result, like the music, each with its own feel and intensity. Thank you.
I really did! And he felt very real as well. He was imperfect, but a good man who tries hard to do the right thing and I love his unlikely friendship with Hawk Woman! Really cool stuff, I'm looking forward to more about these two characters!
Here is a video from the Film Board of Canada I used as a resource to further understand the Mississippi Bubble from a more detailed perspective. Thanks.
This was EXCELLENT as good or better than *Star Seed and the Beaver King* It was a combo of a bunch of my favorite stuff: history, fantasy, the stock market and spiritual warfare, it even had some of my favorite Bible verses incorporated! I don't know if this was the intent, but it's actually some of the more effective Christian fiction I've read! Also it uses one of my favorite settings I've dubbed "Colonial Fantasy" which, also happens to be the same setting as my completed manuscript!
I actually kind of thought you would like this one. I wrote about a man of faith and really wanted his character to resonate with all audiences. He is well versed in the Latin version of the Bible and was an orphan raised by Carthusian Monks in France.
Colonial Fantasy is something I have never considered, it sounds fascinating. I think we can have interesting, dynamic, and fresh characters whose faith is central to their identity. Jean-Baptiste is Catholic from the Age of Enlightenment, and I would hope his story resonates with modern Christians today.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Here Be Dragons. It has really made my day.
We will see Jean-Baptiste and Gthe-don'win Hawk Woman again in further adventures.
Thank you so very much. I’m working on the next chapter in the Spooklight series called The Nightshade Coven. Hope to have it out this weekend. I had more photos but Substack warned me that my text length was reaching it’s limit. This story is especially dear to me. Thanks again.
Incredible work as always! You have such detailed and descriptive writing that creates such a vivid imagery to all your scenes. I really like your characterisation here. Cannot wait to read more!
Thank you so much. Yes, Ozarklore is here to mainly combine region specific history and culture in a fictional supernatural world with the main meta-villain Kar-kag-ni. I am myself immersed in this world here in real life and hope to translate it in writing that resonates with a wide audience through the best storytelling possible. Thanks, again. Much more to come. Stay tuned.
Ooooh, this was excellent. Superb job on the historical details such as clothing and weapons (I have done my share of deep dives on flintlocks), really helps sell the setting. And I enjoyed the comradery between Jean-Baptiste and Hawk Woman. I also love how it changes genres on you; first starting as historical fiction, before morphing into horror with elements of folk horror, and then ending on a actiony note. This one I would highly recommend. :)
I guess I don't understand the title, and even forgot what the title was. For this story, "Here Be Mines" would have scarier implications.
Thank you so much for your extremely kind comments, I appreciate you stopping by and reading Here Be Dragons - A Spooklight on the Devil's Elbow Prologue.
I really enjoy historically accurate period stories and films. It's important to nail the gear involved. The costume detail and accoutrements, I feel, enhance the quality.
I visualize these stories so vividly, it's my hope the reader looks beyond the page and sees this world, entering it with their Mind's Eye.
I visited the Missouri History Museum Research Library in St. Louis, requesting documents from the 1700's like maps under supervision. They bring it out with white gloves. Some have Here Be Dragons in uncharted places. The titular moment is when they enter the mine and the latern light shines on the Latin version.
Mines and caves can be terrifying and I grew up around both. They are everywhere here, of all kinds and sizes. It's also the fictional setting of the climax in Act 3 of Tom Sawyer, also set in Missouri just a few hours from Here Be Dragons's location. Both stories involve the Mississippi River, another icon in Twain's and also my childhood. It's just what growing here is about, no matter the century.
The cultural exchange moment is symbolic and I really enjoyed working on these characters. This story means a lot to me. Jean-Baptiste and Gthe-don'win Hawk Woman came to life, and I am very fortunate.
I enjoyed your play on religious icons and themes. I captured a hint of Bram Stoker, a touch of mysticism, and all grounded in the palpable experiences of this lonely Frenchman at the dawn of a new age. The fact that the mine, on which so much rests produces lead, such a useful, yet toxic substance adds another layer to the narrative. I’d love to see this expanded into a novel or novella. Can’t wait to see where these short stories take us.
The largest lead mine in the world for several generations was called the St. Joe Lead Mine in the Missouri Ozarks. It's now a part of the state park system as a historic site with visitor's museum. This area is really the most heavily French influenced with another significant mine in the same area then called Mine à Breton, now called Potosi. Galena ore occurs at the surface in many of these places an hour or so south of St. Louis and was easily refined into lead by settlers. You mentioned so many significant things in the story, I appreciate your attention to the details I'm weaving into this series that all really do come from a real place, a place I know well. I thank the Ozarks for being such an amazing resource on all levels. Jean-Baptiste and Hawk Woman will ride again. The series continues. Thank you so very much.
I'm here for my audience and nothing else. A good story means everything to me and I will go to great lengths to ensure it is of the highest quality.
Thank you so much for your exquisite words, as always, and like life, the story continues.
Cheers.
Author's note: After studying original documents from the 1700's at the Missouri History Museum Research Library, I wrote a fictional narrative based on real-life events.
I chose multiple, five part segments of Händel's two hour Sarabande as the official musical theme for Here Be Dragons and wrote the story quite often with it playing on a loop in the background. The story is 5 parts as a result, like the music, each with its own feel and intensity. Thank you.
https://youtu.be/4PajJ1vDdyc?si=NlgzbEVGT5tRBL5p
I really did! And he felt very real as well. He was imperfect, but a good man who tries hard to do the right thing and I love his unlikely friendship with Hawk Woman! Really cool stuff, I'm looking forward to more about these two characters!
Here is a video from the Film Board of Canada I used as a resource to further understand the Mississippi Bubble from a more detailed perspective. Thanks.
https://youtu.be/diEVmQZ1QfM?si=ZOJhIFQZBarzHIre
I'm so pleased he feels real. We will definitely catch back up with them. Whether in the New World, or back in France. Adventure awaits.
This was EXCELLENT as good or better than *Star Seed and the Beaver King* It was a combo of a bunch of my favorite stuff: history, fantasy, the stock market and spiritual warfare, it even had some of my favorite Bible verses incorporated! I don't know if this was the intent, but it's actually some of the more effective Christian fiction I've read! Also it uses one of my favorite settings I've dubbed "Colonial Fantasy" which, also happens to be the same setting as my completed manuscript!
I actually kind of thought you would like this one. I wrote about a man of faith and really wanted his character to resonate with all audiences. He is well versed in the Latin version of the Bible and was an orphan raised by Carthusian Monks in France.
Colonial Fantasy is something I have never considered, it sounds fascinating. I think we can have interesting, dynamic, and fresh characters whose faith is central to their identity. Jean-Baptiste is Catholic from the Age of Enlightenment, and I would hope his story resonates with modern Christians today.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Here Be Dragons. It has really made my day.
We will see Jean-Baptiste and Gthe-don'win Hawk Woman again in further adventures.
Thank you so much.
WOW 😮 🤩😱🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Thank you so much for your effusive response. This story means a lot to me. I'm so glad folks like it.
That’s absolutely mind blowing 🤯 amazing 🤩 I’m definitely keeping an eye out for you ❤️❤️❤️
I working on the follow up to Here Be Dragons called the Nightshade Coven. It should be out in a week.
Looking forward to~!!! :D
I just recently learned how big the French territories had been , so i really liked reading about it like this, thank you!
Thank you very much for stopping by. I really appreciate hearing about your experience.
Ooh, I'm glad I ran across this. You have a real way with words. The descriptions really give the atmosphere that pop I want.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
very well written and excellent research. I loved the photos at the end. Great job.
Thank you so very much. I’m working on the next chapter in the Spooklight series called The Nightshade Coven. Hope to have it out this weekend. I had more photos but Substack warned me that my text length was reaching it’s limit. This story is especially dear to me. Thanks again.
Fitting end to an villian's attempt. Well done, wordsmith!
Thank you, so much. A good ending is important.
I really appreciate your attention to detail and then seeing the accompanying items. So cool!
Hey, thanks so much! Glad you liked it.
Incredible work as always! You have such detailed and descriptive writing that creates such a vivid imagery to all your scenes. I really like your characterisation here. Cannot wait to read more!
Wow, thank you so much. I appreciate the kind words. New story out this Sunday.
"Covered in small circular scars, thin hands tapped a buffalo hide drum with deer mandible in languid syncopations"
This is such a great image.
Hey, I appreciate that. Glad you liked it.
Thank you, for stopping by.
I see why you recommended this one! I love combining actual history with the supernatural or weird, and you did a damned good job doing that.
Way to go!
Thank you so much. Yes, Ozarklore is here to mainly combine region specific history and culture in a fictional supernatural world with the main meta-villain Kar-kag-ni. I am myself immersed in this world here in real life and hope to translate it in writing that resonates with a wide audience through the best storytelling possible. Thanks, again. Much more to come. Stay tuned.
Ooooh, this was excellent. Superb job on the historical details such as clothing and weapons (I have done my share of deep dives on flintlocks), really helps sell the setting. And I enjoyed the comradery between Jean-Baptiste and Hawk Woman. I also love how it changes genres on you; first starting as historical fiction, before morphing into horror with elements of folk horror, and then ending on a actiony note. This one I would highly recommend. :)
I guess I don't understand the title, and even forgot what the title was. For this story, "Here Be Mines" would have scarier implications.
Thank you so much for your extremely kind comments, I appreciate you stopping by and reading Here Be Dragons - A Spooklight on the Devil's Elbow Prologue.
I really enjoy historically accurate period stories and films. It's important to nail the gear involved. The costume detail and accoutrements, I feel, enhance the quality.
I visualize these stories so vividly, it's my hope the reader looks beyond the page and sees this world, entering it with their Mind's Eye.
I visited the Missouri History Museum Research Library in St. Louis, requesting documents from the 1700's like maps under supervision. They bring it out with white gloves. Some have Here Be Dragons in uncharted places. The titular moment is when they enter the mine and the latern light shines on the Latin version.
Mines and caves can be terrifying and I grew up around both. They are everywhere here, of all kinds and sizes. It's also the fictional setting of the climax in Act 3 of Tom Sawyer, also set in Missouri just a few hours from Here Be Dragons's location. Both stories involve the Mississippi River, another icon in Twain's and also my childhood. It's just what growing here is about, no matter the century.
The cultural exchange moment is symbolic and I really enjoyed working on these characters. This story means a lot to me. Jean-Baptiste and Gthe-don'win Hawk Woman came to life, and I am very fortunate.
Thanks again.
love this!!
Thank you so much. Very kind words.
I enjoyed your play on religious icons and themes. I captured a hint of Bram Stoker, a touch of mysticism, and all grounded in the palpable experiences of this lonely Frenchman at the dawn of a new age. The fact that the mine, on which so much rests produces lead, such a useful, yet toxic substance adds another layer to the narrative. I’d love to see this expanded into a novel or novella. Can’t wait to see where these short stories take us.
The largest lead mine in the world for several generations was called the St. Joe Lead Mine in the Missouri Ozarks. It's now a part of the state park system as a historic site with visitor's museum. This area is really the most heavily French influenced with another significant mine in the same area then called Mine à Breton, now called Potosi. Galena ore occurs at the surface in many of these places an hour or so south of St. Louis and was easily refined into lead by settlers. You mentioned so many significant things in the story, I appreciate your attention to the details I'm weaving into this series that all really do come from a real place, a place I know well. I thank the Ozarks for being such an amazing resource on all levels. Jean-Baptiste and Hawk Woman will ride again. The series continues. Thank you so very much.