Myths and Legends Workshop: Lecture Series, The Epic of Gilgamesh

Where do our myths and legends come from? The myth of Gilgamesh comes to us via a poem from 4,000 years ago. 

Read the Epic of Gilgamesh via this PDF.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a 4,000-year-old Mesopotamian poem about a hero who embarks on an arduous quest to find the secret of immortality. Preserved on clay tablets in cuneiform script, it is generally considered to be the earliest great work of literature to survive from the ancient world. In this illustrated lecture, Andrew George, author of a prize-winning translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh, explores four themes related to this Babylonian masterpiece: the archaeology of the poem’s recovery, the reconstruction of its text, the story it tells, and its messages about life and death.

This series has been added to the Spring Dreams Seasonal Reads Program.

More lectures will be added throughout this season.


Have a great and wonderful day.

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*Update: all workshops and special engagements have now been concluded, and new projects are now under Undawnted's Substack.

A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. This year, DL Mullan has begun sharing her knowledge via A Novelist Idea Newsletter. If you too want to become a Fearless Phile, then subscribe to her newsletter on Substack.

Her innovative style teaches writers how to reach their creative potential, and write more effectively.

Learn. Grow. Master… with Undawnted.

Ogham, Ancient Celtic Language, and Roben Hode

Ah, research. 

Writing is about reading, investigation, and fact finding expeditions. The internet has given writers a one stop shop to look up history, science, and even science fiction. When writing a historical character, a write needs as much in depth knowledge of that era as possible. 

In the case of Hode, Roben is a modern version of the mythical persona. So the legend is more of a set of guidelines than rules. However, supporting characters like Marian can have ties to the past as much or more than a modern retelling's protagonist. Marian in the first novel states she has family ties to the old Celtic ways of magick as a priestess. These characters usually have tattoos or brands, one of which Roben notices on Marian. 

So what does a writer do for the second novel? Well she researches the Ogham. Ogham is a series of lines that equate to the phonetic alphabet. We write in English which is denoted in Latin characters to convey our message. Lines like Runes and the Ogham did the same thing when reading and writing was less necessary or available to the public. 

But I like taking the concept to the next level. I not only translated my character's information to Ogham, I looked up the Ancient Celtic word for the item I wanted translated.

So in modern vernacular, Blood is fuil in Gaelic. Fuil is this set of marks in the Ogham: 

Will this be of use in the next novel, I hope so. Research takes hours and sometimes days/weeks to complete on something as simple as an ancient word and its non-Latin transliteration. 

Luckily research into the past can be done online instead of in a room full of musty, dusty tomes. 

 What research have you conducted to create depth in your character's backstory or plot point?

Sources: 

Ogham translator

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Merlin was Discovered Recently in a Library

Really? Merlin has been wandering the library all this time?

Well, sort of. Several hand-written fragments were found in the University of Bristol's special collections. Many recognizable names were seen in the written pages. As an added bonus, the texts were from South Wales, where the legend is said to have been born:

"These fragments of the story of Merlin are a wonderfully exciting find, which may have implications for the study not just of this text but also of other related and later texts that have shaped our modern understanding of the Arthurian legend," said Dr Tether.

The books in which the fragments were found were all printed in Strasbourg between 1494 and 1502.

Could there be a retelling or additional theatrical editions to the Arthurian Legend coming to a move theater near you soon?

Perhaps.

"Time and research will reveal what further secrets about the legends of Arthur, Merlin and the Holy Grail these fragments might hold."

Then Undawnted can add another myth to her repertoire.

Read the full article here: Middle Ages Merlin manuscript found in Bristol University library.

 Have a great and wonderful day.

Support a Disabled Woman's Creative Spirit

Artwork for the Hode Series Updated

The three book series for the new Robin Hood modern retelling called Hode has had its cover art updated. The bow is now pulled back into a firing position instead of remaining static.

Thank you, high school physical education class for a section on archery. The tactile information helped write scenes in this series. So support kinetic learning in your school system.

Hode: The Legend Lives Again is the first book in the series and will be out March 31st, 2018. 

The Roben Hode Adventure to be Released March 31st

I never thought a book could flow onto the page as quickly as this story did.

Hode: The Legend Lives Again is the origin story for this new book series. Meet his Merry Band of Men, and Will Scarlet:

“We must be true, loyal… Equal partners. Do you pledge to do right by each other and this world?”

“With an honorable leader.” Marian smiled. “A White King to guide us. As Marian James, I pledge. ”

“A Black Knight to keep us safe.” Dale nodded to the verbal contract. “As Dale Allan, I pledge.”

“Grey Magus to see beyond the mundane.” Tuck agreed also. “As Friar Tuck, I pledge.”

Robert looked to the sullen cryptoanarchist. “Well? What say you, Will Scarlet?

“As Will Scarlet…” He flipped Robert off.

Read about this new mythical hero on March 31, 2018 when Hode: The Legend Lives Again is released as a PDF EBook on Lulu via Sonoran Dawn Studio's Fiction Spotlight.

Have a heroic day!