It’s been a productive and entertaining week, and I’m thrilled to share what I’ve been up to and what I highly recommend you check out.
The collage to the right was a quick compilation I threw together a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I’ve been incredibly busy with writing that my art projects are suffering, although I do love the way this collage turned out.
I’ve made significant strides in the third book of my series. Barry’s journey is becoming more intense as he continues to absorb Azael’s powers. The plot is thickening, and I’m excited about the twists and turns that lie ahead.
I recently finished watching the new TV show “Ted,” and I absolutely loved it! The show is a breath of fresh air in the TV landscape. The show masterfully blends humor and heart, delivering a story that is both touching and hilarious. The characters are richly developed, each bringing their unique quirks and charms to the screen. The writing is sharp, and the performances are outstanding, making it easy to get hooked from the first episode. And it’s trashy, a must for me! If you’re looking for a feel-good show that will make you laugh, “Ted” is a must-watch!
That’s all for this week, folks! Keep following your passions, and don’t forget to take some time for yourself. Whether it’s diving into a new book, catching up on a show, or simply enjoying a moment of peace, make sure you’re nurturing your soul.
The evil stepmother has been featured in folklore, fairy tales, mythology, and literature for centuries, and she’s still a popular character who will appear in storylines for many years to come. While her archetype has evolved over time, she’s still portrayed as cruel, malicious, abusive, and all around wicked toward her stepchildren. This character has been a staple in stories dating back to ancient times, but how did she get her start and why does she continue to be so popular?
One of the earliest mentions of an evil stepmother dates to the Bible, in the story of Jacob and his two wives, Rachel and Leah. Leah is portrayed as the kind and nurturing wife, while Rachel is described as jealous and controlling. Rachel’s behavior towards her stepchildren is characterized by cruelty and manipulation as she tries to gain favor with her husband, like so many evil stepmothers do.
The archetype of the wicked stepmother traces back to ancient folklore and mythology from various cultures around the world. In many traditional stories, stepmothers are depicted as antagonistic figures who mistreat or harm their stepchildren out of jealousy, rivalry, or malevolence. In Greek mythology, the story of the sorceress Medea further solidifies the image of the evil stepmother when she seeks revenge on her husband, Jason, by killing their children due to a desire for vengeance. These narratives often serve as cautionary tales, warning against the dangers of domestic discord and conflict.
The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, collected and published numerous fairy tales in the early 19th century, many of which popularized evil stepmothers in stories such as Snow White and Cinderella. In these tales, the stepmothers are depicted as cruel and vindictive, driven by a desire to eliminate their stepdaughters in order to secure their own positions of power and influence.
The evil stepmother trope has been popularized and perpetuated through various literary works over the centuries. From classic novels to modern literature, authors have continued to explore and reinvent the archetype of the malevolent stepmother. In more recent times, the evil stepmother trope has been portrayed in various other forms of media such as movies, television shows, and theater. Characters like Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, and Regina Mills in Once Upon a Time have all become iconic examples of the evil stepmother figure, using their power and influence to manipulate and harm those around them. And it goes without saying that Disney has popularized the trope in their depictions of classic fairy tales.
Overall, the evil stepmother has been passed down through centuries of storytelling. While the character varies in appearance and motivation, she also reflects broader themes of power, jealousy, and familial dynamics that have resonated with audiences across generations. The evil stepmother serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of unchecked ambition and malevolence, and she continues to be a compelling figure in literature and popular culture today.
This Evil in Pop Culture series is being written in collaboration with AI text and image generators. Thanks to ChatGPT, EditPad Essay Writer, Adobe Firefly, and other uncensored AI image generators for your assistance in completing this project a whole hell of a lot faster.
Emo art is another school project. I had no idea this is a style until we were given a page full of art styles and told to create a piece for a few of them. I fell in love with Emo art as soon as I saw it, so much so that I’d love to do a graphic novel in this style.
I do have to admit that this is a bit of a rip off from DemiseMan on Deviant Art. Definitely check out that page. Really amazing stuff there. The monsters are especially fierce. Another reason to use the style for my own story in my own style.
Angels Dark & Dumb News: The outline for Corner of Hell and Second Chances is complete. And I started writing the first scenes. Barry meets Satan at the beginning of book #3.
Can you believe it? Almost 20? WOW! I had to go look up how long blogs have been around and found they started in 1994. That’s 10 years before I started this one. It was originally on the free WordPress site and then I created my own website. I tried a few other sites like Blogger, but WordPress has been my choice of website/blog tools most years.
Now that I’ve completely and totally bored you with technology talk, let me introduce this week’s artwork. This is called Drifting In or Floating In. Done for my Drawing I class, so it’s a photo of an old school piece that was done with ink and black watercolor. I don’t remember the exact assignment though. I think it had to do with foreground and background landscapes.
Unfortunately, there is a delay on the release of the new editions of Angels Dark and Dumb. Going day-to-day at the moment, still working on the new, improved covers. Until further notice, Warrant for Damnation will remain free upon request. While it is more than worth the wait for the new covers, I’m starting to feel like a kid at Christmas. LOL! At my age, I guess it’s a good thing.
The only other big news is that I finished the blog post I mentioned a few weeks ago about remaking the Angels Dark and Dumb. The Remaking of a Fiction Series and Why You Should Consider Remaking Yours is live on the ArmLin House blog, which is my media company’s website. You will find it particularly interesting if you are also a fiction writer.
