Ask the Author: H.R. Harrison
Answered Questions (5)
H.R. Harrison
Funnily enough, I was talking with some people in the fan discord for a webtoon called Lore Olympus. We were discussing some of the changes from myth to that particular adaptation, which then led to my thinking about other adaptations I'd seen, Rick Riordan's in particular.
I've never been quite satisfied with adaptations of Dionysus. He's a very complicated mythological figure, with an odd combination of aspects, characteristics, and stories. He defies easy characterization. Even if you define him by intoxication, there are a million ways to pull that thread. Is his intoxication the giggling compliments of a young woman in a club bathroom? The retching of a college student curled around a porcelain throne? The red face and unnerving power of an abusive partner? Is he all of them? None?
In our culture, we often make light of drink, but to warp the mind and dull the senses, to steal memories and even lives, these are also tales of mankind and alcohol.
So I did research, and I began to write. We'll see where it goes.
I've never been quite satisfied with adaptations of Dionysus. He's a very complicated mythological figure, with an odd combination of aspects, characteristics, and stories. He defies easy characterization. Even if you define him by intoxication, there are a million ways to pull that thread. Is his intoxication the giggling compliments of a young woman in a club bathroom? The retching of a college student curled around a porcelain throne? The red face and unnerving power of an abusive partner? Is he all of them? None?
In our culture, we often make light of drink, but to warp the mind and dull the senses, to steal memories and even lives, these are also tales of mankind and alcohol.
So I did research, and I began to write. We'll see where it goes.
H.R. Harrison
The trite, boring answer is "read widely and often", but my more personal advice would be: "Don't be worried if a version of your story has been told before. If you break any story down to its basics, they've *all* been told before. What makes yours special is your perspective, what tropes and plotlines you like, what characters move you. You don't have to reinvent tea; just make a blend you want to drink. There will be others who want to drink it too."
H.R. Harrison
I've always liked stories. My mother likes to talk about how when I was in preschool, I was always first on the story rug. I always had little stories and characters in my head. However, "writing" always sounded difficult and daunting. I was content to keep my stories in my head.
That changed in middle school, when I read Sabriel by Garth Nix. That book touched something in me, showed me what I could *do* as a writer, how I could connect with someone and really share those stories in my head.
I've been writing ever since, to varying degrees of quality, haha!
That changed in middle school, when I read Sabriel by Garth Nix. That book touched something in me, showed me what I could *do* as a writer, how I could connect with someone and really share those stories in my head.
I've been writing ever since, to varying degrees of quality, haha!
H.R. Harrison
Currently, I'm stepping out of my fairy tale novella comfort zone and writing a novel based on the many myths surrounding the Greek god Dionysus. I'm not 100% sure where it's going, but it's been a long time since I wrote a proper novel, and I'm excited by the challenge.
H.R. Harrison
Generally, I pick up a WIP I haven't touched in a while and reread until I reach the previous stopping point. Often, I'll end up writing at least a few paragraphs. If not, I might start something new entirely; maybe look up a new fairy tale to adapt, start a fanfiction for a new fandom, or work on my D&D campaign.
If all else fails, I reread old favorite books or fics and remind myself what it is I want to give people by writing.
If all else fails, I reread old favorite books or fics and remind myself what it is I want to give people by writing.
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