Week 2: Storybook Topics--Ummmmm. . .

Since last semester in Epics of India I wrote a storybook on epic romances, I have decided to try something different--possibly very different.  We shall just have to wait and see. . .

Topic 1:  Stories from Greco-Roman Mythology
Comments:  Just in case no one has noticed yet, I am a huge fan of Greco-Roman mythology.  My fascination with ancient history and culture is why I decided to become a letters major, and I would love to be able to spread my enjoyment to others through retelling some of my favorite stories.
Possible Stories: I could go in so many different directions with this topic, but I would probably focus on some notable women.  Possible stories would be:  Atalanta, Arachne, Medea, Medusa, Pandora, Europa or maybe Andromeda.
Sample Story Comments:   I love the story of Arachne because of how varied the tellings and endings are of the various versions of this tale that we have.  In some versions she wins her weaving competition against Athena, and in some she loses.  Of course, in all versions she is turned into a spider, and I do love a good etiology.
Bibliography Information:
Sample Story:  Arachne
Website: Wikipedia.

Topic 2:  Italian Folklore

Comments:  Of course since I am studying abroad in Italy there is much about the cultural heritage that fascinates me greatly at the moment, including the Italian folklore from various regions.

Possible Stories: Stories that interest me include The Language of Animals, Zelinda and the Monster, Sir Fiorante Magician, and maybe Water and Salt.

Sample Story Comments: I really enjoyed reading the story of Sir Fiorante and his wives, as it had a lot of twists and an ending that I still don't know how I feel about.  It's definitely different from the traditional fairy tales I grew up on, and that makes it very intriguing to me.

Bibliography Information:  

Sample Story: Sir Fiorante, Magician

Website: UnTextbook.

Topic 3:  Supernatural Creatures

Comments:  I've always loved a good fantasy or fairytale, filled with monsters and wondrous creatures.  This topic would allow me to take some of these stories and either retell them with my own flair or turn them on their heads in new and surprising ways.

Possible Stories: Honestly, I have creatures in mind more than specific stories.  I'd probably throw in a dragon, a phoenix, maybe a unicorn or pegasus, a griffin, and maybe a hippocampus or a siren.  Not quite sure, since there are so many creatures and stories to choose from!

Sample Story Comments: I really love the idea of writing a story about a griffin.  There are similar versions of this kind of creature throughout so many cultures and ideologies, and the griffin stood for a variety of different things depending on who it was used by.  It's also simply a magnificent creature, and I would love the chance to portray that.

Bibliography Information:  

Sample Story: Griffin

Website: Wikipedia.

Topic 4:  Urban Legends

Comments:  Everybody loves a good urban legend--admit it!  Horror stories in particular are fun to write and even more fun to read (especially in the dark, around a campfire, in the middle of the woods, on a chilly, moonless night, haha).  So, yeah, this could be an extremely fun and engaging storybook topic.

Possible Stories: Stories such as that of Black Agnes, black-eyed children, the vanishing hitchhiker, the limousine of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and more would be awesome to write!

Sample Story Comments: Black-eyed children are really interesting to me, especially because in the past couple of years there have been a surge of stories concerning their appearance.  Besides, there is so much I could do with the topic of mysteriously present, transient, creepy children appearing from the depths of darkness. . .

Bibliography Information:  

Sample Story:  Black-eyed Children

Website:  Snopes.