The brother of the cruel sister

[pegkerr]

I have a mild urge to write the story of a conversation between Hugh and the miller's daughter, re: this story. (Or maybe William and the miller's daugther?)

Problem is, Pat Wrede has already written the story of the confrontation between the middle sister and the harper. And I critiqued it in manuscript, too, before it was published.

Hmm . . .

The thing is, we're both haunted by that song for the very same reason: we went to see Loreena McKennitt in concert together where she sang that song. In fact, I'm the one who persuaded Pat to go with me.

Comments

[sisterpandora.livejournal.com]

Umm, here's a copy of the lyrics with no pop-up ads if ya want.

[splagxna.livejournal.com]

i wanted to write a story about that from the first time i heard the song, too. i wanted to write the harper and the drowned swangirl... somehow, i always thought she'd be a nasty piece of work.

Thanks!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Have fixed.

It's been done before? So what!

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

Considering how many stories have been based on "Tam Lin" and how many have been based on "Thomas the Rhymer," surely
there's room for at least one more based on this comparatively-underused ballad?

I suggest asking Pat Wrede what she thinks.

[corinnethewise.livejournal.com]

Interesting, haunting song. That story would be interesting. I enjoyed Pat Wrede's when I read it as well, which just makes me want to read different versions of the story.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Why are you worried that the story was writen already? You'll write it differently.

B

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Why? Because I'm an idjit, that's why. I'm being very irrationally fretful with my anxieties over writing this week. It's growing very tiresome, I know. Sorry.

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

I used to lie awake, worrying about my insomnia. So I can sympathize with irrational anxieties.

[kishmish.livejournal.com]

Write it:) If it resonates with you, it needs to be written. Just because someone else wrote it doesn't mean it wouldn't be nicer to have two books on the subject:D

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Let's have lunch/dinner when I get back.

B

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Love to. Thanks.

[merryharper.livejournal.com]

This is a tangential reply, but this ballad recalls a book to mind that, if you haven't read, you might enjoy. Are you in the mood for reading something? Of course we'd all much rather have you writing. (!)

The Perilous Gard, by Elizabeth Marie Pope, is set in Elizabethan times, and touches on the faerie folk -- ethereal, otherworldly things. It's well-written and eminently rereadable; I don't know how many times I've read it from front to back. (Usually I just go back and reread my favorite scenes from a book over and over, but some books that you try to do that to make you go back to the beginning, and once you're there, pull you through the whole thing all over again. This is one.)

It does quote a few lines from this ballad, to a purpose. :) (There's incentive!)

Thanks for the link to the lyrics! -And do think writing your own conversation: there's always room for another! I'll look forward to reading it.

cheers,
Meredith