The Snowflake Chronicles

December/January Newsletter Letter from the Editor

Title 1

Mythological Creatures: Part 1

Title 2

Mythical Monsters of the Holiday Season

Hook

Are you ready to do rhyme with the Mari Lwyd on New Year's Eve?

About this Newsletter

It was the day before New Year's and all through the town,
All the holiday myths were alive and running around.

Letter From the Editor

The holiday season, occurring between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, is haunted by numerous myths that are frightening, supernatural, monstrous, and magical. One of this mythological creatures is the Mari Lwyd or the Christmas zombie horse. This skeleton mare, which is from Welsh tradition, haunts the streets accompanied by her undead attendants. She tries to get into the homes of the living. The only way to defeat this monster is to rhyme with her on New Year's Eve.

Another New Year's Eve mythological creature is Perchta. This witch has two goals. Her first goal is to reward humans who are both generous and hardworking. Her second is to punish people who are greedy and lazy. She roams the Earth on New Year's Eve looking for people to either reward or punish.

In January, after New Year's Day, La Befana (Italy) and Baboushka (Russia) roam. These witches, which come from the Mother Holle myth, also deal out rewards and punishment. Similar to Perchta they reward the industrious and punish the slackers.

There are other holiday monsters that either appear along with Saint Nicholas or at the same time. Saint Nicholas' companions are Krampus and Père Fouettard. Creatures making their appearance before or around Christmas are The Tomten, Belsnickel, Straggele, and Gryla who is accompanied by The Yule Lads (her thirteen sons) and The Yule Cat (her pet).

I challenge you to write a short story of 1500 words or less about one of these mythological monsters. The deadline for the my next issue is Wednesday, January 20, 2016. If you need to do more research see http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/monsters-of-christmas?utm_content=buffer18f.... At the bottom of this newsletter you will find a place to submit your story.

Editor's Picks

Tale of the Silver-Tongue  (18+) You think you know the story...but of course, you are unpardonably wrong. #2064941 by Professor Q

Excerpt: You think you know the story. In fact, it is one you think you know well. But of course, you are unpardonably wrong. You wouldn’t know the truth if it came up and smacked you in the face with a hammer. Hah! My apologies, I could not help it. My kind are so fond of weapons, I simply had to make the joke. At least one of them would hit you in the face with a hammer and call it fun.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #2064121 by Not Available.

Excerpt: The elder brown dragon carefully opened her eyes, checking to be sure her clutch-mates were still sleeping. The hardy, deep breathing of all dragons told her they were, but you could still never be too careful. As had become her habit since turning brown, she snuck past them all until she reached the cavern’s entrance. Here she was greeted by the midnight watch, who would be relieved just after dawn.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #2067022 by Not Available.

Excerpt: "When time began...the universe expanded into the vast space we know today, creating thousands of new worlds, many that are still left to be identified. We knew there was so much more to be found, to be claimed, conquered, to create the world we had always wanted. I am telling you of how it began. How I first came to be."

Curses and Blessings of the Wind  (E) A kingdom falls. The wind speaks. People turn mad. One girl at the centre of it all. #2024690 by Iris Archwood

Excerpt: "Quiet, and open your ears. Now I will tell you a tale carried by the wind's own breath. Many variations of this tale appear, but here I will recount the truest of them all. Where to begin? Every storyteller begins differently. Some begin with the lonely mystic and his chance encounter with an exile. Many begin with the Madnesses that shattered an island, while others go further back, to a time when the Thalassan Kingdom still ruled the world's oceans. None, however, disagree that the girl Ali is central to these events, and so I begin where she began - on the night where she departed from the trodden path of her people, and set foot on her own uncertain, fateful voyage.

Child Dreamer  (E) For children and young at heart dreamers! #2008162 by eyestar~*

Excerpt: A Little collection of items for children and young at heart dreamers.

Feed Back from
"Fantasy Newsletter (December 2, 2015)" 

chord0 writes: hello
This is extremely helpful newsletter, editing is definitely important. My greatest challenge with writing is
discovering how to show and tell and use the right words to do so, especially dialogue.

thank you for this wonderful newsletter
gchord0