persephone_kore

Ah those scenes. Half a dozen things have to be done, by people whose intentions include none of them. Particularly not info-dumping.

But things like the heroine's dropping some knowledge in the middle so that they revise their plans to shove off the problem customer on the newbie.

Or the heroine's brother is talking with the king when she arrives with the prince, thus letting it be known what plans the king is making, when no detail is needed.

And they require careful and subtle orchestrating of what is said when, so as to give everyone motives.

sigh

 

The Secrets of Story: Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers by Matt Bird

A how-to-write book. Despite the title, mostly for TV and movie writers, down to and including explaining that a prose writer has it easier.

Nevertheless, some useful ideas, particularly about irony, such as the character's flaw should be a flip-side of a strength to add reason to not want to fix it. None of the jargon was impenetrable.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
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The Snake Prince and Other Stories: Burmese Folk Tales by Edna Ledgard

A varied collection. I think a little overwritten, but the tales are a new slice, fitting a new culture. Fairy tales, including a kind and unkind girls featuring a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and a unique take on burning the skin of the shape-shifted: the Naga prince is not killed but he is rendered mortal to live and grow old and die with his bride.

Also tales of fools and clever men, and animal tales.

Most are recognizable types, but not close to other variants.