But I ask you: What is wrong with wanting to see more of the world?
Nothing!
So, on those two counts, I altered the tale. Rather than the flighty creature in Andersen’s tale, I believe a nature-spirt born with a direct relationship to trees would be steady, solid, focused, and determined. Thus, Mags was born. More apt to be silent and solitary, sturdy and resilient than whimsical and capricious.
And what about that trip? The fact that Andersen’s dryad got punished for her curiosity and sense of adventure just didn’t sit well with me. I wanted my tree hugger to find joy at the end of her journey, to rise above her trials and tribulations. Mags is also curious when she leaves home. But her curiosity is driven from a deep wound. And though her journey isn’t characterized by whimsy, there are some wild woods and a bit of enchantment along the way.
The third novella in my Once Upon a Time Today collection, The Tree Hugger is now available.
To celebrate this new release, all three novellas and the prelude to the Once Upon a Time Today collection, are $0.99.
What a perfect time to get your fairy tale fix!
What a perfect time to get your fairy tale fix!