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Hail listeners of the Muse! I am back as guest editor for April and found some amazing authors have April Birthdays! Among them is one of my favourite storytellers, Hans Christian Andersen!
"It is the writer who might catch the imagination of young people, and plant a seed that will flower and come to fruition."
– Isaac Asimov
"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." Hans Christian Andersen
“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia
"And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name."
Another April baby, William Shakespeare (from A Midsummer NIght's Dream)
On my desk at home is a little pewter statue of "the little mermaid" sitting on a rock, a memento I could not resist purchasing on an unexpected romp around Copenhagen, while waiting for a delayed flight to Yugoslavia. One of my favourite and first "fantasy" authors of my childhood was the Dane Hans Christian Andersen and so to visit his homeplace was amazing. The highlight of the trip was to see the real statue by the water, a tribute to the beloved tale teller of the town.
Born on April 2, 1805 in Odense, Denmark to a shoemaker and his laundress wife, Hans was destined for a greater vista as his parents nutured his imagination. At a young age he went off to Copenhagen and tried on a number of hats: dancer, singer, actor and when he failed at this, he had the luck of being granted scholarship at age 17. He was not a good student and never learned to write and spell well in Danish. His writing style remained simple as he wrote like he spoke, quite different from writers of the time. He did pass his exams by writing his first narrative in 1825, which was successful and led to his writing more poetry.
He published his first novel "The Improvisator" in 1835 and his first book of tales were well received well in Denmark, England and Germany. He wrote five more novels but dramas were not to be his strength. His most memorable contributions were his fairytales, travel books and autobiography.
He travelled alot and stayed with wealthy Danish friends and made friends with other authors including his favourite, Charles Dickens. It seemed they had a common focus in their writing: the poor underprivileged, tales of transcendance through hard work, guts and good fortune.
At first along with his friends and critics, he was not happy with his tales and almost gave up. He rewrote old tales first and then created his own, each with an appealing message and imagery. He came to believe that the fairy tale "could be universal poetry" a combination of folk art and literature, displaying tragic and comical elements of life. In many of his tales his love for children, observations of life and his own experiences shine forth with all the wonderful imagination of a muse.
His works were written for both child and adult and can be interpreted in many layers just like poetry. Who can forget the poignancy of the Christmas tale of the "The Little Match Girl" or the potent message in "The Ugly Duckling" and the fun of "The Princess and the Pea" or the charm of "Thumbellina". One of the most famous is his redemptive tale of " The Little Mermaid" (1837}. (Disney did not do it justice in my book... I was quite disappointed with the end.)
He is considered to be a groundlayer for later classic works like "Wind in the Willows" and even "Winnie the Pooh." in making the innanimate things like toys like "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" come to life in ways that appeal to all. Perhaps he was the Walt Disney of his time.
His masterful works still have appeal and have inspired people for ages since as they have been made into ballets, musicals, plays, movies etc. He passed on in August 1875 from an old injury, leaving behind a legendary legacy.
On my wall is a likeness of Hans sitting at his desk by candle light and all around him images from his stories filling the space. I am often inspired by it.... and wish on that same star....
Why not give this kind of fantastical writing a try:
Thanks for reading and Happy Spring! ( and Happy birthday to all of my fellow April babies...Remember, you are here to inspire and be inspired just like the impulse of spring!
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Fantasy: April 04, 2018 Issue [#8830]
Born on April 2, 1805 in Odense, Denmark to a shoemaker and his laundress wife, Hans was destined for a greater vista as his parents nutured his imagination. At a young age he went off to Copenhagen and tried on a number of hats: dancer, singer, actor and when he failed at this, he had the luck of being granted scholarship at age 17. He was not a good student and never learned to write and spell well in Danish. His writing style remained simple as he wrote like he spoke, quite different from writers of the time. He did pass his exams by writing his first narrative in 1825, which was successful and led to his writing more poetry.
He published his first novel "The Improvisator" in 1835 and his first book of tales were well received well in Denmark, England and Germany. He wrote five more novels but dramas were not to be his strength. His most memorable contributions were his fairytales, travel books and autobiography.
He travelled alot and stayed with wealthy Danish friends and made friends with other authors including his favourite, Charles Dickens. It seemed they had a common focus in their writing: the poor underprivileged, tales of transcendance through hard work, guts and good fortune.
At first along with his friends and critics, he was not happy with his tales and almost gave up. He rewrote old tales first and then created his own, each with an appealing message and imagery. He came to believe that the fairy tale "could be universal poetry" a combination of folk art and literature, displaying tragic and comical elements of life. In many of his tales his love for children, observations of life and his own experiences shine forth with all the wonderful imagination of a muse.
His works were written for both child and adult and can be interpreted in many layers just like poetry. Who can forget the poignancy of the Christmas tale of the "The Little Match Girl" or the potent message in "The Ugly Duckling" and the fun of "The Princess and the Pea" or the charm of "Thumbellina". One of the most famous is his redemptive tale of " The Little Mermaid" (1837}. (Disney did not do it justice in my book... I was quite disappointed with the end.)
He is considered to be a groundlayer for later classic works like "Wind in the Willows" and even "Winnie the Pooh." in making the innanimate things like toys like "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" come to life in ways that appeal to all. Perhaps he was the Walt Disney of his time. 
His masterful works still have appeal and have inspired people for ages since as they have been made into ballets, musicals, plays, movies etc. He passed on in August 1875 from an old injury, leaving behind a legendary legacy. 
Why not give this kind of fantastical writing a try: 
A few tales for you!
