Almost midnight update

[gategrrl]

13,077 / 50,000 (26.2%)

I'm going on writing, though. I'm way behind on my personal goal (by about seven thousand words!) but what the hell. It's my own fault. I couldn't seem to sit down and concentrate on it at all. I'd call the window up and stare at it for a moment or two, then switch to a forum or LJ.

So bad, so bad.

Tomorrow is another early Starbuck's day. I HAVE to get the story moving more. I'm now wishing I had stuck with the Snowflake method more, but I think the shape of the story is gathering into a thing more substantial. At least, I'm hoping. I've been reading up on mythology of the underworld, and the various cultures. The Greek and Roman myths are so tired. The Azteks had their own underworld, and it seems like Wiccans have their own version as well - although whether it's connected more with the pre1940s version or not, I'm not positive. I have to check out some American Indian and Aboriginal myths, too.

But it's interesting that in the few stories I've dug up (no pun intended) many of them seem to have the same roots as the Inanna story from Akkadia, which lacks the beginning and the end of the story, but fah, who cares, it's a good story with two sisters duking it out in a battle of wills. Very cool. And it plays nicely into the story I'm writing.

Another thing I've noticed, and I'm not sure if this is because these stories originate altogether on some deep intercultural level, is how the four points of the compass are represented, either by actual directions, or metaphorical rivers. Greek and Roman myths owe a debt to the Inanna story and the descendent Egyptian stories of Osiris and his gang, of course - but how would that connect to the Aztek's belief of a nine level hell, and the four points where different kinds of souls congregate? OOooooo, and how could I have forgotten the death myths of the Nepalese and China and Japan and the "far east"? Must look those up.

How old were you when you realized that your life could end?
I was in elementary school, fourth grade, I think, and it kept me up nights in terror.
Mermaid hit that wall of mortality around the same time, and I think she had the same kind of metaphysical bottom fall out from under her, too. I wish it hadn't slammed into her like it did me, but kids seem to "forget" what they know and go ahead and live without the fear taking over their lives. You know - to the point where they decide not to do dumb things?

Now that I've depressed everyone on my flist who cared to read this, thanks for listening. And if you know any cool resources or stories yourselves having to do with death/afterlife myths, please let me know! I will be very (though not eternally) grateful!

Comments

[crazymadjo.livejournal.com]

Are you writing a thesis or a story? *g* Screw the research and let your imagination run wild. It's NaNo!



Oh, I don't remember any particular moment when the reality of death struck me. I'm sure it did, I just don't remember!

[burbler.livejournal.com]

I don't think I realised my life could end until I had chest pains :(

I do not know the angst of writing, but I am sure it will all come together :)