Natalie Guttormsson & The Folklore Forum

Here’s the thing Reader, I LOVE a research rabbit hole. When I’m learning about something new, my mind runs down every possible path to find out what might be related or connected to the idea I started with. For example, as I mentioned last time, I started researching fairy rings after watching an episode of Bluey (the Australian kid's cartoon). My first question was: do fairy rings make you dance? (As the episode of Bluey suggested). The answer was Yes! Entering a fairy ring will cause you...

Hey Reader, Is there something you wish you knew more about folklore, Iceland, writing, or my stories? Go ahead, ask me anything. If I don't know the answer, I'll get it for you from my trusted sources. Because here's the thing... there is a lot of fake information out there. Especially about Iceland. Whether it's the language barrier, not having access to experts, or content creators valuing clicks over truth. What makes me your trustworthy source? >> On Iceland: My grandfather was...

Well, Reader, I'm late to the ACOTAR party. That's the short form for the book "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas. I've heard A LOT about this book, both positive, negative, and indifferent, but I'm only on chapter five, so I don't have an independent opinion yet. Yesterday, however, I stumbled on a Reddit discussion of the villains in the ACOTAR series. Contributors were discussing what they loved, hated, and wished Maas had done differently. which prompted me to consider my...

Naming characters in a story is like naming your children. You want the names to have meaning and reflect their personalities. Sometimes you nail it! And other times, the perfect name reveals itself after the fact–hopefully, this part happens with story characters more often than with children. When an author finds the perfect name for a character after writing, they can easily go into their documents and change that name by using “find and replace.” However, I can’t just change a name in my...

Reader, when was the last time you felt overwhelmed, threatened, small, and totally lost? Chances are high that you weren’t in the middle of a dark forest like a fairy tale character. But I bet you felt this way recently while scrolling on social media. Between shrinking reach and algorithms, disturbing AI images in the explore fields, and threatening comments and DMs, it’s no wonder these apps are becoming everything the folk tales warned us about the woods. Think about it. We’ve got…...

Hey Reader, have you ever wondered why there is so much variety in elf stories? In some tales, they appear out of the earth (think rocks and hills) and entice humans to follow them home. In other tales, they appear in dreams, offering helpful advice or asking for help. If you help them properly or listen to their wisdom, you’ll be well off. But watch out that you don't offend them or mock them up, or you'll put yourself at their mercy. In Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland, these variations are...

Hi Reader, I’m so excited to tell you that my new novella, The Fall of the Queen of Elphame, is now available! If you’re feeling worn out or oversaturated by the holiday season, this is your well-deserved escape. The Fall of the Queen of Elphame is not your typical Thomas the Rhymer story. This story features: >>A new spin on a classic folktale >>A new take on elves & fairyland >>Medieval Scotland setting >>Magic, prophecies & parallel worlds >>Action & Romance One reader said: "I was...

Hey Reader, Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, what are your usual practices? This week, I’ve heard a variety of far-reaching traditions, from visiting seasonal haunted houses to real haunted houses to egging neighbours houses to costume parties and trick-or-treating with kids. When I was a kid, we’d layer our snowsuits under our costumes and trick-or-treat through the neighbourhood until our toes were numb. We’d have pillowcases full of treats from chips to candy to chocolate. I stopped...

Hi Reader, Over the weekend, we celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada. It’s a time to gather with family and friends and feel gratitude for all the wonderful things in life and the world. The positivity of the weekend spills over past the weekend, much like the leftovers and pumpkin pie! One of the things I’m grateful for is you! Connecting with readers like you is an amazing honour. To show my gratitude, I’ve created something special for you Reader. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the...