C. C. Harper - Author

 Remember when I said my mind felt like a chaotic storm filled with worry and sadness? Well, it still is! But rather than stay stuck in this creative slump, I decided to dive into updating my Erandelle Guidebook. Just a casual 40 new pages, no big deal. On top of that, I created a guide for the Esir’s constructed language and its dialects for the Kril and Selies. Easy, right? If you’re not up to speed, Erandelle is my fictional world that I’ve been shaping for a quite a while, and is connected to a novel that’s still giving me the runaround. I promise I’ll finish it eventually; I have until I’m 132! If you’re curious, my first post on Medium shares the details of the early draft . But back to the guide. I desperately needed something to keep my creativity flowing, so I made a basic outline of the cultures and customs of my fictional characters. Feeling as creatively stuck as I was, I thought tackling something simpler might help. To my surprise, this mechanical approach didn’t just...

  I would like to start by apologizing for being so quiet since the end of September, but life has a way of sneaking up on you, doesn’t it? Sometimes it feels like someone just dropped a bomb in your life, and suddenly, everything feels off balance leaving no room for anything else. I received some very bad news about someone I deeply care for and processing that has been a tremendous challenge. I’ve found myself managing the entire situation quite poorly, and it’s been really hard to find my footing. These news have clouded my mind with worry and sadness, making it difficult to engage in the creative and writing process that I usually love. In all honesty I wish I could say I have a solution or a way to make it all better, but I’m still figuring things out. So I’m slowly learning to cope, and to accept that it’s okay to not be okay right now. Sometimes, I suppose, just acknowledging your struggles can be the first step toward healing. Thank you for your understanding and patience....

  In today’s midweek prompt - which you may freely consider slightly lengthy for a writing prompt - we’re going back to an urban fantasy setting, to the witches, the magic and the supernatural.   So here it goes: In the heart of a neon-lit metropolis, where the dazzling glow of modernity gleams against the backdrop of age-old secrets, a forgotten coven stirs from its century-long slumber. The city, a fusion of towering skyscrapers and dark alleyways, hums with an energy that pulses just beneath its surface. Ancient magic, once cloaked in shadow and silence, begins to seep into the streets, awakening forces long thought to be extinct.  Here, amidst the chaos of honking cars and flickering streetlights, you find yourself entangled in a web woven from the threads of your ancestry. You are a witch, a proud descendant of the Forsaken Coven—a group banished from the magical realm for daring to summon powers deemed too dangerous for mortal hands. Until recently, your life h...

  There’s something delightfully magical about a garden gnome. Isn’t there? Standing quietly in a flowerbed or nestled between shrubs, they seem to simply watch over their surroundings—innocent, stationary, perhaps even ordinary. Or are they? I’ve always been deeply fascinated by these little figures, especially after watching The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain . There was something so whimsical about the idea of a garden gnome secretly traveling the world, sending postcards to its unsuspecting owner. It made me wonder—what if these gnomes have lives of their own when we’re not looking? During one of my trips to Finland, I noticed that many cabins had their own resident gnomes. They stood in gardens, watching over homes as if they had always been part of the landscape. And for the first time, I began to imagine what sort of stories these gnomes could tell if they came to life. What world do they belong to when the stars come out and the humans go to sleep? In European folklore,...

I always like trying out new tools, that I haven't tried out before. For this one, I used Canva , which I generally use for everything because it's user friendly, quite intuitive and very diverse. I have been using the free version so far, but this video was made with the Pro version. 

  I know today should be midweek prompt day, and I didn’t post last week because I was traveling and, planning and scheduling in advance is just some sort of alternate concept that sometimes I use, sometimes I don’t, but… Today I just want to tell you that, recently, I came to the realization that it's important to celebrate small victories.  Now this might seem obvious to many of you, but for a long time, I overlooked these moments, always keeping my eyes fixed on what I considered to be the bigger goals. Like many others, I thought only large accomplishments deserved recognition. But now, my mind has shifted, and I understand that the small wins—those moments that seem utterly insignificant to others—are often what sustain us in the long run. Take, for example, being awarded a tiny blue badge acknowledging that you’ve published a book. Just like the one I now have next to my name and looks so cute. On the surface, it’s just a digital marker—something that doesn’t attest to t...

  Here is a video containing excerpts from my book, The Bloodstar. These are from 2 different passages from the same chapter. I made this video because I wanted to know how it sounded when the texts were read out loud, and now I know. First lesson learned: Pay more attention to punctuation! It matters, and I have already noticed some mistakes. But live and learn. I’ll work harder to correct those and will also work harder to make new ones so it doesn’t get boring.

  A couple of years ago, I attended a training about storytelling and writing. So as a part of our exercises, we were asked to come up with a draft for a story we would like to tell. Something simple, not very fancy nor detailed. Just something that could set the wheels in motion.  As per usual, with me, nothing is ever simple. My neurons start firing at each other and arguing “do this!”, and the other goes “No! Do that!” and then a third one comes into play and says “Oh bullocks! You’re ruining everything, do this instead!”, then finally the referee shows up – whenever that may be, but preferably before they all start grabbing on each other’s throats – blows the whistle and puts some order in the place.  Therefore, when asked to keep things short and simple, normally I panic and start wondering what sort of sorcery I should resort to in order to accomplish such task… just like what I’m doing right now.  Anyway, long story short, after this long internal battle I cam...

  Today, I want to share some thoughts on AI and the use of Large Language Models (LLMs). Back in April, I presented my perspective on AI in an article titled “ The AI Factor .” In this piece, I’m diving deeper into the subject, this time based on a specific experience I had recently. Before I get into the details, let me share a bit about myself. I’m not one to follow trends blindly. I did that during my early high school years, but I eventually grew out of it and started thinking independently—around the same time I began writing. This means that just because many people hold strong opinions on a topic, it doesn’t necessarily mean I agree with them. I respect their right to their opinions, regardless of how they’ve formed them. Now that you have this background, let’s dive into the matter at hand. Last Friday, I received an email from my self-publishing platform inviting me to take a survey about LLMs and the creation of original content by writers. They were exploring new revenu...

  Pixies, those small, mischievous beings of English folklore, have long captured our imagination with their playful nature and mysterious charm. Originating primarily from the West Country of England, particularly in Devon and Cornwall, pixies are often depicted as tiny, elf-like creatures with pointed ears and a sprightly demeanor. Their origins are believed to be ancient, possibly linked to pre-Christian beliefs in nature spirits or even the remnants of Celtic deities. The Guardians of Nature Pixies are intrinsically tied to the natural world, and are often seen as guardians of the earth, as they embody the untamed spirit of the wild countryside. They inhabit secluded places like woodlands, glens, and ancient stone circles, where they live in harmony with the environment. It is said that they are particularly fond of dancing in the moonlight, creating fairy rings—circles of mushrooms that appear overnight in fields and forests. While pixies are generally benevolent, guiding lost...

  What better  way to restart my blog posting than with a recommendation?  A couple of days ago, I came across this wonderful website from one of our experts, and I got immediately fascinated by it. I positively loved its simplicity and cleanliness, like it is a space which allows you to breathe as you explore all the different sections.  Carefully curated by Ana Catarina Palma Neves , " Words in Ideas " is a captivating website/blog that offers an insightful journey into the world of literature through the power of words and their ability to shape our perceptions of the world around us. Whether you’re a book lover, a writer, or simply someone who enjoys delving into well-articulated thoughts, this website is a treasure trove of inspiration. The sections like " The Intrepid Book Society " and " Word Chronicles " are particularly engaging, offering readers a fresh perspective on both classic and contemporary works. The author’s ability to weave personal ins...

  Happy folklore Friday people! Usually I post a bit earlier, but unfortunately my work life took the best of me today. However, for the sake of some consistency, let me quickly dive into the mystical world of water sprites since they decided to crash into my thoughts today.  Unbeknown to many, these watery wonders have been making a splash in folklore and mythology for ages, hanging around rivers, lakes, and springs like enchanted party guests. From their beauty to their mischief, water sprites have been soaking up attention worldwide, showing us the deep connection between humans and the aquatic realms they call home.  In European tales, these freshwater guardians are quite the celebrities, flaunting their beauty, frolicking nature, and occasional mischievous streak. Back in ancient Greece, for example, they went by the name naiads - freshwater nymphs in charge of fountains, wells, and the whole H2O gang. Often seen as youthful and exquisite maidens, naiads symbolize th...

  In my quest to master the chaos and add a sprinkle of order to my blog, I discovered a genius trick – dedicating specific days to celebrate certain themes. Et voilà! Just like my iconic Folklore Fridays, now I shall be rolling out Prompt Wednesdays for your (or mine, to be more honest) midweek inspiration. Not the most original names, granted, but hey, they will surely get the job done! So, here I am on this wonderful Wednesday pondering all things dark, gothic, and fantastical. It seems I can't help but drift towards this sub-genre; there's just something always intriguing about the gloomy, decaying world of dark, gothic fantasy where characters tend to lean towards madness or turn to the (un)dead. Nevertheless, despite the heavy dose of tragedy and impending doom that defines this genre, who can resist indulging in a nice cup of tea or coffee while diving into Bram Stoker's "Dracula" or Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman"? Given these considerations, whe...

  Today, on folklore friday, I'm going to tell you a bit about werewolves. After all, they are characters in my book, so might as well explain a little about them.  The myth of werewolves, or lycanthropy, is a widespread and persistent part of folklore in many cultures, and the concept of humans transforming into wolves dates back to ancient times. The term "lycanthropy" comes from the Greek word "lykánthropos", meaning "wolf-human", and one of the earliest known accounts is the story of King Lycaon in Greek mythology.  According to the myth, told in Ovid's "Metamorphoses", Lycaon, king of Arcadia, doubted the divinity of Zeus and decided to test the god's omniscience. So he decided to invite Zeus to a banquet and served him a dish made from the flesh of a sacrificed boy, which was either one of his own sons or a hostage, depending on the version of the story. This heinous act was intended to mock Zeus and test whether he would recogn...

  I've been wondering for a while about the distinctions between "authors" and "writers," but I never really bothered to dive into it. But hey, here I am now actually thinking about it. Why the sudden interest? Well, I'll attribute it to my crazy allergy situation and all the pills I'm popping to keep it under control. So here goes nothing. What I figured out, during my research, was that when it comes to literature and storytelling, people tend to use "author" and "writer" interchangeably, which can be confusing. Even though both involve creating written works, there are actually some important differences between the two. So, let's look into these distinctions and unravel what it truly means to be an author versus a writer. **Defining Authors and Writers:** At first glance, it might seem that authors and writers perform the same function: they write. However, the distinction lies in the scope and intention of their work. **Autho...

  When I began reading the book 'Provoking the Lost', I initially assumed it would be a story involving vampires. I refrained from reading any reviews because I prefer forming my own opinions when reading a book. The presence of the word 'Lost' in the title brought to mind the 1987 film 'The Lost Boys' directed by Joel Schumacher. While some may consider the vampire theme overused in literature, there remains potential for fresh angles, different viewpoints, and unique storylines. Thus, the connection seemed logical to me. It appears that I was completely wrong. Aside from the bear's fangs as it tried to scare off salmon thieves, there were no other fangs in this book. Despite the upset bear, one thing I got right was the fresh and unique narrative style that the book presented. The contemporary dialogue in the book is so natural that it feels like you're eavesdropping on the characters, making it very engaging. The characters are strong, realistic, and ...

  Long before fairies mass invaded contemporary literature, they were already widely featured in classical works such as William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan," as well as numerous fairy tales and legends from different cultures worldwide. It is evident that fairies and their magical escapades have long been integral to folklore and mythology in various societies, with some cultures holding notably robust traditions and beliefs concerning these mystical entities. Examining, for example, the Celtic cultures, Fairies play a significant role in their folklore, particularly within Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Breton traditions. In Celtic mythology, they are often referred to as "sidhe" or "aes sídhe" and are believed to inhabit hills, mounds, and natural landscapes. In contrast, Scandinavian folklore depicts fairies known as "huldufólk" in Iceland, "huldre" in Norway, and "h...

"Between the Shadows" distinguishes itself from the first two books in the Sky Watcher series. The initial book delves into Charlotte's tale, while in the second, her friends attempt to correct what they see as a mistake by tampering with the timeline. In contrast, the third book finds them once more meddling with time, oblivious to the metaphorical presence of a frustrated lady holding scissors, who is starting to be perturbed by the repeated interference in her thread-cutting endeavors. Nonetheless, before her anger fully surfaces in a gradual building process throughout the book, we explore Ben and Charlotte's everyday life as a married couple. We see them tackling the challenges together. Some of these challenges, I must confess, truly tested my patience. However, when I recalled Ben's insecurities about why Charlotte would leave her modern life for him, I couldn't help but think, "How sweet!" Despite this, Keen Wolf remains unbeatable, but still...

  My earliest obsession, as I like to refer to it, in the realm of literature was with the myths and legends of ancient Greece. This particular passion took hold when I was sixteen years old, right after I finished reading Marion Zimmer Bradley's book 'The Firebrand'. Over the years that followed, I delved into everything related to ancient Greek myths and legends. I devoured books, watched documentaries, and absorbed as much information as possible to expand my knowledge. It all began with the Trojan War and its characters, leading me to explore other wars, characters, the complete pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, demigods, mythological creatures, and their captivating stories. Among these tales, one that stood out to me was about Heracles and the tragic murder of his friend Iphitus. This tale, like many others, offers multiple interpretations. However, my preference lies with the version narrated by Robert Graves in his book 'Greek Myths'. As we know, the narrative...

  As anticipated in numerous works of science fiction, video games, and movies, the era of Artificial Intelligence has arrived, bringing controversy in its wake. Also as expected, society typically avoids debating these advancements proactively; instead, discussions arise only when the technology is on our doorstep, enforcing a sudden adjustment to a new reality rather than promoting a smooth transition. Consequently, due to common human behavior, individuals are launching passionate crusades against the implementation of AI, though in certain domains more than in others. The controversy surrounding AI arises from several factors, such as: Ethical Considerations: The increasing sophistication and autonomy of AI systems raise ethical concerns regarding AI bias, privacy violations, and the possibilities of misuse for surveillance or manipulation. Job Displacement: A major concern regarding AI is its ability to automate tasks that have historically been done by humans. This can resu...

  In Finland, a country which I hold most dear, one of the most popular and iconic folklore tales is the epic poem known as the "Kalevala”. This work, compiled by Elias Lönnrot in the 19th century, is a collection of traditional Finnish oral poetry that celebrates the mythology, heroes, and cultural heritage of the Finnish people. Furthermore, and as a mere curiosity, although there is no direct evidence to suggest that J.R.R. Tolkien was directly inspired by the Kalevala in the creation of Middle-earth, the fact is that it is possible to establish some parallels and similarities between elements of Tolkien's work and Finnish mythology. But back to the matter at hand, because if I start talking about the parallelism between these two works, I’ll get carried away and will end up just losing myself in it. So, about the Kalevala… The Kalevala is composed of 50 songs or ‘runes’, which tell the stories of legendary heroes such as Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkäinen, as well as...

  ‘The Mists of Avalon’, by Marion Zimmer Bradley were the first books I ever read about the Arthurian Legends, after that I developed an uncontrollable passion for the theme and read everything I could possibly lay my hands on the topic. It wasn’t my first love. My first love was the Trojan War and began when I was reading the ‘Firebrand’ by the same author. Then, of course, I developed an immense crush on all the characters of the story. It was so great that I ended up reading the Iliad, and then the Odyssey and everything in between from fact to fiction. Yet, today, folklore friday is about the mystical island of Avalon, where the legendary sword Excalibur was forged and King Arthur was laid to rest.   Avalon is often depicted as a separate realm or a hidden land beyond the mortal world, therefore its precise location is an ongoing  matter of debate and interpretation, with numerous legends placing it in different locations such as England or Wales. This mystical ...

  Today, I am going to share a deeply personal part of my creative journey - the process behind “The Lost Tales of Erandelle”. Why share this? Because sometimes, in order to move forward, it's important to revisit the past without getting stuck in it.  On August 5, 2012, I published the first chapter of what was then known as "The Emerald Bay Chronicles" on this blog, which had a different name at that time. Subsequently, I posted chapters two through five in the following days before halting. As you may recall, vampires were immensely popular at that time, saturating the literary landscape with books and series focused on them. My challenge stemmed from having already explored a gothic/vampire phase in my teenage years. So by 2012, I found myself disenchanted with the vampire theme, craving something fresh and different. I had multiple ideas swirling in my mind about elves, influenced by numerous fantasy universes such as Warhammer Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons, Forgotte...

  I have finally finished book 2 of the Sky Watcher series , titled Dejá vu , which is quite fitting. But before delving further, I would like to explain why I am giving this book a rating of 4 stars instead of 5. While it is an excellent read, there are some parts that can be challenging due to their somewhat confusing nature. For instance, towards the end, there is a passage about a dream that may leave readers feeling perplexed, as if something crucial is missing. It becomes clear a few pages later that nothing is actually missing, but the purpose of that section remains somewhat ambiguous, although I trust there is one. In contrast to the first book, " Dejá vu " also required more time for me to get into the flow. The narrative is quite intricate, and its nuances become clear as you differentiate between the two books. Having multiple narrators sharing their perspectives on the events helps in understanding various aspects as the storyline progresses, although it also add...

   This little snippet is a small tribute to my blood elf mage Sibila. I have played World of Warcraft for so long and it never occurred to me to tell stories about my characters. So this is the first one. The interpretation of my blood elf was made by the Da Vinci engine, which is Midjourney I think. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the heart of Dalaran, amidst the towering spires and arcane energies that pulse through the city, stands a modest yet elegant study belonging to a blood elf mage. With long, flowing black hair cascading down her back like a river of shadow and eyes the color of molten gold, she cuts a striking figure against the backdrop of ancient tomes and shimmering crystals that adorn her sanctuary. Seated at her polished mahogany desk, she is the picture of focus and determination, her slender fingers dancing across the surface of a parchment as she scribbles down arcane incantations and intricate spells. The soft g...

  Downtown, where the concrete jungle mingles with the urban canvas, a graffiti artist stands out from the rest. Known as Cipher, he maneuvers the spray can with the finesse of a magician, turning drab walls into vivid masterpieces teeming with vitality. However, beneath Cipher's remarkable skill lies a sinister secret.  Unbeknownst to him, his creations possess a force beyond his imagination. With each artistic gesture, his pieces leap from their confines, bursting into existence with a will of their own. Initially enchanted by his newfound power, Cipher luxuriates in the wonder and praise bestowed upon his artistry. Yet, his creations soon break free from his control, causing chaos in the city streets with wild abandon. As anarchy sweeps through the urban landscape, Cipher confronts the grim reality behind his artwork.  Plagued by remorse and shadowed by his troubled history, he must discover a method to tame the unleashed power before it obliterates all he cherishes. A...