Lucinda of the Ashes

When Lucinda’s dream of studying magic is dashed, she finds another chance in a grand royal contest that she’s been forbidden to enter.

Genre: Fairy Tale

Excerpt: “Every spell I try turns to ashes. It was not my intention to teach myself. I merely have no other choice.”

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it’s connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This story joins the several others where I write my version of a classic fairy tale. Lucinda has a couple of stepsisters, and a godmother shows up to help her get into an event. Hmm…whatever could this be?

I’ve written other “alternate version” fairy tales. Here are a few: “The Green Magic Bean” based on “Jack and the Beanstalk” “The Crimson Hood” based on “Little Red Riding Hood” “The Dreaming Queen” based on “Sleeping Beauty”  

And last week’s episode: “Why Beauty Sought the Beast” (I’m certain you can figure out which fairy tale inspired this one)

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: “Lucinda of the Ashes” Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel

Music: “Medieval Theme 5” by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro and Outro) “Abstract Vision #5” by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* “Mystical Forest” “Dwarven Settlement” “Mausoleum” “Mines” “Labyrinth” “Crystal Caves” “Necropolis”

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* “Medieval Theme 2” “Ice and Fire (peaceful part)” “Medieval Theme 1” “Medieval Theme 3” “Medieval Theme 5” “Adventure Track #1 (looped)” “Adventure Track #2 (looped)” “Medieval Track #1” “Lyric Voices #5”

Music by Lee Rosevere “Early Morning Song Finch Duet”

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Benjamin Carr and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0 Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Benjamin Carr and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.com Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Two hands seen from above, as if they were the viewer’s hands, covered in ash. The left hand at bottom left is holding a glass container, like a beaker with a funnel top. The right hand at top right holds a glass rod. The index finger is held away from the rod. A drop of liquid hangs from the end of the glass rod, right above the opening of the beaker. A small figure with dragonfly wings hovers over the left hand. The beaker contains a vaporous liquid. A bright cloudy swirl begins at center behind the hands and darkens as it moves outward to the edges of the image. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along back of hand at upper right.