Pictures and Research

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, April 10, 2021

 

In the conservatory James Tissot Wikimedia
In the conservatory, James Tissot Wikimedia

Hello, my chuckaboos!  I was not able to make it to the river today for The Delta Pearl.  At least Émeraude wasn’t still literally hanging when we left her last time. 

My author-head is deep in the Emlyn-verse of Dead of Winter.  Recently, Pat at eQuips blog shared an interview.  Her questions focused exclusively on the Deae Matres of my fantasy story.  Today I’m sharing my research on that aspect of the novel.  If your eyes are already glazing over at the word “research” just look at the pictures.  I know it isn’t for everyone.

Deae Matres Research

A Stroll on the Beach, Michael Ancher 1896 Wikipedia
A Stroll on the Beach, Michael Ancher 1896 Wikipedia

My research, in 2010, for Dead of Winter took me to wide-ranging reading on mythology and goddesses of the various Celtic lands.  One particular element I want to share is the Deae Matres.  In the mythology I devised for Dead of Winter, I envisioned many fantasy countries.  The goddess named Deae Matres was a significant deity is some of those lands — at least in their past.  I also gave the name to a group of intelligent, adventurous women who travel their world to search out and preserve knowledge, the Society of Deae Matres.  All of this is my creation, but the name is from old Celtic mythology.

Even in fantasies, I’m scrupulous about naming any existing person, group, or organization.  I did not find then or now any credible (or incredible for that matter) evidence of a currently existing group, or any group in modern history, of any sort named “The Society of Deae Matres,” or any organized group of worshipers.

The matres and matronae (term preferred in northern Italy) were female deities venerated in Northwestern Europe.  Found in many parts of the Roman empire, their epithets often incorporate local or tribal names.

They were most often depicted in groups of three.  That triad idea comes into play with three of my central characters, Emlyn, Zasha, and Osabide.

goddess Prettysleepy Pixabay
Prettysleepy at Pixabay

In Celtic mythology, the deae matres specifically were “mother goddesses.”  While most often in groups of three they might have been singular or in groups of any number.  Although it was unusual for the grouping to exceed four.

In the mythology I devised for Dead of Winter, the goddess named Deae Matres, is (eventually) shown as a single entity.  To her followers, she provided blessings, flowers, fruit, and the pleasing things of nature.  She was a nurturing goddess.  In the backstory of the fantasy novel, centuries before Emlyn’s story, the Society took her name because their purpose was to nurture the people, particularly their minds.

Journey 4 is almost here. Here’s the cover.

Dead of Winter: Journey 4, The Old Road
Dead of Winter: Journey 4, The Old Road

Here are all the currently available monthly novelettes of  Dead of Winter.  Until next time, stay safe and well. Hugs on the wing!

Universal Purchase Links
Journey 3, the Fever Field

Kindle:  relinks.me/B08XTNZ9M8

Paperback:  relinks.me/B08XXY3JXF

Kobo.com: Dead of Winter: Journey 3, the Fever Field eBook by Teagan Riordain Geneviene – 1230004609599 | Rakuten Kobo United States

Journey 2, Penllyn

Kindle:  relinks.me/B08VMNSF97

Paperback:  relinks.me/B08VLMR2KDD

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dead-of-winter-journey-2-penllyn

Journey 1, Forlorn Peak

Kindle:  relinks.me/B08RBBVRGX

Paperback:  relinks.me/B08R7RH4F5

Kobo:  Dead of Winter: Journey 1, Forlorn Peak eBook by Teagan Geneviene – 1230004446033 | Rakuten Kobo United States

 

  

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This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2021 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

 

68 thoughts on “Pictures and Research”

  1. So good to see you still deep into your writing dear Teagan and delving deeper still into the history and myths of bygone times…The Dead of Winter looks something I could easily get lost within…
    I know I have not been in blog land much these past months… But know dear Teagan how much I respect and admire you and keep creating dear friend… This is what we all now need to do… Keep in our Hearts and follow where they lead us..
    Love and Blessings… Keep flying high dear friend…. Much love… Sue 🙏💛💖

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    1. Welcome Markus & Micah! I’m very happy you enjoyed it. Thank you.
      I’m working hard on Journey 4, but couldn’t resist a quick visit to your blog. It’s delightful. I’m looking forward to spending more time there. Hugs on the wing!

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    1. Thank you kindly, David. Several people — in-person people have told me that I “light up” when I talk about writing. I admit to being enthusiastic about the topic. Have a wonderful new week, my friend. Hugs on the wing!

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    1. Thanks very much, Denise. I did all of that research even before I started writing the story in 2010. Recently, a strange and incorrect assumption someone made made me want to confirm my research — and I couldn’t find it. While I was re-collecting my information, I felt compelled to make this post. I’m happy you enjoyed it. Have a brilliant new week. Hugs on the wing!

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    1. Kirk, I’m psyched to hear you are reading Dead of Winter. Journey 4 will be longer than the others, but when I get to #5, it will be a shorter one again. It’s a matter of breaking the story in the right place, being more important than consistent lengths in the novelettes.
      Anyhow, I think Journey 3 is the most exciting, so I hope you love it. Hugs on the wing!

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  8. I love this insight into your research, Teagan, and how you incorporate it into your fantasy tales. Pure literary genius! Thank you for sharing, and you have another compelling book cover!

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    1. You are so kind, Jan — thank you. Inspiration is around every corner or every click of the mouse. Having the energy to so something with all of it is another matter! LOL. I appreciate your feedback about the cover too. Hugs on the wing!

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    1. Thanks, Robbie. I never was able to read while on a vacation. The photos you’ve been sharing are wonderful! I hope you were able to de-stress even with all the rushing — at least “blow off steam.” What an amazing adventure you’ve had. Hugs on the wing!

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  10. Ahhh! Journey Four, looking forward to the things you have to reveal. I like all the research that you do to produce these stories, you have my admiration. I like the cover to your new adventures, I see the white dog is there!!

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    1. Hi Ms. Frances. It’s always a delight to see you. 🙂 ❤
      Ah, yes! We haven't seen much of that snarling white wolf since Journey 1. However, he shows up for two important scenes in Journey 4. So I had to make sure he was included in the cover.
      Stay happy and sassy. Hugs on the wing!

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  11. For this serial you had a fantastic idea, Teagan! Even you had a lot of efforts acquiring all the information. Can we say the Dae Matris are like the Amazones? 😉 Thank you for the great review, in which you at least reveal a little bit of the secrets. Don’t rush, Teagan! I fell asleep again today, despite having four cups of espresso. Lol The weather here is really not great, with renewed cold and some snow. Enjoy your weekend! Big hugx, Michael

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    1. Oh my goodness! That does sound like a good day for a hot coffee and a nap, Michael. 🙂

      Amazons… hmmm. Not really. The Deae Matres are not warriors, and they aren’t against men. In fact, they have a non-interference policy which just might cause a problem in Journey 5.
      Big hugs back to you, my friend. Many thanks for taking time to visit. Stay safe.

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  12. Teagan, I’m a research freak, so this post is most enjoyable. Your imagination walks before your research, then takes another look see after.
    Okay.. off to read the review!

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  13. I’m not surprised that you do all this research, Teagan. I find it fascinating and believe it adds depth of the story. The sacred 3 and it’s multipliers are interesting to me and appears all kinds of mythology. Happy Writing, my friend!

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    1. It’s wonderful to see you, Lauren. It’s so hard not to fly off into research tangents. The Internet makes it so much easier now. Although it also makes it harder to weed out the many sources and make sure I have a credible one. Be well, be happy. Hugs on the wing!

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  17. I love doing research also, Teagan, but so far other than the time I did my dessertation for my degree, I haven’t had time to do an indepth research on one theme. Your research on mythology is facinating. Good to see your progress on your books!

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    1. It’s great to see you Miriam. I hope you’re doing well. Ah yes… way back when I did this story, I had written many things, but had yet to produce a *finished* novel. I was very methodical when I decided to write Dead of Winter. I did volumes of research, and only used a small amount (compared to how much I actually did). However, it was not wasted. A large unused part of it birthed my Atonement, Tennessee stories. Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing!

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    1. It really is, Tim. Actually this research is where my Atonement, Tennessee stories were born. A large swath of my Celtic lore research really intrigued me, but wasn’t right for this story. It stuck with me, though, and that is where most of Atonement came from. Hugs on the wing!

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    1. Ah! I should have known research would interest you, GP. It was so easy to go off on research tangents with this story, while I looked into European countries — using them to imagine the pre-industrial world I wanted to create. I really wish I could find my sketches for the map I had in mind. I dug around a bit, to figure out places in “my” world where there might logically be “land bridges” to make it easier for my characters to make their journey across their continent. In the decade since I wrote this, my PhotoShop and image skills have improved. While then I couldn’t draw a map, not I *might* be able to make one…
      Anyhow, thanks for taking time to visit. Hugs on the wing!

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  21. Thanks for sharing bits of your research, Teagan. I appreciate the effort research requires, especially for people who are writing fiction. Fiction has to be believable.

    I think the most important thing I read today is, “In the mythology I devised for Dead of Winter…” This your world. It’s believable because it fits the historic pattern, but it’s a world we can’t find anything about unless we read your story. Which, by the way, I am happy to do.

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I love the cover for Journey #4 and I can’t wait to read it. OK, I can wait, at least until you’re satisfied with it.

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    1. Haha! This monthly schedule doesn’t give me time for full-on editing obsession, but you’re right — I do have to be satisfied.
      I know you’ve been doing some research of your own, so you do get it. Yes, my research is for the reader, but it’s also for me. I can’t write the story until I can see it — in great detail. The research helps me see it. I appreciate you visiting. Hugs on the wing!

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  22. Thanks for the link to the interview and the research info. It’s fascinating. The more I read about the Celtic world, the more I want to learn. Can’t wait for both the next Journey (Next week, pretty please with sprinkles on top.) and the next chapter. You really are a tease, Teagan.

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  23. Interesting about the goddess Deae Matres in your story and her followers. I suspect we’ll eventually learn more about the Society as your novel progresses. The cover to Journey 4 is wonderful with its visual depth all the way back to the misty mountains in the background!

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    1. Thanks for this comment, Priscilla. I do explore the Society a little more as the Journeys progress, but I deliberately avoided delving too far into any “political” aspects of it. That’s not something I enjoy reading, so I didn’t write it.
      I’m glad you like the cover. I agree about the mountains. I hoped to use a single artist for all the backgrounds, but that isn’t possible with so many covers. Oddly the way the tiny leaves are done is one of the ways I hold the “theme” of the covers together. I liked that this one had moss on the big tree too. Hugs on the wing!

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  25. I know how much you love research, and it’s fascinating to read about your research process. Thanks for sharing this; it adds to the story, for sure, and I love the pics as well. I like the cover, and I’m looking forward to the next journey. I’m sure it will be well-worth the wait! Stay safe, dear Teagan!

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  26. Teagan, at the word research I’m jumping into your post with even more enthusiasm than normal! 😀 I love research and learning about others experience of it. The Celtic tradition is fascinating and it is wonderful that you’ve been able to draw in this for your book – an interesting and learned start to my day! Happy Researching & Writing! 😀

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    1. Annika, I didn’t know you were a fellow researcher. (I call myself a research geek, but you might not like that title. 😉 )
      When I began pre-writing work on Dead of Winter, I was fascinated by how Fred Saberhagen used Nordic mythology and others in his massive Book of Swords series (1983-1995)
      That (and my work) was long before the influx of Viking television shows, but I thought some kind of mythology might inspire me. With subsequent research, my love of Celtic mythology was born. Have a beautiful weekend. Hugs on the wing!

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    1. Adored Ape, thanks for sharing this from your tree-house. I hope you and the missus are having a beautiful weekend. From your stint as a desert ape, you’ll appreciate this– Yesterday the humidity was 3%. I’ve never seen it so low. Admittedly, last year I didn’t pay as much attention, but dang! That’s dry. Still, much better than where I was born, where 93% was not unusual. Thanks for all your support. Hugs on the wing!

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      1. WOW that’s dangerously low, Teagan – the lowest humidity I’ve experienced is 0.5% in a controlled environment room where the little round flat batteries are made – workers were only allowed to spend 20 minutes there, then come out for 30 minutes rehydration, then back in again, etc. I worked for a specialist environmental control company at that time. 🦍🤗❤️❤️🤗🦍

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        1. Horsefeathers! That’s really interesting, Chris. I’ve been keeping a little humidifier running almost constantly in the room with me. Crystal does better with one as well.
          I admit it’s a challenge for me to drink enough water, especially when I’m working on writing/editing. I run out of water and don’t want to stop and go get more. I don’t usually buy bottled water, but recently added a 6 pack to my grocery order, so I could offer it to the guys who redid my cactus garden. Anyhow the store sent a huge case instead. So I’ve put a bunch of the bottles near my workspace, so I have no excuse. LOL.
          Keeping my skin hydrated is another challenge. Living on the east coast, I rarely had to use lotion at all. Here I can tell a difference in my overall comfort if I use lotion a couple of times a day. It’s a whopping 12% today. 😀

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  28. I am fascinated by the research you completed for Dead of Winter. Isn’t it interesting about how the number three comes up in goddess mythologies. I now envision how your central character evolved – Emlyn, Zasha, and Osabide. I have an affinity to Osabide – perhaps it is because of age. I am looking forward to Journey 4, The Old Road.

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    1. Thanks so much, Rebecca. I think you and Osabide share a love of learning. And you both are such nurturing personalities. I can imagine you relating to her character. Oh, an irrelevant, but interesting tidbit. Recently I saw that “Osabide” is the name of a new (at least relatively new) healthcare software.
      Now back to work on Journey 4. I hope to publish it by this Wednesday. I appreciate your support with all my heart. Hugs on the wing!

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