2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

I'm trying some new things this year, like switching my posts to every other Monday here in the Salon, and (hopefully) conquering a reading challenge. There are a lot of cool ones out there, but I'm going with the Witches and Witchcraft Challenge hosted by Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf. I'm focusing on urban fantasy titles with lots of witch characters, and I'm including at least one non fiction book. Click on the button to get the details and join the fun.

Challenge Rules:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2013. I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post (below), reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)

2. Grab the reading challenge button (code & button below) and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.

3. Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.

4. Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).

5. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.

6. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

7. When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.

8. You can move up levels, but no moving down.

9. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

10. Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

The Levels:

Initiate: Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books

Maiden: Read 6 - 10 Witchy Books

Mother: Read 11 - 15 Witchy Books

Crone: Read 16 - 20 Witchy Books

Since it's my first time doing a challenge, I'm being conservative and shooting for Maiden level. Here are the titles I'm starting with, and if I can squeeze in more I'll add them as I go:

Bitter Night (Horngate Witches) by Diana Pharaoh Francis
Vicious Circle by Linda Robertson
The Last Apprentice, Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney
Every Which Way But Dead & A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison
Grave Witch & Grave Dance by Kalayna Price
Witch Fire by Anya Bast
Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennet
Italian Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi

I've already started Bitter Night and can't wait to start reviewing next month. You can also follow my progress on Goodreads, and feel free to leave a link in the comments if you're hosting or participating in any reading challenges this year. Happy reading in 2013!

Cheers!

Ella

Witches Rule

Marsha has provided a lot of nifty coverage from DragonCon since her adventures over Labor Day weekend. I was particularly intrigued by her Illusions of Intimacy post yesterday about the witchcraft panel. We often talk about magic and supernatural creatures here in the Salon, but it occurs to me that witches don't get as much attention as some of the others, despite the fact that they have been popular characters in fiction for a very long time.

A comment that stuck out to me was regarding the appeal of witches; the fact that we can relate because anyone can be one. I think that's certainly part of the attraction. I'd also add that the diversity of the type makes it particularly fun to work with, a fact that was demonstrated by the variety of answers from the panel. It's true that most paranormal beings are evolving, and new twists on the standards are prevalent. But the core of what makes a vampire a vampire, or a werewolf a werewolf are still the essential core of those characters.

While witches can be practically anyone or anything, as long as magic is part of the equation. They can be male or female, human or other, have religious affiliations or not, come from a wide range of historical references, and practice with numerous styles and influences. Much like real modern practitioners who use a gamut of techniques and styles.

American stories inevitably tend to focus on certain events in Salem during our early history; some of my favorite authors have made the reference even though it's been done so many times before. There are so many other wells to tap on the subject. Ronald Hutton's The Triumph of the Moon looks at many aspects of the pagan revival, including much lore and history of witches. I've also enjoyed works by Owen Davies, Carlo Ginzburg, and Julio Caro Baroja which have all illuminated some unique and obscure tidbits on the subject.

As far as fiction goes, I'm a big fan of Kelley Armstrong's and Kim Harrison's witchy characters. Deb Harkness's A Discovery of Witches is one of this year's breakout hits, and a very good read. Fortunately, the witch has developed a more positive reputation over the years, although I don't mind the powerfully nasty types either. They are mentors, nurturers, destroyers, vixens, warriors and just plain awesome, which is why I'm pretty sure they're here to stay.

What do you like (or hate) about witches in fiction? Have a favorite series or character to share? If you write about witches, I'd love to hear about it!

Magic Is As Magic Does

I am not a witch. Nor am I a sorcerer, occultist, or enchanter of any kind. But I am totally obsessed with magic. I have a collection of magical texts that most wizards would be pretty proud of, yet I've never attempted a single spell. Its all used as reference material for stories and inspiration for memorable characters. Some of history's most interesting and influential people have been practitioners, and groups from the Golden Dawn to present-day Wiccan covens have shown us new ways of looking at the world around us.

Magicians fascinate me and I've read up on most of them: Apollonius of Tyana, Ramon Llull, Agrippa, Giordano Bruno, Cellini, John Dee, Eliphas Levi, Arthur Edward Waite, and many more. Their practices varied, but they were all innovative thinkers who pushed the boundaries of conventional beliefs. They were also diligent scholars and extremely dedicated to improving their craft, just like their contemporary counterparts.

Magic is hard work. Sure, we love reading stories about special characters with unique abilities and talents, but even the most inherently gifted wizard has to put in their seven years at Hogwarts and then some. There are no short cuts when it comes to performing powerful works. You must practice, practice, practice and eventually you're able to gradually coax the extraordinary into being.

It got me thinking about a phrase I've heard often since I began writing and learning that particular craft. In various forms, it basically states that determination is more important than talent when it comes to being a successful author. Of course, we all want to be good. No one starts a novel hoping it will turn out to be mediocre. We want to write something that people will love, read over and over with joy and exalt to anyone who will listen. Just as we cherish our favorite stories, study them, emulate the author's voice so that we may find our own, knowing that if we could just figure out how they acquired the divine spark of genius that created such greatness, then we would have the secret to making our own masterpiece.

But it's not that easy. As we figuratively sweat and bleed our way to the boot camp finish line at the end of the month, I hope everyone participating will recognize the importance of the journey itself. While bits of magic will surely emerge here and there along the way, it all comes down to the true grit of being a writer and all the toil and persistence required to be a really good one.