Tutelage – definition: instruction : protection : guardianship
My current work in progress is the result of my successful participation in NaNoWriMo 2012. It is a children’s book about woodland sprites helping the animals that live within their forest. The sprites knowledge of healing was passed down generation to generation. Elders instructing their offspring.
With all new project’s; after the initial idea is laid down, the real work begins. I had to create a history for the sprites and their kind as well as decide, which animals I would have them interact with. Each animal also required their own history and an ailment the sprites could fix. I researched herbal medicines and fabricated instruments the sprites could use. Coming up with names for all these characters was also really enjoyable. I tried to match the name with the animal’s personality. For example the wise old owl is called Xavier, while the mole is Morry.
Woodland sprites front door
When I thought about today’s word, it occurred to me that these sprites are guardians of the forest dwellers. They ensured the well being and safety of their charges. In a different way, my protagonist, Evan in Life in Slake Patch also had a guardianship role. Although his difficulties were much more complicated. He fought to maintain the matriarchy rules, whilst discovering opposing views to the system and becoming instrumental in historic changes.
What is your current project’s theme?
Do you have guardianship in one way or another?
