Tropical Fruits and Greek Mythology
Finding mythology in daily life
Travelling this week has been bittersweet. We decided to start our big lap by visiting our hometown in South East Queensland. Both of my husband and I have family there and we wanted to have one last little catch up with them before we set off around Australia. We started the week off in Laidley and ended it on the Gold Coast.
We had an absolute blast enjoying the final weeks of Queensland’s summer weather (even though its almost April), and had lots of laughs, chats, and big hugs. It’s always hard to say bye, even if its only for the better part of a year.
A highlight of the week was realising there was synergy between my creative writing/reading/and adventuring activities. I have been going through a very ‘Greek’ era—I have become obsessed with reading Greek retellings (for proof you only need to check out my Bookstagram, bookswithjthiel from the last 12 months). I was delighted when we visited Tropical Fruit World, which is a sustainable little fruit farm which grows exotic and tropic fruit. Part of the farm tour experience (which I highly recommend to anyone visiting the region), included a fruit tasting. The fruit on offer was not your usual suspects with options such as jak fruit, abiu, persimmons, papaya, soursop, and babaco as well as the most delicious mango and bananas.
As I was tasting these delicious (and some not so delicious) fruits, I couldn’t help thinking about the Greeks and the role fruit plays in mythology. There is Hera and her magical golden apples that offer healing abilities or immortality (depending on the version of the myth), or the ambrosia which is widely considered the food of the Gods (and in Percy Jackson it is the fruit that can heal the demi-gods). In Greek mythology pomegranates are associated with the Underworld—some myths suggest that it was pomegranate seeds that tied Persephone to Hades. I didn’t get to taste any of the fruits that feature in Greek myths, but it felt very appropriate to be tasting exotic fruit, whilst in the midst of my Greek retelling binge. Although, perhaps I could find aspects of Greek mythology in any aspect of life?
Academic Work
I’m still finishing my appointment as unit coordinator for media law (which is really just finalising grades at this point). I’m looking forward to a break from teaching and giving myself a little more headspace to think about my creative writing. In saying that, I am still working on two research projects in my capacity as a researcher and I’ll most likely continue in these appointments for the duration of the trip—I only work on these projects part time so the few days of work each week helps keep me grounded and my head still (somewhat) in the academic game.
I am also committed this year to publishing from my thesis and will be workshopping a book proposal for this over the coming months.
What I’m Reading
I am still on the Percy Jackson train. I have just finished the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (which I absolutely loved) and am about to start the Heroes of Olympus series. Honestly, I can’t get enough of Greek mythology retellings.
I also packed my favourite Greek Mythology companion book, ‘Greek Mythology—The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook’ by Liv Albert which I find endlessly helpful when writing mythology into my own work.
What I’m Writing
I’m currently working towards entering my first writing competition. The competition requires the first 5000 words of your novel, a synopsis, and a pitch. I had my first practice at pitching last year when I did a workshop with author and agent extraordinaire, Danielle Binks. I learnt A LOT from that workshop and have applied the feedback to my work. Despite this, I have serious doubts that my work is actually ‘pitch ready’.
Preparing for a writing competition has been tough. I feel the imposter syndrome creeping in with my internal dialogue chanting just how inadequate my writing is. On one hand, I’m yet to receive my first feedback, which makes me hesitate in submitting to the competition (as the pages are mostly the same first chapters of my novel). On the other hand, I’m eager to progress my writing and this competition offers feedback on whether your writing is submission ready (something which I would love guidance on). I think I’m going to submit and throw a little caution into the wind…but I could change my mind between this post and the next so watch this space!
I hope you enjoy following along on my little adventures. However you found me, I’m glad you are here.
Bisous,
