I have been interested in fairy tales and folk tales since I was a child. In college I took several classes about folklore, and have alway enjoyed reading other people’s versions of fairy and folk tales. I have tried writing fractured fairy tales, which are great fun, but this time I decided to try a folk tale featuring a youngest son who, although foolish, is full of faith and comes through in the end.
I must admit, I have some personal experience and my own personal source of inspiration. I have my own youngest son. He has now made it to the age of 16, and I think he has probably worn out several sets of guardian angels along the way. Like Ivan in my story, he was quite adept at giving his parents and older siblings the slip and going his own merry way! Fortunately, he always came back home about the time you realized he was gone. I think he may be the reason for some of these grey hairs I have so many of lately.
I hope to be writing more of this sort of story, and I may add in a few fractured fairy tales both here and at Riversleigh. They really are fun to write.
