For millennia, witches have been a source of fear, fascination, persecution, oppression, hope, and bewilderment. Tales of witches go back as far as time and appear in every culture on the planet. So, as a writer, how do you even begin to understand the complex nature of a witch’s reality without relying on stereotypes or misconceptions.

Welcome, writers and weavers to another spooky episode of Writing the Broomstick.

In this episode, Katrina and Genny finally get to talk about one of their most beloved subjects: witches (for those of you who haven’t been paying attention). Because of the immensity of this topic, we decided to focus on what it’s really, really like to be a witch in modern society. 

First off, we discuss spells—no, not how to create your own spells, but more precisely, what a spell actually is. Here’s a hint: if you’ve ever dropped to your knees and joined your hands together in prayer, you’ve probably already cast a spell before.

We want to give our writers more insight into the devotional aspect of witchcraft, so not only do we understand the spiritual mechanics behind spellcasting, we also open up the discussion to rituals in general. 

We try our best not to go off on crazy tangents because it really is a subject we’re both passionate about, but alas, we make a brief stop to talk about the history of witch persecution (Katrina gets very upset) before moving on to a much more lighthearted topic: style.

We can’t really talk about the modern witch without mentioning what they wear. And yes, they do have other colours besides black in their wardrobe.

Call it kismet, fate, or the divine workings of the universe, our resident tree expert, Sonja F. Blanco has just released her new book this week, and we couldn’t have planned our episode at a better time?! Be sure to get your copy of Witch of Ware Woods.

SOURCES:

• https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2019/10/royal-obsession-black-magic-started-europes-most-brutal-witch
• Scottish Witchcraft by Barabara Meiklejohn-Free
• Wicca: The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
• https://www.britannica.com/event/Salem-witch-trials

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Let us know what you thought of our episode! You can reach us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or email writingthebroomstick@gmail.com.

Do you like Celtic folklore, YA urban fantasy, AND free stuff? Read the first three chapters of Katrina’s debut novel, “The Wise One”.

And, if you want to see what Genny’s reading lately, check out her Goodreads review page.

Ever walk into an empty room and feel like you’re being watched? Ever feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end for no apparent reason? Maybe you’ve encountered a real-live ghost. In this week’s spoooooooky episode, we’re talking about things that go bump in the night, particularly phantoms, spirits, apparitions, poltergeists….you know, ghosts! 

Whether you believe in the existence of ghosts or not, you want to create a well-rounded ghost character that makes us true believers. 

But Katrina and Genny are sick of reading the same old clichés. Either ghosts are as friendly as Casper or as evil as demons. We want to read ghost stories that go deeper than the stereotypes. We want to be awed, bewildered, heartbroken, overjoyed, and inspired by ghosts.

Think you got what it takes to write an out-of-the-attic ghost story? Here are some writing prompts to help you get started:

1. Ghosts are dead. All the other details are up to you. 
2. Your ghost is ancient. 
3. Everyone in your story is a ghost except your protagonist. 
4. What if society in your book fully embraced the idea that ghosts exist. In other words, what if what we usually ascribe as pseudoscience became the subject of hard scientific study? 
5. Everything we think we know about the afterlife is dead wrong 
6. Your protagonist can feel themselves disappearing, but no one else notices?
7. A school for ghosts! 
8. A bad ghosts vs. good ghosts war
9. How about a group of friends move into a dorm and become best friends with the ghost(s) that dwells there? A.K.A. Casper Goes to College 
10. How about a haunted island? 

Before we even get to our writing prompts, Katrina and Genny prove that they are true believers in ghosts by sharing their personal encounters with these supernatural beings.

What about you? Have you ever seen a ghost? 

Stay tuned for another spooky episode coming next week!

P.S. We feel the need to apologize in advance for our hyperactiveness in this episode. We're blaming it on too much coffee and the fact that it was the first time we recorded two episodes in a row. Either that or it's almost like we were...possessed ;)

★  ★  ★

Let us know what you thought of our episode! You can reach us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or email writingthebroomstick@gmail.com.

Do you like Celtic folklore, YA urban fantasy, AND free stuff? Read the first three chapters of Katrina’s debut novel, “The Wise One”.

And, if you want to see what Genny’s reading lately, check out her Goodreads review page.

Halloween….the spookiest time of year. When the veil that separates the living and the dead gets dangerously thin. 

Welcome back, writers and weavers to season three of Writing the Broomstick!

No matter where you live in the world, we’re willing to bet that your culture commemorates the end of summer and the beginning of winter...when our ancestors prepared themselves for the harshest months of the year. 

In ancient Ireland, the Celts celebrated with the Samhain festival—a time when rural farmers stared darkness in the face with a giant celebration and where spirits roamed the earth. 

But how did Samhain evolve into Halloween? 

Katrina and Genny take you on a quick tour throughout Celtic Ireland where the seeds of our modern-day Halloween were sown. We discuss the origins of the Jack-o-lantern, trick-or-treating, costumes, and spookiness in general.

We then trail off into dreamland where both girls share their experiences of Halloweens gone by. 

Suggested Reading for the Spooky Season:

• The Wise One  by K.T. Anglehart

Sources:

• https://www.history.com/news/history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-irish-origins
• https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/irish-traditions-halloween
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-history-of-trick-or-treating-is-weirder-than-you-thought-79408373/
• https://www.ireland.com/en-gb/things-to-do/events/puca-festival/
• https://wfupress.wfu.edu/arts-and-culture/spooky-history-of-samhain/
• https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/origins-halloween-samhain-002271
• https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/13things/7448.html