Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Friday, April 4, 2014

D is for...

Click HERE for a list of all
the participants!
For this, my 5th year doing the Challenge, it's the
A to Z of Anansi the spider.


D is for Dog

I got serious about retelling Anansi stories when I went to a week-end long writers workshop with Jane Yolen and I read my story, "Why Dogs Beg." She liked it and made a subtle suggestion for the ending. I worked on it and then submitted it to Children's Writer when they had a Folktale and Fantasy writing contest. I was totally surprised when I won first place. It was that win that primed the pump for me to continue translating and retelling Anansi stories.

You can read, "Why Dogs Beg," HERE.

Besides being Anansi's friend, Brer Dog is a musician who often plays in a band with the spider.
ImageChef.com

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23 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughApril 4, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    First place - congratulations! So this story preceded Anansi's stories?

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  2. Hilary Melton-ButcherApril 4, 2014 at 9:11 AM

    Hi Bish .. well that was a stroke of luck and how wonderful to have help from Jane. And I'm so pleased you're writing your stories now - Anansi and Brer Spider - having 8 legs means he must be a high achieving musical spider ..

    Love it - cheers and that first place is brilliant - Hilary

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  3. AnonymousApril 4, 2014 at 9:58 AM

    A little nudge, a little inspiration and a whole lot of talent go a very long way! Good for you, Bish! Sounds like you're on a wonderful writing Journey :)

    MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches


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  4. Ann HindsApril 4, 2014 at 11:04 AM

    I've never heard of Anansi but the stories are charming. As another of the minions, I don't know how I missed A to C but I will be following along.

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  5. TinaApril 4, 2014 at 12:06 PM

    Congratulations!!! That's awesome to win!
    Tina @ Life is Good
    A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

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  6. cleemckenzieApril 4, 2014 at 12:20 PM

    That's wonderful, Bish. Something to brag about for sure! Dogs are popular on this D day. They deserve it.

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  7. Tamara NarayanApril 4, 2014 at 12:36 PM

    That is a seriously cute pup. Congrats on that win!

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  8. Crystal CollierApril 4, 2014 at 1:09 PM

    Wahoo! You totally deserve it. way to go!

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  9. Bob ScotneyApril 4, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    As you know my theme this year is 'Dogs' so I was immediately hooked by your story - well done.

    And by the way your image of Brer Bog is not visible to me.

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  10. UnknownApril 4, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    I loved the story. Love dogs myself. I'd have a farm of crazy dogs if I could. And, while I don't particularly like spiders, have to say, Charlotte's Web is still one of my all time children's favorites. Congrats on your win and good luck going forward. :)

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  11. debi o'neilleApril 4, 2014 at 3:01 PM

    Congratulations on your win, and great story!
    See you around the A to Z.
    Best,
    Deb @ http:debioneille.blogspot.com

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  12. Stephen TrempApril 4, 2014 at 3:16 PM

    Will beg for food hahaha! Just like our dog. He has no shame.

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  13. BarbaraApril 4, 2014 at 3:41 PM

    I love the story. Congrats on the win. Barbara

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  14. Tara TylerApril 4, 2014 at 6:09 PM

    what a great story about your story winning!
    and dogs are the best - at everything, even being characters!

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  15. ManzanitaApril 4, 2014 at 7:52 PM

    I never knew this about you before. Usually I do not like spiders but I think I'd love a spider that played in a band. I'm really behind today. I have my baby chicks peeping in their boxes in the house under heat lamps .... a lot of work and I should have started some of my garden seeds a month ago but had to get that going too. Too much outdoor work in April.

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  16. Donna B. McNicolApril 4, 2014 at 8:02 PM

    Good to find you again...kind of lost touch with a lot of writing friends from the 2012 A-Z. Moved to Ecuador in 2013 and now back A-Zing. Loving your stories!

    D.B. McNicol
    A to Z: Romance & Mystery...writing my life

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  17. AnonymousApril 4, 2014 at 8:06 PM

    This is a fabulous blog. I hope loads of people visit during the #challenge. I'm visiting on the 4th day while looking for writers. If you have time or interest, I am writing about gardening and related topics and already having a wonderful time. Congratulations on this blog.

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  18. MarciaApril 4, 2014 at 8:53 PM

    I remember when you won the contest -- that was great. Congrats all over again! :)

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  19. UnknownApril 4, 2014 at 9:34 PM

    That Anansi is a little rascal! Poor dog - fooled and destined to beg till the end of time...

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  20. klahanieApril 4, 2014 at 10:03 PM

    Hi human, Bish,

    My human noted you over at Farcebook. Even though he's too tired to comment on your pawst, it aint stopping me.

    Actually, my human begs. I tried to teach him a few simple tricks and he does that one best. Getting him to roll over has proven difficult!

    Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!

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  21. AnonymousApril 4, 2014 at 11:01 PM

    It's awesome you won.

    I'm seeing dogs all over the place. :)

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  22. shellyApril 5, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    Good for you! Sir Poops and Hair Ball would love to interview you. Email me: authorshellyarkon@gmail.com

    Hugs and chocolate!
    Shelly

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  23. UnknownApril 6, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    Darn that spider...my dog surely fits this role...

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