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Blogs by Ann Massey
What's the single biggest influence on contemporary literature? 8/17/2013 3:41:05 PM
Some might say the Greek playwrights, Shakespeare, the Bible, Dickens, Tolstoy there's many respected contenders. My own stories have been influenced by the oral tradition-- the first stories I ever knew...fairy tales. The White Amah tagged as a family saga focuses on a young woman brought up in the rain drenched jungle of Borneo, who, to escape a forced marriage, embarks on a search for her roots. Tricked by a maid posing as her mother, she becomes a lowly amah. Stop there!
Isn't that just like the good-hearted princess in The Goose Girl. Wasn't she seized by her maid and turned into a common goose girl? I'm not apologizing - if it was good enough for Charles Dickens, it's good enough for me. Think about it. Isn't Oliver Twist, a variation on the same theme?
When I wrote The Biocide Conspiracy with its dastardly plot and motley cast of rogues and villains what I had in mind was a modern day Treasure Island. And yet, I can see that Beth and Mo have a lot in common with Hansel and Gretal. After all, my hero and heroine thought they'd found sanctuary when they came upon a seismic camp. Instead they walked right into a trap.
At first I likened Salvation Jane to the The Little Match Girl . The heroine,Jane Patterson is a human rights activist campaigning for the rights of homeless people and Andersen's bittersweet tale is about man's inhumanity to man. It's bit of a stretch, but hey, I make-up stories. Upon reflection I now concede that The Princess and the Frog is closer to the mark. Jane kisses a few toads during her romp through the corridors of power.
Wow! I'm convinced. The first stories I ever knew flow through my writing. Do they flow through yours?
If you'd like to learn more about me please visit my website at http://www.AnnMassey.com I love to hear from readers. Feel free to contact me with your thoughts on my books or my blog posts. You can also connect with me on Twitter .annmasseyauthor.
