Dr. Jennifer Orme On Fairy Tales, Wonder, Hope, And Justice

Stardust and Courage

Why are fairy tales so enduring? In this inspiring and fascinating interview with writer and scholar Dr. Jennifer Orme, Ph.D we look at stories of wonder and transformation. Find out how curiosity and imagination lead to hope and justice, and how disruptive middles give stories special power and insight. Plus we talk about collaborative writing and editing, and Jennifer shares her most wonderful writing prompt.

Guest info:

Dr. Jennifer Orme, Ph.D is co-editor of:

Just Wonder: Shifting Perspectives in Tradition

Inviting Interruptions: Wonder Tales in the 21st Century

A special holiday gift for our listeners:

Get your copy of Jennifer Orme’s Just Wonder at 40% off with the promo code GREE24!

Customers in the US from the University Press of Colorado: upcolorado.com

Customers in Canada from University of British Columbia Press: ubcpress.ca

Jennifer Orme’s writing prompt:

Take an object from your life. It might be a precious heirloom or a present you or someone else gave you, it might be an everyday object, like your oven or a garden tool.

Now either find the wonder within it or inject some wonder into it.

Explore the ways that wonder adheres to or comes from your object during your writing time this week.

Provide a description, maybe write about the object’s function or meaning to you; or create a whole new life for the object that you never knew about before. If you really get into it, you might even send the object on an adventure.

Added challenge: if you normally write realist fiction or non-fiction, put some magic or the marvelous into the object. Go as wild or as subtle as you want, but try to push out of your comfort zone a little.

Similarly: if you normally write speculative fiction/ or fantasy/sci-fi, look at the wonder inherent to that object and try to find a non-magical source of wonder for or within the object. For example, an oven is a transformation machine – it takes ingredients, adds heat and makes them into yummy goodness (or a terrible mess), no magic needed!

Resources:

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Credits:

Hosted and produced by Suzanne Alyssa Andrew

Music by Chris Andrew

Additional music and sound consulting by Jordan Andrew

Note:

You’re listening to a friend. This podcast is not therapy or medical or financial advice. Please consult a psychotherapist, physician or other qualified professional and take care to do what’s best for you.

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