#just for writing balladyna

[cursedunicornofeast]

The mentioned poet is (to oh me my suprise) the Adam Mickiewicz (hence the name) and the biggest contender to the title of the polish national poet. The suprise came from the fact that Mickwiecz himself created the legion for the italian revolution in 1848 - he, rather infamously, did not participate in any way in the polish uprising mentioned ( the November Uprising in 1830).

In the manifesto itself (I found it!) there was a single point that can be summarised to "to women, life companions, equal rights in everything". Altough, the radicalism came from Mickiewicz's favourite idea of Messianism (that Poland was 'The Christ of Europe' and was killed and would rise again to 'unify all in God) (no, I'm not joking that was his favourite philosophy) and the idea of panslavism (the unification of all slavic nations) (which he was not liked for as the November Uprising was against russians and russians were generally hated)

The legion itself counted at its biggest around 200 people, although apperently a total of about 500 people has passed through it during its existance. Mickiewicz himself left the legion after around 2 months and passed the authority to Mikołaj Kamiński. They fought mostly in Lombardy and Genua. Apparently, the legion wasn't very famous or succesful in fighting but was still liked by the italians. The legion lasted around 15 months, in which they also tried helping in the hungarian uprising and then disbaned.

Tho APH Poland still had very good reasons to be in Italy ! One of the most famous polish legions were the Italian legions during Napoleonic Era; they're even mentioned in our anthem! Polish legions were also very active during the springtime of nations, as many believed that fighting alongside others will help our own cause laster. . . or just wanted to fuck with Austria

so, yeah, overall you do have (my) polish approval (tm)

The Mickiewicz Legion was a group of Polish radical revolutionaries who went to Italy (Rome, Milano, Genoa,…) in order to fight after the Polish revolution failed. Their leader was a feminist poet with an interesting hair style. I couldn’t find many sources on them so most of it is Wikipedia, so if I have some Polish followers who can give me more info that would be amazing!

[sam-glade]

Happy STS, Sam!

What is something that makes its way into everything you write? A character type, a scene, a trope, anything?

Is there something you really want to include in a story at some point, but haven't had the chance yet?

And do you ever hide easter eggs in your writing, even if chances that anyone will find them are low?

Happy STS, Elli!

What is something that makes its way into everything you write?

So far it looks like larger than life, epic locations and characters that choose to be kind - and I mean they consciously choose kindness.

Is there something you really want to include in a story at some point, but haven't had a chance yet?

The only thing I can think of right now is a tragic ending. So far all of my stories have happy or bittersweet endings, and I want to write one where the narrative is progressing towards a cliff with the inevitability of a steam train.

I've got one planned, just didn't have the time to write much of it - and I'm not sure if I can go through with it. I always want to give my characters a big comforting hug at the end; it's hard to resist.

And do you ever hide easter eggs in your writing, even if chances that anyone will find them are low?

I do! They're usually references to classical Polish literature and music. The three I can think of off the top of my head are:

Multiple references to The Haunted Manor by S. Moniuszko in Gifts of Fate - there's an old grandfather's clock in the entrance hall, and Varré calls the main cast 'the daring squatters in the haunted manor'.

A lovely kind woman called Alina looking for her sister. The sister joined the Dark Side Traitor. It's a reference to Balladyna by J. Słowacki - and please read the synopsis of that play, because it's insane.

One of the characters is called a 'lighterboy' by some ancient beings, which is another Moniuszko reference - here's a link to my in-setting translation of the song.

[sam-glade]

happy sts! who would you say are your greatest writing influences?

Hi Skye, Happy STS!

I just talked about literary influences on my writing here, but that was in general, so let me focus on additional influences for Days of Dusk in particular.

First of all there's 19th century Polish literature including:

Sir Taddeus by A. Mickiewicz for the pastoral scenes and family drama

Balladyna by J. Slowacki for the particular blend of slightly creepy everyday supernatural (I highly encourage you to check out the synopsis. It's WILD)

The Trilogy by H. Sienkiewicz

Now, I am fully aware that it romanticises the past, and I am doing all the historical research I can alongside it, but seeing depictions of the culture of this region and period by Polish authors is without a doubt an influence.

Then there are Slavic myths and legends, and a tonne of fairy tales. Beyond lifting and shifting a lot of monsters and demons from them, I'm looking for patterns how problems are solved. You know the stereotype of valiant knight facing a dragon head on to rescue the princess from the tower? That's nowhere to be seen. The most famous dragon-slaying fairy tale relies on a cobbler's wit and cunning (source), and the dragon isn't guarding a hapless princess, but demanding food as tribute from the king. To be fair, the princesses and queens in these tales kick ass.

[sam-glade]

Happy STS! Are there any particular inside jokes you like to include in your WIPs? I mean things that don't mean anything to the average reader but are funny to you and your friends? If the answer to that is no (or if you just want to answer a second question lol), is there a particular album/genre you like to listen to while writing?

Hi Moshke, happy STS!

Yes, there's a handful😄

They're primarily references to Polish classical music and literature which are entirely unknown in the English-speaking world.

An ancient character calling someone 'lighterboy' - a reference to this song (I really need to polish it up, since I keep referencing it so much)

In Gifts of Fate, when the main cast hides in an abandoned manor, there's a few references to Moniuszko's Haunted Manor.

There's also a quick reference to Balladyna - I named a very minor character after a character from the play. I encourage you to check out the synopsis, because it's wild.

As for what I listen to when writing - the answer is as always, my one and only epic playlist.