Category: Uncategorized
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The Leprechaun—A Dangerous Trickster
Saint Patrick, who is revered for having single-handedly converted Ireland from Celtic paganism to Christianity, is nonetheless associated with a very pagan character—the leprechaun. With a reputation for chicanery and a predisposition toward foul play, the legendary trickster may be the embodiment of an ironic last laugh. Leprechauns In general, leprechauns are solitary, dangerous, and…
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Maximize Book Success with Amazon Reviews
Come to think of it,are you relevant? This afternoon, a friend told me she had just finished reading Chick Stories. She related a story in her own life that was similar to one of mine. “One of the reasons I wrote the memoir,” I said, “was to encourage readers to connect with the adventures lived,…
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Banshee Legends—Keen on Death
My fascination with Celtic mythology began with the 1959 movie Darby O’Gill and the Little People. It wasn’t O’Gill’s obsession with the mischievous leprechauns that caught my attention. Nor was it the handsome Sean Connery, or even the pretty young girl who fell over a cliff—and for him. It wasn’t even the headless horseman who…
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Engaging Readers: The Real Timeline Behind Writing a Book
Come to think of it, the clock starts ticking as soon as the reader is engaged. A reader recently asked me how long it took to write a book. According to Reedsy, a self-described “ecosystem for authors and publishing professionals,” it takes most authors between six months and a year to write a book (based…
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Walsh Takes Silver in RPLA Contest
Outstanding Achievement in Writing Recognized October 18, 2025Orlando FloridaFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Florida literary world is abuzz with excitement as Patti M. Walsh, a talented and accomplished writer, was announced as a winner in the esteemed Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA). Hosted annually by the Florida Writers Association (FWA), RPLA is a highly regarded writing…
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Frightful Fantasies of Irish Faeries
From banshees to vampires, frightful faeries comprise the mythology of both ancient and contemporary Ireland. Understanding Irish mythology begins with understanding the Celts and pre-Celts who inhabited the isolated island. When the Celts (also known as Milesians) arrived in Ireland between 500 and 300 BC from Central Europe, they found a diverse group of people…
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Write Where Writers Belong
Come to think of it, writing is both a personal journey and a shared experience. While many authors agree with Ernest Hemingway’s observation that “Writing, at its best, is a lonely life,” members of the Gulf Coast Writers Association may not concur with Papa’s conclusion. “Organizations for writers palliate the writer’s loneliness, but I doubt…
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The Celtic Myth of the Twin Kings
Come to think of it, maybe the reason for the seasons is sibling rivalry When the winter solstice arrives on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 10:03 a.m., EST, it will be recognized as the shortest day of the year. To the ancient Celts, however, it was a celebration of hope, for it was the moment…
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Reading the Reeds
The Celtic tree for October 28 to November 24 is the reed. Represented by the letter N, ngetal (pronounced nyettle) is the 13th letter of the Ogham alphabet. It symbolizes wisdom, adaptability, and protection. Following the lunar cycle of 28 days, the Celtic Tree Calendar tracks the year in terms of trees, not months, and…