Why Fairies?

Today’s feature is a guest blog with friend and American Title Award winner Helen Scott Taylor. Welcome Helen!

Before I wrote my recent release The Magic Knot, I spent a while deciding on the paranormal/fantasy world in which to set the story.

I thought of the usual vampires and shape shifters, but so many authors have written marvelous books about these paranormal beings, I wanted to try something different. During my research, I discovered the fairy world provides scope for almost anything to happen. Within the fairy world, there are all types of beings, from vampires to shape shifters, hideous monsters to the preternaturally beautiful god-like race of the Irish Tuatha Dè Danaan. Many fairy creatures and races possess magical abilities and the range of gifts and skills is limitless.

For any writer wanting to flex the imagination and create a new and exciting fantasy world, the fairy world provides a wonderful starting point.

I wanted to use a setting I knew well, so I chose Cornwall in England. This area is rich in folk law. When I researched the different fairy races said to inhabit Cornwall, the Cornish piskies jumped out at me as the obvious choice. Piskies are known as pixies in other parts of England and are usually thought of as small mischievous beings. For the purposes of my story, my half-human, half-Cornish pisky heroine Rose is human sized.

The Irish Tuatha Dè Danaan are a beautiful race of human-sized fairies descended from Greek gods who arrived on the emerald Isle millennia ago. They are trooping fairies, which means they live together in groups. As soon as I read about this mysterious race, I knew I’d discovered my hero’s identity. But to make things a little more interesting, Niall O’Connor, the hero of The Magic Knot, is not purebred Tuatha Dè Danaan. He is half leprechaun. And yes, in my world leprechauns are little people. Luckily, Niall and his identical twin brother Michael take after their father in looks and stature. But Niall is rather touchy about his leprechaun blood.

In my fairy world featured in The Magic Knot, each fairy embodies the qualities of one of the elements. The leprechauns and Cornish piskies are Earth elementals, the noble old blood Tuatha Dé Danaan are either Fire, Air, or Water. This gives them their powers, strengths, and weaknesses.

Earth is the mother, the element of birth and renewal. Earth elementals are steady, grounded, and generous, with their feet firmly on the ground. Confident and steadfast, Earth elementals have an instinct for survival, which makes them excellent protectors.

Air elementals are intelligent with great imagination, and can be very persuasive. They are good at conceiving new ideas and seeing changes coming. They have an affinity to music. They may ‘have their heads in the clouds’ and be difficult to pin down. Their spiritual beauty is reflected in the intricate formation of snowflakes.

Water elementals are the nurturers, the calm center that supports loved ones to help them conquer problems. Sensual, graceful, and often very beautiful, Water elementals have strong emotions, and love deeply.

Fire elementals embody passion, enthusiasm, and desire. They are quick and bright, but often emotionally volatile. Forceful and highly opinionated, Fire elementals think they know best. They are considered to be ‘hot blooded’.

To find out which element you are, go to my website www.helenscotttaylor.com and take my elements quiz. Then come back and tell us what element you are!

– Helen Scott Taylor