The trope subversions are really fun in this one. The benevolent prankster nature of the wolfer was surprising and refreshing, as was the connection to St. Andrew.
It's a Romanian folk belief that Saint Andrew was followed by wolves whenever he walked throughout Dacia. Actually, there's also an anachronism in Baba Florea's story because if Saint Andrew ever came to Dacia, he wouldn't have encountered Romans, but Dacians. But Romanians wouldn't necessarily speak ill of the Dacians, most of us seeing them as our noble ancestors. And also the Gospels speak about Roman persecution. At the time of the apostles, Dacia was still free from the Romans, being conquered in 106 AD.
And yes, blueberry liqour is very tasty. It can get pretty strong, depending on who makes it, but even when it's strong, it leaves a nice aftertaste, even if your eyes are burning. Thank you for reading, Ray; I always appreciate your engagement!
Thanks for reading and the kind words, Paul. I wrote it straight after reading a book on dialogue. The religious elements are always in my work, but this time I made them more overt.
Wow I can’t tell why… but this could be a Tarantino movie. I don’t know if you know him but my dad liked him and I had to watch some of them with him when it was older
So one was a western thing and I felt the rhythm was just like this text. I forgot the title but it was not a post station in the winter
Your way with words is so great and extraordinary. Untypical like Tarantino
You adding these words in made it even more authentic
Tarantino is actually the one who taught me how to write dialogue. He had a video where he said he basically puts two characters in a room and they have a conversation. And I think that's what I did with the story. It's also the first story I have written after reading a craft book on dialogue, and I wanted to explore that. Next, I'm a huge Tarantino fan, especially The Hateful Eight, which I think is the movie you're talking about, and it has become one of my favorites. It's far from the first story I have written or the first thing that I have written. I've been writing all my life, but it's one of the first stories that I've written after I decided to be a writer, after I said that a writer is what I'm going to be at the end of and throughout my life. As always, Anna, I'm grateful for your kind words. Thank you for reading and for engaging with my work.
A perfect setup leading to a brilliant payoff, the reveal was masterful, and you really delivered on the dialogue with this one. The tie to the rest of the Nihil Perdit completely caught me off guard but makes complete sense with the folkloric nature of the work. Saint Andrew preached in the Romanian lands, where he forged such a powerful bond with God that he could entrust the Lord’s armor to the Scythian ancestors of the Scottish people. They carried that spiritual inheritance westward until it became part of Scotland’s faith, protection, and saltire. That connection is amazing and makes me love The Wolfer even more. Scotland's national animal might be the Unicorn but, through this lineage, a wolf would be just as fitting.
This dialogue drips with intense patience.
I could lie to you and say that this is what I was going for, but that’s just how the characters talk. I merely listened.
That’s often the way it is.
The trope subversions are really fun in this one. The benevolent prankster nature of the wolfer was surprising and refreshing, as was the connection to St. Andrew.
Blueberry liquor also sounds tasty.
It's a Romanian folk belief that Saint Andrew was followed by wolves whenever he walked throughout Dacia. Actually, there's also an anachronism in Baba Florea's story because if Saint Andrew ever came to Dacia, he wouldn't have encountered Romans, but Dacians. But Romanians wouldn't necessarily speak ill of the Dacians, most of us seeing them as our noble ancestors. And also the Gospels speak about Roman persecution. At the time of the apostles, Dacia was still free from the Romans, being conquered in 106 AD.
And yes, blueberry liqour is very tasty. It can get pretty strong, depending on who makes it, but even when it's strong, it leaves a nice aftertaste, even if your eyes are burning. Thank you for reading, Ray; I always appreciate your engagement!
That is such an oddly specific folk belief that it makes me wonder if it might be a legitimate piece of oral history.
If I ever come to Romania, I'll have to try some! I don't think I have ever seen any such spirit here.
You're most welcome, it's always exciting to see a new story pop up from you!
Enjoyed this very much. I love folk lore and I like the way it has religious elements to it. The dialogue flows effortlessly.
Thanks for reading and the kind words, Paul. I wrote it straight after reading a book on dialogue. The religious elements are always in my work, but this time I made them more overt.
What book?
How to write dazzling dialogue by James Scott Bell
Wow I can’t tell why… but this could be a Tarantino movie. I don’t know if you know him but my dad liked him and I had to watch some of them with him when it was older
So one was a western thing and I felt the rhythm was just like this text. I forgot the title but it was not a post station in the winter
Your way with words is so great and extraordinary. Untypical like Tarantino
You adding these words in made it even more authentic
Really great!!! And if that’s your roots, wow!!!
Tarantino is actually the one who taught me how to write dialogue. He had a video where he said he basically puts two characters in a room and they have a conversation. And I think that's what I did with the story. It's also the first story I have written after reading a craft book on dialogue, and I wanted to explore that. Next, I'm a huge Tarantino fan, especially The Hateful Eight, which I think is the movie you're talking about, and it has become one of my favorites. It's far from the first story I have written or the first thing that I have written. I've been writing all my life, but it's one of the first stories that I've written after I decided to be a writer, after I said that a writer is what I'm going to be at the end of and throughout my life. As always, Anna, I'm grateful for your kind words. Thank you for reading and for engaging with my work.
OOOH yes it was the hateful 8, how could i forget THIS title that was my dad's favourite!!
i fell asleep watching it the third time i think
but yes now it totally makes sense!
i'm so happy i could really see this influence in your writing... i'm so proud!
the atmosphere is like tarantino & yes i can see how strong the dialogue is
i am really bad with dialogue so i never write them...
but good dialogue makes a story (or movie) interesting and strong
& wow you have that in you!!
thank you, Stefan.
It's great to learn so much about how this came together & it's so super exciting to hear all that
i love substack because i can ask the artist directly and most are really nice like you!!
Shout out Ellis for recommending this story. I liked it.
A perfect setup leading to a brilliant payoff, the reveal was masterful, and you really delivered on the dialogue with this one. The tie to the rest of the Nihil Perdit completely caught me off guard but makes complete sense with the folkloric nature of the work. Saint Andrew preached in the Romanian lands, where he forged such a powerful bond with God that he could entrust the Lord’s armor to the Scythian ancestors of the Scottish people. They carried that spiritual inheritance westward until it became part of Scotland’s faith, protection, and saltire. That connection is amazing and makes me love The Wolfer even more. Scotland's national animal might be the Unicorn but, through this lineage, a wolf would be just as fitting.