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Kerry Schafer | What Kind of Dragon Are You?
Poof! Somebody waves a magic wand and you become a dragon β what kind of dragon
are you?
Let's go over the possibilities.
First up, there's the Smaug-type dragon, immortalized by Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.
(Incidentally, these two writers were friends. I wonder if they ever sat in
front of the fire with a drink in one hand and a pipe in the other and discussed
dragon lore?) The Smaug-type is an evil, gold-lusting, vengeful creature of very
little brain. Totally not the brightest dragon in the sky, but great in stories
because it loves to burn towns and will eat any princess that strays into its
path. Smaug-types are forever and always being slain by brave warriors who
resent their towns getting flamed and who want the princesses for themselves.
We also have the McCaffery type dragon (also think Dragon Heart). This
dragon is
a lethal flying machine if you're on the wrong side of its claws and teeth, but
if you happen to be a Rider, then it's a different story. These dragons are
pretty smart, as dragons go. They can communicate with their human, experience
deep emotions, and are capable of acts of self sacrifice. They do seem to need a
lot of human guidance as far as basic life skills go β little things like
knowing they need to stop eating before they explode. What they lack in common
sense they make up for in loyalty and strength and that really awesome flight thing.
The other main classification of dragon is the wise, magical, far-beyond-human
intelligence variety found in Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea, as well as
mythologies
around the world. These creatures can twist your mind in knots, perform magical
spells, and yes, they can shapeshift at will. Never look one of these dragons in
the eye, or you may not live to regret it. There are several oriental tales of
dragon ladies who can take on human form.
I love the idea of wise, magical, but still very dangerous dragons, and it has
been great fun to write them into the Books of the Between. Vivian, the
lead character in these books, is a little less happy about the dragons. Partly
because she is hunted by some of the dragons, and partly because she discovers
she has dragon blood in her veins and it's a little tricky keeping that
blood-thirsty nature under control. Also, her lover, Zee, is a dragon slayer and
this does tend to get awkward at times.
While I understand Vivian's reluctance, personally I think being a dragon
shifter would be pretty cool. I think I might skip work and go off flying on
beautiful spring days. No boss is going to fire somebody who can roast them with
a breath.
Which brings us back to the question we started with. What about you? What sort
of dragon would you turn out to be?
Comments
12 comments posted.
Re: Kerry Schafer | What Kind of Dragon Are You?
I lost in my imagination where i am writing such a wonderful
blog as you written for this article. desertleather.com
(Elma Sherry 6:10am May 15, 2014)
I don't know what sort of dragon I would be. Definitely dangerous but hopefully intelligent.
(Pam Howell 8:18am May 15, 2014)
I would love to be a flying dragon. One that is not scary
looking, but intelligent, and a protector of small children,
and one that would not be easy to kill. Perhaps one that is
also a shape-shifter. I got so wrapped up in your posting,
that your story fascinated me, and I would love to read your
book!! It would be hard for me to really pinpoint exactly
the type of dragon I would like to be, but those were
qualities that I came up with for starters, just thinking
off the top of my head.
(Peggy Roberson 9:00am May 15, 2014)
lol I would probably be the dragon of very-little-brain.
Gathering treasure and causing trouble just sounds like the
kind of hi-jinks I'd get up to if I were scaly and huge. ;)
(Rhianna Walker 3:38pm May 15, 2014)
I definitely would be a McCaffery. Flying, lethal to enemies, love my human.
Kind of reminds me of the second Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe series.
Blanking on the name right now! Lol
(Michelle Schafer 5:19pm May 15, 2014)
I hope it would be the wise, magical and dangerous kind!
(Janie McGaugh 10:45pm May 15, 2014)
I like to fool myself that I'd be a wise, independent one, but
more likely I'd be the type that needed to be reminded to stop
eating. :-D
(Glenda Martillotti 11:01pm May 15, 2014)
I would be a really dopey dragon, unfortunately - would rather be a super-hero-dragon! :-)
(Felicia Ciaudelli 10:54am May 16, 2014)
I hope very smart and wise.
(Julie Duffy 11:17am May 16, 2014)
I can't wait to read this! Sounds like such a fun read!!
(Michelle Brown 2:21pm May 16, 2014)
I would be the grandmotherly dragon, watching over the little
dragons! LOL
(Patricia Cochran 5:29pm May 16, 2014)
I always want to be a McCaffery dragon. A female one who is also a queen dragon or even a rider of a dragon. I love McCaffery's dragons.
(Karen Locke 7:45pm May 16, 2014)
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