Blogs and Wizards



This Extra Ink was written by Betsy C.

We're looking for Teen Ink Bloggers!
If you're a teen with a talent for writing and a passion for anything at all--or if you know someone who is--you should check out the Teen Ink blogs. Teen Ink is looking for new bloggers who can offer their opinions and expertise in any category that interests them--books, movies, politics, health, crafts, creative writing, sports, or just about anything else you can think of! Serious applicants should be prepared to commit to at least three to four months of consistent weekly blogging for Teen Ink. If you're interested, please send an e-mail with four sample blog posts and a brief introduction to you and your subject to betsy@teenink.com. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

To give you an idea of the great diversity of subject matter that we cover in our blogs, here's a recent sample from our wonderful Science Fiction/Fantasy blogger, Megan M. Enjoy!

Ever wonder where the legends of great sorcerers and magicians in fantasy come from? Here are three real-life wizards whose stories have survived the test of time:

Myrddin Wyllt: Born in Britain in the 6th century, Myrddin Wyllt soon passed into history as the inspiration for the most famous wizard of all – Merlin himself. According to legend, Myrddin served as a bard to Lord Gwenddoleu, and went crazy after watching his patron be slaughtered by his brother during a battle in 573. Wary of society, Myrddin fled to the Caledonian Forest in Scotland, where he learned to communicate with animals and gained the gift of prophesy. He is said to have predicted Welsh military victories over the English and Normans and his own death by falling, stabbing, and drowning.

John Dee: John Dee served Queen Elizabeth I during the 16th century as a mathematician, astrologer, geographer, alchemist, and general consultant. Both a scientist and a magician, Dee was invited to lecture at the University of Paris about advanced algebra and devised many of the methods of navigation used by the explorers of the time. He also owned the largest library in England. During the last thirty years of his life, he worked tirelessly to communicate with angels and learn a universal language of creation that he could use to unite mankind, which probably led to his later reputation as an eccentric.

Nicolas Flamel: Scribe by day, alchemist by night, Nicolas Flamel (1330–1418) was famous centuries before the publication of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.” According to legend, Flamel was the proud owner of a 21 page book with mysterious symbols that was said to be a copy of the original Book of Abraham. The knowledge in this book purportedly led him to create first silver and then gold out of common metals. After his death, a thief dug up his grave and found it empty, leading to speculation that he had discovered an elixir of immortality. Flamel's house, now transformed into a restaurant, still stands in Paris.

-Megan M.
Please check out all the Teen Ink Blogs, and do consider applying for one of our primary blogger spots. Good luck!

This month's contest: college reviews! Go to FaceBook or MySpace to find it, or e-mail betsy@teenink.com.