need an idea - Page 4

VydorScope · 10-23-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Did you genuinely think, Becca, that insects hibernated, or was that merely a plot device for the book?

Some do.

For example:

Quote:

Hibernation as Adults. Many insects hibernate as adults. Lady bird beetles are a well-known example, and are sometimes seen in great numbers in the fall as they congregate at high elevations. Many large wasps seek shelter in the eaves and attics of houses or barns. Tree holes, leaf litter, and under logs and rocks are common shelters for overwintering adult insects. The Mourning Cloak Butterfly is usually the first butterfly that is noticed in the Spring, and this is because it hibernates in tree holes or other shelters during the winter. As in some insect larvae, it reduces the water content of its body, and builds up glycerol which acts as an antifreeze. Honey bees stay in hives during the winter, and form clusters when temperatures fall. They also are able to raise the temperature by vibrating wing muscles.

src: http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nm...nfo/winter.htm

BeccaPrice · 10-23-2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Did you genuinely think, Becca, that insects hibernated, or was that merely a plot device for the book?

I know nothing about the life cycle of insects, other than bees - and the only reason I know anything about bees is 2 days of research plus talking to 2 beekeepers for one 2.5 page story. (who me, an obsessive researcher? what ever gave you that idea?)

granted, my stories are fairy tales, but I do like to have a certain amount of realism in them. I may make one particular fire fly immortal, but that's because it's become a major character in one of the stories...

BeccaPrice · 10-23-2013, 12:46 PM

and an owl is the perfect predator to scare a very young brownie just setting out on his own. A good reason to be scared of the dark. A helpful firefly is the answer, but it takes some getting there to get the firefly to cooperate.

*sigh* and Butterfly Fairy tells me that she lives in the same field as the brownie, and they're friends, and I need to tell the story about how they meet... I do wish Butterfly Fairy would shut up sometimes. I do have other stories to tell.

HarryT · 10-23-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

granted, my stories are fairy tales, but I do like to have a certain amount of realism in them. I may make one particular fire fly immortal, but that's because it's become a major character in one of the stories...

Sounds like an entirely reasonable approach.

pendragginp · 10-24-2013, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

What kind of gifts would a little butterfly fairy give to, say, a mouse or a mole? fireflies hibernate - not sure what else would be out and around for a butterfly fairy to give christmas gifts to...

and would it be too much breaking the idea of the magic in the field to have her wearing a mole-fur jacket to keep out the cold? If so, and I think it is, what kind of jacket could she wear to keep herself warm in the winter, if she decided one winter not to hibernate like the other butterfly fairies do?

Becca, what about a jacket made from dandelion fluff? Or cattail fluff?

BeccaPrice · 10-24-2013, 07:23 PM

What a good idea!

pendragginp · 10-24-2013, 09:48 PM

Oh I'm glad! As a matter of fact, if you used the cattail thought, that brown velvety outer cover they have could be part of the coat too....

BeccaPrice · 10-25-2013, 11:13 AM

We've also established that she cleans and knits with abandoned spider web silk - not in any written story yet, but plotted out.

pendragginp · 10-25-2013, 11:22 AM

Oh, also good!

crich70 · 10-25-2013, 11:59 AM

If there are rabbits nearby maybe the character could get hold of some cast off fur as well. To make their home comfortable if nothing else.

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10-23-2013, 12:46 PM	#48
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	and an owl is the perfect predator to scare a very young brownie just setting out on his own. A good reason to be scared of the dark. A helpful firefly is the answer, but it takes some getting there to get the firefly to cooperate. sigh and Butterfly Fairy tells me that she lives in the same field as the brownie, and they're friends, and I need to tell the story about how they meet... I do wish Butterfly Fairy would shut up sometimes. I do have other stories to tell.

10-24-2013, 07:23 PM	#51
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	What a good idea!

10-24-2013, 09:48 PM	#52
pendragginp Guru Posts: 985 Karma: 4567263 Join Date: May 2009 Location: The End Of The Earth Device: Several	Oh I'm glad! As a matter of fact, if you used the cattail thought, that brown velvety outer cover they have could be part of the coat too....

10-25-2013, 11:13 AM	#53
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	We've also established that she cleans and knits with abandoned spider web silk - not in any written story yet, but plotted out.

10-25-2013, 11:22 AM	#54
pendragginp Guru Posts: 985 Karma: 4567263 Join Date: May 2009 Location: The End Of The Earth Device: Several	Oh, also good!

10-25-2013, 11:59 AM	#55
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	If there are rabbits nearby maybe the character could get hold of some cast off fur as well. To make their home comfortable if nothing else.