We often focus on the gods; who is your favorite hero or heroine?

V. L. Locey: So many choices. While I enjoy reading about Heracles and Theseus, I have to say my favorite heroine from classic legends is Atalanta. Sure, the guys killed lots of monsters, and you know, we`re all thankful for that, but the tales of Atalanta were particularly inspiring to me as a young girl reading those timeless stories. A virgin huntress, favored by Artemis, who was suckled as child by a she-bear? That is pretty awesome stuff right there!

If I had to choose from my own works, it would be Libby Simons, the heroine of my Gods & Goats trilogy. Libby is a mortal woman who finds Ares lying in her goat barn one day after a violent thunderstorm. From that moment on, her pastoral life in the mountains of Pennsylvania raising dairy goats is never the same. She is tossed into a battle with Hades and his minions with the fate of the Greek pantheon, as well as the world, up for grabs. Libby proves to be one hell of a warrior, friend, heroine, and lover for a certain battle god. What? You thought I would choose some other god as my leading man? I adore Libby, her strength, her character, her loyalty, and her spunk.

Cathy: I mentioned Ariadne the other day. I love the way she defies her father, saves the Athenians and frees her own people from the threat of the minotaur. She is smart and courageous, even though ill fated. Some tales say that Athena prevented her from leaving with Theseus; others say that Dionysius stole her away from the hero; all agree that she did not get back to Athens with him.

One of the sets of stories that fascinate me are set in Delphi. The women priestesses are touched by Apollo to speak hints about the future. These hints often get misinterpreted by the kings who are so jealous of their position, but that is not the priestesses’ fault. It is also interesting that during the winter months the care of this shrine passed from Apollo to Dionysius, a reminder that emotion and intellect need to stay in balance. Someday I’ll tell a story set in Delphi with a dryad who watches over the pool where pilgrims wash before approaching the shrine…..There is a ton of material in the Greek stories, enough for a lifetime of inspiration!

If you`re interested in reading more about the Greek gods, check out our books:

Love of the Hunter By V. L. Locey

Of Gods & Goats  By V. L. Locey

Of Heroes & Hay Bales   By V. L. Locey

Moon of the Goddess  By Cathy Hird