In 'Someone's Been Telling You Stories', perhaps Dan Fogelberg is referring to the impact of untrue or exaggerated stories on an individual. It could be that these stories are causing confusion or leading the person astray. Consider a situation where a person is told stories about how difficult a job is, and as a result, they are too afraid to even try. The song might be urging listeners to be more critical of the stories they hear and not let them overly influence their own journey.
I don't have specific data on its popularity. However, if it manages to capture the essence of wild places in an engaging way, and if it has a unique storytelling approach, it has the potential to be popular. But it also needs to reach the right audience. For instance, those who love historical fiction combined with environmental themes might be more likely to find it appealing.
They usually have an air of mystery. Take the Forbidden Forest in the 'Harry Potter' series. It's full of dangerous and unknown things, from centaurs to werewolves. The vegetation can be otherworldly too, like giant mushrooms or sentient vines. And the weather can be extreme, with sudden storms or eternal mists.
They serve as a source of adventure. Heroes often have to journey through these wild places, facing challenges along the way. For instance, in 'The Chronicles of Narnia', the woods and mountains are full of perils for the children to overcome.
It could be a very interesting novel that might explore the history of various wild areas. Maybe it delves into how these places have changed over time, what kind of flora and fauna they used to have and how human activities have impacted them.