At the closing of the year it’s time to look back on the strange, beautiful, and surprising places my journey in writing took me during year 12 in the books. Though I did not publish anything this year, my pen did not stay motionless. And many things happened in my author life which had not happened before. So buckle up and let’s go for a ride.
Rocks ahead
The project which occupied my creative energies during the beginning of the year was Stoneguard. This story takes place in the Swordspeaker world of Warding. It occurs around 700 years before the events in Truesilver.
Since Stoneguard foreshadows places and knowledge revealed later in the saga, it will not be released until after book 5. But, like everything written about Warding, it has deepened the world with more characters, legends, and lore which will seep into these present tales.
Toward the end of 2024, I began work on book 4 in the Swordspeaker Saga, Mountainfall. I spent more time than ever before working on the outline. The ending had some tangles that took some sleuthing to resolve. But I am pleased with the way everything worked out and very much looking forward to writing those scenes.
Pace on Mountaintfall has not been what I’d hoped, but I will do all I can ensure that the novel is released in 2025.
Of swords and songs
Writing will always be my north star, but I love creating things in general. I used to sketch and in the past I’ve been known to strum a guitar and sing a few ditties. But this year I stepped into some uncharted territory with forays into two new mediums: 3D printing and music videos.
I’m not sure when I first got the idea for printing a replica of Truesilver, but I’ve always loved the idea of owning a castle and having swords on the walls and suits of armor standing in the corner. So when the possibility of creating a life-sized version of the blade I have written so much about presented itself, I seized it with both gauntlets.
I had a lot of help with bringing the sword to life, but I had even more help with the music video.
I actually wrote the song in 2018 during the writing of Truesilver. But I didn’t know how to mix it or what instrumentation it should have. But God brought a talented musician across my path who generously gave of his time to arrange and record the piece into something far greater than I could ever have done on my own.
Out of my hobbit hole
Another first for me this year was hosting a booth at RiseUp Con. I got to meet some wonderful people and share my work with anyone and everyone who would lend me their ears. It was nothing earth-shattering in terms of my career, but I was glad I went and I hope to go back again next year.
I also had my first book signing event in my very own town of Knoxville, TN. The staff were so welcoming and friendly and many people came out to support me and my work. Honestly, it went better than expected. I’d love to do more events like these. Writing is mostly a very solitary road. Getting out and talking to people about these stories can be so refreshing and I returned from both events with fresh wind in my sails.
The long way home
All in all, not the best year in terms of writing output. But authors are human. I was exhausted after the release of Grimbriar and needed to shift down a few gears and catch my breath.
“Writing is hard work and bad for the health.”
E.B. White
I experienced some pretty major health issues a few years ago and I had several issues that lingered on even after the worst of it was over. It is possible to not be sick and yet not be healthy at the same time. Slowing down this year allowed me to exercise more and that in turn had pretty dramatic effects in helping me get past some of the issues I had continued to deal with. I also went through a minor surgery and that made a difference as well.
The result is that I am looking ahead to 2025 with much greater enthusiasm and energy. I still have some ground to cover with my health, but I am moving in the right direction and that feels amazing, especially compared to where I was.
Brighter days ahead
So there you have it. A look back at year 12 in the books. I am so grateful for all the people who read my stories or took the time to reach out with an encouraging word this year. I’m thankful for those of you who left reviews and shared my work with friends and family. I’m grateful for other authors who understand this journey and offer support in so many unseen ways.
Another highlight this year was getting to meet fellow author J.L. Mbewe and her lovely family when they passed through Tennessee. I also met some wonderful authors at RiseUp Con and at the book signing.
Frankly, this is not where I pictured myself twelve years into this journey when starting out. But I still love to write and I still hold out the hope of being able to write full time one day.
I don’t know when or if I will ever get there, but each word is a mote of light in a nascent sun. And that ever-growing brightness is enough to push back the darkness. A new day beckons. Let us answer its call.
Until we meet again, amidst the dreams and cloudy days, I will see you between the pages.
