I spent the long weekend writing... even went to a friend's 4th of July party, which was pretty chill anyway, and wrote while I relaxed with good people and smoked my pipe. As of Sunday the 5th, 2:00pm, I typed the final words of chapter 10, completing War of Talons: Tales of the Wylde, which is a spin-off of Anime Festival Orlando's Interactive Convention Experience, Swords of Orlandia. It is canon to the main storyline, and I collaborated with the Swords of Orlandia writers anf AFO staff to help intertwine key elements to the overall arc, which I believe will provide an intriguing backdrop for those who plan to participate in the corresponding events at AFO 10.

This is the first time in which I have embarked on such an involved creative project, and saw it through to the end. I have had a myriad of reasons and excuses for not finishing things I have started for so many years. It feels warming to my very soul that I was able to see this one project to the end. 20,000 words, barely a novella. Technically, it's been nearly a year in the making, but about 5 months of solid work. All the usual blocks arose. I doubted. I worried about cliches. I distracted myself with video games. I sought validation as I released the chapters online or sent them to friends, and became discouraged as I received a great deal less feedback than I had hoped. For once, I kept going.

It's not the most original book, certainly not the "great American novel", nothing poignant that will turn the fantasy-writing world on its ear... but hopefully a good story, an engaging adventure that will take the reader on an inspiring ride, like any good fantasy piece should. More importantly, I hope it brings an extra layer of depth and intrigue to an event that my friends at AFO have worked extremely hard on. What they have put together is so unique for a fan convention, and I consider it a privilege to haven been given the opportunity to take part in such a creative and fun project. I would like to thank Karen Trudeau and Erik Reiss for letting me contribute, and putting up with my "diva" moments and over-enthusiasm.

More importantly, thank you Erin. You believe in me so much that I am actually able to believe in myself for a change. Because of you I am able to remember the way.

I will be touching up the last two chapters and will be publishing them soon. If you haven't read them yet, you will be able to read the entire story soon. If you have, thank you for taking the time. I welcome any input you have.

-D