Reflections and gratitude

Despite starting this blog as an outlet to talk about writing in general, I realized that I haven’t done a blog post in a bit where I just talked about where I am in my writing.

So here goes.

**Note here – I’ve linked to other blog posts if people are interested in anything I’ve mentioned. So feel free to click them!**

So I’m coming up on my third full year of blogging and persistence is starting to pay off in terms of consistent numbers in readership. When I started this blog in back in September of 2020, I didn’t know how big of a hit some of the facets of my mind would become.

Between the Halloweentown story series and the two part story on my Christmas Village and the posts about the tragedy that blindsided my little swath of the Midwest this past winter, I had posts that have gotten plenty of views. I’ve taken part in a few writing challenges as well, mainly “Passing the Baton” and “Name Your Number,” both of which helped connect me to more writers and authors and gave me an avenue for more readers. I even connected with an illustrator and helped her by writing a children’s story for one of her books, which was a fun experience.

There’s also what some of my friends call my “sermon reflections” – the blogs I write in response to the sermons at the little church I attend that get a bit of traction and some great feedback as well. Here’s a hint – if “church topics” pops up as one of the tags, then it’s a sermon reflection. Not that I try to push my faith on anyone else. I’ve learned that some truths are universal enough that they can transcend any religion.

Then there’s also my newest project, the serialized novelization I am posting, chapter by chapter, in blog format so that everyone can read it and read it for free. The Magician is a foray into an edgier urban fantasy genre and currently has only two chapters posted, though two more are already scheduled to post. The number of people who have already messaged me begging me to keep this story going makes the happy dance I do any time I get a good comment even happier. I will keep posting them every other Saturday.

On top of all of this, I am still writing my Portals Series, the stories that started me on this journey in the first place. I’ve traveled from the mountains of Colorado to the sage and magister city of Delphian in the realm of Wisdom through portals beyond…. I’ve helped Manda, Templeton, Solilune, Silus, Mopsa, Garrion, Xavier, Rhadamanthys, Ambarre, Kyrbus, Briar, Morogh, Alex, Sigsten and Lyka all share their stories and their trips in other worlds with magic and fantasy and wonderment. I’ve met dragons and sprites, druids and fae, evil Necromancers and kings that do more harm than good. I’ve seen magic of all sorts and learned to keep writing my own stories even as I give voice to their stories.

And while I still only make a mere pittance in royalties, I keep writing them. The seventeenth work in the series is in edits right now, so soon Heirs to the Realm will be joining the other sixteen stories, with Esperance, Serena and Kohlberht lending their voices to the stories of the realm. Four other stories I am toying with in the series are being worked on… perhaps they will come to fruition as well.

But I can’t do any of this without the help of readers. I am in awe that so many have read my works and my blogs so far. Ten different people have left me reviews on The Keeper of the Key on Amazon. One has reviewed my works on her own blog. Over 6500 views have been made on this website in three years. I am blown away by the support and the words of encouragement and inspiration I have been given, all while I write these stories.

While I wish I could make more than a few bucks a month, I still am thankful that I am being read through my stories and all of my posts. I am being encouraged to keep writing every time someone leaves a comment or sends me a message on a social media site or says something to me in person. I am inspiring others to find magic in the mundane, the joy in the moment, the peace that comes from embracing yourself, the love we can have for all, and the hope that there is more out there if we only take a moment to see.

So thank you, dear readers, dear fellow authors, dear friends. You keep me going. You keep me reaching for the stars even as I aim for the moon.

Stay magical.

Write your own story.

I know I will.

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If you wanted to see some of the fantasy works I have written, check out my Portals Series < Click the title to see it.

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