The Wordpile

I have a strong tendency to link magic and writing in my thoughts.

I am not referring to the fact that nearly all the fiction I write is fantasy, although that is certainly true. I recall a time, as a child, when I would pick up most types of fiction when browsing through the library, but at some point – I’m not sure just when – I started focusing more and more on books that wrote of the impossible. By seventh or eighth grade, I was reading fantasy fiction near exclusively, with maybe a few sci-fi here and there. At first I preferred what I now call ‘blatant fantasy’, better known as sword and sorcery, but over time my taste grew more refined. I learned the value of subtlety, I started seeing the character arcs on equal footing with action, plot, and setting. I’ve grown a lot, and no doubt have not yet finished, but no matter what evolutions my perception may go through, I still write fantasy. I just like the taste.

But that’s not what I mean. I mean writingis magic.

People think writers are in charge. It’s a natural assumption. You make it up, so you decide everything, right? But it’s not entirely true. At some point, the story takes on a life of it’s own. The surest sign of a strong story with strong characters is when they can dictate the path it takes. You’ll be typing along, sure you know where things are going, when suddenly you don’t. A character refuses to say what you wanted him too. Or he says something completely out of the blue. Or, somewhere in the midst of what was supposed to be routine narrative, a sentence suddenly pops out that rocks your story’s world. It happens all the time, and one of my earliest lessons in writing was that when it does, Pay Attention. Nine times out of ten, the story is right.It knows. It knows what it needs, and buried inside are all these twists and extra dimensions you haven’t thought of, but will, at some point in the writing, discover. Not invent, discover.Because clearly, it was already there. How else is it that even though you’d never thought of it till then, now that you have, it fits like a glove, and even explains other questions, sometimes questions you hadn’t even thought to ask. If that’s not magic, what is?

But most of all, it is magic because it is real. It gains its own life and voice in your mind, constantly urging you to write more, write more. Everything that makes it comes alive in your mind, demanding release to paper. And that release, when it comes, can be near euphoric. I said I write fantasy. When I’m writing the big scenes, I could almost cast spells myself.

I can see myself, part mighty conjurer, part mad scientist, madly typing as lighting strikes and thunder booms, locked in my little room making something the world has never seen before, laughing in demented delight as my creation takes form before me, shouting to the universe to GIVE MY CREATION LIFE!!!

And it works, gentlemen. It works every time. Everything here is undoubtedly alive, and awaiting your perusal. I am quite eager to show them to you. The door is right this way.

Do come and see for yourself.

Fanfiction:
In addition to containing my own, I intend to invite other authors to add their own works as well. Long term, I would like to make this site a collection of various high quality works.

Fiction: Eventually to be the location of my novel, presently a display case for what short stories I have written thus far, plus the World Building section, where I am working on the fantasy universe in which many of my novels will take place. You are all invited not only to read this, but to participate, telling my your opinions of this or that, and most especially telling me your suggestions.