The End of a Journey

​The end of the journey is approaching. The seed of the story that formed in my head over 14 years ago is in the process of being finalized. Since I started formulating these characters and their journey, many things have changed: my family has grown in number (from 2 to 6), we experienced many blessings, and we faced many challenges. Through it all I’ve always known Crik; I’ve always known these characters. In a sense, they were with me at the beginning of my marriage, and I will be putting their story to rest for now, and perhaps, forever.
​

​I know it doesn’t seem like much to others, but this is huge for me. I remember watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy and experiencing the sense of “sadness” when the credits rolled for the Return of the King. But this, as strange as it may sound, runs deeper than that moment. I can’t recall all the conversations I’ve had with Liz (my wife) about the Downers, about their journey and the turmoil they encountered. There have been too many. I’ve breathed and dreamed about these characters. I’ve experienced heartbreak, anger, joy, surprise, sadness, disappointment all in the name of these made-up people.

They are fictional, yes. They inhabit a fantastical world, which many people “don’t understand.” But they have been a part of me and, in many ways, they are me. I see myself in some of these characters: the hesitation in Crik; the fear in Durgan; and the hope that clings in Aniel.

This story, despite its fantastical setting, is my story. I’ve always seen myself as a Downer; I’ve always felt that feeling of desperation, that deep desire of freedom. 

From what?
​
From everything that has enslaved me. In truth, we all bear those scars. We all have them. They may not be on our flesh, but they are engraved in our hearts. 

For those who have read this story, I’m so glad that you’ve joined me in this part of my life. I hope that as the story comes to a conclusion you, in time, will feel the same about these characters as I do. So, now that this part of my life is coming to an end, I want to share with you the cover and title to the final book of my Scar of the Downer Series set to be released in July 2019 by WiDo Publishing. 
​

Please check out the final version of my Scar of the Downer Series Book Trailer below.
​