This afternoon I was out on a walk. The snow was melting around here, leaving many paths slick and muddy. But the air was warm and the sun was shining, so life was good.
The path I walked was in a small natural park just outside the heart of the city. It’s surrounded by residential areas and is pretty quiet, but I’d hardly call it wilderness.
So I was surprised to see two deer, not more than fifteen feet off the path, foraging for food.
I smiled, took a picture, waved, and left them to their meal, my day a bit richer for the experience.
It made me think of the beginning of the project I’m writing.
Originally, I’d planned for our protagonist, a man named Hakon, to meet an old enemy. But when the two characters came together for the first time, they did something I didn’t expect.
It’s not an uncommon occurrence when I write, but it still surprises me every time it happens. And every time it does, I think it leaves the stories just a bit richer.

It’s a common question for those of us who make our living by creating imaginary worlds and inviting curious readers in. And it’s something I’m thinking about as I begin this new project. I imagine the answer is a bit different for every creator.

For me, there is almost never a “lightning bolt” of inspiration. Instead, it’s an accumulation of small ideas, of bits and pieces that weave together over the course of months or years.

For this new project? A major idea for the world came from an anime I watched two decades ago. The protagonist’s struggle came from a conversation with a friend over barbecue two years ago. The magic borrows a little something from a half-dozen sources.

I’m of the opinion that inspiration for stories can be found everywhere. From arguments with friends, to the movies we watch, to the news that surrounds us. The real world is far stranger than any fiction I might invent, and serves as an overflowing garden of ideas.

There’s something magical about a blank page.

It’s a canvas, full of possibility.

I’ve just started a new project recently, which means every blank page seems even more alive with potential. The story isn’t limited by what came before, leaving the future wide open. It’s the stage of the writing process that I find most exciting.

I love all my stories, but this one, in particular, I’ve kept close to my chest for a while. An epic family tale, told on a brand new world. It’s time to put some words on those blank pages.

In the fall of 2015, I took a deep breath and pushed “Publish” on a book I’d spent a few years writing and editing. That book was Nightblade, and little did I know it would change my whole life.
It’s now February of 2021, and so much has changed. I’ve moved and started a family. I’ve lost friends and gained new ones.
But so much remains the same. I still get nervous every time I push that “Publish” button. I love being able to share my stories with readers around the world, and while I hope I improve with every story, that’s a judgment that only readers can make.
And every time I push that button, I’m flooded with emails from readers.
I’m guessing I’m not the first author to say this, nor will I be the last (I hope), but I believe that my readers are some of the best in the fantasy market. So many of you have shown me so much kindness over the years, and it’s an incredible thing. I hope to never take it for granted.
So thank you, everyone. I’ve been flattered by the emails and messages from those of you who have already purchased Last Sword in the West. Your support, as always, means the world to me.

Hey all!

I hope you’re all doing well today. I’ve got an update on my upcoming book, tentatively scheduled to release about the middle of March.

This has been a really fun project to write. It’s the first book in a new series, and a new world. It’s also the most epic fantasy story I think I’ve ever written, and the longest I’ve written in three years.

And it’s almost ready!

As I write this, I’m just finishing the draft up and preparing it for the editor. I’m going over the ending again and making a pass to make sure my details are in order. I don’t think I’ve ever done quite as much worldbuilding for the first story in a series.

I’ll be sending my book out for editing by the end of next week!

As the year and decade draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on what has transpired and look forward to a new year. I suppose that December 31^st is much the same as any other day, and yet the idea of renewal and a fresh start is a powerful one, and one that I’m always drawn to.

Looking back on an entire decade is a nearly impossible task. Ten years ago I was pursuing my Masters degree in teaching, student teaching and commuting halfway across the city, out into the suburbs, every day.

In the past ten years I’ve held eight jobs, lived in four different places, visited well over a dozen countries, and written fifteen novels. I’ve had family and friends pass away, and I’ve welcomed a beautiful little girl into my life. I’ve gotten married, but learn almost every day how much I don’t know about relationships. In short, it has been a decade, filled with highs and lows. I’ve come a long ways in the last ten years, and yet it still only feels like a small step in hindsight.

It’s an easier task to look back on the last year. Personally, this past year has been a challenging one – perhaps the most challenging I can remember (although my memory isn’t that great, so take that claim with a grain of salt). Yet, I can’t help but feel that my family and I are stronger at the end of 2019, shaped by challenges, than we were when the year began.

Professionally, it has a solid year. Waterstone Media released three new novels this year – Heart of Defiance and Their Spirit Unbroken in the Relentless series, completing that trilogy, and Nightblade’s End, completing the Blades of the Fallen series. I’m excited that I’ve completed the trilogies and can look forward to other projects, but the plan for 2020 is another post.

Beyond that, the other professional accomplishment of note is that I began my own podcast. The Storied Lives Podcast is a place where I get to indulge in some of my deepest curiosities, examining the role that stories play in our lives. I’ve had the opportunity to sit down and speak with some amazing authors and guests, and I’m even more excited to have more conversations in 2020.

Although I wouldn’t call 2019 an easy year, I find myself grateful at the end of it. I’ve met and talked to wonderful people, traveled, and have definitely grown.

Here’s to an even better 2020!