Let's end on a high note

2022 was not the best year for me. I think for the past three or four years we've all been saying something along those lines. I had some health issues, lost the truck I've owned since high school, my apartment flooded and left me with anxiety anytime there's a cloud in the sky, and both my aunt and uncle died within 24 hours of one another. So... not the best.

But I firmly believe that even in the darkest places and times, so long as you can move, you can take a step toward the future you want. For a long time I've been dipping my toe into waters of my dream, committing for a day, maybe a week to being a real author. Being a real writer. Treating my work like real literature. Well, I can still move, so I'm plunging now.

A great deal of this is at the behest of (and near threats of violence from) my amazing wife. She's worked really hard so I can focus on this. So, as soon at next month, January of 2023, expect to see a lot more of stuff revolving around The Paladin.

I think the world I've created is really cool. It's so fun to play in and the people I've shared it with have loved it, too. So I want everyone to see it and have the chance to explore it. To that end, I've expanded my work brand into The Paladin Archives, an umbrella brand for everything revolving around my book, The Paladin.

You're going to see stuff on YouTube, stuff on Twitch, and a new sister website coming the focuses on the book, but in-character. It's still a work in progress but it already is so much fun!

Updates on the blog may not be daily like they once were, but they will be meaningful. I'm taking real, concrete steps that I can't go back on. No more sitting on the edge of the pool splashing my feet. I'm going in and I'm either going to sink or swim. If you like my work, if you think it's fun and interesting, say so and you'll be helping me swim.

I won't spoil anything else until it's ready, but expect it soon. And expect it a little different and a little weird. I'm reclaiming 2022 as a positive year and going into 2023 with optimism. That may be tempting fate (given the last few years) but what else can I do? I'm not going to sit on the side anymore.

Until I see you again,
Be Excellent to Each Other

PS. Enjoy this AMAZING artwork from artist Prissiie. Her stuff is freakin' fantastic. I took her image (with permission) and crafted the (technically) first piece of Paladin Merch, a blanket for my wife for Christmas. Yes, she loved it.

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