New story finally hit!

So, I finally worked up the courage to hit the 'publish' button on The Archetypist.

I've spent a long time on this story. It went through an enormous transformation, from the 8,000 word entry that won the a Writeoff event way back in summer of 2017, to the much, much longer short novel it is today (I won't release the exact word-count yet, to keep people guessing, but it's many times larger than the original).

It touches on a lot of the themes people have noticed in my stories. Dreams, of course, but also the internal struggle that occurs when the world is changing in ways you don't like. The natural world vs. the created world. And, of course, how to do the right thing when there are seemingly no options.

There's also a lot of art! You've seen the cover and two of the chapter insert artworks, but there's more to come. I had fun illustrating a lot of the chapters. This is the first time I've tried to integrate my own artwork with a story I've written, and I really hope it adds to the experience.

Anyway, all this is to say that I hope you'll give it a try. For those of you who remember the original version, I hope you'll enjoy the new, expanded version. It's not just longer for the sake of being longer -- it's longer because there's more story to tell.

Before I sign off, I really want to thank GaPJaxie for his constant attention to this story. Many of the major revisions are due to his input, and because he's such a greater writer than I am, the final product is better for it. And my long-time editor Corejo for his editing work.

Have a Starlight Glimmer:

Comments

[RBDash47]

Very excited to read this once it's all up.

[Reese]

Nice. And that's your own artwork? Cool. :)
(I currently expect to get to the story later today.)

[GaPJaxie]

That Glimmer art though.

Before I sign off, I really want to thank GaPJaxie for his constant attention to this story. Many of the major revisions are due to his input, and because he's such a greater writer than I am, the final product is better for it.

I have already explained on many an occasion why this is not true. But if I cannot get you to accept your gift for the literary arts, I can, at least, illustrate my gratitude at receiving such a compliment. In the form of a blushing horse.

i.pinimg.com/originals/1c/e8/46/1ce846610cacc7be73685b968c944e3d.png

(Seriously thank you)

[Rao the Red Sun]

The only time in recent memory that I have been as or more excited to see a Writeoff entry go live here was, not coincidentally because he is in fact amazing, a Jaxie piece. I can't wait to see what you've done with the story in the last year and change.

[Murcushio]

I want to say that so far it reminds me of a Cynewulf story but Cynewulf has written so many of those I can't possibly be sure.

ETA: Nope, wait, not Cynewulf. A Once and Future Darkness. That's what this reminds me of for some reason. To be fair that is probably CiG's most Cynewulf-y story.

[Chillean]

Where do I find your art? I searched derpi for your name and nothing came up.

[Cold in Gardez]

5035096

I keep most of it on my Deviant Art page here.

[Cold in Gardez]

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I'll put up another blog post tonight about the links between this story and A Once and Future Darkness.