Tinley has finished telling you her story, at least this part.

I have spent the better part of three months with her as a constant companion, writing very little else.  (There was this small thing … you may see it in August.)  I have felt the warmth of a glowmander in my hand, stared down a wild boar, and felt my fingers bleed from climbing a giant rock shaped like a turtle’s head.  As I said in my intro to this month’s newsletter, I am going to miss her.

In this final chapter, I hope that I have done more than spin an enjoyable story.  There were more references to my childhood favorites (Morla the Ancient One, anybody? Ents?).  I enjoy stories where plot elements come together in unexpected and meaningful ways, so I tried to write one of those here.

There were themes that emerged for me (as my dad said they might).  Perhaps they are clichés, but there are reasons they exist; I prefer to think of them as universal truths.  I don’t want to give away all the themes I tried to work in, but I do want to include the following quote:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  --MLK, Jr.

(If you want to talk more about the motifs I tried to write into this, just let me know and I’d be more than happy to chat!)

Will there be more to Tinley’s story?  Do you want to know how this plucky girl grows under the tutelage of a wizard and plays a major role in the Goblin Wars when they attempt to cross the mountains and invade the land of the humans?  I guess that remains up to you and how well I have told her story up to this point.

A brief word about writing fantasy as opposed to more realistic fiction.  I believe successful authors have given themselves license to be creative and let their imagination run amok.  Sadly, I tend to stifle mine and “color within the lines” of acceptable notions.  The challenge is to unchain the imagination, and allow myself to create something new, completely my own, without bending to physics or common sense.  The times that I enjoyed Tinley’s story the most was when I quit thinking about what I know and instead closed my eyes and imagined what could be.

Thanks to everyone who helped me along this journey.  Truly, this could never be written without the editing advice of friends and family.

What’s immediately next for Tinley?  My goal is to edit over the summer and (hopefully) publish the complete story on Amazon, including creating a paperback copy of the book.  It’ll be some work (and I need a cover image!!), but I’m quite excited.

Finally, to the readers who have walked every inch of Tinley’s journey from Mother Matty’s to the Pool with me, you have my (our) sincere thanks.