The Realm

Ah, the story is going so well. Story? More like epic. The Realm has expanded so much. So quickly. It went from being a simple world...no, the Realm was never simple. It just hadn't revealed it's complexity. Because it is complex. It has its own history. It's backstory. And behind every story is yet another story yet to be told.

Even along the timeline, there are millions of stories, of people who need their voices to be heard, behind the main events. Yet I cannot accomplish this task on my own. So, this world needs to get out. People who may one day write fanfictions, may not end up writing the fanfic they think they are, but will be, instead, writing down the voices of those that need to be heard.

Now you begin to see the complexity within the simplicity. I did not create the Realm for me. No. I created the Realm for you. All of you. It is not the legacy that plan to leave behind. The legacy that I wish to create is for many to join in the Realm. To be immersed in it. Because the Realm is the imagination.

A Story That I Remember: A Messenger of God

About one to three years ago, in my old youth group, we went to a small concert near Ft. Leavenworth. It was for a Christian rapper. While we were there and waiting for the concert to begin, my youth pastor, Kim, began talking to a woman named Mildred (if I remember right). I saw most of our group was gathering about them, so I went over to see what was up. Before I knew it, we were standing in a circle, so as for everyone to be part of what was being said. Dude...you could feel the Spirit of God descend on us right there. Mildred, she took one look at each and everyone of us and it was like she knew us better than we knew ourselves. She told us things we didn't even know, or confirmed things, and I could just tell through the Holy Spirit that she spoke the truth. (i'm getting trembly just remembering it) When she came to me, she looked me right in the eys and said, "You're a teacher. By twenty five, you could be out teaching/preaching people who have been for years." That was all she said to me, and then she moved on. Michael, let me tell you. She was either a spirit sent by God, a prophetess, or an angel. I'm not sure which of those she was, but the Spirit of God was upon her. She didn't speak in tongues (that I heard), but instead looked into our souls. I will never forget what she said. When she finished speaking to all of us that were gathered about (I stopped paying attention because I was slightly reeling from my revelation) she looked at each of us again and said, "We will meet again."

End of a Year

Alright. First year of college: overall success I think. I've grown much just this year alone. I am all registered for next year, and I'm working on some new stories.

If anyone is interested in reading my work, please check out this blog: http://ttdos-flamian.blogspot.com/

I greatly appreciate feedback.

Thanks,

Benji.

Epiphany

I recently discovered something very interesting about all of my stories. I have long had the suspicion that my imagination was building up to some super epic book or story, and I have had a startling and shocking revelation that this may very well be true.

I was doing some research and thinking back to past stories and ideas that I never finished or never really developed, and it hit me. Every single idea that I have ever had about a story has always built upon a previous idea. After this discovery, the more I though about it, the more it made sense. Perhaps my true intention behind those stories wasn't to get them finished or published, but instead, perhaps my true goal behind them was to develop a particular idea or certain aspect of the plot to a certain point. Once I reached this point, I subconsciously, or perhaps even divinely guided, began to take that particular aspect or idea and incorporate it into a new idea, where it was further developed, added to, and forged, until it was ready to move on. Once that aspect reached a certain point, I added on others. Experimented. Saw what fit with it and what didn't. The Ever War may very well the best idea and writing that I have ever had.

Now that I have realized this, I now have a new understanding of how my imagination works. However, now I have a new challenge as well. Along with this new understanding, a new responsibility and duty has arisen. Now I can consciously take and mold ideas together. Now that I think back, I can see how cool this ability is. It's absolutely perfect for fanfiction! I often take movie plots, as well as book plots, and tweak them. I add characters, change the plot to something that I view as better. Perhaps I can now do the same to my own writings. This may be the greatest and most challenging skill that I can master.

Caffeine

Alright, I know this will sound crazy, but I think part of the depressive mood I have been in was in fact, partially caused by caffeine.

I was watching the History channel the other day, and they were discussing the coffee bean and the effects caffeine has on the human psyche. Studies indicate that although caffeine in large amounts can be dangerous, caffeine in the correct amount stimulates the human mind, allowing us to have more energy, think more clearly, and generally be happier people. It provides us with the little pick me up that we all require in order to make it through the day.

So, you know what? I am going to drink caffeine again, but I have learned my lesson. Don't go hog wild on chocolate covered coffee beans, a mountain dew, and a large soft drink, and you won't come out of it with a three day headache. Common sense. See? This in itself is proof of those studies. I haven't thought this clearly since two weeks ago when I took up that stupid stupid dare.

New Resolutions

Ok, I have been dealing with some stuff in my life, and I have decided that there needs to be some changes. I am not at all entirely satisfied with who I am portrayed as. Therefore, I am going to change that. I am going to truly be true to myself, as well as to everyone else. What this means exactly is of a personal nature which I am not going to discuss at any length, but just know that I am making a wise decision.

Also, I have had an epiphany. It has recently come to my attention that all my stories are connected in some way. They build upon each other. I cannot explain it any other way. I have always had a feeling that my stories were leading up to something, and I now realize that that may be entirely accurate. I feel like every new idea I come up with is leading me closer to some epic tale that has yet to be told. I'm not sure what this means, but if it means that I can at least add one tale to the many that are out there, then I hope that at least one person will enjoy it.

Hmmm.....

I don't really know why, but I feel lighter of spirit than I have in a while. I really don't know. Perhaps it's just God's peace? I don't know, but I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Man, I really can't get the Ever Road out of my head. For those of you who don't know, Ever Road is a mystical/spiritual road from a story I'm working on called The Ever War. It has got to be the best idea that has ever come to me.

Although, I have noticed something about all of my writings. They all build upon each other. I have gone back over some old stories, and I see some shocking similarities about them. For instance, Flamian was originally a bounty hunter in my first attempt at a novel, Dragonstone. That isn't the original name for it, but I like it much better. Then I realized that in my second attempt at a series (the first book is actually finished, but needs editing and rewriting and such) the Dragonstone had become the Soulstone, a mystical stone empowered by a living soul.

And now the Ever Road. It started out as just an idea, but now it's become something I would say I am almost obsessed with. Much of my free time goes into thinking out it's history, the creation of the Ever Road itself, how it was created, why, and most importantly, what it truly is. Much of this information, however, is all be kept secret until the story begins to reveal the story behind the story.

The Ever War is really much more complicated than it appears. For those of you who don't know, I have another blog. I'm going to try and create a link between this blog and that one, as that one is dedicated to my writings, and the Ever War is being posted there. Mind you, it is in it's rough form. I may end up publishing it later.

Also, please understand that I have not given up on The Chronicles of Power. That is the previous book I finished. I'm still going to work on it, but right now, I am really focusing on the Ever Road.

Well, Here I Am Again.

WOW!!! This is exciting!! A new year for new adventures. And new stories!!

Over Christmas break, I came up with a whole new story idea. Right now, I'm putting up on deviant art, but if it gets good enough, I might try to get it published.