Inspiration for The Elemancer Chronicles

As a high school student, my nights were filled with journeys, not of this world but of a realm born from the depths of my imagination — Etheria. This mystical world, vivid and alive, revealed itself to me not through the pages of a book or the pixels of a game, but through a series of dreams, as vivid and tangible as waking life. In these dreams, I was Finnean, a character who lived and breathed in my subconscious, as real and complex as any friend I had in the waking world.

Night after night, I was transported to Etheria, an enchanted land where the ordinary blended seamlessly with the magical. With each dream, its landscapes unfurled in my mind’s eye — towering mountains, serene forests, and bustling towns, each brimming with life and lore. The characters I met in these dreams, from brave warriors to wise mages, were not mere figments of my imagination but felt like old friends and foes, each with their own stories waiting to be told.

Compelled by these nocturnal visits, I began to sketch the contours of this world during my waking hours. Characters took shape on paper, their personalities and tales intertwining to create a tapestry of narratives rich in magic and intrigue. Etheria became my creative sanctuary, a place where I could weave stories of adventure, friendship, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

As is often the case, the path to adulthood diverted my attention from these mystical sojourns. Responsibilities and the demands of daily life took precedence, and Etheria, with all its wonders and mysteries, receded into the background. I dedicated myself to building a family, a career in design, and ministry in the church. Yet, the world of Etheria was never truly forgotten. It remained a cherished haven, a wellspring of creativity that I would dip into during moments of reflection and repose.

As the years unfolded, our family grew, and with it, our world expanded in extraordinary ways. With our children maturing, we dove into captivating series like The Chronicles of Narnia, Green Ember, Wingfeather Saga, and The Dream Traveler’s Quest. Each story brought new adventures, kindling hours of lively discussions and shared wonder.

Then we purchased a travel trailer. Roaming across the country's landscapes, we ventured through the boundless realms of imagination. Around the campfire, under a blanket of stars, I began to share Finnean’s adventures in Etheria with my children. Their eyes would light up with the same excitement and wonder that I had felt as a teenager, crafting these tales. Each story I told brought us closer, our laughter and gasps echoing in the night air.

As we journeyed together through Etheria, my children’s insatiable curiosity and innocent inquiries grew. “Why don’t you just write a book, Dad?” they would ask, their simplicity and earnestness striking a chord within me. It was a profound moment of realization — why not, indeed?

Encouraged by their enthusiasm, I revisited my old sketches and writings, piecing together the fragmented tales I had crafted so many years ago. My children’s eager anticipation for more stories of Finnean and his world became the catalyst for a renewed creative journey. Their curiosity reignited the spark of imagination within me, and the world of Etheria, which had been a cherished part of my past, now became a shared adventure for my family and, eventually, for readers everywhere.

With renewed vigor, I began to pen the stories that had long resided in my mind. My children became my sounding board, offering feedback and ideas, their enthusiasm fueling my creativity. My wife, already skilled in the art of editing from her work on her sister’s novels, became my cornerstone. Her insights, critiques, and unwavering support were instrumental in transforming a dream into reality.

Thus, ‘The Elemancer Chronicles’ came to life, a labor of love born from dreams, shaped by family, and brought to fruition through a journey that transcended the realms of imagination. This book is more than a story; it's a piece of my heart, shared with you, the reader. It marks the beginning of a journey not just for Finnean and his companions, but for all of us who venture into the world of Etheria. This is just the first in a series of seven planned books, each a chapter in an unfolding saga that I hope you will find as captivating and enchanting as I have. So, I invite you to step into Etheria, to walk alongside these characters, and to discover the magic and adventures that await within these pages.