Reflections on an Accidental Hobby- and an Exciting Announcement!
12 Aug 2018Michael Wolfe
Hello, everyone!Over the course of my time here, I've had the opportunity to explore a new, completely accidental hobby: fiction writing. More precisely, fan fiction writing, for a space simulator that seized both my time and imagination. That game was Elite: Dangerous, of course- and like many others I discovered Inara as a community hub, the usefulness of which eclipsed even the official site and forums. Yet its greatest appeal- at least for me- was the logbooks, wherein a player might relate their in-game exploits in or out of character, posted for all to browse.
In a moment composed of equal parts idleness and inspiration I penned my very first entry. It was a silly thing and in no way thought out, much like my Inara account itself. After several failed attempts at a witty callsign upon purchasing Elite (they were all taken), I gave up and used my real name, which was (bizarrely) available. Since I was CMDR M. Lehman in the game, it followed that my account should be M. Lehman in Inara. And since I was CMDR M. Lehman on Inara, why should my logbook be about someone else? Thus did I commit the ultimate, cringy fanfic sin: blatant self-insertion, even going so far as to use my own name for the (presumably) dashing space hero. That I did so remains a monumental source of embarrassment to this day.
Yet it was too late. The logbook was posted, and rather than fading into obscurity something unexpected occurred: people liked it. Or at least they were charitable with their shinies. Or at least felt compelled to send me private messages telling me that they enjoyed my writing. Such validation was an altogether new experience for me, so I wrote another, with the same fun tone as the first. And another. And another. Soon my story arcs began to build upon themselves, and soon a supporting cast of characters was being developed.
Other things had happened as well. I branched out socially, meeting certain kindred spirits with whom I am in touch even today. Many of you are familiar with their work, for Inara hosts several talented storytellers whose characters and tales continue to move me. Introductions became conversation, and conversation became collaboration. One arc followed another, and soon enough our creations took on lives of their own. For years(!) we created and wrote, exchanging ideas and deepening the stories of characters that danced in and out of each other's lives, the process of crafting such tales neither instantaneous nor easy but always rewarding.
Yet a good story always has an end, and like guests in the house that Artie built we consider it the height of good storytelling manners to not overstay one's welcome. Thus will the tales of certain well-known characters- Matthew Lehman, Marra Morgan(a), and Jemine Caesar- be coming to a close. The decision to do so wasn't easy, but we three stand convinced that it was the right one to make. All that remained was to grasp the rope and draw the final curtain.
The result was a proper novel- the last in a series, in fact, for the story that needed to be told was too large for anything else. You'll be seeing several other familiar faces, too- Phisto Sobanii, Isaiah Evanson (of Premonition fame!), and Renraiku all make an appearance, and all contributed to the work. Cassius Fox, Nova Cassidy, Jubei Himura, Stryker Aune, and several others have had a hand as well, if not in this work than in the ones that led up to it.
We- and there are several whose hands have touched the wheel- are pleased to present The Alpha and the Omega. Starting tomorrow, Marra Morgana will be posting a chapter a day on her account. These postings will be Monday through Friday, for a period of five weeks. When all is said and done, the final work will be available in both PDF and Anyflip format, both on our accounts and by request.
This novel represents the culmination of years of storytelling, collaboration, and- most touchingly for me- genuine friendship. It is a symbol of the very best that can be achieved when passion meets commitment, and it is our gift to you, the community. It's our hope that you enjoy it and the works that preceded it as much as we enjoyed the process of creating them, and from all of us to all of you:
Right on, Commanders!
