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Happy New Year!
I posted the first installment of Defenceman: Parallel Ice (Non-Canonical Saga) last September, and let me tell you—it's been a learning experience. The kind where you learn things about yourself you didn't necessarily want to know. Sometimes the feedback stings like a slap shot to the ankle, even when it's completely deserved. But honestly, the overwhelming support has made the growing pains worth it. Sort of. Mostly.
The best decision I made—and I'm recognizing this from my position flat on the ice, metaphorically speaking—was admitting "I need help" and accepting Nuclearstranger's and Dookie's offer to edit the story. My heartfelt thanks go out to both for volunteering their time, patience, and probably questioning their life choices more than once.
I've been forthright from the start that I use AI to augment and polish the story. I know—for some of you, this is an abomination and not "real literature." I get it! Fortunately, there are so many great authors out there that you don't have to waste your time reading my drivel. See? I can't even spell "drivel" correctly without help.
As New Year's approached, I made a resolution to improve my technique and embrace better writing tools. There are some incredible options available, and after much research (read: falling down multiple internet rabbit holes), I selected one.
Novelcrafter provides multiple AI assistants that actually understand my writing style instead of fighting it. Prior to this research, I had no idea just how different one model's capabilities were from another's. Continuity continues to be my nemesis—Cold Creek wrote three prior books' worth of lore to wrangle—so the "Codex" function acts like a smart encyclopedia, keeping track of every character, timeline, and location in the story. The planning tools help me map out arcs and chapters, so ideally you'll be reading tighter, more coherent stories going forward. Ideally.
The downside? Over twenty hours so far of importing files and generating unique character, location, and lore records. Anyone who's ever implemented a SAP solution will understand—you have to conform to Novelcrafter's methodology, not the other way around. Will it be worth it? Too soon to tell. I can say that Chapter 23 is more organized and, I hope, better written than previous chapters. Low bar? Maybe. But I'm clearing it!
So that's it—just wanted to share my well wishes and keep you informed about what's changing for 2026.
All the best…
CCTW
Having attended multiple EXIT festivals over the years, I can say that each one feels like a celebration of music, community, and resilience. I’m not Serbian and don’t claim any special insight—just genuine appreciation shaped by my own time there.
If you’re curious about EXIT’s atmosphere, here are a few standout performances from the 2010 and 2016 festivals. The Prodigy’s 2016 set, in particular, became the spark that inspired Chapter 18 - Reunion. I was genuinely surprised to see the crowd lighting their own pyrotechnics in the middle of a live show—an energy so wild and unfiltered that it practically demanded to be written into a story.
David Guetta @ EXIT 2010
Faith No More @ EXIT 2010
The Prodigy @ Exit 2016 — Flare in the Mosh Pit
--CCTW
The past never stays buried; it just waits for the right moment to surface.
This chapter finds Michael in a steady place — well past the breakup and simply hoping for an honest conversation that offer a little closure or even renew old friendships. Meanwhile, Mitsy and Hanna gleefully torment him about his tragically nonexistent love life — self-appointed “Love Doctors” with zero restraint and far too much enthusiasm — reminding him that his world didn’t stop after everything that happened.
He looks forward to the Serbia trip not with fear, but with the hope that it will be a happy stretch of days spent with people he cares about. At the same time, the chapter reminds us that old adversaries aren’t idle and that new danger is quietly taking shape. It’s the last calm breath before the next turn in the story.
In addition to nuclearstranger continuing his excellent editing work, I’ve now added dookie to the process as well. He brings a great eye for local color and continuity, and together they’re helping shape the text into something sharper and more polished than I could produce alone. I’m genuinely grateful for their time and generosity.
With their support, and with SOL 17 about to go live, we’re a third of the way through the story — and the biggest arcs are still ahead.
--CCTW
p.s., additional portraits in the story
I wanted to wish all my American readers a very happy Thanksgiving. Even though I live in Europe, I’ve been to many Thanksgiving dinners over the years, and it remains one of my favorite holidays. The side dishes alone are worth celebrating—stuffing most of all.
This morning I corrected a small typo a kind reader spotted. I felt a little guilty about it since my editor had already cleaned the draft, and I managed to introduce the typo afterward. Proof that no good deed goes unpunished.
We’re now about a third of the way through the story. Soon, Michael will be heading to new destinations, and for those waiting for more hockey action, don’t worry—the season will pick up again. I have several great games lined up as inspiration for the upcoming scenes.
Thank you, as always, for reading, for the messages, and for the steady support. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend.
—CCTW
This week’s chapter delivers a mix of ice time and tension as Michael finally faces off against the NCAA.
A special thanks to Dookie for sharing some University of Michigan Easter eggs—those details add authenticity and help ground the story in Ann Arbor’s real culture.
You’ll also find new character portraits at the end of the chapter, completing the visual set for the remaining key cast.
Another thank you to Nuclearstranger for stepping in once again to help edit the chapters.
As always, I appreciate every comment, message, and suggestion.
— CCTW
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