Cold Creek Tribute Writer: Blog

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

Update – SOL 14: Counterstrike & Consolidations

Hi everyone,

A few readers reminded me that endless intrigue can wear thin if it isn’t balanced with what first drew us here — the game, the camaraderie, and the world that’s grown around Michael Stewart. With that in mind, SOL 14 shifts gears. This chapter weaves together the tactical side of AEGIS with the rhythm of hockey and the quiet discipline that still defines Michael’s world. The story breathes again — not every battle needs a villain; sometimes the fight is just keeping balance between ice and ambition.

You’ll see more of the Ann Arbor circle this time — Kiyomi, Melissa, and Bill tightening the legal walls while David Keane steps in to professionalize Michael’s brand. The rink, the boardroom, and the dojo finally move in sync. It’s part consolidation, part recovery — a reset before the next wave of chaos.

At the end of the chapter I’ve included several AI-generated portraits of the principal characters. Each was built using cues from Cold Creek’s original descriptions and the canon files that guide this continuation. I tried to stay as faithful as possible to their established looks and personalities. Feedback is welcome — if you’d like to see additional characters visualized, just drop a comment and I’ll add them to the next release.

Thanks, as always, for reading and for keeping the conversation alive. Your notes and questions continue to shape where this world goes next.

— CCTW

This week’s installment dives into some classic Star Trek–style technobabble. No subspace fields or inertial dampers this time, but plenty of technical talk surrounding Northern Edge, Michael’s climbing game — and the long-awaited unveiling of AEGIS, at least on paper.

I’m also pleased to share that nuclearstranger has joined as an editor. Their keen eye has already helped catch a few issues, and I’m deeply grateful for the support.

Thanks,

—CCTW

Last week, I received an unexpected email from one of my favorite SOL authors offering thoughtful feedback and commentary on the story. Long story short — I’ve become the lucky recipient of some informal mentoring and guidance. Amazing and completely unexpected! On top of that, another reader has generously offered to help with editing, so I plan to take them up on the offer. This may introduce slight publishing delays as I build extra time into the schedule, but balance between work, writing, and life is essential.

The latest chapter should be posted shortly. It includes a couple of sex scenes, and I’m very curious to hear how readers respond. I don’t intend for this to become a stroke story, but a touch of intimacy feels right to honor the spirit of the original work. Let me know what you think in the comments or via private message.

Next week’s chapter will lean more into the computer science side of Michael’s life. I promise not to go full propeller-head, but a little “nerd speak” is inevitable.

For those asking when hockey returns — the timeline is synchronized with the University of Michigan’s actual 2010–2011 season. Preseason begins in September, and the current story is set in mid-May, so hang in there a bit longer!

Thanks again for all the comments, encouragement, and suggestions. They really keep me going.

— CCTW