In 2011, I first discovered this little library of interesting and funny writers. And I decided to post one of my own stories. It was a take-off on similar stories I had read on "other" literary boards. I fully figured it would be trashed and that I would be banned from any further contributions here.
It wasn't. IN fact, it gathered an interesting collection of very loyal fans and got marks above 8.00. Which surprised the heck out of me.
I tried to flesh out that story line a little, but to no avail. the subsequent pieces were not up to that standard.
In the meantime, I looked around and found some Amazing writers. RLFJ, Jay Cantrell, Don Lockwood, Aeroslav, Argon and Colt 45, to name a few of my highest favorites. People who wrote an Entry, A beginning, a bulk, and an End of each of their contributions here. All with the sort of polish and finesse that I could not imagine myself as doing.
My all time favorite was Reluctant_Sir. Who wrote two clear masterpieces in his "Dark Days" and who wrote a piece that was somewhat shorter called "Magic 101"
Magic 101 Captured my mind. Let me explain.
I grew up in the 1950s. A late child of a returning Marine from the Pacific. I was kind of difficult, and after a few "interesting" events of my life I was allowed to enter into the Same organization as my father as "an alternative to sentencing and findings of Guilt".
Yea. Uncle Sams Misguided Children in 1968. A great place to be FROM. And I was in 1972. From. When I got out, I was "allowed" to join the Sheriff's department in the county I lived in, and I lasted there for 2 years. Got tired of doing Warrants, Evictions, and fugitive captures, and decided I wanted something different. Went to work for the Telephone Company (Ever hear of C&P Telephone? "Cheap and Pathetic" in the MCI adds of the 1980s)
The Marines and the telephone company paid for College. BS EE from the University of Maryland. Then onto advanced education from this school in Penn called Warton. ( I was one of their first "Virtual" Students of the Executive program. Thank god for cheap long distance.)
I won't go through all of my career changes of the following 40+ years. There are five coffee cups on my top shelf, all from manager or consultant positions I have had, and all of them with their own ups and downs and experience.
And in all of them, when I came to decision in business, or management,I heard little voices in my ear. I listened to them, sometimes making people think I was a little detached from the situation. But when I listened carefully, I made the right choice every time. (Got a reputation of being a bit of Magical myself.)
When I read Reluctant_Sir's story, It engulfed me. and I begged him for permission (Since he wasn't) to continue the story of Hank. It took a while, but he finally gave me permission.
I am not much of a collaborationist. I kind of go in, eliminating opposition, and then render aid to those damaged. So he was kind of upset with "Magic 201" and probably 301.
Yes, 301 was abruptly finished. Because it covered a period of time which I cannot really comment on. I held out the possibility of continuation of the story of hank. But I am not sure how I would feel about another classy and competent author carrying it forward into this century. Much like Reluctant Sir felt about me, I guess
Still. I want to thank my readers for their patience with an old man's rambling of his view of what a Real Wizard would be like. And I hope, if you look real hard out of the corner of your eye, you can see an old man talking with a very young kid and his beautiful wife about their kids, and projects. And the Dragonet that is at his feet.