Happy Birthday Alastair, my beloved muse eternal!! (Yesterday)
Here is as far as I got on the sketch of him I started on his birthday last year. (Forgive the messy imperfections of the image, I've had to rush a bit to get this post ready for his birthday.)
Little did I know back then I was about to go the longest I've ever gone in my artistic career without drawing.
Soon after I sketched my very last line upon this piece, I fully immersed myself in writing the new version of my dark fantasy novel which I'd started back in September of 2020. Come 2024, I had a goal to finish it by 2025, and I simply couldn't give my creative energy to anything else.
Now the manuscript is finally complete and ready for other eyes. I can't believe it. I just sent it off to some friends and family for their feedback...such a surreal feeling. To look at that tiny, little Microsoft word attachment, knowing it contains everything I've poured my heart and soul into for the past five years. I'm truly deeply proud of myself and this book in a way I've never felt proud of anything before. Without question, this is the book I've wanted to write since the day I was born. All I've ever wanted was for it to simply EXIST...and now it does. My dream, in a sense, has come true, and I can't wait to share it with the world.
I can't wait to share the REAL Alastair.
I feel almost compelled to apologize to anyone who read my old books, haha. I know no one cares, but the truth is... they were really just stepping stones for me to practice the craft, and I didn't understand that at the time. They were complete misrepresentations of the story and Alastair's true character. This new book doesn't even resemble them.
But enough of that. They often say you have to write bad books before you can write a good one, sooo that's what happened with me . And it's okay.
Anyway, once I get some feedback from a few close family members and friends I'll be looking for other readers, so please let me know if you're interested. I do plan to query and pursue traditional publishing. The journey ahead is a long one, but I'm willing to endure it. Ever since I discovered the wonders of pencil and paper, I have wanted to be an author. And I'm never, ever going to give up.
As for my artwork, I miss it. I miss drawing so much. Writing is like breathing for me, but creating visual art is also essential for my wellbeing. So I will definitely be drawing more again in the near future!! I can't wait!
Thanks to anyone who made it this far and actually read any of this, it means a lot to me - Madyson
