Pictured: 2021, Colorized (Patreon)

Well, everyone, we made it. The end of 2021.

It's been stressful, but an absolute blast.

I was looking at the last chapter and realized that somehow I've written a story where the reader sees a ballet/opera at the opening of a chapter, involving the Queen of England and bipedal body building dinosaurs, that ends with 3rd Armor and 8th Infantry assaulting Hell to come to the rescue of the Devil and the readers go "Hmm, yes, this is indeed totally legit and the story has led here."

If you had told me when I wrote Born Whole that this would eventually lead to immortal black ships fighting psychic time squids from beyond space and time, a bunny rabbit who turns into Jason Voorhees, and an anthropomorphic fox janitor who becomes a legend I'd probably have laughed at you.

But here we are.

I hope that everyone's come through 2021 still pulling air past your teeth.

Remember, as long as there is life, there is hope. Even if your pushing yourself up onto your hands and knees, blood running out of your face and onto the rainy asphalt, your car burning behind you that you were thrown free from, you're still pulling in air, you can do it, you can get to your feet in the rain, throw your head back, and relish the fact that, at that very moment, you are alive. (Yes, I've been right there)

Don't give up, but most of all, reach your hand out to friends and family who might need just to feel your fingertips against theirs, to know that someone is there.

Tonight is New Year's Eve.

Tomorrow is the dawning of a new day. Yes, you'll still be you, but culturally, socially, we're supposed to give one another and ourselves a blank slate.

For 2022, my resolution is to finish what I started. Despite how it twists my stomach, I will finish the story, not draw it out, not pad it, but keep going to where it will inexorability lead us. Yes, the idea of typing, for the last time in this story ---NOTHING FOLLOWS--- makes my stomach clench and makes me a little sad.

But that's where the story is going.

As long as I get across the finish line, even if I go face first into the pavement and blow the last chapter or so, I'll have gotten us across the finish line.

One of the good things about the Six Act Story, is an entire half-act is devoted to the close of the story, the characters returning home, the fallout being handled, and covering how things have changed.

This won't end with the last battle. It'll show the surviving characters going home, their reunions, their rewards, and for some, others talking about how those gone characters changed things.

As long as I'm true to the story and let the words flow out of me, I think we'll be good. Even if we trip as soon as we CROSS the finish line, we'll still have done it.

I'll be honest, I'm a little nervous.

Anyway, take care of yourself, take care of your friends and family, and remember to love yourself and each other.

In the words of Sherman Potter, played by Harry Morgan:

Here's to 2022.

May it be a damn sight better than 2021.

Salut.