It's OK for Things to End (Patreon)

I figured I'd let everyone know that I'm definitely on the mend.

Another good thing, is despite a slight bit of kerfluffle over the week, I'm pretty proud of myself for getting 5 chapters in. We're in the end game now, and I want to just elaborate on a few little thoughts.

The first one is: It's OK for things to come to an end. I know that a lot of people don't like it when series come to an end, but there's just something satisfying about knowing the story is all wrapped up. It's healthy to have closure on a story. To me, the Lord of the Rings, when I read it way back when, was satisfying because it ended. It didn't drag on and on and on.

There's too many shows, movie series, book series, that I look at now and see there's like 10 or 20 seasons, fifteen movies, or 100+ books in the series, and it really feels futile to read it. There's no payoff, no closure, no satisfaction.

Which is why, yes, First Contact/Behold Humanity will have an end.

I owe you that, as readers. I'm hoping it will be as satisfying as the series has been, but we all know that even if I face-plant right after the finish line, making it over the finish line is a huge deal. I used to run marathons, a few times ones that were over a hundred miles in length, and it didn't matter that I thought I was dying when I finished, I finished, and that's what's matters.

The second thing is: Yes. There are more stories. I don't know what it is, but it's in there. More stuff in the universe of First Contact/Behold Humanity, not a continuation of the same story. Could it be a second series? Maybe. Does that conflict with point one? No. First Contact will have still come to an end.

But I don't know what it is, only that it's waiting, like Dorkness in the shadows.

Third thing: There's going to be a second set of printings for the first four books. My current editor is amazing, and eventually I'll have him do each of the earlier books. Same covers, just "second printing: 2022" on the inside cover.

Fourth Thing: I enjoy fan-art, I really really do. I love seeing it. Thank you for sharing it with me and I'm glad I inspire you.

Fifth thing: I'm trying to build a website. Unfortunately, everything uses this horrible phone-scrolling crap instead of individual pages, which I prefer. I honest hate the scrolling webpages even when I'm on my phone. 

I'll let you guys and gals, both and neither, know how that's going in a week or so.

Sixth: I'm going to try to post more here. Maybe answer questions and stuff like that.

Seventh: Apparently I've been nominated for more than a few awards. I want to thank everyone who's nominated me for these awards. I'm honored just to be considered for nomination.

And last but not least: I hope everyone is safe and doing well, or as safe as they can be and doing as well as they can. Things are tough across the world right now, everyone has their own cross to bear. Sure, maybe you don't have it as tough as a Darfur war orphan, but you have it tough for you, and I get that.

But you can make it. You've got what it takes.

I have faith in you.

On that, everyone have a good week and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

--Ralts