Guest Post: The Birth of Windwalker and Beyond the Fifth Gate: A Journey of Reflection and Imagination by Donna Sundblad

I currently have three epic adventure fantasies published. The narratives are independent of each other, but two of them, Windwalker and Beyond the Fifth Gate evolved from the same seed of imagination and are uniquely tied to one another. Both emerged from the simple practice of changing perspective—transforming ordinary experiences into extraordinary narratives.

I went for a walk with purpose; looking for an idea for a story. As I walked, I studied the landscape around me and thought, what if I were one inch tall? The concept of viewing the world through this new lens sparked my creativity. This shift opened my mind to new possibilities, allowing me to see the mundane with childlike wonder. I came upon a drainage ditch. As I envisioned myself small, the ditch morphed into a mysterious cavern. This playful exercise provided the foundational imagery that inspired Windwalker.

This is what I wrote when I returned home. It is the seed that developed into Windwalker and Beyond the fifth Gate. The only thing I’ve changed for this post is the character’s name. He didn’t have a name when I originally wrote it:

Manelin slipped along the slope, using the trees to steady his hurried pace. Something big crashed through the forest not far behind him. The threat moved silently through the woods, not a hoof beat or footfall to be heard, only the rush of splintering tree trunks warned him to run. Up ahead, he caught a glimpse of a cave, half hidden by vegetation. Hand over hand; he used thick rope-like vines to pull himself up the incline toward the haven. He could hide in there.

The process of writing Beyond the Fifth Gate was fueled by reflective exercises that encouraged me to explore the “Flip Side” of this original snippet. This technique involved reversing key elements to create a fresh narrative. In Windwalker, I developed the male protagonist, Manelin, who faces dangers in a murky forest and escapes into a dark cave. On the flip side, I reimagined this story through the lens of a female character named Elita and transformed her experience from one of fear to one of calmness in a cavern filled with light. This exercise revealed the emotional depth of both characters and enriched the overall narratives.

I used these exercises as a form of discovery. Looking for new ideas to incorporate that evolved organically. It worked, but the result was two novels intertwined through this blend of reflection and imagination, but connected in no other way. The act of stepping back to consider different perspectives allowed me to uncover hidden layers within the stories.

 
In Windwalker the Stygians welcomed disease-riddled Jonnick refugees to their shores and unwittingly unleashed a curse bringing strife and division. Ancient prophecies hint at a chance for unity, but Queen Riona's paranoia threatens everything. Social outcasts Manelin and Jalil navigate a world teetering on the brink of annihilation. It’s a fantasy tale of friendship, adventure, and courage, where destiny unfolds in unexpected ways.

 
Beyond the Fifth Gate is also perfect for teens, young adults, and fantasy lovers of all ages but it is a different story. It features a strong female protagonist chosen to save her world. She journeys through mystical gates on a quest where she must collect key items, and return to free her people enslaved by an insectoid race. Time is limited. She has to make it through all five gates before they close. It’s an uplifting adventure that celebrates courage, friendship, and hope.

Though I didn’t intend to write two novels initially, these exercises became a powerful form of discovery. This journey taught me the value of crafting compelling fantasy adventures filled with thrilling quests, formidable foes, and the transformative power of courage in the battle between good and evil.

I’m also excited to announce the Questing for Destiny Collection*! This volume features all three of my fantasy adventure tales, spotlighting unlikely heroes who defy the odds to discover their true purpose. You can purchase these tales individually or enjoy them all together in this collection. Whether you're drawn to the thrill of Manelin’s adventures or the uplifting journey of Elita, there’s something in this collection for every fantasy lover.

I encourage fellow writers to embrace similar exercises—take that walk, change your perspective, and see what unfolds.

*Questing for Destiny Collection is a new release currently available on Google Play.

Chronic Illness Guest Post by Tylluan Penry

I have lived with chronic illness for years now, but still it is not my friend. We tolerate each other and that is all. People often claim that all we need to defeat Covid is a ‘strong immune system.’ I could weep for them, I really could, because my problem is just that, I have a very strong immune system, it is doing its best to kill me. And the best treatment on offer is to suppress it, using the sort of drugs used to prevent transplants from being rejected.

The most interesting theory I can come up with for this state of affairs, is that stress has a lot to answer for. Almost everyone in a similar situation to myself has cited stress as a possible cause for the immune system going into overdrive. I can’t prove it of course and at the moment health professionals aren’t interested in exploring this idea. I’ve even suggested they should bottle whatever is wrong with me as a sort of ‘cure-all’ but I don’t think they will take me up on that.

There were clues that something was amiss long ago, but the most devastating and unexpected symptom was losing my sight. I’d driven about 50 miles to Hay on Wye, and suddenly, in a bookshop, I thought it looked very dark. It turned out that a wide horizontal band of vision in my left eye had disappeared. Just like that. Over the next few days it got worse and worse. It eventually returned, but with some colours, especially blue and yellow, so bleached that they were meaningless. I’d had optic neuritis, and I had more bouts of it in the ensuing years, each leaving its own, dirty, frightening mark.

Guest Post!

Today we have a guest post from Melissa! Trigger warnings for death and suicide. --

I am an avid reader. I don’t remember a time in my life where I didn’t have a book in my hand. Growing up, the library was my favorite place to be, and then when I managed to save some money, I traded the library for bookstores. To this day, I can’t walk past a bookstore without going in, looking at all the books I want to read, and wondering where my books (once I finish writing them!) would end up.

But throughout all the books that I’ve read, there are some that just stuck out and changed my life. Here are four of them: