Hey!
Long time no see, folks.
I've slowly been bringing my story (see lotsandlotsandlotsandlotsandLOTSofthreads!) into focus. Previously, I was not able to dedicate I wished to the stories, partly due to RL, committments, and a lack of interest/inspiration as the story had hit a brick wall, but this is one of my hobbies and I know at the end of the day if you enjoy something enough you make the time for it. This story has always been so big and so much fun it is worth exploring further.
So I'm going to be posting more regularly and tidying up as the board went out of control there with a spike in cowboys on the site and my handling too many storylines at once. I fear I've confused any readers I had, so have some 'splainin' to do.
1 - A couple of years back, I explored a spin-off story involving a younger Madi in town, who embodies innocence and the possibility of Redemption. To me, westerns often wrestle this theme, and while my writing is my own re-imagining the genre, I still think it's a pretty weighty, important narrative to play with and has heavily influence my Madison story. ANYWAY! So, we have the little Madi back in town, once again, innocent, afresh, and a little different to the young Madi of a couple of years back, she does not suffer the "illness" younger Madi carried before, courtesy of Magenta Grail (what a generous soul!), and she's back because older Madison is again on the wrong course and not learnt her lesson. This whole thing is aimed at redemption, rebirth and bad patterns - you cannot move on until you break them chains.
2 - Meanwhile, we have the ongoing storyline of The Orpheum, which was assaulted by Delahada, Necromesh and Madison sometime ago. The Orpheum Theatre itself was subsequently burned down a fair bit later between an NPC character mine, Heil Dhorgood of the Rhy'Din Watch, and Madison. Andy Jacob escaped. His brother, Brentan, did not. He was an innocent.
These two storylines cross, and this is what I am writing about here to clarify.
Madi Younger will keep turning up until Madison Older has a fundamental change. This is coming. As it is, The Orpheum is up and running again, with Andy Jacob heading it again. Heil, Madison and one of Madison's old colleagues from Zeal's bar in West End, have come together to form another plan of attack. Zeal's is now the base of their operation and been renamed Charlie's, in honour of its deceased owner, Charlie Renauldt.
It is a bar still, but little classier, a little less rough.
The last point of mention is Somersault, a thread I will be posting which has been written between myself and the player of Tag Sentry, illustrating their friendship and something of a side story between them; high lighting themes again of redemption, rebirth, the past, memories, and the uncertainties and convictions of the future. I am posting this because Tag is one of my favourite writers on the site and having the chance to work on stories with them is just wonderful. The thread is also pertinent as Tag knew Madi both as a youth the last time she was so, and the older Madison, whom he ventured to Lofton County with to rescue one of Madison?s allies, Michael, from the depravity and evil of the Hexxmen (see Hang the Jezebel).
During June, I traveled through some of the heartland of where a lot of my inspiration is from ? the Wild West. How could I not be inspired? I found during my travels I saw Madison?s life more clearly, her voice spoke louder, and the stunning landscapes catapulted my imagination into reaches of my story I hadn?t seen firsthand to be able to capture with words, something I have been ardent about, and being amongst it, anywhere from the stunningly surreal Monument Valley to the history-laden beauty of Texas to the lonely desert roads of California, I knew I had it. One day I plan on hitting Montana wolf country to be inspired still more, and hopefully Wyoming to meet with a western author who knows of Madison and has offered some thoughtful notes. To see these places, meet such people, helps immensely. It's like a fresh breath of air through the tale. I needed it.
While I am still working on my Madison novel, it?s fun to explore other parts of her life and the story that exists here, and as I shared with Tag player, it?s special to be able to return again and again and always come away with more inspiration and ultimately as a better writer.
Thanks for reading and here's to many more stories!
Mrye
