Jim Galford
By trade, I am a computer system administrator. Generally speaking, all of my time is wrapped up in stupid-long work days, housework, or keeping my dogs from doing anything regrettable. On those rare occasions when I have free time, I write...and when I write, I write a lot.
My first published book, "In Wilder Lands," was put out in a rather remarkable (to me) situation.
In 2011, I was diagnosed with a collapsed vertebrae that was crushing a nerve line into my arms. Pain. Lots of pain. By April, I was told that I would need to have spinal fusion (at the young age of 35) or risk suffering permanent damage to my nerves.
Prior to the surgery, I had been bouncing around the idea of a fantasy story with some unusual characters. Finding out someone was going to drill into my spine sort of motivated me to start writing. In 30 days of writing, the first draft of In Wilder Lands was born in all its 200,000 word glory.
And yes, I've recovered nicely from the surgery.
“Bah!” Yoska snorted, reaching for his flask. “Will be cold in a few weeks. You, sir, are not invited to share my bed for warmth, no matter how much you beg. Do not argue...it is done and I will not change my mind.”
“Will you ever let me go, Estin?” she asked eventually.Estin snorted and closed the book.“I let you go a little every time you mention his name. I let you go every time you left because of him. Even now, you won’t be near me because of him. I have let you go as much as I am able while I draw breath. I will never push you...but if you want me to leave you completely alone, please send me away. If I’m with you…I am who I am, Feanne.”
“This is why the gypsies keep to themselves...no one else has the sense to age properly. You could drive a man to drink...I think I shall...”
“Tell me I am not a slave, but put a leash on me and I will call you a liar.”