Welcome, dear Seeker!

I hope your arrival isn't overly wayward!

You've caught me in a bit of a renaissance.

If we've crossed paths previously, you can think of this as a rebranding. But considering there wasn't a brand to begin with, it would be more apt to expect something of a thematic realignment. Up until now, my stories have emerged as if from a game of Russian Roulette—their genres and subject matter varying to a point that not even I knew what would emerge and when.

The avatar below packs a wealth of information, all of which will be revealed in time. In short, I'm supplanting myself as an author with an avatar who represents my storytelling. This place, Sagaheim, is a world I constructed for my stories. This avatar, the Torchbearer, is your guide. He'll light your way across this new land, and hopefully, lend you a little light so that you may better navigate our real world.

Without further ado, I give you the Torchbearer…

Thank you, JT. I’ll take it from here.

I suppose the obvious question is ‘why me?’ Well, my counter is, ‘why not?’

Let’s face it, you’re only here because you seek something not found within the world you and JT share. That’s where Sagaheim comes in; it aims to address that void. And seeing as how this proverbial void is my home, why would I have someone else show you around? After all, it’s not like I’m selling this place. Nor would I sell its visitors, for that matter.

I have shifted JT’s prior work into an archive. Previously, he had yet to learn the purpose of language. One can hardly blame him. How often do any of us actually consider the things we encounter so frequently and in such abundance? The things we take for granted without even realizing it?

This is a prime opportunity for a lesson, dear Seeker. The first of many, I imagine. If you look through Sagaheim’s “Archive,” then peruse “JT’s Mixed Tape,” you’ll find a collection of short stories partitioned into various “genres.” Early on, JT took an artistic stance on many of his titles, many of which only held meaning for himself. And seeing as how these referenced “genres” were intended to aid a visitor in navigating to what they sought, the language rather misses the point, doesn’t it?

That’s the lesson—language, all of it, is meant to communicate. Too many of us have resorted to filling empty air with “our” words, believing them to be meaningful simply because we are their origin, yet neglecting language’s purpose while simultaneously shifting the burden of interpretation onto a recipient. But in a writer-reader relationship, who is seeking communication? The writer or the reader?

If the latter requires a ladder to reach some lofty concept lacking context, then the writer isn’t prioritizing the reader’s reception, nor their experience. And that, dear Seeker, is what Sagaheim aims to address.

Maybe not so much in JT’s earlier work, but we all begin somewhere. After all, even the mighty oak began as an acorn, granted we disregard the inlaid chicken-or-the-egg scenario. But when has anyone ever heard one refer to an acorn as “mighty?” And yet, one need only stroll through any public writing space to encounter a great many acorns trumpeting how “mighty” they all are, all while mandating how you ought to progress in your aims of becoming your best oak tree.

The audacity!

My advice? Let the other acorns be what they will and listen to none who would declare how a Seeker should become their best self. That’s my personal view, though; do with it what you will.

Throughout December and January, I’ll be rearranging the furniture here in Sagaheim. I mean to knock down a few walls and frame new passages into improved spaces. Basically, I’m addressing the navigation issues. No more stumbling around in the dark. I mean, why carry this here torch if I allow your passage to remain shrouded?

So, the genre-communication problem will be remedied, but “JT’s Mixed Tape” will remain as is. My adjustments will apply to future creations, which will seem barren for a time. But, it is what it is… I’ve also archived his previous articles. Each has varying degrees of merit and may prove useful.

The pieces within this archive, these stories, were always meant to be freely viewed, acting as a sort of portfolio while plotting JT’s discovery as he explored the expansive clockwork of craft that we label as “writing” and “storytelling”—two distinct crafts where one conveys the other.

Moving forward, I intend to update his bio. I’ll add new stories. New articles. Heck, I’ll even add a bit about me. I mean, why not? I put a lot of thought into my appearance, and I think you’ll be surprised to learn just what all I’m communicating through this image.

And you know what else? I’ll even tell you why I call you ‘Seeker.’ Even the difference between Seeker and Torchbearer.

Eventually…

Until next time!