Magic to Read By
There is a kind of unearthly magic that occurs when a reader begins to read a story. The boundaries of space and time collapse, the “real” world around you fades away, and images, like movies, play across your mind and envelope you mind, body, and soul.
Then these strange creatures called characters run amuck among the words on the page, reminding you of your family, your lovers, your enemies. They do the things we would never do in real life. Or would we? They certainly make us think we could…
And how is it that these larger-than-life characters can show us the best and worst side of even ourselves? How is it that they can mold new thoughts within us, make us question our old paradigms, move us to action?
It’s magic. That’s all. And what a poorer world we would be without such a powerful gift.
But it isn’t just readers who are irrevocably changed by this unusual magic. For writers, the magic can occur at any step along the path: initial story concept, plotting, character development, writing, rewriting, rewriting some more, and editing. But the best kind of magic…Can you guess when that occurs? When the readers contact the writer and share how the story touched their lives, how it made them think, how it made them grow.
Did you know that such exchanges of heart and mind can bring a writer to tears? Even the jaded, broken, and bitter writers who have been worn down by criticisms, discouragement or even just the sheer weight of the publication journey itself. Yes, even their hearts can be mended in an instant by a few kind words from a gracious reader.
To know that another human being miles, or even continents, away could be moved by something you wrote with the ink-blood of your heart poured out onto the page? This is the greatest magic of all. What joy! What ecstasy! That both reader and writer can share a new world together outside of time and place. It’s like a moving spaceship that orbits the earth as it spins. But you, two, are spinning with it and in your own orbit, on another plan called Story.
This is why I write. To experience that same magic again and again. Is that why you keep coming back to reading? I think at the deepest levels we all crave that out-of-body experience, that connection to emotion that is difficult to replicate in any other medium of creativity.
To honor the readers who have cultivated that magic in me, my publisher and I are holding one final sale of Artemis Rising together. There is no way we can truly thank you enough for reading this special book and, most importantly, sharing your thoughts on the story—whether through social media connections or just a simple email message.
But we will say thank you anyway, even though it falls short of capturing the breadth of our gratitude.
Thank you,
~Cheri
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Artemis Rising Ebook Two-Day Sale
Friday and Saturday, April 19-20 only.
99 Cents on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes (I think it’s free on iTunes actually)
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If you’re new to my website and would like to learn more about me, click here.
If you’re not familiar with, Artemis Rising, you can read about the story here.
You may have already read “Ole Arty.” Feel free to share this post with friends or family if you think they might enjoy the story. And of course you can always use the contact form to reach out to me with any questions or comments you may have. Thank you again!
And just a final tidbit: Later on this year, my second novel, Echoes in the Glass, will be published. I can’t wait to share this new story with you!