Today marks a few milestones in the progress of The Sword, the Song, and the Mage. First and foremost, I have completed Act 2 of the first draft. The heroes have completed several trials both external and internal in order to find the way to restore peace to their world. Now they must proceed onward to this ancient evil, armed with the knowledge and praying their skills and abilities will be enough to win the day.
Second, I have progressed to page 400, actually working 30 pages into Act 3. I am proud to say that this will be the first real, novel-length story I have completed in my entire life. Sure I have written numerous stories in the past, but most were simple power-fantasy, derivative, and borderline fanfiction inspired by various TV, movie, videogame, or other fantasy work I had encountered prior. Essentially, from January to Present 2025, I finally learned to write a solid story and make it so much fun it is unreal.
Thirdly, I cannot help but to shout out for the number one influence in my writing: James Robert Gilliam, my father. He has just recently celebrated his 63rd birthday and it is only fitting that I mention him on the soon-to-be-eve of my first book’s (initial) completion. From the beginning he had introduced me to a world of fantasy, fiction, and writing. From my earliest memories, I recall being read Dr. Suess, Berenstain Bears, and Richard Scary interspersed with Star Wars (Audiobooks on record), The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings. Even since his time in high school, my father had been writing his own stories which he dreamed of publishing. Stories of superheroes fighting in shadowy, alternate dimensions. A man being inadvertently shipped in a mail container to a foreign world. Martial arts experts. Secretive military rescue groups operating outside the law. And the first novel in his post-apocalyptic series, which he recently published (some complications arose), The Reclamation.
Were it not for his creativity, drive for unique and independent ideas, and unique methods to brainstorm stories, I may have not put in the same amount of effort that I have with my own ‘first’ novel.
Until then…
James C Gilliam 
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