56 It only takes a few (2/2)

Another person spat. ”So your plan is to drop it? How dare you! We all told you not to drop it!”

Eranoth flinched as he held his own tears. ”Changing mediums,” he muttered. ”All I'm doing is changing mediums.”

Jericho sighed. ”Everyone, this isn't easy for Eranoth to do or say.” He turned to the author. ”Eranoth, just your self-editing alone has made the future version of our story into something far more fulfilling and significantly less boring. You have already made thousands of changes. You have made many things clearer, you have simplified the difficult to understand complexities of game mechanics, and you have added more depth to the story. I'm curious to see what will happen once your editor April gets her hands on it. If you alone can make that much of a leap in progress, I'm looking forward to when she tears things to shreds and can help you see where things need more work.”

Another person spoke up. ”You are doing all this extra work, Why? Your story is great where it is.”

Eranoth turned away took a breath and looked out the cold snowy window. ”This is the only Win-Win I could find after a long time of searching. Publishing official versions of my works seems to be the best way forward. Jericho and Moira deserve this editing. They are worth more to me, than first draft vomit onto the page. You all can see and understand far more and my story will progress far better if I put in this extra work. I can potentially earn a piddly income in order to keep writing, and do things right by everyone.”

”What was that about?” another random person asked.

Eranoth sighed and looked down, trying not to break down in tears. ”Sorry, I got on my soap box. But you never know the life an author is facing. Why are they writing? I just wish that some people would realize how much pain some of us are actually in. I'm not the only one to face this. I'm not the only author or artist out there who cannot hold a normal job. I didn't write this so you would pity me. In fact, I hate people's pity. But I want you to understand that I am doing this 51% for selfish reasons. I am a selfish person.”

Moira smiled at Eranoth's courage to speak about the reality of his own life. ”How is that selfish?” she asked.

Eranoth shook his head. ”I don't know, but I do know that it is what most people would call it. This is hard for me. I wanted to keep interacting with you all. I really had hoped that online writing could be the answer. But things rarely go how we want them. So, I will say once more for good measure. I, J Eranoth, author of Jericho the Bard, am changing mediums officially. Again, when I am able to get it out there, the first place to look for it will be at barnesandnoble.com. I chose them as the first of many places to put my book for sale because they can reach most of you. If you are in an area that cannot access barnesandnoble.com, let me know so I can find a way to make it accessible to you. Stay with me, and I will let you know when the official published part 1 is out. Visit my Ko-Fi.com/Eranoth and I will keep people updated as to my progress towards things moving forward and also some fun flavor from time to time.”

Eranoth was unable to hold back his own tears. ”I will miss interacting with you guys. I hope, I dream, and I ask, will you follow me as I move forward in a direction that is different from other people who's works you have read?”

Jericho grabbed Eranoth's shoulder.

The author flinched and tensed.

”Relax, most of them are still here. Most of them support your choice. I can tell. These are your true fans, their my true fans. These people don't care that you are changing mediums. In fact, these people are proud that you care enough to make this hard choice. They understand that you are not dropping your work. They understand that you are seeking something far better.”

The author sighed and relaxed a little. ”At least, I feel at peace with my choice. Well, everyone, thank again for coming. I'm sorry things had to play out this way. I, J Eranoth, will keep writing. I will keep improving and I will see you all again!” Eranoth stood and walked resolutely towards the door, trying to hide his own tears. He closed the door behind him as he walked out into the snowstorm.

The people still in the house with Jericho and Moira were silent.

Moira smiled at the crowd. ”Shall we perform one last time for you?”

Jericho sat as his piano. His fingers played the keys. His voice called out, singing about a hopeful and brighter future.

© J Eranoth