Welcome to the Site
I would like to welcome you to my website, Aspects of Awen located at www.gregorydcurrent.com, which I began in 2017. I am the author of the Sy’Arrian Legacy Series, which begins with book one, The Cradle of Destiny. This website is not merely intended to highlight the world of the Sy’Arrian Legacy Series, although it will be a large part of it. My hope is to touch upon the myriad of venues, which fall under the umbrella of content creation. After reading a few of my posts, I hope the meaning behind my previous statement becomes clearer.
Like most people, especially writers, I find the prospect of an introduction related to whom I am very mundane and boring. The prospect of sitting down to expound on why I am in a certain place or what has led up to this point land locks my brain so much, I would much rather listen to an endless rhythm of nails scratching down a chalkboard.
I admit it may sound a bit harsh and melodramatic, so let me now contradict myself by pointing out, once I have finished with said introductions in the past, I found them to be both sobering and liberating. Looking back on a path which has led us to a certain point often allows the mind to pivot, permitting shifts in how we conceptualize our journey through life.
When I began writing at the age of 16 during the early 1980's, I did so with a fervor only describable as insatiable. The realm of science fiction and fantasy had always been one of my preferred playgrounds, especially as a player of Dungeon and Dragons. I am fond of saying Star Wars motivated me to write but Dungeons and Dragons inspired me to create.
Star Wars hit the scene in 1977, and an awe struck, 10-year-old me stepped out of the theater into the real world with an immediate desire to create my own adventure in another galaxy far, far away. When I emerged from my collection phase of everything Star Wars, I began to read science fiction, fantasy, and fiction works from the likes of James A. Michner, JRR Tolkien, and Terry Brooks.
My literary consumption became equally voracious. When I entered high school, I took every English and literature class I could, most notably, Science Fiction as Literature in the tenth grade. I also became a library aide during this time to further immerse myself in the worlds created by authors I admire in the present. It also lead me to begin understanding the structural framework of good storytelling.
When I took college level English classes during my senior year in high school, the two teachers who lead the class knew when to praise and push me. One of them would always say, Excellent! You are very good at drawing in the reader but mechanics, mechanics, and mechanics! While the other once told me, This was good but I know you can do much better. Their feedback is what drove me to not just understand mechanics but the essence of what it means to tell a story.
Although my life, like most of us, has gone through a series of its own plot twists with changes in setting as the direct result of cause and effect, I have been resolute in honing my craft while remaining open to constructive criticism and staying firm in my belief characters are not expendable. Commercialism and lack of attention spans should never come at the expense of crafting a wonderful read based on tried-and-true elements of storytelling.
My desire to create comes from Awen, the Welsh, Cornish and Breton words for inspiration, speaking to poets or bards. It is also a central concept in Druidry, where each person has their own unique Awen, or purpose in existence. Thus, the challenge of human existence is to find and fulfill this purpose.
The writings contained herein primarily serve a two-fold purpose of speaking to how life inspires us to create and bringing attention to a story concept I began when I was 16, The Sy'Arrian Legacy Series. Although not called it at the time and originally only one book, the Sy'Arrian Legacy Series has evolved as I have up to the present moment. It has been a labor of love, self-discovery, and oopsy moments. It is a significant achievement made possible with the love, patience, and guidance of those who know me better than I know myself.
I look forward to sharing my continued journey in writing the Sy'Arrian Legacy Series and other concepts with you.
Be safe, be well and let us continue to hone the fine art of creative writing.
