Thirteen is considered by some to be an unlucky number, but for me it seems to be rather fortunate. I have had an epiphany with regards to the ending of this book. I usually do have an idea of the conclusion when I start writing, but this story has proven very different to anything else that I have worked on, so the fact that I started it without a clear ending is not really a surprise. However, I did begin to struggle with knowing where the tale was going, but now I know.

Of course, I am not going to reveal the end, that would be churlish of me and also not in keeping with being a storyteller. Even my wife agrees with me there. It is not the same as saying that I am right for once, but it will do. Having the ending is important because although I see this as a whimsical fantasy it actually deals with some pretty heavyweight topics, voluntary euthanasia for example. Indeed, both life and death are important themes throughout. I have a rather unique experience of life, but fortunately I have no experience of death; at least none that I can remember. I have been told that I was once clinically dead on an operating table when I was a child, they recovered me after telling my parents to come quickly and expect the worst, but before they arrived at the hospital. As I said, I do not remember this incident at all, but discovering that it happened did not really make much of an impression on me. I am not fascinated by death, life is my drug of choice, but I do have some ideas on the nature of death. These notions are part of the book so I am not going to say too much about them now.

At last it appears that I can settle into a rhythm of activity, one that will allow me to dedicate several hours a day to writing again. I am looking forward to it. I have often asked myself why I have so many ideas at this stage of my life for creative work and such a shortage of them when I was younger and had more energy. I have no regrets, however. I have time for the things that I want to do now and sufficient freedom to actively indulge myself. I am also lucky that I have a supportive wife who wants me to be happy and would rather have me in my study writing than sitting around the house feeling sorry for myself.

Pomerania, here I come!