Dave Ogles

My mission in writing is to leave my readers better at the end of the story than when they started—tall order, I know.

But..that is what the best stories have done for me.

I grew up reading books like the Chronicles of Prydain, where a pig boy becomes a king, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Fablehaven, Percy Jackson, and more. I devoured books.

I devoured them because I was looking for something.

In some stories, there would be a moment in which a character would make a choice, learn something, make a sacrifice or take an action that would resonate in me like a five-ton steel bell. It was in those moments I found what I yearned for: to be seen. To be seen in my weakness, and given hope that it can be overcome. Perhaps even, the very truth that heals that weakness and turns it into a strength.

I credit these good stories and more with the seeds of self-belief that led me to eventually play varsity basketball in highschool, have the courage to say no to paths in life that would have been 'settling', and even for the fun quirky accomplishments that six year old me would have hidden from. Some fun ones include running a marathon with ten hours notice, climbing the face of a big mountain with no trail and back again. Living in Portugal, having an invention patent pending (was pending, I forgot to respond to the patent office on an obscure email years ago...learned that recently. (doesn't matter. it's fixable...I just don't care ha.))

That being said. In some stories I found truths I needed to progress on my journey. And by watching fictional characters find and use the same truths to transform and become more than they were, I find I am given the same truths like a tool in the hand of my soul to work out similar transformations.

My aim is to give the same to others.

I just quit my cushy salaried job so I could go part time deliverying Amazon to keep the good 'ol lights on... but now I'll have 20 more hours to write a week!

Woohoo!