Greetings, everyone. Welcome to the blog of the thankfully one-and-only Justin K. Arthur, writer of such classics as Into the Decay, and... Actually, that's pretty much all you know me from.
But that's as good a place to start as any. Into the Decay began its life back in 2012, when it was just an idea bouncing around in my head. This was my first semester in college, when I had the good grace to encounter a small group of writers of every kind. The idea was pitched to them and it seemed good, so away I went.
Early 2013 I had written up an extensive outline, an outline far different from what is soon to be afflicted upon pages of books everywhere. From there came the first draft, which clocked in at around 45,000 words. Then came the second draft at the end of that year at 88,000 words, and finally the product you'll soon force yourself to read at 143,000 words.
As with anything, elements of Into the Decay are taken from my interests and what I see around me. I like landscapes dominated by ruin and corruption, hence the eternal, desolate swampland of the world. I like the new, made-up characters of a fantasy world far more than the staple elves and dwarves, hence the kuvis.
Honestly, most of it was just setting apart time to write and making sure to look up things I knew little about to make sure I don't look like too much of an idiot. But so long as you enjoyed the novel at some level I cannot and will not complain.
And remember our golden promise here: Our combination of word magnets randomly tossed at a refrigerator and throwing letter blocks down staircases we call stories has been clinically tested to ensure the best experience. And by that I mean I took a blow to the head, wrote the story and had my friend John read it. I think he works in a clinic. You can never tell with John.
But in all seriousness, I would love to get any feedback I could from you all. Please keep reading and force your friends to look at my words.
Sincerely,
Justin K. Arthur
