Author’s Note & Acknowledgements
There are many joys in life, but none is so pleasing as that of revenge. Too bad mine is tainted with sentimentality and a hint of longing. So yeah, this book was largely written in an underground type of way, mostly in lieu of Prozac.
I hated high school. I hated it. But I loved it, too. I really, truly loved it. There were stupid things that I experienced in it I will never find in other places. But there were amazing things I have only experienced there, too; things I know I will never find anywhere else.
And I am afraid of forgetting. Of forgetting, both at once, how horrible and wonderful high school was. How horrible and wonderful people can be. And how faithful and gracious God is, even when I don’t deserve it – such as how this book came together. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and a good story it is no different.
I’d like to thank some certain people for making a difference in my life and my book. The stories we read and the ones I write would be bereft of any life-like qualities with the characters I have in my own life without them. Among them is my mother, a true lady of inspiration, and Ryan, who has the true heart of a hero.
I’d also like to thank my editor, Chelsea, who has been faithfully counted among my best friends for many years. I cannot thank her enough for all her hard work and diligence in putting up with sorting through my word play and not-so-subtle inside jokes. And I’d also like to thank the people who made this book a reality at WestBow Press. I’m not an easy person to get to work, or to please, or even to put up with most days (temperamental artist mentality, you know.) But they managed (miraculously, no doubt), and I think we made a great partnership.
This story reflects on one main issue – belief – and two critical responses: spiritual battles and the ignorance with which the majority of us face it. The subtitle, Slumbering was no accident. Hamilton’s spirit, in the sense where he would desire good for all humanity and for the greatest good found only on the other side of time, is ‘sleeping.’ He is only concerned with himself and his own personal happiness, health, and affluence. And he doesn’t want to believe anything otherwise. Why do we believe what we believe? Usually, simply because we want to, and Ham is no exception to that matter. Don’t get me wrong – Hamilton is my favorite character, no question. I love him because he’s so…ironic. Hateable, but loveable, too. Infuriating and stubborn, cynically and egotistical, who wouldn’t love him and hate him? And love to hate him?
Slumbering is meant to show the desire for truth and love will bring us to the one who can bring us power. I found him a long time ago, but his fingerprints on my life and its work remains. And it’s all to him I owe everything. So this is dedicated first to him, and I will trust him to do what he thinks is good.
Until we meet again,
C. S. Johnson
Table of Contents
The Starlight Chronicles
Copyright © 2013 C. S. JOHNSON.
Contents
1Normalcy
2Irritation
3Awe
4Lunacy
5Comfort
6Grievance
7Distraction
8Games
9Dreariness
10Detainment
11Attack
12Starry-Eyed
13Marked
14Sidetracked
15Beginnings
16Fire
17Complications
18Assaulted
19Fight Back
20Acceptance
The Starlight Chronicles: Slumbering Page 20
