I’ve dusted off, yet again, Hunter’s Realm, a story I wrote in 1990. Yes, it’s 35 years old.

It’s over 150,000 words. I’m putting it through The Wringer (not its real name), a novel revising course I bought in 2017 and paid a lifetime membership for. The website has since disappeared. Luckily I printed and downloaded everything.
Anyway, this weekly course is nothing if not thorough. I’ve used it for three novels now, and it’s helpful–only if I would have finished it. I’ve gotten as far as lesson 12 out of 24. Trust me, it takes a lot of time and effort. And space.

Hunter’s Realm is a modern fantasy. Imagine if the SCA had received a grant for most of the state of Maine in the 1940’s. Just imagine it. I know it’s impossible.. It takes place in 2000, before cell phones and swiping credit cards yourself.
The State of Maine has been trying to get back the land, and this year is enlisting the federal government to do it. The people who live there don’t want to join up with the US, so are fighting for their autonomy. Long story short, a young woman comes to their annual Renaissance Faire and she’s drawn into the myths and laws of the land.
Magic is in this land. So is old-fashioned chivalry and weaponry. Fiefdoms and lords and honor. Protectors of the land. Brigands.

The whole book is a wreck. Of course it is, since I wrote it right out of college. I was angsty I hated people. I didn’t have a love life. I read it now, and it throws me back to that time, where I’m thinking, “Whatever was I thinking?” Future me is sad over past me.
But I can fix it. If I pull out the details that are broken, I can totally fix it! The idea is still good.

I have released Grimaulkin and Brent into the world, along with other angsty poetry and a guide to magic for writers. So, as far as I’m concerned, they’re all set. I pull Grim out every once in a while and play with him, but he’s established–married with kids and a good, stable job.
Mo and Taurin are still in my mind. Their conflicting natures, and eventual coming together; the conflict of the story; and the anger of the people over “Flatlanders” .taking over their land and world.

Lesson one is trying to decide what the story I meant to tell was supposed to be. I’ve read the first five chapters before putting it through The Wringer and deciding I need help because it’s such a wreck. I’m skipping through a lot of it until I get to chapter five. A lot of it is impossible, terribly written, and it so needs editing. We’ll see how long it takes me to get through it.