Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "journey"

Hello, my cherished community of readers and fellow dreamers!

It’s been three months since I embarked on my audacious journey, inspired by the legendary Ryoki Inoue, to etch my name beside his in the annals of prolific writing. Today, I’m here to share the raw, unfiltered truth of my quest to author 1,440 books in twelve years.

Three months ago, I set out with a fire in my heart, fueled by Ryoki’s story – a man who, with 98% sweat, 1% talent, and that crucial 1% luck, transformed from a thoracic surgeon to a literary legend. His feat of writing 1,283 books seemed like a mountain peak I was determined to climb. My goal? Transforming myself from a lifelong computer programmer, game developer, and CEO into a literary legend in my own rite, surpassing Ryoki by penning 1,440 books and diving into every genre imaginable, from the depths of science fiction to fantasy to the intricate dance of romance and human relationships.

Reflecting on Ryoki’s monumental achievement of writing his first 999 books in just his first six years brings to light the sheer magnitude of his dedication and productivity. This milestone is a stark reminder of the incredible pace he maintained, a benchmark that, by comparison, highlights the ambition of my own journey. Despite my rigorous schedule and unwavering commitment, my projections estimate that I will reach 720 books in the same timeframe. It makes me even more amazed at what he accomplished.

The initial leg of my journey has been both exhilarating and daunting. In these first three months, I’ve completed and published my first 36 books – a pace that, while impressive, has me questioning the sustainability of this marathon. Writing between 10 to 14 hours a day, every day, 7 days a week, has been a testament to my commitment but has also taken its toll, leaving me already often feeling tired and wiped out. I used to work like this when I was in my twenties, but it has been some time since I worked this hard. I feel tired at the end of every day, yet it is hard to fall asleep as I either have the book I am working on in my mind or I am thinking about what book I will start the next day. Can I keep up this pace for another twelve years, when I will be 64?

The thrill of creation has been my driving force, pushing me to explore new universes and narratives with each book. Yet, as I pause to catch my breath, I can’t help but wonder about the road ahead. How will I continue to find the inexhaustible well of ideas needed to reach my 1,440-book goal? Doubts about my ability to come up with so many unique literary concepts creeps in, yet my resolve remains unshaken. I have plenty of ideas in my mind right now, but I have not even completed my first 100 books. This is probably a much bigger worry for me than whether or not I can keep up the pace, or at least eventually make it from a physical standpoint.

I am not contemplating surrender. Far from it. This journey is about more than breaking records; it’s about shattering the very notion of what one author can achieve. Each book is a new adventure, a unique story waiting to be told. And while the path is more challenging than I envisioned, my passion for storytelling remains undimmed.

There is nothing else I would rather be doing. I have been writing computer programs since the age of 11, with one my text adventures games became #1 on Quantum Link, a dial-up online service for the Commodore 64 (that eventually became America Online), for 3 months when I was 14. I have been coding professionally since the age of 14. After writing structured computer code almost daily for 40 years, the joy and freedom that comes with writing books is beyond compare!

To you, my readers, who are joining me or have joined me on this voyage, your support is my stronghold. Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement are the winds that propel my sails forward. Despite the hurdles, I am still excited to try, to push the boundaries of creativity and endurance.

I’ve often reflected on Ryoki’s journey, drawing parallels to my own. He wrote without the lure of records in mind, driven by a pure love for storytelling. In his spirit, I remind myself that it’s not the quantity but the quality and diversity of stories that will define my legacy. I believe the quality of my books has improved substantially as I write more and more. I am a little embarrassed now by the quality of writing in some of my initial books. I feel I am learning how to create better stories with each new book I write. Some feedback, while critical, has helped me notice where I have repeated phrases too much or not paid enough attention to some details in earlier works. While I love getting 5 star ratings, I do appreciate written reviews that are critical as well, since they help me improve. Probably the worst thing is 1 star rating with no review, then I do not even know why or what to improve. As an independent author, all ratings and reviews are always appreciated.

Anyhow, here I am, three months in, standing at the foothill of my own personal Everest, looking up. The climb may be steeper than I thought, but the view from the summit – a world enriched by 1,440 stories of my making – is a vision that keeps me moving forward.

I invite you to continue this journey with me. Together, let’s embrace the challenges and celebrate the milestones. Your company on this journey is a source of inspiration and strength.

With gratitude and determination,
Samuel DenHartog 📚✨🚀

Some stories begin with destiny. This one begins with a decision. From the first page, the reader stands in a place of ancient heat and silent wings, facing the legendary rite of passage known only as the Choosing. The dragons do not offer comfort. They offer possibility and risk. With every decision the reader makes, a new path opens, and an old one closes forever. The result is not just one story, but a living tapestry of what-ifs, triumphs, and catastrophes.

This book became a way to explore more than just fantasy adventure. It’s a look at power and trust, at what we sacrifice for freedom or companionship. No two readers will experience the same journey. Some may bond with a hatchling and grow through loyalty and patience. Others may pursue older, more dangerous dragons, or even turn away from the Eyrie altogether to chase forgotten truths buried deep beneath the mountain. No one path is right. But all of them demand you to make tough decisions.

The dragons themselves are forces of nature and personalities with wings. Some are fierce and noble. Others are distant, or even cruel. The bond between dragon and rider is central, but it isn’t guaranteed. It must be earned. Or stolen. The world is unforgiving, but it’s also full of wonder: caverns lit with ghost light, warfronts in the clouds, secrets bound in ancient fire. Every twist in the story offers a new lens on what it means to fly, to fall, and to rise again.

I wanted to create a book that felt alive in the hands of its reader, where each turn of the page carried real consequences. That vision became "Dragon Rider’s Journey," a forge-your-own-path fantasy that rewards courage, curiosity, and the willingness to leap into the unknown.