Now We Are Four
On February 21st, 2008, I posted the first item on MeiLinMiranda.com. I had no idea what would happen; I just wanted a place to post these racy stories I was writing, and I thought it'd be fun to have my own site to do it on. I'm a web developer, it's not hard for me to throw up a site, why not. I didn't really expect anyone to read what I wrote. I had a small following for my Dr Who fanfiction, but this was original; no one wants to read original fiction by some no-name. Ha! Not even no-name! I was using my Second Life name as my pen name! What a dork, eh?
That week, I posted the first episode of "An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom." I had no idea what I was doing and didn't take my writing in the least bit seriously. Sure, I'd written professionally for thirty years, but that was all journalism and nonfiction. I was just having a bit of fun--and for fun, I did what some other webserial writers were doing: I put up a challenge. If I raised $10, I'd release an extra episode. Figured it'd never happen.
I got the $10 almost immediately. Like, within the hour. I sat up straighter. Maybe I'd have to take this a little more seriously.
Four years later, that first contributor is still a staunch reader, bless him. I've written two full-length novels in the History series, a bunch of short stories, a second serial, a new collaborative universe novel is underway, and the Kickstarter that ended on the 12th of this month raised $5,250. Floored ain't in it, my friends. I cannot believe what has happened since that first timid post. I have readers, readers who pay for my work, even. I take my writing dead serious--but I'm stuck with the goofy pen name! 
So much has happened that it feels like ancient history. That first little post changed my life so radically, but it was just four years ago. Thank you to everyone--those who've been with me from the beginning, and those who've come along for the ride in recent days. I love you all.
