#for you have created a masterpiece I’ll gladly devote my life to

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

During my four-millionth annual replay of Stardew Valley, I decided to romance Sebastian (I usually end up with Halley or Alex because I memorized their schedule and I accidentally bring them gifts on their birthdays - however, don’t be fooled - I love Alex and his story to death, he’s my #1 malewife).

Anyway, I grinded hard - poor guy has around 100 frozen tears stashed in his bedroom, along with some pumpkin soup and sashimi.

And when I finally gave him the damn bouquet, crawled out of his dungeon and went to talk to his mother, Robin deadpans “So, how are you and Maru getting along?

What?

Excuse me lady?

I love you, but you’re just finishing the second house upgrade so I can marry your son, make him move in and fuc-

[marissabonifay]

 The Greeting

Hello, everyone, my name is Jon Dottingly. Welcome to one of the most memorable podcasts that you will ever hear. During this episode, and the many others that will follow, it will be my honor to tell you a story the likes of which you have never experienced.

This story has all that we have come to expect in a great tale: There are heroes and heroines whose courageous deeds will leave you breathless. There are villains most foul. There is love, and there is lust. There is hate. There is jealousy. And all of it takes place in exotic locations that will leave the reader filled with awe and wonder.

But, what makes this story truly unique is the magical way in which it has come to its teller. I, Jon Dottingly, am the writer of this tale, and I can honestly say that it has changed me, and all for the better. And, it’s my sincere wish that its magic will change your life as well.

First of all, let me say that as an experienced author of novels, I have created many characters for many types of stories. Some of these stories have been memorable, some not so much. While composing these tales, I have concocted plot twists to perplex the mind, and I’ve dreamt up interesting places for all of the drama to occur. In so doing, I can say that I’ve met with a modest amount of success through the years.

    And, I’ve always tried to make my next story better than the last. All my life, I have been striving to unearth that one prized work - some magnum opus that would put the name of Jon Dottingly in lights and bring him just financial rewards for having lived a life dedicated to artistic as well as literary excellence.

Naturally, such a profound story would need to showcase a most memorable character, one who will keep readers turning the pages of a work, one after another, after another, after another. I have longed to create such a character since the day I first put pen to paper.

In my most recent book, I thought I had managed to do that very thing in Marissa Bonifay, a young witch who hails from a fictional realm known as the Kingdom of Malakanth. This land is located on a planet far from Earth, somewhere on the other side of the cosmos.

In Malakanth, magic reigns. In addition to witches, there are wizards, and prophets, and priestesses, and demons within its domain. There is religious intrigue as well as class and social struggles that have endured for millennia. And, right at the center of it all, stands my fictional character – Marissa Bonifay.

But, as it turns out, Marissa Bonifay isn’t fictional at all. Nor are the wizards and prophets who inhabit her homeland. Nor are the events of her story.

As I had worked to pen what I had thought to be a piece of fiction gloriously concocted on my part, what I was, in fact, doing was documenting the early years of a real life woman who had come of age on a planet in some distant corner of the universe. In short, Marissa the witch had bestowed this story upon my consciousness by means of her magic and sorcery.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Jon, you are stark raving mad if you think some witch from across the cosmos is using you as a medium for some mysterious literary purpose.”

And, given the audacity of my claim, I would gladly accept this argument if I had been led to believe that Marissa was still in Malakanth - this land of witches, and wizards, and demons. But she’s not in Malakanth. She’s here, on Earth, among us, even now as I speak these words and as you are listening to them. I know this to be true because I have met her. Allow me to explain.

I had just finished what I had assumed to be the first installment of this saga, and I needed a title for it as well as one for the series itself. So, I did what I always do whenever I need to get away and spend some time deep in thought: I went to Starbucks. Maybe that sounds a bit cliché, but coffee shops are where I do my absolute best thinking.

So, there I was, sitting at one of their little tables with a pencil in hand and a notepad in front of me. And, thankfully, over the course of only a single chocolate chai, I had my title. I would call the first installment of my masterpiece “Slices of Midnight”. As for the overall series, I would go with “The Black Craft Saga”. Catchy, eh?

Pleased with myself, I reached down to retrieve my backpack from the floor in preparation of leaving, when, to my utter amazement, I looked up to behold the heroine of my story sitting across the table from me. It was Marissa Bonifay, in the flesh.

I recognized her immediately from my mind’s eye, even though she was dressed as any typical American would be on a typical American morning, wearing jeans, a t-shirt, as well as a pair of sunglasses that were perched atop her head. She even had a piping hot Starbucks latte in hand.

I’ll never forget that moment.

I was speechless, and I must have appeared as dumbfounded as I felt, because Marissa’s lips curled up in the same wry grin that I had envisioned so many times in my mind, and she said, “So, Jon, I hear you have a story to tell.”

I nearly fell out of my chair. Then, I went from being a speechless idiot to being a babbling fool, trying to say a thousand words at once. My mind was filled with marvel. So many questions were running through my mind. Finally, I settled on just one.

“Is your name Marissa Bonifay?” I asked.

“It is,” she replied. “And your name is Jon Dottingly. It’s good to finally meet you, Jon.”

Then, she proceeded to allay my fears. First and foremost, she assured me that I was not going insane. Second, she assured me that she was not going to do me any harm. After all, I knew she was a burgeoning witch from what I had written about her. But, Marissa told me that she was there for my benefit. In fact, she said that she had come to Earth for the benefit of all mankind.

Upon hearing these intentions, I noticed the first discrepancy in the woman before me and the young Marissa Bonifay with whom I became acquainted from the story. And it had to do with her personality rather than her adult appearance. This Marissa possessed benevolence that her teenage counterpart had not. She was wise and kind, whereas the Marissa from the story was bold and brash, while at the same time being utterly brilliant, flaunting her intelligence at every turn.

Amazingly, the Marissa before me there inside Starbucks      could sense my contemplations regarding these disparities, even as I was thinking on them. She was quick to own every one of her youthful misdeeds, and she was quick to downplay every act that one might consider to be brave or honorable, just as any truly humble person would.        

Over the course of an hour, she recounted the entire story that I had written about her. In this retelling, there were no discrepancies whatsoever. Everything was exactly as I had envisioned it. For this, Marissa did take full credit. She said she had bestowed this story upon me and that I was to share it with the world, and as soon as possible. Honestly, it didn’t seem like I was going to have any say in the matter.

She expressed to me the importance of this story, and how all my efforts would not be some ploy for her to gain glory or fame.

Prophecy, as it turns out, is at work here on Earth, and this prophecy has its roots based in the saga that I have been working on. Marissa has devoted her life to protecting this prophecy, so that it can unfurl for the benefit of all of creation. I will have a part to play in how this occurs, as will you, the listeners of this podcast, as I hope you will come to realize.

As you might expect, I walked away from Starbucks that day filled with wonder. I was in a daze from it all. In the span of an hour or so my world changed forever, for Marissa Bonifay had stepped into my life.

During our meeting, she told me precisely what I was to do with the first portion of this story that I had written. I wouldn’t be talking to my literary agent about it, as I had planned. Nor would I be contacting any publishers. I would be distributing the story as a series of e-books through channels that anyone with an internet connection can access.  

In addition, I was told to create a website to promote the saga, as well as a podcast. The episode you are listening to at this moment has its origins in that Starbucks on that fateful morning.

So, after all that I have told you, my prized story is no longer my story. To be honest, this thought didn’t dawn on me until the next day. But I have certainly thought about it many times since. The Kingdom of Malakanth and its magic no longer symbolize the pinnacle of my creativity. And Marissa Bonifay is no longer my prized character. I have become a conduit of sorts, a means by which this woman will convey her story to the people of Earth by one of our planet’s own.

Am I disappointed by this? Not at all. This story is far bigger than me. And, from what I’m learning, it’s far bigger than even Marissa Bonifay. If all the work I have done in my life to become the best writer I can possibly be has prepared me to document these events and nothing else, then so be it. I can think of no greater honor than to wield the pen for this …story, …this cause, …this prophecy.

Now, I hope you are wondering how you can obtain a copy of this story that I’ve been telling you about. As I mentioned earlier, the first installment of this saga is entitled “Slices of Midnight”, and you can find it at any of your favorite ebook outlets. The cost is 1.99 in U.S. dollars. I had decided to offer it for free, but Marissa would not allow it. Preparing this saga will take a great deal of time, she told me, and I should receive compensation for my efforts. I was in no position to argue, so $1.99 it is.

Alright, with that having been said, we have come to the end of this inaugural episode of Wisdom Rising, the official podcast of Marissa Bonifay and the Black Craft Saga. Thank you for listening, and I hope you join me next time, when I plan to go into much greater detail about Marissa Bonifay, her life, and her mission on our planet. Just how long has this witch been living on Earth? The answer will astound you, so please visit again soon to find out.

Speaking for Marissa Bonifay, this is Jon Dottingly. Until next time …be wise.