Chapter 32

Thoughts of Chapter 32:

I absolutely love each of the backstories and have full timelines for each of them. You’re only getting a glimpse of each Hero in this story, but there’s so much more there!
Max now realizes he’s the Hero on the Island of Forever - I made it very clear to not gender the Heroes because many times, our mind goes to one person being a Hero and predominately male.
I love that the trials were things Max had hidden away. He was talking to himself and coming to terms with things he already knew, but refused to accept.
As someone who has anxiety, I constantly think about things I could have done or said differently in my life. One day, a therapist said to me “What would you say to a younger version of yourself?” I answered. The therapist then asked me why I feel the younger me deserved so much love and grace, but my current self didn’t. This was life-changing for me.
- Knowing what we know, we want to give the knowledge of life to our younger selves, to prepare them for what’s to come or enact change. Out of love. But who’s to say we cannot love and protect ourselves like we would that little kid?
When writing this book, I said “OF COURSE I need to have a magic sword” I mean, all good stories have a magic sword, right?
In my original draft, Max was able to save Calvo from his fate. But that’s not reality.
One of my favorite quotes in this book: “One can never be a step ahead of death.”
The spring water was also an important piece of this story for me - you find things to mask what you’re going through, but believing in yourself is stronger and longer lasting
When Max becomes the bird, he sees his journey from above and reflects at how far he’s come.
Throwing the acorns at Rylan was a newer addition to the story - I felt after the trials and the battle to come, there needed to be some levity. Max also feels lighter and more fun once he’s at peace with himself.
And onto the final pages…