Hold on...
Who is Stephan?
Stephan’s journey into literature began as a child staring at an intriguing rectangular object, containing layers of printed paper bound together. At each opening, its core released remarkable accounts of distant mystical realms and fantastic quests taking life through a loving mother’s serene, spirited voice. A piece of memory, a glimpse of mysterious symbols that only the affectionate adult could decipher. An enthralling moment in time triggering a lifelong journey through a multiverse of places, experiences, people, and emotions. Over the years, it grew into an endless thirst which, eventually, could only be satiated by teaching the child to read. And then, the multiverse widened exponentially. But it made the thirst increase equally, like Tantalus’s torment. Until one thought overcomes the mind. Why keep remaining just a passive observer instead of seizing control and becoming the creator by forging new worlds, devising new quests? Along with conveying and sharing thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. In short, exercising the power of the mind. Here lies the ultimate challenge, the final frontier. Which is what this is all about.
And so, science fiction materialised. Another piece of memory of a warm summer night in the park of an ancient manor house in the southwest of France (the Enchanted Castle). Among a group of Scouts, the same child a few years older (the Apprentice) staring eagerly through the lenses of a fancy telescope (the Magic Wand) at the cloak of the stars enveloping the sky. A philanthropic aristocrat and fanatical astronomer (the Wizard). ‘Gaze upon the craters of the Moon. And over there, check out Mars, Venus, and Jupiter. Observe the Milky Way, the Constellations of Orion, Cassiopeia, and Taurus…’ Magic and Science become one. Ancient gods and heroes turn into celestial bodies populating the deep sky. The Universe reveals itself: an infinite aggregation of other worlds, other life forms, and, who knows, even other sentient beings. But reality strikes back rapidly. These marvels can only be attained through a pitiful instrument’s limited field of vision. The Divine is beyond reach, scornfully preserved by man’s limited capabilities. Disappointment. Frustration. Abandon. And when all seems lost, the power of the mind emerges, limitless, almighty. It allows you to travel through space and time at your leisure, fuse Magic and Science, explore those new worlds and faraway civilisations, and experience different realities. The multiverse expands. That is also what this is all about.
But life’s journey to one’s desires does not always proceed through a straight road. It involves being educated by a specific family and learning from school, college, and university. A path shuddered by love, friendship, betrayal, sadness, and joy. Twenty-five years spent wandering the world, discovering other places, other wonders, other ways of life, and encountering and assisting other people. The multiverse, once again.
Stephan’s peregrinations have now ended on the shores of Scotland. Another beginning, a new adventure in a land sculpted by nature, history, legends, and folk tales. A rough place inhabited by the heartiest people. The ideal location to inspire ambitious novels.
The voyage continues.
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