Dammit I'm getting old!!!

Ignoring my outburst, I'll continue. I should probably introduce myself - as Joshua McTaggart, a boy to a man raised in Branson, Mo (by two totally awesome parents, Jim and Bobby and super sister Sara) and finding myself in New Orleans after 24-years of service in the Coast Guard. No... I never ever shot the heads of my sister's Cabbage Patch Girls with my BB gun... You are thinking of someone else. Anyway, my two awesome boys (aged 10 and 12) have gotten to me. "You talk about writing so much, Dad." Or "Then write the story you like".  Now long retired from service,  I feel an unexplainable need to write a story (novel) that checks all my boxes. I've dabbled before. A dream journal (which is awesome by the way. From a guy who doesn't sleep and has crazy dreams!). A book for kids about odd words. A Christmas book for kids about an unruly elf. All Amazon (non) best-sellers. :)  This is something so completely different from the others.

Something so very complex and demanding.

Something that keeps me up at night (for months and years)

Something that I hope will fix those issues I've had with other novels.

The complaints I've had over the years with the books I've devoured:

Where's the romance? Cut to black doesn't cut it, lots of stuff is left on the bed and table and floor and...
Why does realism go out the door when people find themselves in a strange world?
Why is the plot so simplistic? I know the ending after the first chapter
A magic system that is just too damn convenient
Folks that lose all emotion and logic when they find themselves in another world
Stop with the reminders of plot points, the readers aren't stupid

Yes, I have inspiration. Wrong or Right.

Others have done a whole lot right. (and a bit wrong for me)

James Patterson (endless novels) - love his style and stories and short chapters that keep your attention
Matt Dinniman of Dungeon Crawler Carl Fame - Totally love his humor
Terry Mancour of the Spellmonger Series - I can recognize pure and utter genius, honestly a God among men!
Countless other novels (Litrpgs, fantasy, romantacy) - All have their merits and failings.

More than 6,000 hours of falling asleep to Audible Titles

All are my muses.  My story is different and yet familiar. Long ago, I figured out I couldn't write like any of my heroes. But, I could find my own voice. As those in New Orleans understand - toss those things into a "A gumbo pot" and see what comes out after hours on high heat.

I'd love to tell you this novel will blow your mind over 600 pages or 20+ hours of listening on audiobook.  I sincerely dream it's something that will keep you up at night, elbowing your spouse (or pillow) and vomiting the words
I typed with wide eyes and a smile.

Should that happen.

Please let me know. Wake me up from a deep sleep. It's so damn worth it. After years of short stories and small books, I've
gotten my shit together to connect to others. There's nothing better than that.

I've spent so many nights considering the next chapter. The characters. The plot. Things changed one hell of a lot over the months. Life as a Pantser isn't for the faint of heart. 

I can only hope that when this is released, after beta readers, developmental editors and line editors get their hooks into it....

It leaves you wanting more.

That's all I can ask.