Rereading Margaret Weis’ The Soulforge for the first time since my impressionable teenage days. I first happened upon the Dragonlance series when my high school boyfriend (who had the severe misfortune of dating someone who had not yet realized her general lack of interest in the male species) innocently lent me Dragons of Autumn Twilight one day. I’m sure he regretted it immediately afterwards, as our interactions from that point forward involved me begging for the next book in the series with the fevered intensity of an addict, and then ignoring him completely until I was ready for the next one.

I owe a lot to Dragonlance, really. Not only did it help me get through the angstiest of my angsty teen years, but it inspired me to start work on my own fantasy novel, starring a character who was initially and most creatively named “Raisius” and bore no uncertain resemblance to a certain bitter mage from the world of Krynn. Raisius later transformed into Kaine Ikarra of Chosen, and over the years grew into a character all his own, who – while retaining a certain amount of sarcasm and bitterness – is now about as far from Raistlin Majere as it’s possible to be. But without Dragonlance and The Soulforge, Kaine would never have had his start, and I might not have spent the last 65,000,000 years working on a story that is even now causing me daily struggles and occasional bursts of pride and satisfaction.

And I owe it all to my teen self’s mistaken belief in her own heterosexuality. Thanks, oblivious Teen!Me. You had a knack for doing exactly the wrong thing in almost every situation, but in this one case, you dun good. <3

Regarding The Soulforge, I will say that I’m very much enjoying reading it again, though it’s probably not the shining example of human literary achievement I once considered it to be. Raistlin, too, is a right unpleasant bastard much of the time, and it’s hard to remember why I idolized him so desperately as a teen. (Though I suspect it was because I secretly wished I could be more of a bastard myself. Plus, you know, magic.)

Anyway. Lots to do today, and as it’s actually cool enough outside that my sandals won’t melt the moment they touch the sidewalk, I’m looking forward to venturing into the world for a walk and a visit to the library. Exciting times, exciting times. Wishing you all a pleasant Sunday~~<3