Way back in the day, when I was just getting started, I made these kinds of posts on Blogspot. I'd do a recap of events I attended. I've decided to start doing them again, in a series we'll call "From the Front Lines."

The first weekend of The Valhalla Renaissance Faire was just what I needed.

When I switched over things to this website from the old one, I'd planned on maintaining a string of content to boost engagement and get some consistent attention. Then life blew up. My confidence across all my creative endeavors slagged out, spiraling into darker and darker places.

Then Valhalla Ren Fair came along last weekend, and I got my mojo back.

It began with a few behind-the-scenes hiccups that I won't go into, because they were just that - hiccups. I'm only mentioning them here as a way to contrast with the rest of the weekend.

First off: I gotta thank my crew for showing up and being amazing in helping set up the table, helping introduce new readers to my books, and helping with my shows. It wouldn't have been nearly as successful a weekend without Rook and Sweetly (their online handles) supporting me in every way. Also, deep gratitude to Dr. Brandon, one of my biggest patrons, for supporting with the Airbnb. He had to head up to Tahoe for the weekend, and so he hosted all of us. Friday night, I treated the whole crew to dinner at Fire and Ice in South Lake Tahoe. If you get a chance, go there.

The whole weekend is spinning in my head. Instead of trying to give a chronological timeline, I'll hit the highlights!

• Every show was fantastic. Special shout-out to those new members of the Gallowglas Army who came to multiple shows per day. And a super awesome battle cry to Alice and Scarlette, who came to each show through the whole weekend. The energy those young ladies brought reminded me of the magic I can create with nothing more than my voice and facial expressions.
• In a specific instance of storytelling, I performed "The Dragon Bone Flute" for my last show yesterday. Like many times before at Valhallas of years past, this was magical. The audience was there with me, connecting with Elzibeth's story. Several people cried. I even got a bit teary-eyed at the end. Gods and goddesses, I love telling stories.
• I met a lady who could have been Julianna. Seriously. It's like one of my characters stepped out of one of my books to stop by and say hello. She was only missing the scar. What a cool moment.
• One of the old timers of the Gallowglas Army brought some wooden challenge coins bearing the Gallowglas Army logo. I gave them out to some members. I have a few left. However, fear not! We will have more. The dude (not to be confused with THE Dude) and I had an extensive conversation about making the challenge coins a regular thing. Someday, I imagine we'll have them as a regular item at the table for people to get. I'll almost certainly add them as a Patreon reward!
• Reconnected with many old friends. Made new friends. Even this morning, I'm smiling at all the positive energy I collected.
• Invented a new pirate dad joke. If you see me sometime, ask me about it. I'm rather proud of it.
• One of my long-term performer friends and mentors, Ace... aka Jack Spareribs, gave me some much-needed guidance in figuring out the next level of The Bard's Cloak of Tales show. bits of it have stagnated a bit in minuscule ways that most people wouldn't ever notice, but I've been feeling it for the last few years. Ace has given me amazing guidance from the first year I started publishing, and even now, 15 years later, he's generous with his time and insight into being a professional performer.

I'm so looking forward to next weekend and the Folsom Renaissance Faire next month. Hope to see the Gallowglas Army representing.

Slante!