Introduction to the Author
Would you believe me if I told you I never blogged before? I’m a late Millennial and I know previous generations have or had the notion that we’re all these technology-obsessed egoists, so it may come as some surprise, but I truly haven’t. I was even late to join social media like Facebook when it first came out. It wasn’t so much out of a resistance as it was that I just didn’t feel like it and I didn’t see the need.
I remember finally joining Facebook and having the unfortunate mindset of, Why is everyone using this like a diary? Do people think we actually care about what they had for dinner? I don’t need to see all that.
I am introverted by nature and a cynic by my life’s ongoing trials. I think I hid behind that for a lot of my youth. I think I put on an air of Don’t talk to me and Whatever, I don’t care with some grand notion of not needing to belong or have a gaggle of friends. I think I presented with that mentality in a subconscious effort to protect myself from being hurt. By telling myself I hate people and things, I built calluses around my heart.
In doing that, I think I denied myself from fully living and experiencing life. I locked myself away and, to make myself feel less lonely, I turned to writing.
Writing and stories were of interest to me from as far back as fourth grade. I remember writing my first book then, complete with my own drawings. It was written in pencil with sloppy penmanship on lined, hole-punched paper. I even made an attempt to bind it by using some colorful string. I wouldn’t find out for years but it was actually a piece of fanfiction; I had watched a movie and fallen in love with the world and the characters but wanted more, so I made my own story for them.
I continued writing and would go on to make some really dreadful short stories, but had fun all the while. Then, somewhere between middle and high school, I was introduced to the world of online roleplaying. A friend conveyed it as collaborative story-telling and I thought, from behind the screen, I could interact with people a little more easily. In doses. I could dip my toes into the tepid waters of socializing and, whenever it got to be too much, I could just vanish.
The friends I made and experiences I had online chipped away at the calluses, opening me up — ever so slightly, ever so gradually.
Time trudged on and I’ve grown and gone to therapy. I’ve slowly come to reclaim the soft, messy, and wild inner-child I once was. I’ve come to realize that I don’t truly hate people — I hate the things some people do to other people, to creatures, and to our world. I don’t hate everything, I actually love a lot of things: being able to make others laugh; the smell of petrichor on a foggy afternoon; the dizzying and maddeningly beautiful night sky; being in the ocean and feeling the waves push and pull, and hearing them crash against the shore.
I’m still growing and learning — and don’t worry, I’m still in therapy. I’m still learning who I am, but I’m getting a clearer picture. If nothing else, I’ve at least come to understand my core values and beliefs, and what I will and will not tolerate.
I believe in the sanctity of The Golden Rule. I believe everyone should have the freedom to be who they are and express themselves. I believe in the importance of art — whether it’s digital media, writing, singing, or any of the other incredible mediums we’ve created.
I cannot and will not stand for bigotry. I do not believe the freedom of expression should equate to freedom from consequences. I cannot stand prolonged exposure to willful ignorance.
There is a — perhaps unspoken — rule about professionalism and keeping political opinions and values private. While I do not intend to preach so blatantly about my views, or suggest anyone ought to subscribe to the same values, I will not leave any gray area about my stance on matters of human rights. I will continue to loudly and openly support such campaigns as Black Lives Matter, Free Palestine, and Free Congo. I will continue to support members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
I am always open to learning and devouring new ideas and opinions. Some of my opinions may change over time — I’ve grown to love tomato soup, for instance — but these are some of the things that will not be changing (barring any traumatic brain injuries).
I am Gillian C. Campbell. I am a fantasy author because the harshness of reality can be too much. I’m going to write stories that are sometimes sad, sometimes scary, and sometimes cozy.
I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.
