Modern scientific theory holds that the future is static. Time, we are told, is merely a fourth dimension of spacetime. Time cannot be changed. Time simply is. Perhaps that is so, but from our limited vantage point, time is not static. There are divergent paths, extended like branches from a tree. Some are shorter, some longer, some healthier, others prone to crack under strain. And we cannot know which path is right until we’ve veered off, and made our choice.

Several years ago, I undertook a major rebranding with this site. After struggling to find my footing in science fiction, I sought to broaden the scope of my efforts. At the same time, I hoped to avoid limiting myself to individual areas of sci-fi. Though I loved hard science fiction, I feared I couldn’t do it. I wanted to keep wandering down branching paths of creativity. I wanted a boat without a rudder.

For better or for worse, that was the genesis of Unrealized Realities.

Unrealized Realities was inspired by an episode of the sci-fi series Farscape. In the episode, protagonist John Crichton begins to learn how to navigate wormholes. But his alien tutor cautions him to remain focused on his path, for even small deviations can cause him to miss his destination, spinning off into one of countless “unrealized realities”. At the time, I thought this a wonderful analogy for the change in course my writing had taken. Now, in retrospect, I feel it’s even more apt a metaphor than I’d realized.

It’s hard to feel good about it. My progress toward a career in writing was going well. I was diligent, determined. Focused. And then, like John Crichton, I found myself spinning off into countless unrealized realities. I had never worked in a creative field before. I kept telling myself this was the way it was supposed to work. And in my flights of creative fancy, I lost myself.

As I lost focus, I quickly lost interest. My posting became sporadic, and many of my weekly posts, largely dealing with what I had accomplished lately, began to feel repetitive and silly. Eventually, my posts slowed to a trickle. I began to refocus the energy I’d devoted to writing to other areas of my life: my work, my relationship, my friendships. Gradually, writing became a part of my past.

It is difficult to fully express how much my life has changed over the past year. Perhaps, given the pandemic, that sounds trite. But over the past year I’ve found a new sense of purpose. I’ve found perspective. And, ultimately, I’ve rediscovered my voice. With this comes a renewed determination to present my work to the world, and pursue a career as a writer.

And with that, the time of Unrealized Realities has come to an end.

I often tell people that when it comes to my writing, I never delete anything. I will cut and move, but seldom do I actually destroy my writing. Because at the end of the day, good or bad, it’s something I wrote. I created this. And even if it’s bad, I still sat down and put effort into it. As such, it’s hard to say I find no value in what I’ve accomplished during the Unrealized Realities years. I refined my voice, learning to become an effective communicator in the modern world. I learned how to blog, how to present myself to the world. And I made friends; connections with other writers which have served me well. I can only hope I’ve had the same positive impact on their lives and careers that they’ve had on mine.

It’s important to note that, while this may be the end of Unrealized Realities, this is not the end for me. Far from it. In the coming months I have big plans: I intend to begin querying for The Pioneers, relaunch my platform, and pursue several long-planned self-publication projects, most notably my first novel, Wide Horizon.

As for this website, I’ve now committed to a full relaunch. More than likely, this will take the form of two websites: one dedicated to personal blogging, the other to serve as the central plank in my platform. For now, I will be going dormant here. Unrealized Realities had its moments. But I feel better about my direction now than I have in a very long time. Until we meet again, dare to dream. – MK