“How to Forget to Remember to Forget about Magic,” authored by Kristen M Chambers and Viktor H Strangewayes, opens the door to a universe filled with mystery, magic, and adventure. This first volume of the Journey Eternal series, composed by the VAAL’BARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, introduces readers to Laurence P. Cromwell, a man driven by a deep-seated belief in the existence of true magic.
Laurence’s life begins much like anyone else’s, filled with routine and a yearning for something more. His quest for magic is sparked by a series of peculiar childhood events, leading him on a relentless search through ancient texts and relics. He believes that somewhere, hidden in the pages of history, lies the key to unlocking the magical world he is certain exists.
The Search for Ancient Secrets
Laurence’s journey starts in the familiar setting of the present day, but quickly spirals into a realm of ancient secrets and forgotten lore. His obsession with magic takes him to the corners of the earth, where he hopes to find that one artifact that will change everything. This journey, however, is not one of simple discovery. It’s fraught with dangers and mysteries, as many magical objects are best left untouched, their powers and intentions shrouded in darkness.
Alongside two unexpected companions, Laurence’s quest leads them across vast timelines and different worlds. Together, they uncover the hidden truths of humanity’s magical heritage and face the monstrous future that threatens to engulf them all. Their mission is daunting: to restore magic before it’s too late, all while battling external enemies and their own inner conflicts.
Unraveling a World of Magic and Darkness
“How to Forget to Remember to Forget about Magic” is a narrative that transcends typical fantasy storytelling. The authors expertly weave a tale that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, drawing readers into a world of dark magic, demons, and timeless battles. The characters, far from being mere stereotypes, are richly developed, each grappling with their own demons and destinies.
Readers are taken on a journey that reveals a world where nothing is as it seems. The story is filled with powerful magic, difficult choices, and emotional turmoil. Dark imagery and introspective monologues add depth to the characters, making their struggles and triumphs deeply relatable.
An Epic Saga Unfolds
The first volume of the Journey Eternal series is a massive work, comprising three full-length novels into one expansive book of 986 pages. This epic tale promises an immersive experience, guiding readers through time, space, and the essence of magic itself. With two more volumes scheduled for release over the next two years, the series is set to become a landmark in fantasy literature.
Future volumes, “How to Consume Friends and Eradicate People” and “How to Regret Your Life and Recover from Death,” are eagerly anticipated, with releases planned for early 2025 and 2026. These volumes will also be available for free, ensuring that the adventures of Laurence P. Cromwell and his companions remain accessible to all readers.
Embracing the Magic Within
At its heart, “How to Forget to Remember to Forget about Magic” is a story of belief and discovery. It encourages readers to look beyond the ordinary and embrace the possibility of the extraordinary. The book challenges perceptions, urging readers to question what they know and consider the existence of a magical world intertwined with our own.
For those ready to embark on this journey, the book is available for download on the VAAL’BARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY’s website and through Smashwords. It has already attracted a following on Goodreads, inviting readers to immerse themselves in its rich narrative and explore a world where fantasy and reality merge, and where magic lies just beyond the veil of the mundane.
About Viktor
Viktor is an isolated, strange man with a mind set adrift within another world. He spends most of his days outside this reality, residing within a forgotten domain suspended between realms. Dedicated to scouring all possible avenues left to him, he has begun the painstaking process of working through an otherworldly library, translating every tome and manuscript at his disposal so that we, too, may learn their many truths. Often risking bodily or psychological harm, even the most dangerous grimoire is never left unopened for long.
If you would like to read his true story on how he became an author and Chronicler of Time, you can find it here: https://vaalbarahistoricalsociety.org/our-true-story/
A Final Invitation
As you prepare to delve into this monumental story, remember this: not all fantasy is fiction, and nothing is ever quite as it seems. Laurence P. Cromwell’s journey is a testament to the power of belief, the allure of magic, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. This tale invites you to forget what you know and to remember the magic that has always been part of our world, waiting to be rediscovered.
We had the privilege of interviewing Viktor. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Can you tell us more about your book? What is it about?
How to Forget to Remember to Forget Magic revolves around the story that humanity is long descended from a race called the Xahl’thari, who used Magic quite effectively to retaliate against a horrific evil, but have since forgotten who they are and where they have come from. Our enemies, however, have not forgotten. The main protagonists delve extensively into time travel, heading backward in time countless years, in an effort to not only stop terrible events from spiraling out of control in the future, but also attempt to correct a corruption that’s begun to grow within them. This book is filled with powerful Magic, hard choices, emotional struggles, dark imagery, inner monologue, peculiar characters, complex villains, and incredible locations – all of which are real, of course. If you have enough faith.
Who do you think would be interested in this book, is it directed at any particular market?
This book resonates with anyone from young adult to those of us who have traveled the world for a time, so to speak. It will appeal to people who fancy themselves a bit of a misfit, have a true imagination, an open mind, a desire to believe in Magic, and a turn toward darkness, whether they act upon it or not.
Out of all the books in the world, and all the authors, which are your favorite and why?
Anne McCaffery comes to mind for world building and attention to detail. L.A. Meyer for casual ease of reading, word slinging, and keeping the reader on their toes. Stephen King is prominent on my shelves for his dark imagery. James S. A. Corey for grit and realism with an eye toward the future.
What guidance would you offer to someone new, or trying to enhance their writing?
Write something and then read several books – authors you haven’t given a shot yet. Learn as much as you can from your peers. Then, start back at the beginning of your story and review your writing again. Keep working through it over and over in that fashion. Above all, do not write to be famous or to secure an income; write because you love to write. If you’re passionate enough, and you pour enough into your work, you just may find you’ve earned the following you desire.
Where can our readers find out more about you? Do you have a website, or a way to be contacted?
You can find out more about us at https://vaalbarahistoricalsociety.org/ or www.ForgetMagic.com – they both go to the same place, but the latter address is certainly easier to remember despite the suggestion. There you can download our books for free, contact us, interact with a map depicting our heroes’ journey, and learn a few more details about everyone involved.
What was the inspiration for your book?
To be truthful, I was never interested in being an author. However, after suffering a seizure and head trauma, I began to experience a reoccurring dream which seemed benign enough at first but turned into so much more. Since then, recounting this journey has become my obsession, and I find myself incapable of surviving without it.
There are a lot of concepts within your books from magic, corruption, time-travel and people who have really forgotten who they were. How did you leverage them all to create an engaging story?
I never found myself in a position where I felt I had to leverage anything within this book. I was placed in a position where I followed alongside the characters, and watched as their intent to uncover aspects of the truth led to discoveries within themselves and our ancient past. I accepted what I wrote as truth, and did my absolute best to document, in as much detail as I could, exactly what took place, whether it was tragedy or triumph. It is simply my wish to share that journey with those willing to believe it as well.
What has been the biggest challenge when writing the first book? Your most cherished moment?
This is an unapologetically long story. Volume One is of approximate length to the first four Harry Potter novels, and it only contains parts 1-3 of 9. Publishing a book that long is nearly impossible. Publishers wouldn’t even look at it, and I received responses of “cut it down by ¾.” If they only knew, I couldn’t delete even a single word; Laurence’s Magic wouldn’t let me. Worse, most self-publishers can’t even handle the printing of it, save for one. This series pushes the limits of what is possible right now, and unfortunately that is a daunting and expensive venture to pursue.
Furthermore, no one has heard of the Society. It has proven to be an immense hurdle to expose the story for the value it contains, even when attempting to pass it out for free, due to the volume of free stories being produced on the market every single day. That being said, my happiest moments come from when people begin to read it and they see why they were destined to take the journey with me. When I receive a letter telling me how much it has changed them, it makes me smile because I know I’ve done something that has enhanced not only another person’s life but the future of humanity itself.
What is your favorite moment within the book?
For me, that is a terrible question. I have several favorite moments in the book, but I can’t truthfully divulge any of them without sharing powerful details that a reader must discover for themselves before truly appreciating their significance. I will say, I find myself smiling most when the main protagonists run into a number of peculiar characters that exist not only in the shadows of our current society but also far in the past and, possibly, out of time altogether. Doug Bug, Ekklan Ekklan, Melvin, and many others have no modern-world equivalents. I feel readers will find their lives enhanced by having met them.
You have two more books in the series in the works. Can you tell us more about them?
Volume One through Three should be viewed as one complete journey from start to finish. If you think you’ll read Part One of Volume One and reach a satisfying ending, you will find yourself sorely mistaken. Nor, for that matter, do I suspect you will find yourself capable of pausing at that point. Volume Two will pick up precisely where Volume One left off, as will the Third. That being said, I can tell you that Volume One largely deals with the present, going back to the past. Volume Two deals largely with the past, moving back into the present, and Volume Three deals with the present, moving out into the future, and then beyond. This entire journey starts very small, with a child and an airplane. When you reach its conclusion, you will have expanded your knowledge beyond our universe.
Thank you so much, Viktor, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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