The interactive serialized reading experience I’m currently offering readers is called The Wren Island Series.
What is interactive serialized fiction? Every so often, my readers receive a new installment of a continuing fiction series. Between releases, my readers are included in real-time, behind-the-scenes peeks (without spoilers!) at the stories I’m writing for them.
The Wren Island Series is set on a fictional island right here where I live in the Pacific Northwest. These islands are known for deep, evergreen forests and high, rocky cliffs. Thundering surf on the west side, sheltered bays on the east side. Wild, roaring windstorms and clear, starry nights.
And whales.
Right from the shores of Wren Island, you might see humpback whales, gray whales, minke whales, and others. You might even catch sight of our beloved—and critically endangered—Southern Resident Orcas. Oh, I hope you do!
Would you like to hop over to Wren Island right now?
Unlike the more populated islands, Wren doesn’t have regular ferry service, so you’ll arrive by private boat or seaplane. A guy named Ralph might be convinced to bring you over in his flat-fronted towboat—if he’s heading this way, if the weather and tides are right, if he doesn’t have more important cargo to transport, and if you give him something that says Green Bay Packers on it.
Once you’ve landed on Wren, you’ll see the island’s only store on your right. Inside, you’ll find groceries, ice, and other staples. You’ll also find postage stamps, a little free library, tide tables (one per household, please), and twenty-two editions of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. (The almanacs are not part of the little free library. They are for in-store reference only, please.) The store owner bakes the most extraordinary muffins—possibly the world’s best muffins—but we’d appreciate you keeping that tidbit to yourself, because the last thing we need is a bunch of tourists hash-tagging our unknown paradise. Head outside to the store’s covered front porch and get comfy on a cushioned twig bench while you wait for your muffin. You ordered coffee, too? The wait will be even longer, then. We’re on island time here.
Across from the market, the dirt road leading into the forest goes to Allison Theodore’s property. You might have seen Allison’s place from the water—an English Tudor-style house tucked into the woods behind a wide, driftwood-littered beach. Keep an eye out for Allison’s big, brown dog, Louise, who sometimes sort of acts like a guard dog. Allison’s other dog, Lokita, is a sweet little thing.
Allison is a songwriter. Isn’t that interesting? She must have written music under a different name, though, because none of us can find anything on the internet about her.
Oh! Speaking of music!
The sound of a ringing gong means whales can be heard (right now at this very moment!) through the hydrophone located just off Wren Island.
Scientists monitor the hydrophone to learn more about how whales communicate underwater. Our neighbors at the commune up the hill also monitor the hydrophone, but just for fun. As soon as someone up there hears anything interesting, they hit a large, round, bronze disk (monastery-style!) so everyone on Wren knows to open the hydrophone app and listen. Ringing the gong is a friendly thing for our neighbors at the commune to do. What kind of commune is it, you ask? Oh, look! Your muffin and coffee are ready.
I’m glad you’re here, because The Wren Island Series is about sharing life with people we love—and people we find difficult to love. It’s about offering second chances to others and accepting second chances for ourselves. It’s about reaching for love—reaching for the very best, true, steadfast kind of love—and trusting that we’ll be better for having done so. And, always, it’s about hope.
You’re going to feel at home here on Wren Island in no time at all.
In this interactive serialized fiction experience, readers are already influencing what happens next. It’s free entertainment that won’t cost you a penny or a calorie! It’s easy and fun to catch up. When you subscribe to receive my emails, you’ll receive a link to stories that have been published. Then, watch your inbox for behind-the-scenes updates and other fun opportunities.
See you around!
(Want to listen to this post on my podcast? Find the episode here.)
[Photo courtesy of Canva.]
