In this, we have our regular issue's worth of outstanding original stories- in our 24th year of continuous publication!

Why do we become writers? It's not like there are buckets of money in it, unless your work happens to become fashionable for an extended period of time. The short answer is because we're driven to tell stories. Something in our make-up demands that this is the channel through which our creativity flows most often. Almost everyone feels an urge to be creative. This is our way.

Is it easy? No, I wouldn't say that. There is a lot of mental work involved with crafting a good story. I'd say it is one of the most difficult undertakings anyone can put their efforts towards. But even without becoming a Big Name, the rewards of knowing you created an entertaining story are nigh uncountable. I mean, it is easy to write a half-assed story, but it is real work to craft one that excels in the minds of our readers. Discovering that something you have poured your heart and soul into pleases your readers is a ego-boost beyond measure. Sometimes, the lightning strikes and your work goes beyond your core fans to enter the mainstream markets. The ego-boost is larger, as is your paycheck--an yet, you would still keep writing even if only  few people notice you are doing it. Or no one at all. You are driven to write, therefore you write, and *you don't care if anyone knows your name.* You *have* to write, so you do.

You always have a choice between becoming a good writer, a bad one, or an indifferent one. The way to make that choice is by learning everything you can to make your work better than it was yesterday. That's one reason you came to Aphelion--you wanted to learn how to make your writing better. There are other places besides Aphelion; schools, workshops writer's groups, for instance. All of those can work, and work well. But you only get out of something a reward equal in measure to what effort you put into it. There is no "magic spell," or shortcut, or training course that can turn you into a great writer if you never do the work. Make no mistake, it *is* work, it takes practice, and you have to accept the notion that you didn't enter this pursuit already knowing everything. 

People who "already know everything" find it difficult to learn anything. Starting with "no, I *don't* know everything." That might just be the hardest lesson of all: to accept that there is indeed more to learn..

Thank you to all of our writers for choosing to learn with Aphelion!

About time I quit talking and let you get to reading!

Dan