Hey all,

I'm inserting a bit to vent a small bit about something that I'm doing outside of the Evan Grimm and Nightmare Academy train of thought (but it's got a tie-in to a BIG plot twist that I'll be bringing up eventually involving the Judge).

I'm fairly certain most of you out there in the cyber world don't know about a lot of stuff with me, but as I dig into Evan Grimm's character I dig up myself as well, as he is who I personally wish I was (personality wise at least). And as I develop Evan, I must also develop myself, and that means coming to terms with a lot of things in my life, which I will be putting Evan through as well to help me cope in my own life.

And they say that comic book writers don't pull from their own lives when writing their characters.

Anyways, one such issue I'm coping with at the moment is the fact that since I was about 5, I've been raised by my mom, without my dad. I won't get into the details, but suffice to say, it's shaped who I am drastically different than most guys my age with 2 parents. I've had my uncle, grandfather, and even a Big Brother subbing in as my father figures, which has given me a very broad view of the world, and helped shape who I am today (which is still being shaped), as well as who Evan is and will be.

About a year and a half ago, after no communication from my estranged father, he messages me on Facebook, just a few days after I was accepted to film school and had started planning moving from Oshawa to where I am now. At the time, it shocked me, and sent my emotions for a tailspin, but also brought me closer with a friend I hope to keep until the day I die, who was the opne guy who sat with me that day at lunch while I spilled my guts about the emotional wreck I was and still am.

My friend's name is Dejan C., and on that day, despite any bullshit that may have happened before or after that, him sitting there and helping me through it, and even telling people that were trying to ridicule me for it or intefere off showed me that I do have people in this world that care for me, and will be there to help me in those tough times. Unfortunately, I haven't been in touch with Dejan for a while now, which is why I'm taking this time and interrupting Evan.

Within the next day or so, after talking with my mom and writing out a letter of response to him, I am going to be messaging him back, and attempting to talk to the man who I share so much but so little in common with, who, if life had gone differently, I would be lovingly calling dad.

It's one of the toughest things I will ever do in my life, because like I said, I share so much in common with him, but at the same time am a completely different person from who he is. It is even impacting a plotline that I am going to be using to introduce The Nightmare Academy in a short story I'm starting work on, and will be using as the first issue to piutch to publishing companies and such. I can't say anymore on that, not only because it's a secret, but because it's not what I'm writing for.

I just wanted to get this out, although I know most people don't read my journal here, but for anyone that does, any words of confidence or cheerful phrases, or anything that would help me through this difficult time (as there are a whole bunch of other things impacting my life lately as well), it is greatly appreciated.

Now, I'll let Evan get back to writing here, especially for tomorrow, as it's Halloween.

Sincerely,
Edward H.