I Always Wished

Foreword

I FELL ASLEEP WHILE EDITING - IN MY DEFENSE, I TOOK A GIRL TO THE AIRPORT AT 4 THIS MORNING LOL - THIS IS NOT 12 EST BUT IT'LL BE OKAY -

NOW ONTO THE IMPORTANT STUFF. *inhales*

A totally new plot to the ending of a series I've kept you all waiting for.

I admit, guys, this has been a long haul. The "I Never Knew" series has been with me as I've experienced the ups and downs of life. And I kinda got burned out back in November (when I was supposed to write this book) because writing wasn't fulfilling me like it usually did.

I needed something more.

So I decided to put you all on hold while I let God get my life back on track. I've done so much this year - I've lost my COVID pounds (LOL thank God), I've finally stopped looking to my past for fulfillment, and I've realized my true self-worth (and holy heck, did Jesus have to be the one to fix THAT).

And then, when all was said and done, I sat down with this book.

And had nothing.

All my plotting and planning for this book...nope, it wasn't working. Clearly, I needed a new plot, and I had no idea where to get one. So I basically asked God to give me a plot, and then I started writing.

I started writing, and a plot formed in my mind.

I started writing, and as usual, I ended up pouring so much of myself into the characters. Back in INK, I visualized the joys of first love; in TOG, I spoke up about eating disorders (which so many of my friends and family have had); in WPWT, I relived what forgiveness and healing were like in a broken friendship.

Yet in this book, I looked to the future. I said, "Where do I really see myself in five years?"

Skylor played out a lot of my (very hopeful LOL) answer to that question.

So here's the last book of the Ninjago INK series, folks. It's a new plot, but it's more geared toward 13-18 year-olds - like it should have been all along. Making this a YA series for 18-25 year-olds just wasn't the right way to go ;)

Enjoy this final installment of INK, guys. May it bring you joy, laughter, and tears - like it did me. I hope these characters grow you - like they did me.

And by gosh, I hope you find a friend group as tight-knit as these ninja and never let them go.

I kind of hope this book makes you look within, too. I want you to examine your life - what matters and what doesn't, what impact you want to one day have and how you can get there - and take steps in that direction. Don't live vicariously through Skylor, team Jaya, or our beloved PIXane. Get out and pursue that world change, guys.

I believe that with a lot of help from the Almighty (and a little help from your friends ;)), anything is possible.

God bless you all, may the force be with you, and long live Jay's flower crown.

- Beep24

(P.S. THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAVE SO MUCH KAILOR I SWEAR-)