The Author

As seen by the protagonist

Hey there, I’m Ariel, the protagonist of Fred’s tale “The Secret of Assarderia.” Now, isn’t it funny that I’m penning his bio? He usually writes about me, but I’m taking the reins today. A bit of an odd turn of events, but hey, who better than me to give you the inside scoop?

Fred, residing in a chilly northern locale called Estonia (a land I had zero knowledge of, until Fred clued me in), is an author with a knack for intricate detail. In crafting our story, he oscillated between laughter and, let’s be frank, bouts of stubbornness. I had my ideas for how the narrative should unfold, but Fred had his own plans. Ever try to convince a writer to tweak his storyline? Good luck.

You know, there were several chapters that you won’t find in the book. For example, I thought it would be great to kick things off with my failed attempt to join the Space Academy. Fred thought it didn’t make for a compelling opening and reduced it to just a few paragraphs in the first chapter. Then there’s the bit where Granny and I meet the Glebmans in Jerusalem. Fred axed that chapter entirely, claiming it veered off from the main action. I personally think those chapters would’ve given the story more depth, but hey, Fred’s the boss. Or so he thinks.

For someone who’s never left Earth (seriously, Fred, you’re missing out), he sure likes to explore the cosmos vicariously through me. Just a heads-up: if you’re reading his accounts of subspace travel, maybe don’t consider it a textbook lesson in astro-navigation. It’s amusing, considering the guy’s never even been off-planet.

As a writer, Fred is a stickler for logic and clarity, but man, he can get carried away with details. Sometimes I want to tell him, “Fred, it’s good! Leave it be!” But you know writers, always tinkering.

Fun tidbit: Fred is a vegetarian. If you ever bump into him at the grocery store, you might see him stocking up on chicken. Nope, not for him—it’s all for Caruso, his aging Rottweiler who’s got special dietary needs. The local shopkeepers probably think Fred’s some kind of chicken aficionado. If only they knew.

So, if you’re drawn to sci-fi tales laden with logical twists, humor, and the occasional stubborn disagreement between author and character, you’ve come to the right place. Dive into “The Secret of Assarderia” and join us on an unforgettable journey.

Cheers,

Ariel Harel

P.S. Despite any differences in creative vision, I’ve got to hand it to Fred. Crafting this book has been one wild ride, and I wouldn’t want anyone else at the helm.