The Legends of Ryland Creek: Book III of the Ryland Creek Saga, was something of a first for me as a writer.
While there were many female characters playing important roles in the first two books, Legends was my first attempt as a writer having a young lady, Lill Ernst, sharing co-lead with Andrew Renthro, a city teen from Chicago.
Further, while magical realism and the lands of the Painted Post, nearly as a character, began in the preceding books, Legends delves heavily into the myth and lore of Painted Post and the surrounding regions.
One such legend is a creature, the Gandalark. While considerable literal license was levied in the story, this legend was roughly based on the reported sightings in 1869 of a big foot like creature (with a really nasty attitude) near Woodhull, New York, which is about 25 miles west of Painted Post.
One such legend is a creature, the Gandalark. While considerable literal license was levied in the story, this legend was roughly based on the reported sightings in 1869 of a big foot like creature (with a really nasty attitude) near Woodhull, New York, which is about 25 miles west of Painted Post.
A shot of the real creek that inspired Ryland Creek.
Legends was also the most socially thematic of the series to date, dealing with both the issues of bullying as well as choosing one's path, and the consequences, good and bad, that always ensue.