A Father's Tale: How Three Daughters Shaped a Fantasy World

After debates with my then teenage debates, the seeds of Resistance were planted in conversations with my daughters - my 'Gargoyles' as I fondly call them. Charlotte, Stephanie, and Rachael didn't just inspire characters; they helped forge the very soul of this tale.

It began with a discussion about Nature versus Nurture, those evening conversations where young minds challenge old wisdom. As we explored how the environment shapes destiny, I found myself wondering how these forces might play out in a world where winter's bite carries more than cold, and survival demands both strength and adaptation.

The pen name CSR Keeley carries their initials - a tribute to three young women who stand like gargoyles, not as grotesques but as guardians, watching over their father's journey into storytelling. Their strength echoes through the female characters who inhabit the world of Tol, where resilience isn't just about surviving; it's about choosing how to survive.

In crafting this tale of resistance against tyranny, of choices made in harsh times, I've woven threads of their spirit throughout the narrative. The determination of youth, the questioning of established truths, the courage to stand against the wind - these aren't just themes in a fantasy novel; they're lessons learned from three remarkable daughters.

This story, born at the intersection of paternal love and creative imagination, belongs as much to them as it does to me. They are its first audience, its inspiration, and its heart.

CSR Keeley

A snapshot of the author's three daughters, capturing the bond between the author and his daughters, set against themes from Resistance: Chaos-Tol's Bane, Book 1. The image hints at both personal and storytelling journeys within the fantasy world of Tol.