The Official site of TJ Wright

Writing is a strange thing.

Most days it’s just you, a keyboard, and a little voice asking if any of this is actually any good. Then every once in a while someone says something that reminds you why you keep going.

This week, while editing Book Two of The Undying Wizard, one of my beta readers left comments that honestly caught me off guard.

“It’s actually similar to something Tolkien does with Aragorn… He doesn’t constantly tell us Aragorn is a great king. He has Aragorn remember names… You’re doing the same thing with Astrid.”

Later, another comment read:

“‘A handful escaped. Fewer managed to regain their feet.’ That’s my favorite addition in the whole scene. Very Brandon Sanderson / Joe Abercrombie in cadence.”

I’ve only recently started reading Joe Abercrombie, and he’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Being mentioned alongside him was incredibly humbling.

And Tolkien… well, every fantasy author owes something to Tolkien. To have someone see echoes of his storytelling in my work—even if it’s only in technique—is one of the highest compliments I could receive.

Those comments weren’t telling me I write like those authors. They reminded me that the little things matter. A character remembering a soldier’s name. A sentence with just the right rhythm. Those quiet moments often carry more weight than the grand speeches.

Now comes the hard part: helping people discover the books.Writing has always been the easy part for me. Marketing? That’s the mountain I’m still learning to climb. Every new reader feels like a victory, and every recommendation means more than I can say.

Outside of writing, you’ll also find me most Saturdays at the Fife Lake Farmers Market and Craft Show, selling Freshwater Roots Farm maple syrup. It’s been a wonderful way to meet people, and, to my surprise, I’ve even sold a few books there. It’s funny how conversations that start over maple syrup sometimes end with someone leaving with a fantasy novel.

Life has a way of connecting the things we love in unexpected ways.So, if you’ve been following this journey, thank you. Whether you bought a bottle of syrup, picked up one of my books, shared a post, or simply offered words of encouragement, you’re helping make this dream possible.