Dargon Project Writers
Mike Schustereit

As if you were not already aware, I'm Mike Schustereit. I joined
DargonZine in 1994. I'm currently working on a series of stories called 'A Rogue's Gambit'. The basic concept is that a society stratified by it religious and militaristic belief has condemned five men to death for various crimes against the state. These men have to overcome their own social distate and objections to one another in order to escape Beinison and seek some kind of refuge in Baranur, hopefully ending up in Dargon.

If you have read either of the stories that I have published, then you may be wondering why I write. Some people just want a good story. It is my ultimate goal however to bring you into Dargon, entice you with my dilemna, and have you walk away amazed that you didn't see it from my viewpoint before. Just kidding, you don't have to come over to my side immediately.

Why fantasy fiction?

When I was a boy I lived outside of town. I loved books and nothing could stop me reading them. I also loved the hero. Lancelot charging into battle, Hercules balking the gods, and so many more. We would play like knights. Defending the hay barn against the infidels from down the road. Dirt clods and sticks replaced arrows and swords, but in my mind I was there.

I guess I was twelve years old when I first decided to try writing a fiction story. I remember I woke up in the middle of the night, turned on my light, and started furiously scribbling away. My mother nearly camed unglued. I've been at it since then. My one great hope is to someday break into print with my writing, however, in the meantime I'll play with my children, enjoy my music, and laugh at all of the rednecks that still live in my home state.

So, thanks for reading
DargonZine and my stories. I'll try to keep coming up with something interesting.