Reinventing Creativity at 60: The Journey of Leslie R. Waggoner III

At 60, most people are planning for retirement, settling into a life of stability and reflection. But for Leslie R. Waggoner III, his journey was just beginning. After decades in the IT industry, he embarked on a creative venture that many would consider unconventional , crafting a high-fantasy world with its own language, script, and mythic depth. This transformation from technician to mythmaker wasn't just a career shift; it was a reinvention of self. And it’s a story that proves creativity has no age limit.

The Spark of an Idea

Leslie’s story begins not with a grand vision, but with a small, almost accidental writing exercise. What started as a mere distraction from the routine of IT work soon evolved into something far greater , his debut epic fantasy novel, The Heater and The Hack: Chronicles of the Dance, RCotD -:- Tome I. For Leslie, writing was never meant to be a career; it was a passion that bloomed unexpectedly, a path he hadn’t anticipated but found irresistible.

The world of The Heater and The Hack was not created overnight. Leslie didn’t just write a book , he created a universe. Drawing inspiration from the grandmasters of fantasy, like J.R.R. Tolkien, Leslie embarked on a journey of world-building that was as deep and immersive as any myth. He didn’t just invent characters and plot lines; he created an entire language, Hadokai Tubatonona, a script, and even a custom font to bring his world to life. For Leslie, this was as important as the story itself. As he explains, “I’m not chasing formulas , I’m building a Chronicle, complete with its own languages and scripts.”

Obstacles and Key Decisions

As Leslie’s journey into the world of writing deepened, he encountered the same obstacles that many aspiring authors face. Doubt, fear, and the harsh realities of self-publishing threatened to derail his dream. Yet, it was his background in IT that gave him the resilience and problem-solving mindset to push forward. He wasn’t just an author; he was an architect, meticulously designing every element of his world.

One of the biggest challenges came in the form of editing. Leslie’s writing style is anything but minimalist. He rejects the modern trend of stripping away the nuance and rhythm from prose, believing that stories lose something essential when they are over-edited. “I don’t just accept the current editing norm. If I lose too much to minimalism, I rethink the edits. Holding my voice is worth more than a higher review score,” he says. This stance didn’t win him any favors with conventional editors, but it was crucial to maintain the integrity of his voice and vision.

Leslie’s refusal to conform to editorial trends didn’t just make him stand out as a writer. It made his work resonate with readers who were tired of cookie-cutter fantasy. The world he built was rich, complex, and unapologetically dense , much like the man behind it.

Turning Point: The Breakthrough

Leslie’s hard work eventually paid off when The Heater and The Hack reached #1 in Classic Fantasy eBooks on Amazon and ranked highly in Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery categories. But the true breakthrough wasn’t just in the rankings , it was in the recognition that his story mattered. It wasn’t about fitting into the current publishing mold or following trends; it was about telling a story that was uniquely his own, with all the depth and complexity he envisioned.

“I didn’t start until I was 58. That’s proof it’s never too late to build something mythic,” Leslie says, reflecting on his late start in the literary world. His success is a testament to the power of persistence and the refusal to conform. It’s proof that reinvention is possible, even in later stages of life, and that creativity knows no age limits.

What Makes Leslie R. Waggoner III Unique Today

What sets Leslie apart in the crowded world of fantasy literature isn’t just his age or his technical prowess. It’s his commitment to preserving the soul of his writing. Unlike many modern authors who streamline their prose for mass appeal, Leslie’s work remains full of rhythm, ambiguity, and humanity. He is committed to a philosophy of writing that honors complexity and nuance. This dedication to preserving his voice, even at the risk of being rated lower by critics who favor the minimalist approach, is what makes his work so distinctive.

Leslie’s journey isn’t just about publishing a book , it’s about creating a lasting, multi-series Chronicle that will span decades of world-building and storytelling. He has plans for sequels, novellas, and more languages, all aimed at expanding the universe he’s created. “This isn’t just about a book. It’s about persistence, reinvention, and building a chronicle from scratch,” he says. His work isn’t finished; it’s only just begun.

The Philosophy of Voice and Story

At the heart of Leslie’s work is a deep belief in the importance of voice. For him, writing isn’t just about telling a story; it’s about telling it with authenticity and integrity. He has no interest in chasing trends or formulaic approaches to writing. Instead, he’s focused on creating something that will endure , a mythic tale built on a foundation of careful craftsmanship and unwavering passion.

In his view, modern editing practices often strip away the very things that make writing powerful. “I choose to keep ambiguity, hesitation, and rhythm intact , even if it means my work is judged outside current stylistic norms,” Leslie explains. His work, though unconventional, resonates deeply with readers who long for the richness and depth of classic fantasy.

Discover the World of Leslie R. Waggoner III

Leslie R. Waggoner III’s story is one of reinvention, persistence, and a refusal to conform. His debut novel is just the beginning of a larger journey , one that is defined by a commitment to language, culture, and myth-making. His refusal to follow the current trends in editing and writing makes his work stand out in the fantasy genre.

Are you ready to dive into a world built from scratch, filled with complexity, beauty, and meaning? Explore Leslie’s work and discover what makes The Heater and The Hack and its creator truly unique. Visit his website for more information and to explore his world of myth, language, and imagination.

Learn more and get your copy today at Leslie R. Waggoner III’s Website.