All you have is NOW

Damien Lamar
3 min readJan 28, 2024

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Why unsolved questions about The Great Library of Alexandria fueled my writing

There’s book number two⁉️
I know. It seems close and on the heels of my first novel, which is still a newborn. The thing is, once I started writing, I couldn’t stop.

Writing became cathartic to me and was a way to pass the time and escape the stresses of the world. Thus the name, “Cronos Catharsis.”

All you have is NOW.

I came up with it as part of the instrumental score “QUADRILOGY” that I created a couple of years ago. I released my debut novel in August 2023, and the novella and film series are scheduled to launch 🚀 March 2024.

It all started because of my desire and insatiable affection for Egyptology. Throughout my entire life, I went on field trips, and in fifth grade, I always wanted them to leave me at the Egyptian exhibit. I just wanted to be left alone there because I had always loved Egyptology. Things always felt unresolved or unknown in the ways of ancient Egyptians.

However, the stories surrounding the events that took place with the great library of Alexandria, which was burned during the reign of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, still fascinated me.

The Great Library of Alexandria was destroyed. But the story is so disjointed. It feels like something is still being withheld from us.

So, I thought to myself, “This is just as good a time as any to create an alternate story about a Khemetic (black) time traveler who taught students how to time travel, but with the understanding that wherever they are, “All you have is NOW” and as Confucius says, “Wherever you go, there you are.

In my debut novel, I assembled a hand-picked team of students, each bringing their viewpoints and connections to the canvas for reinforcement. They were tasked with learning the fundamentals of time travel as well as historic preservation, so they might save humans from their distinction.

“Time Traveler’s Digest: An Anthology” goes beyond traditional storytelling, coupling vibrant artwork with a dynamic multimedia experience in its quarterly publication, “Temporal Visions.”

Meet Demetrius The Wise, the protagonist of our story. He is a fictional archivist and Kemetic demigod who co-founded The Academy for Time Travelers. The Academy was once located within the Great Library of Alexandria in ancient Egypt, but unfortunately, it was lost to flames.

The rule is that we have NOW:TIME as the basis of time travel. That’s the fundamental rule of time travel. In my story, the students took vows at the Academy for Time Travelers. They knew that wherever they were, in whatever timeline, it was always NOW:TIME.

And then the library was destroyed because of a decision that one of the students who took a book called “The Book of Khemetic Dissertations,” a fictional character named Sigma Shukran, took, and thus the library has been destroyed. Now the timeline is ruined, and we’re dealing with colonialism and capitalism. It’s a very interesting take on it, but I also want people to walk away asking questions about what really happened.

“Temporal Visions” is a publication that showcases stunning illustrations inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the African diaspora and the captivating world of Egyptology. Its imagery captures the essence of these historical legacies in a stunning and captivating way.

As the creator, my vision was to blend ancient wisdom with modern technology. The artwork showcases diverse characters and settings while also capturing the intricate elements of time travel.

I used generative AI art to create a blend of traditional African art and futuristic elements. The artwork features vivid colors, intricate patterns, and designs inspired by African textiles, highlighting the beauty and complexity of the art. In my story, the characters are dressed in clothing and accessories inspired by different African cultures to make them more authentic.

To accurately portray the settings, I took a meticulous approach. My goal was to capture the beauty of ancient Alexandria, the enchanting allure of hidden temples and pyramids with modern sophistication. By blending ancient architecture with Afrocentric art, I achieved a unique aesthetic that blends the past, present, and future.

We, as a global society, have access at our fingertips to so much information; why are we choosing to remain ignorant?

Or do dumb shit like burn libraries down?

What’s up with that?

All you have is NOW.

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Damien Lamar
Damien Lamar

Written by Damien Lamar

Multipotentialite. 2/5 Pure Generator with Sacral Authority. Creative Director. ASCAP Writer/Publisher. Web & Music Producer. http://www.damienlamar.com

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