Fresh off writing Okay, I turned my attention to the second genre for April, a historical fiction. From the moment the poll results came in, I knew I’d be revisiting Samuel and his dragon, Pearl. Beyond that, the rest of the story escaped me, at least for a while. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to bring Anna back into the mix. Reintroducing her (and her dragon) would make for a fun story. And once I remembered Samuel’s last appearance, delivering flowers to an old friend who could replace his defensive ward, the pieces fell into place...

When I sat down to work on this tale, I stared at the image below for quite a while. Nothing came to mind at first, so I asked ChatGPT to take a look and suggest some prompts. It obediently spat out several, so many, in fact, that I may return to this image for additional stories in the future. But for the moment, I only needed one. And one of them instantly caught my eye. Unfortunately, that spark didn’t exactly lead to a full story, let alone a partial idea.

However, after a few back-and-forths with the AI, I managed to tease out a memory of an old character of mine—a personal take on the Puck archetype...

As the journey unfolded along the coastal road down in Mathews, Virginia, the scenery whispered stories I couldn’t ignore. With each curve, an extra layer of the landscape revealed more of the coast, like a canvas slowly coming into focus. What began as fleeting glimpses of distant shorelines evolved into a richly textured panorama, punctuated by wild grasses and the occasional burst of resilient greenery. These scenes, captured in passing moments, reveal the quiet drama of nature in motion, where subtle shifts in light and texture breathe life into every frame. The visuals serve not only as a record of the area but also as an ode to nature’s enduring ability to create harmony through simplicity...

In the third installment of Colonization, the expedition’s leadership grows increasingly desperate as more colonists have vanished without a trace. To dispense with the rising fear and uncertainty of the colonists, they have dispatched several teams out to search the areas near the shipwreck. Each team is charged with searching for the truth behind the disappearances and resources that they can use to repair the damaged systems. One such mission is led by Keldon, and it takes an unexpected and chilling turn...

After pulling the results of the genre poll, I was excited with the results and pleased to have a new ghost story. My initial thoughts were to pull at the note-based tales I started with Journey of Thanks. While the idea of returning to Partners was entertaining, I ran towards a fresh note tale. While I typically write narratives filled with sharp edges, tension, risk and the ticking pulse of danger, there are times when writing softer tales is a wonderful change of pace.. However, these note tales allow me to slow everything down and tell a truly human tale, as my dad would say...

After finishing Last Laugh, I turned my attention to the second piece of micro-fiction for the month. While I’ve already selected the genre, a fantasy, and who would be the primary figure, Ramas, I didn’t know what to do as far as creating this story. However, after a few days and a surprising rainstorm, I had an idea. Why not highlight Ramas’s abilities a little more than I have previously? So with the question firmly entrenched in my mind, I went right crafting the tale...

After being forced to reveal a glimpse of his secret project to Lia, Darren continues to carry an even greater personal burden. The Academy’s teachers each approach magic through their own philosophies, and Darren’s conviction to better himself but him right in front of them. While Arlen is a patient and composed teacher, she pushes Darren to find the subtle side of magic to perfect his healing craft. Her lessons revolve around understanding the body’s natural energies, how to mend rather than force, and how to find a balance despite the chaos of an injury. In fact, it was her insistence that spurred Darren to create his special project...

Despite having more ambitious titles patiently waiting for me on my bookshelf, there are moments when all I want is to pick up something a little more familiar, comforting, even nostalgic. That’s exactly what the Farscape comic books are for me. From the moment I caught my very first episode of the series, I was hooked. From the wild visuals, to the strange alien cultures, and even the brilliant blend of chaos and heart, the show captivated me. Despite falling in love with the storylines, it was the characters who have stayed with me. Over the years, my appreciation for the show has only deepened, and the comics have become a welcome extension of that love. Sitting down to re-read Strange Detractors felt less like reading a comic and more like reuniting with old friends who haven’t missed a beat...

During a recent trip through Mathews, Virginia, I found myself constantly drawn to the unspoiled landscapes that sprawled everywhere. There’s a kind of hush that settles in this part of the world, as if nature itself is speaking with a soft voice, one that invites you to truly listen. The rhythm of life here is more measured, offering countless opportunities for reflection. After leaving the local beach, we took a drive, and as explored the winding coastal roads, another view demanded my attention. Though this time it was framed perfectly by the passenger window. Without a second thought, I withdrew my camera and did my best to capture not just the sights, but its feeling. It was a scene that spoke to the harmony between land and water, between stillness and motion...

In the second installment of Colonization, the colonists who survived the crash have turned their focus on surviving. On this new world, they were expecting a fresh start. However, they’ve been forced to relearn forgotten concepts in their effort to survive. Tarian and his crew are determined to establish Laria’s fist colony on Morven, a planet locked in a shared orbit with their homeworld around their sun. Despite surviving the devastating crash, they soon realize their biggest threat isn’t their dwindling resources or broken technology, it’s the planet itself...

Fresh off the climax of The Archmage Unbound, I eagerly grabbed my digital copy of The God-Stone War. But around the halfway mark, the story veered into an uncomfortable situation. Looking back after finishing the book, I was reminded of a warning a friend once gave me regarding Wizard’s First Rule. It was crucial heads up to help push me through a similarly uncomfortable scene in that book. Without that warning, there’s a chance I wouldn’t have finished Wizard’s First Rule, let alone The Sword of Truth series. Had someone provided a similar warning for The God-Stone War, I may not have paused my reading...

With promises from Cecile and a fragile friendship with the dwarves, Jarvis invites King Gilras and his most skilled warriors to a feast. While the settlement enjoys the dwarven ale and waits for the meal, Jarvis pulls the king aside for a candid conversation rooted in the logs from the previous human expedition. As the line between survival and discovery grows dangerously thin, the shadows of a forgotten enemy stir, thanks to the digital pages from Tarian’s writings. The uneasy alliance between humans and dwarves will soon be tested, not by open battle, but by the haunting vespers of history threatening to repeat itself...

Photography has a wonderful way of encouraging you to slow down and soak in the world’s beauty, not simply glancing at it. During my stroll along Bethel Beach, I found the beach house and its surrounding landscape enticing. There was a quiet charm in observing it, though not in the obvious way you’d typically consider. Instead of fixating on the structure itself or the individual components of the landscape, I allowed my camera to find the subtle poetry of the scene. The movement of grass, the dancing light with shadows, and how perspective can transform something familiar into something extraordinary...

In the first installment of Colonization, we meet Tarian, Keldon, and Sherry, leaders of the pioneers on the brink of starting the next great chapter of Laria. Their mission? Establish a new home on a distant, habitable planet that shares an orbit with their own. Equipped with Laria’s best technology, these colonists are determined to build a future. As the ship nears the new world, everything seems to go according to plan. However, as they are making their final descent, an unexpected scenario strikes the ship. What started as a momentous step toward expansion and exploration quickly sours, forcing the crew to face challenges they never expected. With their training and instincts put to the ultimate test, Tarian and his team must navigate a situation that no mission prepared them for...

When March ended, I went to bed feeling proud of the month’s writing. After waking up very refreshed, I worked my day job. However, after I got off from the job that pays the bills, I pulled up my writing schedule and realized I was going to miss a couple of deadlines. Without missing a beat, I shuffled the deadlines around to ensure those posts would be released.

Luckily, after a quick peek into my notebook, I realized today’s micro-fiction deadline was an easy one to manage, since the broad strokes held told me to write a comedy in an episodic series of The Academy...