When I downloaded the results from June’s genre poll, I found it topped with a comedy. And as NYC Midnight’s 13th annual Flash Fiction Challenge approaches, I remembered the first time I entered the competition. My first ever prompt was a comedy then just as it is now. Birthday Blowout resulted from that first entry, and while I leaned into camp for the comedy, it showcased that I had a long way to go with this genre. But that is the very reason I’ve given my patrons the ability to push me out of my comfort zone...

After Darvin left, Rylan sent a message to his father-in-law to start the production of the vessles. Garvin pushed back on some of the leaner aspects of Rylan’s initial designs, and after some back and forth, Garvin arranged for the construction of the three vessles. With the production of the ships started, Rylan begins to aquire all the various bits of gear Darvin insisted that his pilots would need for their flights...

Limitations are an excellent way to focus your attention on any problem. For Flash Fiction, my stories can unfold with up to one thousand words, and I’ve gotten better with that pacing. Unfortunately, for Micro Fiction, that cap is quartered. With only 250 words, I’m constantly analyzing and considering if I’m using the correct word. With so few of them available for the story, everything has to build toward the payoff. The only wrinkle with serialized fiction (something that follows a broad story arc) is the need to connect them to the growing narrative...

As another week draws to a close, I pulled the links for all the artwork I’ve posted at DeviantArt, since the 6th. While most of the past week’s selection made liberal use of the liquify tool, it also contains a pair of that are dear to my heart. The first is Ambling Creature. This image began as a collection of lines that I swirled together. It didn’t take long for the original shape to surrender to the unyielding forces of entropy.

However, as I lifted my stylus, that intermediate picture felt empty...

Confronted with two problems, Jarvis presses his top engineer to stop trying to repair the engines and replicate the plasma cannons to aid in the ship’s defense. He originally presented her with a two-day deadline, but when he pressed her for an update, Cecile threatened to skin him if he didn’t stop bothering her. Over the next few days, Jarvis discreetly checks on her progress. After five days without an update, and the original weapon scattered about a workbench, in the engine room, Jarvis decides to confront her...

A serialized story is a wonderful thing. With every installment, I’m able to explore the depths of a character that a single novel isn’t capable of achieving. While I have charted a larger story for characters with his abilities, they won’t be the focal point of that narrative. So, with my focus on Micro Fiction, I discovered the perfect opportunity to explore this fantastic collection of characters...

Typically, people prefer to be comfortable. That’s a broad and oversimplification, but it’s also an accurate statement. Given the choice between comfort and discomfort, people will normally choose the former. I’ve found that it takes a conscious effort and an application of will to force oneself to endure an unpleasant situation. Whether it’s an awkward conversation, an intense workout, or pushing beyond one’s current skill set. To improve as both a writer and an artist, I’m constantly pushing past my comfort zone. It’s the only way that I’ll get better. And this week’s collection of art has a perfect example of the rewards that come with pushing myself, Cape’s View...

Ever since the survivors of the Novus rallied to searching for an escape, Talia desired a life with Marcus. That choice ruined her relationship with Kethra. It also ensured that Talia stayed in the Eastern Region to care for her husband, her growing family, and her small herd of livestock. But after Kethra marched off into the horizon, Talia finds herself in the Western Region to assist her husband...

Story telling is important, no matter the format. A story that spans hundreds of thousands or words, while more substantial than one of two hundred and fifty, isn’t inherently more important. A story is more than the sum of its words. It’s an escape from the every day. And I hope to bring more of these mini-escapes to my audience. While there are many competing storylines rolling around my head, I don’t have an endless supply of time...

Ever since Darren put Dolman into his place, the dwarf has been scheming to regain control of his organization. After Randall put himself into debt with some of Dolman’s connections, the dwarf has been emboldened. With each passing day, Dolman pushes himself closer to wrestling control away from Randall. However, after coming to terms with Randall, Darren agrees to remind Dolman about the chain of command...

There are a couple of interesting pieces mixed in with the liquified textures. Two of my pieces are liquified line art. One was developed while learning a new technique. But the last, that one is something special to me. For some time, I’d been wanting to draw a Top Hat for some time, but every attempt failed for a variety of reasons. However, on this journey, I needed to buckle down and keep drawing. With every image I draw, my artistic abilities continue to grow, and while I still have a long way to go, I finally drew a Top Hat I was happy to share with the world...

With Exchange and Dangling Thread finished, I took a quick breath before focusing on my last tale for the month of May. Having tackled the Mystery and the Science Fiction stories, I was eager to start the Suspense narrative. Unfortunately, eagerness does not equate to a storyline. I’ve written a couple of these stories before, but I wasn’t feeling the character that I’d created for those prior efforts. It didn’t take me long before a lightbulb went off in my mind...

Having agreed to find pilots, Darvin rushed from his meeting with Rylan and searched for pilots with the required skills. Unfortunately, skill wasn’t Rylan’s only requirement. After collecting the names of every pilot with the required ability, Darvin started whittling the list down, ensuring those that remained would be loyal to Rylan and Garvin...

When I finished publishing Dangling Thread, I turned my attention toward my next piece of flash fiction for May, a Science Fiction tale. As I sat down to type out my initial thoughts, I could hear the captain of the Scythe tugging at me. His pleas to be unleashed for another chance to shine overwhelmed me. So, I thumbed through the last entry in their journey, Blockade Runner , and an initial idea percolated. After delivering Stepan’s cargo, he ordered Daniel and his crew to meet someone on the planetary vessel to secure a precious load of cargo...

When I started this artistic journey, the early videos claimed everyone can become an artist. The only requirements being dedication, understanding of simple rules, and countless repetitions. Despite the self-proclaimed testimonials of those instructors, there was a piece of me that insisted my skills wouldn’t develop. While my character work still has a long way to go, my other skills have made great strides. Building off the collection of doodles from last week, I’m more of my collection...