The moment I finished publishing Finding Camp, my mind started processing my second Patreon exclusive. While my mind toiled to find its footing for my horror tale, I started thinking about my past work. Before I could delve into Vengeful Shadow or The Pursuit, a stray thought crystalized in my mind. During Peter Capaldi’s run as the Doctor, there was an episode that explored the concept of a creature that perfected the ability to hide. With the initial seed in place, I scurried to find a prompt so my version of the concept could grow...

After reminding Dolman of his proper place, Darren returned to his life at the Academy. Upon his arrival, he continued with his regular courses and his private sessions with Arlen and Imryl. Despite the mounting coursework and his trips into the city to placate Randall, Darren also continues his tutoring of Lia. At least twice a week, the two meet to delve into their studies. With all the strange trips into the city, Lia is uncertain about Darren’s dedication...

In writing, be it for a book or the silver screen, I cannot explain the importance of juxtaposition. To highlight its importance, I’ll select a masterful example. In the season two finale of The Mandalorian, Mando is forced to fight a single Dark Trooper. (Continue if you don’t mind reading spoilers.) That battle takes everything the soldier offers, and he barely defeated one. When the rest of the platoon returned to the ship, my mind started churning through the possibilities for their survival...

When I woke up this morning, I fired up my local copy of my website, browsing through the draft for this page, ensuring each placeholder had been replaced with the correct image. Thankfully, the images were ready to go, and while I love all my work (even the bad ones, they help me grow as an artist) I’m especially proud of three of them, Forest Sunset 001, Reaching Out, and Creeping Plant...

While I love reading, being an adult is a giant time sink. Everyday something new sneaks up on me, demanding my attention. As a result, whenever I look up, vast swaths of free time have been gobbled up, and I’m rarely able to curl up somewhere with my kindle and read. To combat this disheartening reality, I turn to the wonderful world of audio books. And the best place to get that variant is Audible. I’ve been a member of that service for a long time now, and it’s allowed me to read while doing things like mowing the lawn or dealing with any commute. So, I’m always looking to add quality books to my collection. Thankfully, the Montague & Strong Case Files fit the bill...

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...