Storyfeather

A mouse narrowly escapes a cat, and is later haunted by the ghost of the cat, who believes the mouse plays a part in the "unfinished business" of the cat's life. Genre: Fable Excerpt: Two eyes, yellow with a green glow, hovered in the darkness. A shaft of soft light from a crack in the wall fell between Rini and those eyes, those eyes that loomed. Those eyes that floated closer. A smiling snout appeared in the shaft of light, and wicked whispers, and sharp, pointed ears, and those eyes whose hungry gaze fell upon Rini. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?While search through writing prompts, I saw the term "spirit animal." I didn't want to use whatever the prompt was, but it did inspire me to think of my own prompt: What if a mouse was being haunted by the ghost of the cat who tried to kill her, but ended up dying instead? Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Cat That Haunted the Mouse" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Evil is Near" "Mystical House" "Scary Theme #3" "Scary Theme #1" "Hidden Fear" "Story at Night" "Secrets of Kingdom" "Journey into Fog" "Magic Within" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A cat seen from the left side sitting down with tail curled in front. The cat's head is facing forehead and resting on the forepaws. The cat is looking at a mouse, standing on the hind legs in front of the cat. The mouse is turned to the right, holding forepaws together, with tail stretched out to the right. A hazy glow surrounds both animals. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along top of mouse's tail.

A girl accidentally passes before a warlock who is laying a curse on someone, and wakes the next morning to find that the curse has fallen upon her instead. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: I didn't earn what happened to me. The curse that fell on me was meant for another. That's what happens when petty warlocks are reckless with their magic. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?You wake to find that your appearance has altered completely. How do you make those around you believe you are still you? Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Auroramorphosis" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "In the shadows" "The village" "Emblem" "Infinite land" "Fallen leaves" "Home" "A band in the inn" "City of magic" "Signs of desolation" "Playing in water" "Back in the village" "Treasure" "Dark fields" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center, a girl seen from knees up and from the back, wearing a hooded robe or dress, and holding the right hand behind her back. The head of a pink carnation is held in the right hand. Different sections of the girl's hair are of different colors and textures. In front of her at waist level, soft rays of light beam out at symmetrical angles. Watermark of "Storyfeather" at center right.

A desperate people once made a monstrous bargain with a demon, and monsters they became. Genre: Fairy Tale Alert: This episode contains mention of harm to human babies, comparable to what can be found in classic fairy tales such as "Hansel and Gretel." Excerpt: Legend says that the draugamunninn were once human. They were a practical but severe people who after suffering one terrible winter too many, and after failing to feed themselves with their own hands and their own labor, began to pray to their old gods for relief. But their prayer was not answered by a god. It was answered by a demon. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?The title of the story is the slightly modified version of the word that resulted when I picked English to Icelandic in Google translate, and punched in the words "ghost mouth." Another resource I read almost all the way through, about Icelandic names. https://www.icelandtravel.is/blog/icelandic-names-what-makes-them-unique/ Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Draugamunninn" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Incantation" "Ancient gods" "The ritual" "Hidden in the dark" "Devasted" "The forest" "Fallen leaves" "A place where evil lives" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. An illuminated letter "D." Contained within the letter is a bearded man, facing forward, standing beside the curve, in stylized rays of sunlight, holding a baby in his left arm against his chest, and a dagger in his outstretched right arm. His dagger is plunged through the neck of a humanoid creature lying in right profile along the bottom curve of the letter. The creature is completely white. Its long tongue extends out of the mouth. Its tail curls out of the bounds of the letter, ending in a tip that points up. The right leg is bent up so that the long toes of the foot are seen resting along the edge of the letter. The man's cloak also extends in front of the letter, its fur hem lying out of bounds. Watermark of the word "Storyfeather" along left edge of the square box containing the main part of the letter.

A restless fairy creates a restless trinket with the power to grant its bearer three wishes, but as each wish is grant, the last wish fades away. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: A restless fairy grew bored one day and created a restless trinket, imbuing it with all of the fairy's magic. The magic was all bent toward one purpose, to grant the bearer of the trinket three wishes. The form the trinket first took was as a pendant, which the fairy gave to a human acquaintance with only three instructions…or warnings. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?You are granted three wishes. Each wish can only be used once and not at the same time as another wish. What do you wish for?Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Nine Wishes in Three Tales" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Compass" "Emblem" "Elder wisdom" "Written in stones" "Here we go" "Playing in water" "Winterheart" "Immortals" "Stars Above" "A story of gold" "The village" "What is hidden" "You are a giant" "Shadows and flames" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A collage of nine images in a three by three grid. From top row to bottom row and left to right, the images are as follows. Closed eyes and mouth bearing heavy makeup. Outline of a human head from left profile, containing a glowing sphere where the brain would be. Black silhouette of a person on an outdoor stage, holding out their arms to their sides, with the silhouettes of spectators standing below. Stylized image of a woman from left profile, face devoid of features, holding up the left hand with bent arm, palm directed to the face. A symbolic image of a crown floating above royal robes. Stylized image of a woman in right profile, a mirror image of woman in left profile. A cave opening showing a pile of gold coins within and branches extending across the opening. Stylized figure in left profile, kneeling on one knee, and holding one hand under a window of a structure. A disc bearing the symbol of the open eye. The whole image is set in front of a blurred sepia-toned version of the image in square format. Watermark of "Storyfeather" at center right, vertically along box with the woman in right profile.

The youngest of three siblings makes a wish at a mall fountain, where unseen fish supposedly live, helping people's wishes come true. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: I twisted my mouth to one side, and stared at the coin that I held in the middle of my palm. "There's a scientific explanation for it," my sister said. "For what?" I said, glancing up at the fountain. We were standing three feet away from it. "For the wishes coming true." What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Rory's Story Cubes. I rolled three cubes. They landed on "fish, magnifying glass, and fountain" Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "A Wish Upon the Fountain Fish" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by JONATHAN SHAW* "Checking Inventory" "Afternoon Chat" "In Tranquil Spring" "Market on the Sea" "Thoughts" "A Tale of Water" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Jonathan Shaw licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.ukFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At left, a child seen from waist up and from the back, wearing a bright hoodie and a flower pin in short bobbed hair, with right arm bent at the side, and right hand holding a coin. The child stands in front of a fountain with a central goblet-shaped piece spouting water over the edge. A smaller goblet-shaped piece sits above the first, spouting water, and another piece that extends beyond frame spouts water down. Small translucent fish swim in schools and clusters in the air around the fountain. Watermark of "Storyfeather" around bottom curve of fountain.

Alert: This episode contains heartbeat sound effects. Long ago, the human heart experienced an extraordinary change, all because one god wanted to find a quiet place to sleep. Genre: Mythology Excerpt: A tale was once told among the ancestors of the people who live at the base of the great mountain to the north, from which a waterfall plummets into a river that winds across the land. The people who now live in that rich and lovely place still remember the tale of how and why their ancestors' hearts once grew still and frigid. And they still remember what part the everyday gods played in the tale. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Finish the sentence, "I wish I could…" Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Everyday God Who Wished to Sleep" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* "Crystal Caves" "Flying Fortress" "Ice Cavern" "Underwater Temple" "Ancient Ruins" "Fire Dungeon" "Mystical Forest" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Benjamin Carr licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Benjamin Carr at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A human torso. The entire expanse of the chest contains the image of a heart symbol split into four chambers. The borders of the heart are composed of tiles like a mosaic. Kneeling on left knee in front of the heart, and seen in left profile, is a humanoid figure in a costume reminiscent of a court jester, with a headdress shaped like feathers, and long straight hair. The left arm, held bent and slightly extended, is covered in flower and circle tattoos. The left hand is held palm up and a flame rises up from the palm. Border at top and bottom with square textures matching the colors of the main image. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along edge of bottom right chamber.

A moth dreams of visiting the Moon, but is too small to fly all the way. Genre: Mythology Excerpt: When first the moths alighted in the world below, the land of earth, they did so out of curiosity. And they did so because they were sent forth from their home by their creator. Their home and their creator were one and same, and she bore the name Moon. And she was the moon. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?You're a moth; what is your flame? What draws you to it?Source: 500 Creative Prompts. Copyright © 2019 Piccadilly (USA) Inc. Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Moths in the Moon" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Compass" "Scroll of the wind walker" "Don't move" "Here we go" "The plan" "Seasons" "Elevation" "Infinite" "Wide place" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Top center, the glowing disc of the moon under a dark sky. The bottom part of the disc is obscured by a Luna moth seen from the top, wings outstretched. A thin string connects the moth to another moth beneath, a small Cinnabar moth, also seen from the top with wings outstretched. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along inner curve of moon at top right.

A prideful swallow is cursed and changed into the form that she finds most abhorrent, a tree. Genre: Fable Excerpt: The swallow was a happy bird, but also somewhat superior. Nothing brought her joy the way flying did. Slicing through the clouds and flicking the air with the perfect points of her tail. She believed that birds were the supreme creatures of the world. Because they could fly. Some insects could fly as well, of course. But birds could fly higher, faster, and farther than any insect. The happy swallow pitied any creature who could not fly. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?EXERCISE: Grab a book off the shelf—any book! Don't bother searching for anything in particular. Open it at random and begin reading. Write down every idea you get from reading what is on that single page. Now turn to another page and do the same thing. Later, scroll down the aisle, pick another book whose title arouses your curiosity; once again open the book at random, and record any ideas that come to mind. Source: The Daily Writer: 366 meditations to cultivate a productive and meaningful writing life. Fred White. Writer's Digest Books. 2008. 20 Master Plots and How to Build Them (And How to Build Them). Ronald B. Tobias. Writer's Digest Books. 1993. I landed on page 151, the chapter on metamorphosis plot. Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITS Story: "The Swallow Who Was a Willow" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by JONATHAN SHAW* "Checking Inventory" "Cold Sanctuary" "In Tranquil Spring" "Visions of Freedom" "A Bitter Hope" "Thoughts" "Heated Lands" "Afternoon Chat" "A Dream of First Flight" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Jonathan Shaw licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.ukFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center a tree that splits off to two main branches close to the base, and splits further out into gnarled bare branches that extend across the top half of the image. Under the right side of the tree is a swallow in flight, seen from the top. The shadowy silhouette of another swallow appears in the background on the left side. Patterned and color-matched borders added at top and bottom to make the rectangular image a square. Watermark of "Storyfeather" at bottom right. This is episode #333. Gasp! What does that mean?

After a man stuck in the middle seat of a long flight wishes he had more room in his row, his wish comes true: his seatmates start vanishing. Genre: Mystery Excerpt: But saying it out loud, he sounded a little foolish to himself, so he laughed and waved a hand. "I'm probably just being a worrywart for nothing. But I figure better safe than sorry." The flight attendants agreed. And they said they'd look for his missing seatmates, and if they returned in the meantime, they asked if John would come back and let them know. They would be serving the final snacks for the flight in about fifteen minutes. They would check in with him then. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Create a scene in a new environment. Make that environment extreme. Put your characters in unusual positions--working beneath a car or reaching for something while standing on a chair. By placing physical constraints on a character, you increase the dramatic effect of your words. Source: The Observation Deck. Naomi Epel. Copyright © 1994. Chronicle Books. Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "John's Fellow Passengers" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by LEE ROSEVERE "It's A Mystery" "Making A Change" "Small Steps" "Thoughtful" "Gone" "Decompress" "Betrayal" "Going Home" "Universe Calling" Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Diagram. Partial view of an airplane, from nose to just behind the wings, displaying the configuration of seats. At top left are two fields. Top field reads, "Welcome, John. D." Field below it reads, "Time remaining: 1:34." A key to the right of the nose displays four boxes with text to the right: a purple box labeled "Available: First Class," an orange box labeled "Available: Business Class," a green box labeled "Available: Frugal Class," and a clear box with a slash from top left to bottom right labeled: "Unavailable Reserved." There is one center aisle. At the front of the plane are three rows of first class seats with four seats to a row. Behind this are five rows of business class seats with six seats to a row. Behind this are frugal class seats at six seats to a row, with rows more closely spaced than business class. The rows of frugal class seats continue to the bottom of image, separated into three visible clusters. One of the seats, third row down, second seat over is highlighted in red, and a line extends from it to a text box at left labeled "11B." Above this box is a field labeled, "Your seat selection." Below the seat number is a field with three buttons labeled, "Upgrade $29.99," "Confirm," and "Cancel." Borders at right and left make the original vertical rectangular image into a square. The borders contain faded close-up insets of the main image. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along the side where the right wing connects to the body.

Two passengers find themselves alone just after takeoff, on a plane that seems to be floating in some substance that the passengers can only define as being green and gold. Genre: Science Mystery Excerpt: If we were asleep, and the plane crashed into an ocean with green-and-gold water, and we're now sinking, and the rest of the passengers managed to get out, then how did they all get a chance to take their luggage? And how did they then close the cabin doors again? What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Prompt: That was the last thing I needed to see in the middle of take-off. And then there was that noise I kept hearing. Was that sound normal on a plane? Oops, I'm not sure about the origin of this prompt. Per my notes, this came from an app called "Fictionprompter," but I don't remember this app. And couldn't find it on a casual search. Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn more about it right here: FASTER FICTIONEER I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Stranded in the Green and Gold" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Forensic" "As it happenned" "Prisma" "Nightfall" "Haunted spaceship" "DNA" "Experiment 4" "Pitch black" "Connecting dots" "Genetic marker" "Between two worlds" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Two women seen from behind fly through a green and yellow substance, leaving streaming wakes behind them, toward an airplane seen from behind at upper right. The woman at left and slightly ahead looks back at and stretches one arm out toward the other figure. The other woman has both arms held to the side and close to the body. Watermark of "Storyfeather" at bottom center. Borders at top and bottom to make the image square contain faint stamps of the figures, plane, and substance.

Do the voices coming from the food in my fridge and pantry want to harm me, help me, or just…be? Genre: Science Fiction Excerpt: "Tell me I'm sane," I said. There was a pause on the other end. And then he finally spoke. "I refuse." I sighed. "Freddy, come on." "Give me some context, then." What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Describe each day of the week as food. Source: 500 Creative Prompts. Copyright © 2019 Piccadilly (USA) Inc. Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. If you've got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER (If you want to learn even more, I've got info about my online course on that page too.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "My Food Is Speaking to Me" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by LEE ROSEVERE "Decompress" "Thoughtful" "Start the Day" "Under Suspicion" "It's A Mystery" "Reflections" "Slow Lights" "Awkward Silences (version a)" "We'll Figure it Out Together" Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A fully stocked refrigerator seen from an angle with the door opening out to the left. The top third contains a freezer section. Recognizable items in the door are bottles at bottom, milk cartons, jars, butter (labeled), and at top, ice cream and a bag of chicken nuggets (labeled). Recognizable items in the main compartments include vegetables, a carton of eggs, a covered bowl, and flat cartons labeled "pizza" and "pepperoni." Text bubbles surround the refrigerator. The three at left read as follows from top to bottom: "On toast? I'm in," "Time for tacos. Lime for tacos," and "Saute in me!" The five at right read as follows: "Why wait for Sunday?" and "Scramble me," "Poach me," "I want to be a pot pie," and "Stew us!" (four times).

During his first week working at a unique pizzeria, Ronnie encounters some uncanny late-night customers, who place an order for the rarest pizza on the menu. Genre: Fantasy Excerpt:"What…what will this one do?" Ronnie asked as he folded fresh rosemary leaves and parmesan flakes into the dough. "It'll make the customer swoon with pleasure upon first bite is what it will do." Madeleine Miriam cocked an eyebrow. "And it'll treat those infected gums on the left side of his jaw." What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Describe your favorite food in no more than five words. Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers (The five words I wrote were, "Cheesy, chewy, crispy, saucy, zesty.") Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. If you've got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER (If you want to learn even more, I've got info about my online course on that page too.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Madeleine Miriam's Pizzapothecarium" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" "Ground Control" "March Of The Waking Lights" "Cozy Afternoons" "Evolving Cities" "Forest Bathing" Music by CHRIS LOGSDON* "Level 2" "Level 8" "Level 1" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrea Baroni and Chris Logsdon licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrea Baroni and Chris Logsdon at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Lying on a tabletop at left seen from one corner is a pizza box that's slightly open to show a pizza with multiple toppings within. The box is labeled "Pizzapothecarium" along the front overlapping edge. The bottom edge reads "Supreme," "Double Pepperoni," and "Triple Sparkle." Each choice has a checkbox in front of it. A fourth option is obscured by a small bottle sitting in front of the box, with a label on a string attached around the neck. The right edge of the box is labeled "Madeleine Miriam's." The top of the box, at a steep angle, shows a smiling woman from waist up holding up a pizza at shoulder level in the hand of her bent right arm, and resting her left hand on her hip. At right, four bottles stand on the tabletop: two with caps, one with a cork stopper, and one with a glass stopper. One label reads "Essence T. Aquaticus" with further writing below that is illegible. One bottle is labeled with a number "1," and another with the number "9." Words appear above the numbers but only a few letters are visible. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along bottom of pizza box. Top and bottom borders to make the image square contain distorted portions of the main image.

Three friends decide to do their science project on a forgotten novelty invention, a self-peeling banana. Genre: Science Fiction Excerpt: "What about dinosaurs?" I said after a few minutes. "We could do our project on how and why they went extinct. That's exciting." K.D. shook her head. "It might seem too basic. Like something we would have done in the fifth grade." She loved dinosaurs. She probably didn't want someone making fun of our project if it was about the thing she loved most. "But maybe you're on the right track. Animals, but rare ones. What about cryptids?" What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Write an ad for a self-peeling banana.Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. If you've got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER(If you want to learn even more, I've got info about my online course on that page too.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Magenta Banana" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Casual Theme #1" "Casual Theme #3" "Casual Theme #2" "Casual Theme #6 (Triumph)" Music by LEE ROSEVERE "Start the Day" "Awkward Silences (version b)" "Thoughtful" "New Day" "The Long Journey" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Bottom half, three kids gathered around a laptop monitor, all facing forward, two sitting and one standing behind them. They all look down at the screen. Behind them stands a banana plant bearing bunches of bananas just above the standing child's head. Some of the bananas in the bottom bunches bear a streak of magenta color along the peel. Watermark of "Storyfeather" on laptop lid.

A young journalist follows her latest lead into a quirky fast food place located in her dreams. Genre: Mysterious Fantasy Excerpt: "Welcome to Thoughtsburger, would you like to try our new Weltschmerz platter with a side of Bitterness and Longing?" Ria stared at the person who had just addressed her. "Uh, no, thank you." What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Write a menu for a fictional fast-food restaurant.Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers You might also appreciate some definitions:Hygge is noun in Danish that means "the feeling of coziness and contentment evoked by simple comforts, as being wrapped in a blanket, having good conversations, enjoying food, etc." Weltschmerz is a noun in German that means "sorrow that one feels and accepts as one's necessary portion in life; sentimental pessimism" (reference: dictionary.com) Soñadora is Spanish for "dreamer" (reference: wordhippo.com and spanishdict.com) Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. If you've got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER (If you want to learn even more, I've got info about my online course on that page too.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Welcome to Thoughtsburger" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Ground Control" "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart" "Fast Lanes Light Rain" "Forest Bathing" "Evolving Cities" "March Of The Waking Lights" "Night Time" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrea Baroni licensed from GameDev Market Vocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A woman in left profile, sitting in a booth, looking down at an open laptop. Her left hand rests on the tabletop, right hand perched over the keyboard. A hazy light glows above her head. In background is an empty countertop, above which is a sign or marquee with two sections displaying a menu with illegible characters except for one item, "Weltschmerz Special." Above the menu is a sign that reads "Welcome to Thoughtsburger." Watermark of "Storyfeather" along left margin.

To help a young man seek his fortune and his purpose upon leaving home, his parents endow him with a parting gift, a basket of lemons. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: The couple had thirteen children by the time they were finished siring. One by one, as each child came of age, they were sent out into the world to seek their fortunes and their purposes for themselves. To each child their parents gave one gift to help them on their way. And upon receiving their gifts, each child proclaimed their grand aims. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Finish this sentence in three alternate and original ways: "When life gives you lemons…"Source: 500 Creative Prompts. Copyright © 2019 Piccadilly (USA) Inc. (I actually ended up using the other results for another story in a future year) Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. If you've got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER(If you want to learn even more, I've got info about my online course on that page too.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "A Tale of Nine Lemons" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Adventure Track #1 (looped)" "Medieval Track #1" "Lyric Voices #5" "Casual Theme #1" "Magic Within" "Ice and Fire (peaceful part)" "Medieval Track #2" "Lyric Voices #2" "Peace in My World (final theme)" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A lemon tree full of lemons. At bottom right corner, a person holds a baby over their shoulder. The baby's head is facing forward and obscuring the other person's head. The baby's own head rests on the shoulder, arms loosely curled around the shoulder. The baby's eyes, partly open, look down and to the side, and each contains a burst of soft light. Watermark of "Storyfeather" at bottom right.

To save her friends and herself from being eaten, a ghost crab enters a juggling contest with a devious and possibly unbeatable opponent. Genre: Fable Excerpt: Four unlikely friends were frolicking in the ocean one day. They were the Ghost Crab, the Blue Marlin, the Jellyfish, and the Nautilus. The crab and the marlin splashed about on the surface, and dove back down, while the jelly and the mollusk bobbed gently under the surface. Overhead, there passed the shadow of the Seagull, who watched the friends with great interest, a great interest born of a keen hunger. Here she saw a variety of sweet and juicy treats for her to feast on. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Not a prompt, but a challenge to write a story that's between 2500 to 3500 words. Aim for as short as possible without going below (or too much below). I chose a genre, fable. And at some point, I had the words "crab" and "juggling" written down. So…what was the crab juggling? Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. If you've got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER (If you want to learn even more, I've got info about my online course on that page too.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Juggling Ghost Crab" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by JONATHAN SHAW* "Afternoon Chat" "Midnight Creeping" "Cold Sanctuary" "Spinning Tavern" "Thoughts" "Encounter of Misdeeds" "Lingering Evil" "Showdown of Misdeeds" "Checking Inventory" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Jonathan Shaw licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects made in Audacity Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.uk and at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Standing on sand facing forward is a ghost crab with the left claw held up. Above the crab from left to right are a pine cone, a wedge of watermelon, and a saucer and cup of tea with tea spilling out over one edge. A bright and speckled circle of energy arcs over the objects and below the crab. Water of "Storyfeather" at bottom right. Border at top and bottom to make the image square displays a starfish pattern in colors that match the drawing.

When a young man sees his reflection in a pool as he has never seen it before, he is both mesmerized and suspicious. Genre: Mythology Excerpt: One day, he had an enticing thought. Then he chastised himself and told himself it was a silly and foolish thought. He shook his head as if shaking off the thought, but it was a sticky thought. It would not be forgotten. And so, he leaned down closer to his reflection, closer and closer, until his lips touched the surface of the water, and the lips of his reflection. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?The prompt was a screen capture I took of someone looking down a deep well. It was meant to be a reference image, but I ended up using it as a prompt as well. And the first thought that came to mind was reflections and mermaids. Like what if someone looked down into the waters of a lake and thought they were seeing their own reflection, but just under the surface, there really is another person... Inspired by the story of Echo and Narcissus. Faster FictioneerEver wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. If you've got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER(If you want to learn even more, there's info about my online course on that page too.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "They Linger in the Deep" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Sirens" "Secret water" "Experiment 6" "Runes" "In the shadow" "Between two worlds" Music by ROZKOL "Ambiet I-IV" "Fever Dream" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Music by ROZKOL is licensed under CC BY 3.0 Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects made in Audacity Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping to align with my narration. Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by ROZKOL at bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. View from below the surface of a pool looking up at a young man in a short sleeve tunic seen from waist up at a diagonal. He is gazing down. His face is reflected on the stone surface visible along the left and bottom edges. Stray water weeds cling to the rocky walls of the pool.

Longtime lovers the ogre and the elf each recall the first few days of their honeymoon a bit differently. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: The ogre snapped her fingers and furrowed her warty brow. "What was the name of the place where we stayed…was it…the Twilight Twinklings Inn?" "No darling, that was for our first anniversary, when we went up north to see the lights." The ogre brought her fist down on the table, making the forks jump. "Might of the Mermaid! That's the place." The elf nodded, then chuckled as a memory arose. "First mishap, our missing luggage…" What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Write about a couple who have a very different perspective on a shared memory.Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Ogre and the Elf Go to Honeymoon City" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* "Locations_Medieval Tavern Song" "Locations_Happy Village (loop)" "Humorous_Exploration (loop)" "Exploration_Forest Of Magic" "Exploration_Cave (loop)" "Battle_1_normal (loop)" Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Joy" "Desert dance" "A band in the inn" "Sand of time (bonus track)" "Donjon monster" "The bard" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Albert Fernandez and Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects made in Audacity Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Albert Fernandez at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. An elf man at left and an ogre woman at right sit across from each other at a small round table, barely perched on their seats, their bodies facing forward, gazing at each other. Both have long pointed ears. The ogre has two sharp teeth curving up at the corners of the mouth, and two short horns extending from the front crown of the head. The elf rests his left elbow on the table and the right hand on the left wrist. A stein sits on the table before the elf. The ogre rests her right elbow on the table, holding up a stein, left hand propped on her lap. A plate with food and a fork and knife lie on the table. Above their heads and between them hangs a chandelier with lit candles casting down a soft light.

An urban legend about a haunting phenomenon occurring in a little beach town becomes a news story when escalating incidents lead to the beaching of what appears to be a telepathic whale. Genre: Science Mystery Excerpt: "You're looking for a story." "Yes." "My story." "That's right. What's your story? Where did you come from? How did you get inside that whale?" What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?You're barefoot in the sand on a beach, and the waves runs over your toes. Describe what you're feeling. Source: Source: 500 Creative Prompts. Copyright © 2019 Piccadilly (USA) Inc. Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE Here's the other episode on whales that I mention in the outro: The Watchers of the Whale CREDITSStory: "The Incident at Soruquenty Beach" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Monochromatic stain" "Prisma" "Secret agent" "Whispers" "Cold case" "Mindhunter" "Profiler" "As it happenned" "Unclassified" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Vocal effects made in Audacity Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A woman seen from shoulders up, looking down with eyes closed. Her index fingers are pressed to her temples. Above her forehead is the depiction of a sperm whale in left profile. Concentric circles of bright spiky energy emanate from the middle of the whale's body. The woman's left wrist bears a hospital band with unintelligible characters written on it.

The inventor of a working time machine takes her closest friend on what was meant to be a quick trip to the near future. Genre: Science Fantasy Excerpt:I didn't panic right away when Violeta said she had succeeded in building a working time machine. All of her inventions worked. All of them. But all her other inventions were a lot less…ambitious. I mean, a time machine. That's the ultimate invention, isn't it? What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Drawing challenge: Psychedelic portalDrawing challenge: JukeboxI'm combining them.Source: Source: 500 Creative Prompts. Copyright © 2019 Piccadilly (USA) Inc. Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Jukebox Time Portal" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music:"Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by TAO & SOUND*"80s Synth Ambient 01 C""80s Synth Ambient 02 E""U Never Had To Exist – (B) Melody Loop""Cry No More – Intro""Cry No More – (A) Melody Loop""Cry No More – Outro (long)""Cry No More – (A) Drums & Bass Loop""I Never Gave Up – Intro""U Never Had To Exist – Intro" "U Never Had To Exist""U Never Had To Exist– (A) Drums & Bass Loop""I Never Gave Up – (A) Melody Loop" Music by Lee Rosevere"4th Ave. Walkup""Try Anything Once""Tech Toys""As I Was Saying""Southside""Max Flashback""Betrayal""I Bet You Wonder Why""Awkward Silences (version b)""Going Home""Glass Android" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Tao & Sound licensed from GameDev MarketMusic by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Tao & Sound at gamedevmarket.net Find more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Central image with a top and bottom border to make the format square. A woman seen from knees up, stands facing and looking forward, leaning against a multicolored jukebox at right. Her right thumb is hooked in her belt, which is hung with a few tools and devices, and her left elbow rests on the jukebox, arm bent. One brow and the corner of her mouth are raised. In the background are splashes of color that match the jukebox's colors.

A fearful and captive servant, who tends a menagerie of unique and captive creatures, is dazzled by the arrival of a most magnificent creature known as a hippocampus. Genre: Fantasy Excerpt: At the center of my memory is the image of a horse, a horse the color of orange cream, rearing up, and glancing at me, with an oceanic glint in her eye. She has wings. She has fins. She is fast. I remember. She was fast. Slicing through the water like a ray of sunlight. So I don't know how it could have happened. But I have to do something. I must free the hippocampus. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Write a story based on the image you draw of a…sea horse. No source noted. This prompt was marked "idea," so I think it may have been my idea. Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) I've Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Hippocampus and the Menagerie" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "The ocean takes it all" "Compass" "Experiment 7" "In the shadows" "Winter guild" "Fallen leaves" "Rage" "The plan" "Into wild lands" "Northern dusk" "Ancien stones" "Dark secret" "Wide place" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Within a glass globe, whose edges are partly visible in frame, there floats a creature in left profile with the front half of a rearing horse and the bottom half of a sea dragon. A finlike wing extends from the creature's back. Branching frills and ruffles of fins extend from the bottom half. The body is striped. The ruffled fins bear patches and spots of color. Glowing bubbles rise up around the creature. The globe rests on a base that's decorated with tube-shaped coral and coiled snail shells.

In life and beyond, the elephant king seeks only one aim, to protect his people from despair. Genre: Fable Excerpt: As the elephant king lay dying, struck silent by his pain, able only to breathe shattered breaths, his mind thought its last thoughts. He could forgive the ones who had killed him. But forgiveness would do his people no good. He could lay a curse upon the ones who had killed him, villains and villagers alike. He was a king. The ghosts of his ancestors would answer his summons and grant him his last wish. But curses were dangerous, not just to those who were cursed, but to those who did the cursing. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?EXERCISE: Grab a book off the shelf—any book! Don't bother searching for anything in particular. Open it at random and begin reading. Write down every idea you get from reading what is on that single page. Now turn to another page and do the same thing. Later, scroll down the aisle, pick another book whose title arouses your curiosity; once again open the book at random, and record any ideas that come to mind. Source: The Daily Writer: 366 meditations to cultivate a productive and meaningful writing life. Fred White. Writer's Digest Books. 2008. The book I grabbed was a writing a book. 20 Master Plots and How to Build Them (And How to Build Them). Ronald B. Tobias. Writer's Digest Books. 1993. I randomly turned to page 65 in the chapter about quest plots. So at first, the story was a quest about the elephant king seeking to recover his stolen tusks. Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Obsidian Tusks" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* "Song Mistery" "Song Visiting Her Forest" "Song Painful Memories (Loop)" "Atmosphere Persecution Danger (Loop)" "Exploration Mystery (loop)" "Cue Nature" "Exploration Cave (loop)" "Exploration Forest of Magic" "Location Medieval Tavern Song" "Exploration Mystical Place (loop 2)" "Holy Hymn (loop)" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Albert Fernandez licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Albert Fernandez at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center, an adult elephant stands facing forward, the left flank visible. Long shiny black tusks extend down around the trunk. The elephant looks down at the body of a baby elephant lying horizontally in front. The baby's skin appears patched with dirt and the remnant of a broken white tusk. The hazy outlines and silhouettes of trees and a leafy canopy appear behind and around the elephants. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along flank.

A nervous young job-seeker's interview is constantly interrupted by what seem to be personal phone calls to the interviewer, but from different callers. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: I was nervous. Okay…yes, obviously. Obviously I was nervous. This one, I really, really wanted. Based on the description. Field investigation and research. Constant travel, mostly domestic, but some international travel might be required. Opportunities to advance, to earn further education, to earn money. But best of all, I would not be able to talk about the details of my work—with rare exception—with anyone outside of the organization. No details meant no criticism from my…beloved family. But you can't always be sure from just a description. I tried not to get too excited. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Write a transcript for a job interview where the interviewer keeps pausing to take personal phone calls. Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "A Most Discourteous Interview" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart" "Night Time" "Slightly Across" "The Tech Show" "Fast Lanes Light Rain" "March of the Waking Lights" "Evolving Cities" "The Tech Show Short3(loop)(126)" "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrea Baroni licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with Audacity Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Central image with a top and bottom border to make the format square. Center left, a woman seen from waist up, facing forward, with forearms resting on a table surface, right hand over left. Brows raised, she looks over at a device, partially visible lying on the surface at right. Motion lines appear around the device. Faint shadows appear on the wall behind the person: a solid circle inside an open circle, tendrils, and the top half of a humanoid figure. Watermark of the "Storyfeather" along surface at left.

A man seeks the help of a psychic after he experiences an unusual haunting from an automated phone line. Genre: Mysterious Fantasy Excerpt: "My life is still following the path he laid out for me." Madame Granya frowned. "Who?" I stared at her. I wasn't really struggling with whether or not I should tell her. I was just not telling her. I had nothing on my mind in that moment. I was…stuck, maybe. And then I spoke. "Me," I said. I laughed, a self-mocking laugh. "Him. The voice…on the phone. The voice of me." What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Imagine what someone—a real person or a fictional character—might be carrying in his wallet or hiding in her underwear drawer. Make a list of the items you've imagined, then write a page inspired by one of them. Source: The Observation Deck. Naomi Epel. Copyright © 1994. Chronicle Books. Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITS Story: "The Automated Fortune Line" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by CHRIS LOGSDON* "Level 1" "Level 8" "Level 6" "Level 2" Music by FICUSPROSOUND* "No Way Out (Full Version)" "The Jigsaw (Full Version)" "Following Clues (Full Version)" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Chris Logsdon and FicusProsound licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Chris Logsdon and FicusProsound at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Black silhouette of two figures in profile sitting across from each other at a small table. The figures both have their arms extended. The shorter figure, at right, holds the hand of the taller figure. They are seen through the translucent drawn back curtains of a window. Rain falls past the window at an angle from top right to bottom left. Above the top fringe of the curtain is a glowing neon sign that reads "Psychic" at top, above the words "Palm Aura," which both flank a hand, and below that the word "Reader."

Sammy receives an unusual birthday gift, a smart device with a face, a set life span, and an unrelenting imperative to help. Genre: Science Fiction Excerpt: The figurine suddenly collapsed, then sprung up, wheeled her arms around, stretched them out, then up, then bopped up and down by bending at the knees. She gazed up at Sammy. "Hello there!" she said. "Are you the one who needs help?" Sammy said nothing. The figurine's movements were smooth and graceful and quiet. She made no jerking motions, emitted no mechanical sounds of motors or gears. She blinked, and she breathed. She moved as if she were a living creature. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Ills, Pills, and Bills, Explore the subject of illness. Discover how one of your characters handles it. Or, select a moment from a personal experience of being sick or being a caregiver. Notice your perspective: is the incident humorous? poignant? clinical? dark? What means did you choose for writing: description? dialogue? narration of the event? Source: Room to Write: Daily Invitations to a Writer's Life. Bonni Goldberg. Copyright © 1996. TarcherPerigee. Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Roxie's Wake-up Call" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Fugue for One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" "Forest Bathing" "Night Time (No Percussion)" "Evolving Cities" "Ground Control" "You Were Always in the Right Place (No Percussion)" Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Casual Theme #1" "Casual Theme #3" "Medieval Theme #5" "Medieval Theme #2" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrea Baroni and Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market Vocal effects created with Audacity Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrea Baroni and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Central image with a left and right border to make the format square. A humanoid figure standing with crossed arms, looking upward, and facing forward in front of a corkboard. The figure has right foot propped on the heel at the side, wears a satchel across the body, hanging from the right shoulder, and wears pants, a turtleneck, and a small-brimmed hat. Pinned to the corkboard to the figure's left is a sticky note labeled "Return Cathy's Call (see email for #)," and to the right is a cluster of push pins.

A reporter and camera operator expect to uncover a hoax when they investigate sightings of flying pigs, but soon find themselves on the path of a much stranger story. Genre: Fantastic Mystery Excerpt: "The boss wants us to relate it to the flying pigs story," Quentin said. They were driving out to another farm, within the county this time. And this time, it was a commercial farm where the workers had reported that the chickens had begun growing teeth. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?"Draw: When pigs fly" (I didn't actually draw a flying pig…not for this story anyway.) Source: 500 Creative Prompts. Copyright © 2019 Piccadilly (USA) Inc. Additional inspiration from the following source. https://omniglot.com/language/idioms/flyingpigs.php Idioms that mean something that is highly unlikely to happen Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Seven Signs of Impossible Times" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by LEE ROSEVERE "Awkward Silences (version a)" "Not My Problem" "Knowing the Truth" "Slow Lights" "Betrayal" "Awkward Silences (version b)" Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Hidden Fear" "Mystical House (Short Loop)" "Story at Night" "Scary Theme #5" "Scary Theme #3" "Scary Theme #4 (Version 2)" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Central image with a top and bottom border to make the format square. At center, two figures seen from mid-thigh up standing in front of a massive gate that is halfway open. The man at left faces forward. He holds a microphone up to his mouth with his right hand and gestures to the gate with his left. The woman at right holds a professional camera over her right shoulder. The camera is pointed toward the man. On either side of the frame in foreground are towers of gladiolus flowers. Snow appears to be blowing down and out from the open gate. A plaque on the left side of the gate reads "Pandemonium."

When unexpectedly asked about their profession, a person accustomed to remaining unnoticed until needed debates about how to tell the truth—spectacularly, or mundanely. Genre: Science Fantasy Excerpt: I noticed him seeming to notice me, and I found that so unlikely that I almost frowned. I was extremely skilled at remaining unnoticed. The Queen of the Hollow Yellow Moon had once proclaimed that I had the power to turn invisible. Of course, there's no such thing. At least, I haven't come across any such thing in my work so far. What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?"A stranger asks what you do. How do you reply?" Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there, for yourself, or as a gift.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Galactic Analyst" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by JONATHAN SHAW* "A Tale of Peace" "Thoughts" "Midnight Creeping" "A Tale of Water" Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Stars Talk" "Dark Side" "Last Moments of Peace" "Space Discoveries" "Another World" "A Long Way" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Jonathan Shaw and Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.ukFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Central image with a top and bottom border to make the format square. Bottom left, black silhouettes of two people facing each other, seen from waist up. Behind them is a starry expanse. Above their heads are bright colored gases. At top right is a sphere, encircled by rings in symmetrical orbits. Watermark of "Storyfeather" at bottom right.

When the once-inseparable children of the Rain and the Sun quarrel and go their separate ways, they set in motion dire consequences for their parents and for the world. Genre: Mythology Excerpt: When they were young, the seven children of the Rain and the Sun were inseparable. They were magnificent, these children. When they were born, so too were colors born into the world. And the colors bore the names of the seven children. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. What each child touched became that color. The red petals of a rose, the orange cheeks of a young fairy, the green spires of a pine, the indigo eye of a peacock's feather. They What's the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?"Write down the colors of the rainbow, then list a character trait that suits each color." Source: A Writer's Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Children of the Rain and the Sun" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* "Humorous Exploration (loop)" "Exploration Mystery (loop)" "Exploration Cave (loop)" "Cue Nature 2" "Cue Nature" "Holy Hymn (loop)" Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Magic Within" "Lyric Voices #2" "Lyric Voices #5" "Peace in My World (final theme)" Music by LEE ROSEVERE "How I Used to See the Stars" "Night Caves" "You're Enough (version a)" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Albert Fernandez and Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Albert Fernandez and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Central image with a top and bottom border to make the format square. Seven bands of vertical color form a rainbow with red at left and violet at right. The silhouettes of humanoid figures stand within each band of color and match that color. The figures are seen from the waist up and are joining hands. The borders contain all seven colors mixed together as if in a paint palette.

A spaceship built for short-range research is re-tasked with the mission of traversing a vast and mysterious anomaly. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: The Shifting Night Anomaly was so called at first be-cause its margins seemed to change every so often, making it difficult, if not impossible, to map. We had sent probe after probe inside for three generations. Out of the near thousand probes that were deployed, only forty-seven were recovered. The more we learned about the anomaly, the more we realized how fitting the name was. There were no systems and no stars within, only remnants of dead worlds. Only strange and exotic gases. Only nebulas haunted by the ghosts of stars that flickered and faded before they could burst into life. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Don't know. My drafts and notes provide no clue. Maybe it's… Anomaly: a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form. (source: dictionary.com) Faster FictioneerI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called "Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks." You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER (You can also buy the course there. It's on sale until 11/30/2023.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE As mentioned in the episode: Angry Gingerbread Man Mug CREDITSStory: "The Shifting Night Anomaly" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Dark web" "Haunted spaceship" "Compass" "Genetic marker" "Dark wonders" "Ghost of Phobos" "Wide place" Music by TAO AND SOUND* "U Never Had To Exist" "Hacker Duels – INTRO" "I Never Gave Up – INTRO" "I Never Gave Up – (B) MELODY LOOP" "I Never Gave Up – (A) MELODY LOOP" "80s Synth Ambient 02 E" "80s Synth Ambient 01 C" "U Never Had To Exist - INTRO" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Tao And Sound licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Tao And Sound at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At left, front of a ship with a forward cabin, two thrusters protruding from the sides, and a central portion with glowing oval that may be part of an engine or a domed window. The ship is in a typical part of outer space and is facing to the right of frame. Right half of image is a shapeless mass of alternating glowing and shadowy folds.

A woman entreats a student of medicine for help with an extraordinary and destructive condition, she can conduct massive amounts of electricity. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: I am only a student. That's why she came to me, trusting that I would have a sufficient balance of knowledge and naiveté to serve her desperate need. And I am woman. That's why she came to me, trusting that I would not mark her concerns as mere hysterics. What was this strange and destructive condition she bore? She spoke of hurting her husband and fleeing from her children so that she would never hurt them. She spoke of being pursued by authorities in dark garb. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Galvanic: pertaining to or produced by galvanism; producing or caused by an electric current. Galvanism: Electricity, especially as produced by chemical action. In Medicine. The therapeutic application of electricity to the body. Diaphoresis: perspiration, especially when artificially induced. (source: dictionary.com) FREE FICTION WRITING WORKSHOPI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The replay is available here: NILA'S WRITING WORKSHOP (And there's information for how you can learn even more from me.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE As mentioned in the episode: Angry Gingerbread Man Mug CREDITSStory: "The Galvanic Ghost" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Inspector" "Unsolved" "At night" "Blood and bones" "Witches" "Whispers" "Evidence" "Eternal life" "Creatures of the night" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A woman in a Victorian era dress sits on a bench, facing and looking forward, her legs bent slightly to the right. Her arms are outstretched and her hands rest on the metallic ends of the bench. A bronze panel is bolted to the bottom front of the bench at left. The panel bears four visible dials: a row of three dials at bottom, and one at top right corner of the panel. To the left of the single dial is written, "Electrical," and below that "40 Amperes" and below that "No. 87." Electric bolts spray out from a central point, the woman's head and neck.

High jinks ensue when two caterpillar fairies who are close to death attend a grand fairy ball as a last hurrah. Genre: Fable, Fairy Tale, Fantasy Excerpt: "Alas! We are doomed to die as caterpillars, never having become butterflies." Lickspittle shook hishead. He gazed up and shook several fists at the sky. Sobersides sighed gravely. "Perhaps tomorrow morning." The two caterpillar fairies had woken that morning, and that meant that they were still caterpillars. And that would have been fine, save that they had both reached the age where most caterpillars had already formed cocoons and transformed into butterfly fairies. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?There are two: Lickspittle & Sobersides Lickspittle: a contemptible, fawning person; a servile flatterer or toady. Sobersides: a humorless or habitually serious person. (source: dictionary.com) FICTION WRITING WORKSHOPI held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The replay is available here: NILA'S WRITING WORKSHOP (And there's information for how you can learn even more from me.) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Lickspittle and Sobersides" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by TRG BANKS "Insideoutworld" "The silver bus" "Great Aunt Henrietta" Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Wake up" "La voie divine" Music by JONATHAN SHAW* "Checking Inventory" "In Tranquil Spring" "Spinning Tavern" "Sinning Tavern" "Thoughts" "A Tale of Peace" "Lingering Evil" "Encounter of Misdeeds" "Midnight Creeping" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Jonathan Shaw licensed from GameDev Market Music by TRG Banks is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal LicenseSound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Jonathan Shaw at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.ukFind more music by TRG Banks at bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Two caterpillars, their raised top sections and heads facing forward next to each other at center. The rest of their bodies extend and curve down and out to either side of the frame. The caterpillar at left wears a vest and is smiling. The caterpillar at right wears a scarf that blows out to the right, has many arms crossed and is frowning. Discs of glowing spirals float above and lie below them.

The crew of a prospecting freighter on the edge of known space makes an unexpected discovery about their outdated and recently replaced engine. Genre: Science Fiction Excerpt: Cruising along at the edges of known space, the Vesta was among the last ships to receive the engine upgrade. But it wasn't just distance that caused the delay. The t-drives were expensive. And unlike large organizations who could absorb the cost, individual contractors like Ryan and his crew had to weigh their options, even when their safety was concerned. The nosebleeds, the headaches, the nausea, and even that one paralysis scare had not been enough to convince Ryan to take the risk. Not alone. But he couldn't bear to wait until something worse hap-pened, until someone lost a limb, or worse, their life. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Bombinate: to make a humming or buzzing noise (source: dicitionary.com) FREE FICTION WRITING WORKSHOPI'm holding my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version). Date & Time: November 8, 2023 at 11am PT If you're interested, but can't make it, you can sign up anyway. I'll send out a replay link to those who are registered. Register here: NILA'S WRITING WORKSHOP Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Bombinating Engine" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by TRG BANKS "Through the gravitational field" "Keith in 1987" "Insideoutworld" "Non-stop to Insideoutworld" "Smooth jacket" "Cigar" Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Learning punch" "Neon city" "Particle voyager" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Music by TRG Banks is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal LicenseSound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by TRG Banks at bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. View from the inside of a rectangular spaceship engine compartment to the opening at which four crew members stand looking into the compartment. Two of them have mouths open and brows raised. Three are wearing the same uniform. The fourth wears clothing of a different color and a cap. The wall at right is hung with a plaque labeled "Junction 43" at top. At bottom right corner is printed "Primary: 329.029" and below that, "Secondary:" At right lying on the bottom surface is some capsule with a tapered end that points toward the compartment's opening. At left is a cylindrical component held in place by a clawed arm at bottom left. The component is hollow and the back is open showing smaller cylindrical tubes set inside and two large cylinders glowing with energy. Along the visible side is a panel. At bottom center is another opening. Sparks of light are rising out of that bottom opening and are scattered through the compartment.

Six people get stuck on an elevator, but when the elevator starts moving again, their true ordeal begins. Genre: Horror, Mystery Excerpt: It wasn't where any of us wanted to go, but we all stepped off the elevator as if by some instinct to escape the place where we'd been trapped, even if it had just been less than an hour. At a glance, we could see that the sixth floor was empty. No one was there. Nothing was there. Aside from the support pillars, it was an open empty space. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?I don't know. I really don't know. Here's a list of some more spooky episodes from seasons past: Season 5, Episode 256 THE MONSTROUS MEN OF THE MOORS ​I love this one. I invented a whole holiday for this one. Happy Night of Monsters! Happy Angfilnott! Season 4 (lots of horrific stories in this season) Episode 201 THE HUNTER AND THE CRYPT ​"This was no time for doubt, with my hand gripping the wooden stake that I was soon to drive into her husband's heart." Episode 203 APRIL MAJUS ​Some of the first rumors were of alien abduction. The latest rumors had turned the abductor into some kind of urban legend. And the latest victim was not what she seemed. Season 3, Episode 151 THE CURSE OF THE GRAY HUNGER As might be expected with beauty so bold, they were envied by many. They were coveted by many. She did not want to lock up her daughters for fear of the world. But one day, her fears came true. Season 2, Episode 47 CHAINMAKER A wolf-like creature is savaging the residents of a quiet township, and no one knows how to catch or kill it. Could the answer lie in the town's past? Want even more? Check out the September/October 2023 issue of the Storyfeather Gazette HERE. Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Elevator 6F" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by LEE ROSEVERE "Featherlight (remix – vocals by Heather Feather)" Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Learning punch" "The deal" "Prisma" "Experiment 6" "Hope is gone" "Ruined" "Orbs (seamless)" "Room 13" "Tool" "Dark wonders" "Horns" "Fright night" "Near death experience" "Hell awaits" "Genetic marker" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Partial view of an elevator panel with six hands of various sizes and complexions all poised at the button labeled with the number"1," at the bottom left of the panel. The button's edge glows red. The buttons are arranged in four columns with four buttons per row. All buttons are labeled with a number and embossed with Braille. The edges of the other buttons are colored yellow. The other visible button numbers are five through fourteen. One hand bears a wedding ring. Cuffs are visible on a few hands, and a thin colored bracelet on one hand.

A new homeowner must decide how to deal with the uncanny and uninvited inhabitants discovered in the attic. Genre: Horror, Mystery Content Warning: Animals in supernatural danger. Excerpt: One of my friends told me a terrifying story she'd read about. This guy was living in a house where a family lived, without their knowledge, for the longest time. He hid in some hidden closet they didn't know about. He'd come out at night when they were sleeping, to use their shower and eat their food. He'd only made himself aware to the youngest child, who just thought the man was an imaginary friend. After learning that, I went home praying that the noises in my attic were just a friendly little opossum. Hey, if I ran into it and it bit me, no problem. I'd go get a rabies shot or whatever I needed. Maybe that story was why I was in the state of mind I was in when I finally saw what it was that was living in my attic. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?There doesn't seem to be one. Did the lodgers in the attic…take it? Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Lodgers in the Attic" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Home" "Before the shadows" "Behind the door" "Deep lands part 2" "Creatures of the night" "Between two worlds" "Dark shadows and brilliant highlights" "Ashes" "Darkest quest" "The crypt" "Incantation" "As it happened" "Above (seamless)" "Hidden in the dark" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. View of an attic showing an open trap door with the top of a ladder propped against one edge. In front of the angled attic wall, a glowing red portal appears at right, with the dark silhouette of a small humanoid figure stepping forward. At bottom right, a shadow falls on the floor, showing the vague shape of a head, torso, and right arm.

What happens when two treasure-seekers cross a forbidden threshold and trespass within an ancient temple? Genre: Horror, Mystery, Mythology Excerpt: "Greetings, travelers," the temple guardian said. "Give me your names." The two treasure-seekers gave her their names freely. She did not return their offer of names, nor did she return their smiles. "Turn back, travelers," the temple guardian said, her voice calm and measured. "Go no further than the spot where I now stand." What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Onoma, a Greek word meaning "name." Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Hollow Temple" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Ancient gods" "A story of gold" "At night" "Dark winds" "Above" "Glass (seamless)" "One two thrill" "Eternal life" "Human fear" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Two men facing forward standing in a corridor that stretches back to a vanishing point behind them. Both hold up flashlights in their right hands. Both have bands stretching across their chests and hung over their left shoulders attached to pouches at their right hips. Recesses appear at intervals on both walls. The wall at left bears a torch, and at bottom left corner, a stick figure depiction of two figures, one with one raised hand, and the other with both hands raised. The wall at right has a mosaic depiction of a woman in left profile, in a green dress with a wide red belt, her bent right arm raised. In one recess is a rough-made statue of a sitting figure. At bottom right is a mosaic depiction of two figures with arms raised toward each other.

A young reporter investigating a case of vanishing corpses interviews a town recluse, who may be trying to help him…or silence him. Genre: Horror, Mystery Excerpt: …he realized she was one of the missing corpses. He couldn't recall her name, only her face. He watched from outside as she appeared to be making small talk with the cashier. He decided he would catch her on the way out of the convenience store. But as she left and walked past him, he didn't stop her. What would he say? How would he raise the issue of her condition without alarming her? He couldn't just utter the words, "Are you aware that you're dead?" What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Maugre: (Archaic) in spite of; notwithstanding (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Maugre Death We Walk" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* "Labyrinth" "Fire Dungeon" "Torture Chamber" "Mausoleum" Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Lullaby" "Cold Case" "The death of love" "A dead heart" "Incantation" "Dedale" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Benjamin Carr and Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Benjamin Carr at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A young man visible from right shoulder up to bottom edge of the nose, head turned toward a hand resting on the shoulder. The hand appears decaying with the tip of the index finger cut off, and fingernails appearing broke, chipped, and gray. The hand belongs to someone in dark clothing standing behind the young man.

For two friends, watching the new season of their favorite show may have to wait while one of them contends with a potentially life-changing event. Genre: Fantasy Excerpt: "Sometimes I think it's kind of nice that vampires are accepted in this fictional society," Glo said. My attention perked up. That was different. But the response from the rest of our friends was not. "That would be like chickens living among us and being okay that we eat them." "That show is dumb. They have high school at night so the vampires can attend? So dumb." What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Psychopomp: a person who conducts spirits or souls to the other world, as Hermes or Charon. (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Last Honest Vampire" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Ghost hacker" "Arctica" "Neon God" "Before the shadows" "The truth" "Keep the distance" "Blood and bones" "Dark web" "Silent walk" "Onirik" "Profiler" "Nocturna" "Winterheart" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A student with chin length hair seen from waist to bottom of nose standing in front of a bank of lockers. The student holds a backpack slung over her right shoulder and holds folders against her chest with her left arm. She is smiling, showing two elongated incisors. Text across her chest in horror-themed font reads, "The Last Honest Vampire." At bottom right text reads, "Season 2 Premiere" and below it, "Coming This Fall." At bottom left is an oval decal with the letters "TDN."

An alchemist attempts to create a coat that will allow her to travel to other dimensions. Genre: Fantasy Excerpt: Aunt Mariya was certain that she had solved the mystery of the many dimensions. All of us could do it, but our minds and bodies prevented us from going, be-cause the environments in these other dimensions were different. Some were slightly different. Some more drastically so. One would die as certainly as a diver without oxygen and a space-walker without a spacesuit would die. Only in these other dimensions, it would not be the body that suffered injury, but the mind and the soul. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Bugaboo: something that causes fear or worry; bugbear; bogy Bugbear: 1) any source, real or imaginary, of needless fright or fear. 2) a persistent problem or source of annoyance. (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "A Coat for Many Dimensions" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Fugue for One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" "March of the Waking Lights" "Evolving Cities" "Forest Bathing" "Cozy Afternoons" "Night Time (No Percussion)" "You Were Always in the Right" Music by Benjamin Carr (Scythuz)* "Labyrinth" "Fire Dungeon" "Ice Cavern" "Torture Chamber" "Forbidden Tower" "Miscellaneous Battle Theme 1" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrea Baroni and Benjamin Carr is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Benjamin Carr and Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Scan of ink drawing, digitally colored. A girl or young woman seen from knees up and from the back. She has short hair ending at the base of the skull and is wearing a coat that is gathered at the back and flares down from the waist in folds. Trees with scarce bare branches surround her, their tops looming above. Through them can be seen the glowing disc of the moon casting out dim light on the gray and foggy atmosphere below.

When a country suffers a curse that extinguishes all but the tiniest of flames, its people strive in spectacular ways to endure, to elude, and to break the curse. Genre: Fantasy, Mystery Excerpt: "Let it be as you claim," the warlock said. "That there is 'not enough fire' in your country." And then he spoke the words of his spell, his curse. And from thenceforth, only candle flames could abide in our country. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Heck if I know. There doesn't appear to be one for this story. Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Solar Pepper" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Studio Fantasy)* "Guardians of the sword" "The girl and the sword" "In the shadows" "Emblem" "The village" "Peacefull place" "Into wild lands" "Dark fields" "Knight song" "The edge of nightmare" "Blood on snow" "Call of the wild" "Flames on ice" "Fallen leaves" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A red chili pepper lying on a surface, stem side to left and bottom to the right. The pepper is slightly curved at the bottom and is surrounded by a bright yellow glow, which also appears in patches over the pepper's surface.

When a new father searches through his childhood books for stories to tell his daughter, he learns that some of those books are linked to a hundred-year-old mystery. Genre: Mystery, Fantasy Excerpt: For generations, for nearly a century, the Rofotou family had been gathering the pieces of a puzzle that they believed would unlock some grand secret of the universe, or some extravagant treasure, or at least some profound piece of wisdom. But I didn't know anything about that before a dark-haired woman named Red came knocking on my door one day. I didn't know why she asked to see my old dream logs. And I certainly didn't know what any of it had to do with Mrs. Highweather. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Seriatim: in a series; one after another (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Mystery of Mrs. Highweather" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Dark Side" "Casual Theme #3" "Casual Theme #1" "Another World" "Medieval Theme #5" "Medieval Theme #3" "Medieval Theme #2" "My Kingdom (looped)" Music by CHRIS LOGSDON* "Level 1" "Level 6" Music by RAFAEL ARCHANGEL "So Cold" "Deep Dive" "Smoke" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Chris Logsdon and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Rafael Archangel is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal LicenseSound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Chris Logsdon and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Rafael Archangel at bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Eleven books of approximately equal size but differently colored covers sit on a shelf. The book at far right is angled so that its cover is visible. The cover reads "Mrs. Highweather Charming Adventures." Below the title is the image of a woman whose face is obscured under a floppy hat with a band whose ribbon edges float up into the title. She is seen from shoulders up wearing a coat. The titles of the other books and the number indicating their order in the sequence are readable from the spines. From left to right they are as follows. Mrs. Highweather Meets the Four-leggers (1). Mrs. Highweather's Haunted Hat (8). Mrs. Highweather Finds the Farthest Star (2). Mrs. Highweather and the Key to Existence (7). Mrs. Highweather Sails the Suddenly Sea (5). Mrs. Highweather and the Queen of Questions (3). Mrs. Highweather and the Villainous Vine (10). Mrs. Highweather in the Dream Realm (6). Mrs. Highweather and the Forest of Feathers (11). Mrs. Highweather and the Perilous Painting (4). Mrs. Highweather and the Last Charming Adventure (9).

After their realm is cursed to suffer absolute darkness, four companions are tasked with finding the secret of breaking the curse. Genre: Mythology, Fantasy Excerpt: In those days, all people had the power to send their shadows off to explore the world around them, but those shadows could only travel in one direction, the direction in which they were cast by the sun. But these people with two shadows, they could send one shadow in one direction and the other shadow in the opposite direction. In this way, they could explore and gather knowledge far more quickly than the people of other lands. These people came to be called the amphiscians, the two-shadowed people. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Amphiscians: inhabitants of the tropics (from the Greek "amphiskios," "casting a shadow both ways") It somehow slipped my mind that there is another vocabulary word in this story. I didn't mention this in the episode, but the name of the hero, "Glissade" is a word that means "a skillful glide over snow or ice in descending a mountain, as on skis or a toboggan." So specific! (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Traveler and Her Three Shadows" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Infinite land" "Winterheart (seamless)" "In the shadows" "Winter guild" "Of sun and sand" "Scroll of the wind walker" "Blood on snow" "Haven" "Adventure" "Warriors" "Incantation" "Shadows and flames" "Fallen leaves" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Four figures, all facing forward, one in the foreground and three behind. The figure in the foreground holds a candle in front of her chest with her left hand, the flame illuminating her face from below. The background figures from left to right are as follows: a woman looking at a small golden object held in her right hand and holding her left arm across her waist; a hooded figure with face hidden and right hand raised; and a large man looking forward and holding his hands at the side, right hand curled into a fist.

There is a door in the basement of my new house that leads to nowhere, or so I thought… Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy Excerpt: When buds are twisted too tightly, they will never bloom beautifully, my grandmother always said, all the more so after she'd witness my staying in my little corner of the room at a party in our house while the other children played with each other. But she did not know that I was surrounded by friends in my own world, in Castle Farouche. That is…I didn't think she knew. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Farouche: 1) fierce. 2) sullenly unsociable or shy Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Castle Farouche" Copyright © 2018 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Casual Theme #3" "Casual Theme #5" "Medieval Theme #1" "Medieval Theme #3" "Medieval Theme #5" "Adventure Track #1 (looped)" "Medieval Track #2" "Adventure Track #2 (looped)" "A&C Percussion Loop #18" "Medieval Theme #2" "Medieval Track #1" "Lyric Voices #1" "Lyric Voices #2" "Medieval Theme #4" "Lyric Voices #5" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At left, a girl in right profile with short hair, wearing pants and a hoodie, walks through an open door, the inside of which is black. The door swings out to the left. Behind it at an angle is a brick wall. Right side of image, just behind the door, a series of towers blurred behind a glowing hash mark design that gives the effect of distorted digital image on a screen.

A young boy seeks to make his mother proud by picking the pocket of a man whose fortunes no one has ever managed to steal, not even the master thieves. Genre: Fantasy Excerpt: In the town of Pennyhaven, there was honor among thieves. For thieving was allowed, but only if done according to the strictest of rules, which were set by the Union of Thieves. The Union had a truce with the local constabulary to deal with any thief in town who did not abide by those rules. Their highest and foremost rule, for example, was that no living creature could be harmed by thieving. Their next highest rule was that only non-living objects may be stolen. And so on. Any aspiring thieves who broke the rules of the Union would never see membership, and would indeed be dealt with by the Union before the constabulary ever need step in. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?I'm not sure. My notes are unclear. But it might be the name of the main character, "Eridanus." It is the name of a constellation and a river god, and the river itself. The name is of Greek origin and means "early burnt." This is for its connection to the mythical story of Phaethon, the son of the sun god, Helios. Phaethon stole his father's chariot—the sun—and recklessly rode it, causing mayhem until Zeus threw a thunderbolt at him, striking him down. Phaethon fell to his death, into the river Eridanus. (Source: Theoi Entry on Eridanos) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Longpocket" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by CHRIS LOGSDON* "Shady Town" "Port Town" "Mystical Town" "Mystical Town (Loop)" "Desert Town" "Mining Town" Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* "Ice Cavern" "Ghost Town" "Crystal Caves" "Fire Dungeon" "Underwater Temple" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Chris Logsdon and Benjamin Carr is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Benjamin Carr and Chris Logsdon at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At left, lying on a surface, a top hat with a slim feather sticking out from the band. At right, hanging in front of the hat, obscuring part of the hat's rim, is a pocket watch with an ornate cover and in colors matching the hat. The pendant and bow parts are visible at the top of the clock.

To rescue her kidnapped infant sister from a magical monarch, Parni and her pet rat enter the dream realm and pass through nightmare and illusion. Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy Excerpt: Three days has passed since Parnika's baby sister, Kulfi, has been taken by the Marshmallow Monarch. Such was the price of living in a town that bordered the famed and infamous slumberland—the source of all dreams and nightmares. Most people only ever visited slumberland in their dreams. But Parni's people lived close enough to enter the land in body as well as in mind. Myriad signs of warning marked the borders of slumberland. They were meant for grown folk. Children didn't need such signs. For only children could see slumberland… What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Slumberland: an imaginary land described to children as the place they enter during sleep. (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "A Waking Walker in Slumberland" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by JONATHAN SHAW* "Thoughts" "Treading the Unknown" "Checking Inventory" "A Bitter Hope" "Cold Sanctuary" "Midnight Creeping" "Encounter of Misdeeds" "Spinning Tavern" "Visions of Freedom" "Showdown of Misdeeds" "Sinning Tavern" Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Compass" "Don't move" "The plan" "Hunter's moon" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Jonathan Shaw and Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Jonathan Shaw at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.ukFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Scan of ink drawing, digitally colored. A tree with light colored bark sitting on a slight rise of earth. The tree's roots extend down and to the right. The base of one branch appears at top left. The thin leafy ends of branches extend down from the top right. A girl peaks out from the edge of the tree at right, only the face and left arm visible, hand grasping the tree. A small dark rat with a long tail sits on her shoulder. Some of the roots glow with a bright light.

A sixteen-year-old decides that her first journey alone will be into a forbidden valley of flowers that lies just beyond her town. Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy Excerpt: There is a valley, where grow flowers of every hue and kind, colors and fragrance in harmony. They singsongs, it is said, in spring and summer, songs whose ghosts and echoes can be heard in winter and fall. These flowers are singular, for each is inhabited by an animating spirit. The valley is haunted, they say. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Anthophobia: an irrational or disproportionate fear of flowers (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Impassable Valley of the Flowers" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* "Exploration_Mystery (loop)" "Exploration_Forest of Magic" "Exploration_Mystical Place (loop 1)" "Exploration_Cave (loop)" "Cue_Nature" "Humorous_Stealth (loop)" "Song_Visiting Her Forest" "Locations_Court Song" Music by LEE ROSEVERE "Waves of Sleep" "Night Caves" "Featherlight (remix – vocals by Heather Feather) Music by ROZKOL "Ambient I-IV" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Albert Fernandez is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Lee Rosevere and ROZKOL is licensed under CC BY 4.0Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Albert Fernandez at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Lee Rosevere and ROZKOL at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A figure in black silhouette seen from behind, standing on a path that recedes toward the horizon, in front of a giant red dahlia flower with a leaf emerging from either side. The forms of grass blades and tulip flowers rise behind the dahlia, seen through a multi-colored mist. The original image is horizontal, made square through a lightbox effect at top and bottom.

Researchers on the verge of a medical breakthrough must investigate why their advanced surgical machine works perfectly on some patients, and not at all on others. Genre: Science Fiction Excerpt: Waiting. We've been waiting for thirty minutes. A nuisance, maybe, if I were out in the world on an er-rand or anticipating someone's arrival. But here, in the antechamber, poised on the threshold of themost important thing I will ever do with my life, or the grandest failure of my life, those thirty minuteshave stretched into the last thirty years of my life. It must be worse for the person on the other side of the antechamber door, the patient waiting for us to save his life. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Antechamber: a chamber or room that serves as a waiting room and entrance to a larger room or an apartment; anteroom. (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Antechamber" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Evolving Cities" "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" "Ground Control" "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart" "Forest Bathing" Music by TRG BANKS "Cigar" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrea Baroni is licensed from GameDev Market Music by TRG Banks is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal License Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by TRG Banks at bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Three people seen from chest up standing in front of a console with buttons made of simple geometric shapes, below a window that looks into a room or chamber. At left, a person facing forward in three-quarters profile. The person in the middle is seen from right profile, but with the head turned to the console. She has her right index finger poised over one of the controls. The person at right is seen from the back. They are wearing uniforms each in a different color. A structured hood or helmet is seen at the back of the persons at middle and right. The hazy image of an examination table surrounded by some apparatus or device is visible through the window.

A group of friends recruits one of their dads, a biology teacher, to help them identify a strange creature they discovered after a freak storm hits their town. Genre: Science Fiction Excerpt: Dani, Jon, Ameena and I had volunteered to help clean up the school after the flash storm hit our town a few days ago. We would get our community service requirement done for that quarter. And we would have been hanging out anyway. "Safety first," Dani said. And we all smiled and started working. Above the sounds of my friends rummaging through the trashed lab and chattering with each other, I kept hearing a sound repeating, a high-pitched sound like cheeping. I frowned. "Is that a bird?" What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Velutinous: having a soft, velvety surface, as certain plants. From the Latin "velutinus," meaning "velvety" (source: dictionary.com) The story was also inspired by an adorable little creature called the "Namaqua rain frog." When I entered the little guy's name in a search bar, some common information from the articles that came up is that the frog is found in South Africa, and possibly a few other places. It's tiny, about 5cm, or under 2 inches. Here is just one 30-second video where you can see and hear the frog's behavior when distressed, a puffed up body, and a squeaky call. Follow my Fictioneering MischiefThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more sent by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Velutinus" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Casual Theme #1" "Dark Side" "Casual Theme #2" "Unknown Terrain" "Casual Theme #6 (Triumph)" "Freedom" "Funny Horror" Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* "Humorous_Exploration (loop)" "Cue_Nature" "Exploration_Cave (loop)" "Humorous_Stealth (loop)" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrew Sitkov and Albert Fernandez is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Albert Fernandez and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. On a surface, standing on a folded up newspaper is a creature. The creature, in three-quarters profile facing left, has the body of a frog and frog-like eyes extending to the sides on stalks. Frog-like fore limbs wrap around a corner of the newspaper. A set of four crab legs or spider legs are visible on the left side. Two legs are visible on the right side. Six glowing translucent feathers protrude from the creature's backside. Under the legs, part of a headline is visible. The visible part reads "Freak storm hits." The dim silhouettes of four human figures surround the creature.

A wealthy capitalist steals a rare and cutting-edge piece of technology in the hopes of developing it for public use. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: "I have plenty of possessions and plenty of currency. And if ever I were to lose any of it, I know how to acquire more. But there is one currency that I cannot make more of. And do you know what that is, Leeke?" I paused long enough for her to response with a shake of her head. "Time. I have as much, and as little, as every other person on the planet. So if I can't make or buy more time, I have to make the best use of the time I have. And what is the one thing we must do that is the most wasteful of our time? Sleeping." What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Hypnopedia: sleep learning. The act or process of learning during sleep by listening to recordings repeatedly. (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefSign up to get a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more by email in the STORYFEATHER GAZETTE. Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Into Stasis" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by CHRIS LOGSDON* "Level 6" "Level 1" "Level 2" "Level 3" "Level 7" Music by NCTRNM "Escapade" "Parade" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Chris Logsdon is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Nctrnm is licensed under CC BY 4.0 Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Chris Logsdon at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Nctrnm at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. The body of a man lying on his back in a chamber whose top is open. The man is seen from knees up and in left profile. His eyes are closed and his arm lays at his side. Behind him at the level of his chest is a device with a colorful kaleidoscope pattern on its back. Standing behind the device is a person, seen from chest to nose whose left arm is extended toward and obscured by the device.

On the eve of giving one of the most important speeches of his life, the greatest orator in the known worlds develops a condition that renders him speechless. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: "Me for? For…me…only? No, not. For all." Quin peered at the man who was her mentor, her friend, and now, her charge. It was late, and they were both tired. But she believed that she under-stood what he was trying to say, as he took in the flurry of effort that was being directed toward the sin-gular aim of helping him. Just me? he was saying. What about everyone else? What's the Word (that inspired the story)?This time, it was the story idea that inspired the words. I combined the Greek words "lexi" meaning "word" with "syncheo," which means "confuse" to devise the title of this story, and the name of the syndrome that afflicts "the greatest orator in the known worlds." (source: Google translate) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefSign up to get a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more by email in the STORYFEATHER GAZETTE. Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "Lexinkeo" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)* "Evolving Cities" "Forest Bathing" "Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)" "March Of The Waking Lights" "Night Time (No Percussion)" "Slightly Across (No Percussion)" "The Longest Year (No Percussion)" Music by TAO & SOUND* "Cry No More – (B) Melody Loop" "Cry No More – (A) Melody Loop" "I Never Gave Up – Intro" "I Never Gave Up –(B) Melody Loop" "I Never Gave Up –(A) Melody Loop" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrea Baroni and Tao & Sound is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Tao & Sound and Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Person facing forward seen from top of shoulders to bridge of nose, wearing a long sleeve tunic with sun symbols at the center of the neck. Both hands are held overlapping and over the mouth.

To save the woman they both love, two men enter a forest where magic cannot abide, and any magic that enters unravels in unexpected and dangerous ways. Genre: Fairy Tale, Mythology, Fantasy Excerpt: It was a time when dragonflies could flutter all the way up to the moon, when the flickering of a hummingbird's wings was faster than lightning. It was a time when the growl of thunder signified the coming of a catastrophe, a cracking of the earth, a roiling of the seas, a shuddering of the heavens. It was a wild time. And into this time was born a creature that her mother called Mora. What's the Word (that inspired the story)?Remora: Definition 2. Archaic. An obstacle, hindrance, or obstruction. (source: dictionary.com) Follow my Fictioneering MischiefSign up to get a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more by email in the STORYFEATHER GAZETTE. Storyfeather-themed merchandiseT-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE CREDITSStory: "The Mora" Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel Music: "Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background" by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Witches" "Hunter's moon" "In the shadows" "Fallen leaves" "The plan" "The death of love" "Ancient gods" "Le néant with Corneline" "A place where evil lives" "Compass" *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Silhouette of a hummingbird in flight seen from the right side. The sun shines behind the bird's head, illuminating the feathers with an iridescent rainbow glow. Framing the bottom and sides of the image are leafy bushes in gray shadows.