Ashja stood on the pier, marveling at the sight before her. This city was nothing like she had ever seen in her life. It was so very different from the city at the edge of the desert near which she had grown. But then, she had seen a lot of strange things in the last … Continue reading The City of Caer Vernalan
I wrote this as a contest entry on a writing site I belong to. I don’t remember the prompt, but the idea of a “hub of the multiverse” for some of my stories intrigued me, so I ran with it. Here is my hub, The Jaunty Mug. I hope you like it. When customers enter, … Continue reading Introducing: The Jaunty Mug
“We don’t create a fantasy world to escape reality. We create it to be able to stay.” ~Lynda Barry American cartoonist Lynda Barry was born on this day in 1956.
Last week, I attended a free online fantasy writing conference hosted by ProWritingAid. It included topics that applied to the stage of my novel that I presently face. (Yes, there were a lot of sales pitches for the products that were showcased, but I’ve learned to say ‘no.’ The caveat being that I took advantage … Continue reading Editing My Novel… For the Third Time
Early the next morning, Skrie headed to the common room to the aroma of coffee, bacon, sausage, and fresh bread permeating the inn. Della was at the bar, getting ready for the morning breakfast. She looked up as Skrie entered. “Good morning, Miss Skrie,” she said. “Breakfast ain’t quite ready. Would ye like some cider, … Continue reading Kidnapped
Skrie sneaked down the stairs and skirted the wall behind some crates, looking for Filice. She didn’t see her, but caught Dayne’s eye as he tended to the bar. The two stepped back into a kitchen storage room. “A half-elf woman and young boy brought food to our room,” said Skrie. “Someone laced it with … Continue reading Chasing Shadows
When they got settled into the suite, Malusk made sure the door was locked, then sat the party around the room’s small table. The big half-orc was visibly anxious and even a bit embarrassed, to Skrie's reckoning. His big hands were wrapped around a large tankard of dark ale as he locked eyes with each … Continue reading Malusk’s Confession
The following day, the group had a hot breakfast, cleaned out their temporary shelter, gathered their gear, and headed to the village. “You survived!” said Jorund, running up to the group. “After a fashion,” said Skrie. “I’m afraid the cultists weren’t kind to the village.” “Ye again,” said Sheriff Varla, approaching the growing knot of … Continue reading Return To Suncall
The amount of decay of the body under the collapsed stairway indicated that the stairs had buckled within the last tenday. A ladder led down into the lower chamber. Skrie waited at the bottom while the rest of the party descended into the catacombs. Exploring the room, Theren saw a lever against one wall. Pushing … Continue reading Down the Rabbit Hole
Approaching the door carefully, Skrie peered inside the dark entry room. The cleric slipped into a corner, letting her eyes adjust to the dim glow from the doorway. She knew the human cultists were just as night-blind as she, so she figured shadows were safe spots. Hiding in a darkened corner of the entry, Skrie … Continue reading Into the Ruin
Tavern Tales
Poetry BLOG By Edge of Humanity Magazine
New Writing Engaging with the Sacred
50,000 Monkeys at 50,000 Typewriters Can't Be Wrong
J.J. Shaun 