Dear Reader…
Welcome back to The Weekly!
Last week we took a hiatus for a piece of flash fiction, so let’s do a quick roundup of the last few weeks of content, get hyped for what’s coming, and have a bit of fun with another discussion question!
Round-Up!
In Case You Missed It…
Our intrepid journalist/ghost-hunter Caroline Phelan explored a strange library in What Lingers In The Dark and its follow-up, What Chooses To Stay.
In our serial novella Goldgreen, we met local girl Penelope in Episode Two (The Apple Pie), and Jim learned some disquieting truths about the island in Episode Three (The Party). Stay tuned for Episode Four, this Friday!
I wrote a one-off article for fellow Substack writers—and anyone who has ever felt “uncool”—called The Truth About the Cool Kids. You can always find these free writerly resources at my Start Here! page.
What’s Next?
Okay, okay, I’ve heard you, I promise!
After the second installment of the flash fiction saga that saw Caroline Phelan exploring the library, I know some of you folks are itching for a third installment, or at least some answers. I have a confession to make: I wasn’t expecting that particular story arc to be so popular, and we're skirting dangerously close to territory I wanted to explore in a future serial. (Oops!!) I’m humbled and grateful that so many folks like it and want more. A good problem to have!
The Bad News: I don’t have a Part Three planned, just yet. :(
The Good News: Caroline and the Captain have been high on the docket for a longer piece (novella?) for a while now, and so—if you can be a bit patient—answers will be forthcoming. :)
(That said, if a Part Three falls into my lap before then, you’ll be the first to know!)
For now, I’m currently in the middle of a piece of fiction that was meant to be “flash fiction” and is blossoming into “short story” territory, so hopefully you’ll be able to make the acquaintance of that new tale, soon!
Let’s Chat!
I really enjoyed our discussion question from the last issue of the Weekly, so I thought we’d do another one, just for fun!
Since we’re heading into spooky season, in the comments, tell us your favorite fictional creature/monster. By this I mean an animal/monster/creature invented by an author for a specific book or series.
Favorite fictional beastie…GO!
I guess any kind of monster within is the most terrifying for me - like Kate Chopin’s The Yellow Wallpaper. And the monster in Frankenstein is this kind of doubling figure as well, and of course Mr Hyde. Yikes.
Since I was little I have had a love affair with the story of a phoenix. Mythical birds that can burn themselves to ash and regenerate. It's a deep flesh kind of love for me. JK Rowling's version of a phoenix really hit a tender spot for me at the time in my life; so my visions of phoenix have been altered to include magical healing powers for others as well as self. I even sport a six feather phoenix tattoo on my body- it's in a hidden space where only loved ones can see it. Again, the sacredness of this bird to me is symbolic of something deeper.