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Thank you! I'm really glad you liked it, and sorry it took so long to reply.

And so many questions, right? Anxiety takes so many forms, and that's just one of them. It definitely is a good benchmark for trust. Thanks for the review and sorry for the late reply!

Mann Ramblings' story, So Little Magic Left, was Monday's Signature Feature. Did you grab your copy of the signature banner so you can share your love for Mann's story? If not, you can do that here! Today we're featuring his chosen excerpt. Mann Ramblings says: I chose this scene because it sets the stage for a change in Rath and Shawn's roles, blurring them and sending them on a new direction. Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!

Happy Birthday, Mikie!

This month's feature is Mann Rambling's epic novel, So Little Magic Let. Not only did he write a story nominated for 2013's Best Hero/Villain in the Reader's Choice Awards here on GA, he made his own graphic and signature banner for this month's event. Quite the accomplished artist, isn't he?! So if you haven't read this novel, try it out now! ​Length: 111,444 Description: What do you do when you simply don't fit into your world? Shawn Martoni never did. A past of turmoil and misfortune kept a solid foothold from ever forming. But what if there was another world under our own? Someplace where all that's left of the creatures long since forgotten might live. Would Shawn find his place there or simply find another form of the underworld? His Favorite Reviews: Rob Colton says... “Wow. What took me so long to start reading this? I'm sucked right in already.” Gene63 says... “Holy crap...it's like the apocalypse!!!” Cannd says... “I think the ending was bitter-sweet for all of us. It always makes me laugh how I can wish away days for an update on a story like this!” Cole Matthews says... “There is a sad tear running down my cheek. Mann, I will miss this story, a tale well told.” Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Mann chose to share with readers! Want to show your support and enjoyment of Mann's story? Download the banner below for your site signature!

I paced back and forth across the living room floor, but it wasn’t enough. My mind raced, and being trapped inside four walls was only making it worse. I picked up my phone and sent Park a text. That way if he and Kraig came back they would know where I was. It also reminded me that I needed to get Kraig a phone. We may not be parted that often, or very far, but he needed a way to get in touch with me if he needed me. Once I hit the grass in the backyard, I removed my shoes. The blades were coo

Yay! You picked up on the being alone/lonely/sensory aspect that contrasted with warmth, light, and not being alone with the fire once Myles meets Ben. I try to throw in little details and I absolutely love when readers pick up on them. Thanks so much, Arazon!

Bleak is exactly what I was going for! Post-apocalyptic fiction is a big draw for me too. Living off the land once the infrastructure has gone down will be very, very difficult. I didn't want to make it too easy for them. And the hows... that's tricky. I mean, they survived, but how will they find out what happened and why? I hope I can answer some of those questions in an expansion. Thanks, For the in-depth review, LitLover!

Ahh, thanks Defiance! I wondered if that aspect would get picked up on. Yet, there are ways to communicate, but will they think of them before something happens? The NWO would definitely need to come into play with an expansion.

So many things could've happened, and that's one of the best parts of this story. And it is so relatable because I think we've all had the fear of being alone at some point, lost in the darkness and quiet. Finding out he wasn't alone was a huge salvation, but there's still a lot more to learn about the others who survived along with Myles. Thanks for taking the time to review!

That's the true question, right? What was it? Why were they spared? Will they still die? I know someone who has selective mutism, so I know it's a complex condition, but I think the relief Ben felt had to come out somehow. Thanks for reviewing, Val, and I hope I'll keep further aspects of Ben's condition as real as possible for you!

I played up the loneliness in contrast, and Ben might be selectively mute, but he's still a living, breathing person. He makes noise, he exists. I think that was a vital difference, even if he doesn't speak. I'm glad you liked the story, William, and thanks for reviewing!

There are different reasonings behind that target, both because they were vulnerable to infection being grouped together due to the war, and the cytokine storm issues. It's something I was looking at for this, yes. Thanks for reviewing, AC!

People are so different, even within the US, that I can see the teens reacting very differently depending on where they are and what they're facing. I wanted to make sure that I showed 'real' people, and that meant making them original. Giving Ben selective mutism was something different to set him apart quickly. Thanks for the review, Cole!

I can't imagine trying to survive as an adult with other adults, but kids? It would be crazy. I'm glad the darkness came through in the story, so thanks for mentioning that part, Lisa. I really wanted this story to feel bleak.

There are so many possibilities, right?

Ahh, but will you? I hope so, and thanks for the review, Mikiesboy!

LOL. I'll take the hint. Thanks, Jeffrey!

Unfortunately, that's so true of many of my work, but I really wanted to know what readers thought of this one. Thanks, JCtoGO2!

Those are exactly the feelings I wanted to evoke. Being forgotten would be very lonely, though I reversed it and made those left alive have that fear rather than those who died. Thanks for reviewing, Timothy!

Thank you. I'd just like to point out you gave me an amazing review quote I've been using to point readers to this on social media.

I just think that kids are so vulnerable they'd be more likely to cling to the familiar--even if that means cliques, hates, etc... after they're left behind when everyone dies. Thanks for the review, Gary.

I have read most of the stories featured, and wrote mine, of course. But Aditus' review of Tucker's story really intrigues me. It almost gives me a feeling of the Pied Piper, though with the hint of a twist at the end in the review, I'm even more interested in reading. Thank you to everyone who took the time to review these stories, especially Puppilull who read Miah's Maze and gave me such a lovely review!

This falls within the pantser or plotter question, for the most part. I think a lot of us are a mix, and I know I certainly am. It's easy for me to write a short story or novella without anything but an idea and blank Word page, I might do a general idea with a few paragraphs for a novella, especially if it's upwards of 30k+, and for novels I like to do an actual outline. Series get the most information tracking because I want to make sure I keep all the character and plot details correct through the whole thing. Another question that ties into this: How do you keep track of everything if you're a plotter? I have Writeway, which is a lot like Scrivener. I also have used mind map apps/programs in the past to create bubble maps.