astone2292

Overnight, the newest Ask An Author article posted (set for publishing 5/4/2022 @ 2:00 AM Kentucky time), and while I believe I did everything as usual, I received several badges upon the time of posting. I am quite certain I have not made a thousand blog posts, particularly within an hour's time. My guess is the site thought I magically claimed ownership over all articles in the "Author Interviews" category during the posting. It should be noted (not for points, rep points, or badge earned time frame... but for potential issue with how these set of badges are earned in the coding and whether this AAA article reset the original badges) that I've already completed Blogger x5 and Blogger x10 back in February 2021 from my incredibly dusty "A Stone's Throw" blog.

I swear we just had it! Where did it go? Did it fly away, or whiz past our eyes? Oh, well! April's gone and she won't be back until next year. Now we have May, and what a day to post the next Ask An Author! From this Star Wars fan, May the Fourth be with you. While the featured story may not take place in a galaxy far, far away, we're still treated to a bit of fantasy. Welcoming back @C. Henderson, we'll be trading lightsabers for vampire fangs. Although the story's status says Temporary Hold, I see there's been some recent updates. Sounds like we have an In Progress tale, so let's dive in and generate some up-to-date readers! • • • • • Sacrum C. Henderson 35 Chapters / 108,057 Words / Rating: Mature / Status: Temporary Hold Dani is a vampire with a special mission. Born in a lab, he has never been human. Kept from society by Vinicius, his mentor, he's naive to the way of the world. When his mentor suddenly is taken from him, he's thrust into a new school where he's forced to figure things out on his own while also navigating the desires of his non-beating heart. This story features your own take on vampires. How did you develop your vampire lore? I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t interested in vampires. I distinctly remember watching Gary Oldman as Dracula and being fascinated by him and his powers. I was also intrigued by the duality of vampires – the fact that they were associated with dark forces, but – like the Count – were also capable of loving someone else and potentially being good. However, it never occurred to me to write about anything supernatural until I had some extra free time over quarantine, which is when I rewatched a lot of post-apocalyptic horror films like 28 Days Later and Resident Evil. I also watched Train to Busan, the Underworld movies, and got back into The Walking Dead series. Additionally, I read The Rising and World War Z, and was inspired enough to do my own take on a vampire story. I started Sacrum one night, with a distinct vision of Dani and Vincent in mind. I wanted one to represent the force of good, and the other to have a history of darkness that made it hard to discern whether he could ever be good, or whether his genetics would determine him to be evil. However, the story quickly evolved with many other important characters like Vinicius, Demetrius, Ciprian and the ghost of Dahlia. Without giving the rest of it away, I knew that another important part of the story would be the “Rebirth” movement. As for how I developed it all – mostly while thinking about the story in the shower, which is where all my best thoughts seem to occur. Sacrum is full of both big and small mysteries. How do you plot them out and keep all your clues and plot threads straight? It's impressive! Once I realized that the story was growing rapidly away from what I intentionally had in mind, and that each character had their own mysteries they were battling with, I had to sit down and write a painfully long chapter by chapter outline so that I could remember everything. I also have a general overview of the story, a name cheat sheet, and another document containing random phrases I think of in the shower that I know I want to utilize in the story in some way (usually something Ciprian might say... I have a long list of those). Which authors influence you and what mystery/suspense books are your favorite? It’s hard for me to name an “influence” because I enjoy a lot of different genres, and the writers I like don’t necessarily influence my own writing style. They are so distinct it would be impossible to mimic them. However, I am currently reading “Nothing But Blackened Teeth” by Cassandra Khaw, and I’m in awe of how poetic she makes everything sound. She's inspired me to work on having a nicer flow to my own writing. As for favorite books, I love a good classic by Hemingway or Faulkner. The Sound and The Fury is probably one of my favorite books. And in the horror/mystery genre I have to go with Bram Stoker’s Dracula. • • • • • There's another AAA wrapped up! Thank you so much to @C. Henderson and the anonymous reader who sent questions my way. As always, Ask An Author could always use material for articles. Read a riveting story recently? Think of a few questions, send them to me, and I'll get them ready for posting. All stories and authors are fair game! Until next month!

Fantastic epilog. I can't recall seeing an author's note like this, but I forkin' loved it. I might have to steal the idea in several months when I wrap up my trilogy. It's gonna break my heart to change the status to Complete. Phenomenal read! I'll post my review in the morning. Time to get forty or fifty winks of sleep... Pesky bingeing sessions.

Such a feel good, teary ending to a great book. Simply beautiful work, kbois. Beautiful.

I'm pleased with the detail in consideration for service animals, including the complication involving people with allergies. Unfortunately, I'm one of them, and it's such a tragedy since I love dogs. I've learned to carry allergy medication with me at all times, as some relatives have pets, but also my customers bring their pets into my [liquor] store with no leash. Even if there's no harness on the animal, it's been drilled into my little retail brain that we can't say a word regarding the animal, lest we be fired as a PR liability. Soapboxing aside, my heart warmed when I saw Amy mentioning the allergy issue. Tiny details in a story can make a reader fall for an author's work, and if I wasnt already addicted to your stories, I most certainly am now.

Yet another great chapter. Phenomenal work! I'm still fixated on Keon and Liam's relationship. It seems like Liam has talked with Keon about his feelings, and everything's peachy.

I always love a wedding scene. Adding Liam to the vows was just the icing. Perfect chapter!

Liam's feelings for Keon are super duper cutesy wootsy woo! I hope these new lovebirds work out, cuz d'awwwwwwww!

I was wondering when the next dip in the roller coaster ride was gonna show up. Too long of a positive stretch of road always ignites my paranoia. A favorite quote of mine fits perfectly here. Holy forking shirt balls! I felt my irises turn red when that excuse of a human mentioned Julia. It's been a hot minute since I've been mad. Nash's response was perfectly executed, and deserves a slot in Batman's utility belt for all of eternity. This was handled much more responsibly than I could ever have.

Despite the warning the precursor, the chapter was not rushed at all. Months passing by felt completely normal. Excellent job. Liam is surprising me more and more with every passing chapter. He is such a mature kid at times. To be able to have that kind of conversation and ask difficult questions... I love this kid.

The final several paragraphs are some of the most emotionally touching I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It's incredible. Truly incredible. Having Liam articulate and voice his emotions about being dropped in a new and warm environment with people who love him... It's just perfect. I needed a tissue for this one, so color me impressed. One issue: Disturb’s version of “Sound of Silence” Should be Disturbed. As my second-favorite powerfully dark song (Suicide is Painless, Johnny Mandel [M*A*S*H* theme song] barely wins IMO), I did need to take a second for my brain to quit fizzling like a glass of Pepsi.

Liam and Cassie... For some reason, I instantly thought of some hijinks from M*A*S*H*, and I can see those two pulling off a classic bucket of water on top of a door. Ah, unwelcome relatives. You're not alone there. I didn't answer my phone one day in college, and Mom pops up in the dorm with the Dean of Student Life in tow. It was the next best thing since she couldn't file a missing persons report. Apparently, studying in college is illegal in the eyes of Mom.

OMG. The Grandma card?! That's hilarious.

I have not done any research on prosthesis, but I certain will after reading this awesome chapter. Being an author and a reader is such a learning experience. Reading about certain subjects causes us to research on topics we would normally never touch. Fascinating and riveting, kbois!

Apologies for the delay in reading. Much has been going on. On the bright side, I picked up exactly where I left off, and recalled every detail! The subtle details help readers remember the prior events incredibly. Wonderful work! However... "Mushrooms were labelled gross fungus." Tsk Tsk... Mushrooms are absolutely underrated! I wrote a scene where my main couple tried to get the 4 year old they were babysitting to eat them, and used a "vegetable steak" ruse. Very successful, as it's what my parents did when I was young. Mushrooms will always be veggie steak to me.

Let's hope everyone's okay. It'd be a shame if I had to replace the main cast members after the first three chapters...

Thank you! I can't wait to see your comments along the way!

Might have time wait a bit, 'cause you're all caught up! I'll be working on the next chapter some tomorrow

Someone wasn't raised with manners. Let's hope Vin, Mace, or Caleb beats some in him

I believe the belly has a direct line to the brain. "Hey!!! I'm hungry! Let's go!"

Always happy to see a satisfied reader! I've debated what Dirk is at the moment. Sure, he has awakened his fire magic, but can he be considered an ursus shifter at the moment? For the time being, I'll say yes...

Hmmm, it seems I need to up the wow and shock factor...

How to go about this... With what I have written so far, this game is going to be much harder than Vincent anticipated. He seemed so sure of himself when he was called up to be on the hunting squad. Lewis has another thing coming... Or will he get a visit from Vincent during the game? Possibilities, possibilities...

Uh oh. I've turned some of my readers into conspiracy theorists. To this whole comment, I say 🤐🤐🤐. Sneaky Cyrus did come from my imagination... However, the rules did state the flag could not be on one's person. It has to be on display in a reasonable position... It may very well be somewhere on the 3,200 acre property.

Mess? Trouble? In one of my books? Pee-shaww, that would never happen...