astone2292

There's two more chapters of Corporate Galactic on the way, but keep an eye open for Death in the Shadows!

Two more chapters coming out over the next couple of days!! Stay tuned for more perspectives!

Jared pinched the bridge of his nose. The stress was getting to him. He had been preparing for the past few years, but today was his shot. Peering through the cafeteria window, he saw the demonstrations being set up in the gymnasium. Status Day. In the final weeks of his primary education, he dreaded this very day; the day where everyone who hadn’t been accepted into secondary schools were to compete for ethic status in front of representatives. Glancing at his tray, he pushed the slo

Companies were always out to make a profit. They want to sell product, expand their business, and wreck the competition. As technology advanced, so did efficiency. Like most planets in the Galactic Union, Earth's offerings were considered unique and vital for other races. How would corporate power and greed alter humanity's existence?

That won't happen anytime soon. This game is very different from its predecessors. It's very much Breath of the Wild meets Monster Hunter meets Pokemon. There is a heavy emphasis on the Pokedex, and this might be the first game I'll actually complete it. Simply catching the 'mon won't give you the data; you have to catch multiple, defeat multiple, catch by surprise, defeat it with super-effective moves, evolve them, witness them using certain moves in their arsenal. It's well worth the full price, in my opinion.

I'm having a giggle fit. I love how Garjah dismissed the Galactic's need for their hoity-toity council building. Simply perfect! It's not quite Chekhov's Gun, but now I'll be paying close attention to Bouncer. Essell now dismisses the concept of Bouncer being sentient. Telepathic conversation is now expected somewhere along the way...

Wow. Time flies, doesn't it? This marks my twelfth Ask An Author 3.0 article, and I'm so glad I messaged Renee a year ago. This has been an absolute blast! But enough of that. It's the first Wednesday of the month, and we have another set of questions for one our gifted authors! @Kong Wen Hui brings fantastic answers for this week's AAA. Let's get into it! • • • • • The Spirit of the Plum Blossom Tree Kong Wen Hui Status: In Progress / Sub-genres: Historical Romance, Alternate History, Dragon Fantasy, Mythic Fantasy / Rating: Mature Wanted criminal Hong Shen finally meets his end after being stabbed in the back by a comrade. As he makes his final resting place under a dead plum tree, he submits to death. Instead, he receives two choices: die, or be given a second chance. To take the second chance means he must complete a trial in the past in order to return to the present. But what he doesn't know is that the trial isn't only difficult for him, but even more difficult for the person he must be to fulfill it. The Spirit of the Plum Blossom Tree is a unique take on second chances. How did you come up with the idea to put Hong Shen in the past? Putting Hong Shen in the past was not actually my original intention. At first, I was going to have the whole story take place in Ancient China, but I had a wonderful idea when I was drinking my morning coffee a couple years ago. There is a concept commonly taught in America that we must learn from history if we do not wish to repeat it. What better way to have a modern criminal learn from his previous ways then to experience the hardships of a historical prince? Of course, I was also heavily influenced by MXTX's novels, and I simply love the ancient cultures in general. ( ´∀｀) You’ve built a vibrant and believable world set in ancient China. Is it all part of the fictional setting, or is there any ‘true’ history included? The world of the Guan Dynasty in my story is a fictional setting. However, there will be true history incorporated into the story. I think of the Guan Dynasty as a mirror time period that existed at the same time as the historical Song Dynasty. They were two different Empires, one fictional and the other true, but some accurate events that occurred in the Song Dynasty will affect or influence the Guan Dynasty in different ways. They may not all happen in The Spirit of the Plum Blossom Tree, though, as I plan to have multiple stories set in my fictional dynasty in the future. What advice do you have for authors looking to write stories in the historical fiction genre? For those who are interested in writing stories of the historical fiction genre, I will warn you now - it is difficult! If you wish to write something historically accurate, a lot of research is recommended. Specific people are the hardest, for if you want to portray them correctly you have to know almost everything about them to the point you could live them. Same with time periods and scenery; you have to imagine you live in your own story. What would you see? What would you wear? What were the cultural trends of the time? What is your purpose? The purpose is probably the most important aspect of historical fiction. After all, if your characters have no purpose and meaning in the past, why are they there? As difficult as writing historical fiction is, it is also incredibly fun, and I believe it gives you a better understanding of certain times in history than most other people, besides maybe historians. If you have a passion for it, then you will continue to grow and improve, and nothing is better to read and enjoy than a story filled with an author's love! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ • • • • • I loved the last Q&A! Historical fiction is a genre I would consider a great challenge. I'm not sure I have the skill to produce a piece, but I'll check back after another twelve AAAs. As always, we're looking for more questions! If there's a story that has captured your attention and you want to learn more about it from the author's perspective, shoot me a PM with three questions.

Has anyone else been playing Pokemon Legends: Arceus? Personally, it's a true breath of fresh air for Pokemon games in many ways. To have the 'mons to actually attack you as the player is groundbreaking for the series. The different movesets, as well as the fluidity of changing them out on the fly, brings pure delight. I'm not the fondest of the reuse of Sinnoh characters, as I bought the Gen 4 remake. It's just a wee bit too much Gen 4. Seeing the title Pokemon Legends, I can only assume we'll have more in the future.

Another heart-wrenching chapter. Reinard's body hasn't been found, which isn't a surprise. Space can be pretty vast, from what I hear. I can only assume we're nearing the end of the adventure.

Thanks for reading, Chris! Thanks for reading, Mawgrim! Glad you enjoyed it.

A quick little submission, but I had fun with it. https://gayauthors.org/story/astone2292/rocky-prompts-tennessee/6

Peeping through his eyelids, he saw it was night. Opening them, he scanned the neighborhood. “Good,” he whispered, “they’re all asleep.” “Just figuring that out?” The snowman whipped around, startled at the question. Next to him stood another! “How… who are you?” The new and mysterious snowman shirked. “Not sure. I’m guessing you’ve been here for a bit?” “I-uh… a couple days now.” “That’s cool. I was made this afternoon. You do a good job acting, bud.” He swiveled to fa

There is so much going on, but I'll start by saying I love sassy Essell. He's such a treat when dealing with politics. This being said... Bouncer!!! Look at you, hiding your sentience and stuff! I think the Aelqaed mind-reader needs to get off his "look what I can do and you can't" high-horse. Unless you plan to reveal that Bouncer is a mastermind, capable of convincing Essell he's just a dangerous puppy, then hush and stay on the topic of Garjah's treaty.

I'll happily take that! I love Steve Martin, and Kermit is a meme lord.

Recently, the city I live in was named the Bluegrass Capital of the World. Barring any radio music, I have yet to hear a banjo in the decade I've lived here. I work in a liquor store, and I sell more vodka than anything else. We only have one KFC in town, and nearly everyone I know locally would rather have Popeyes. Kentucky is a very backasswards place.

Ouch! I felt neglected for a moment. I'm willing to put our LPW differences aside if you plan on swingin' by. I got plenty of bourbon and wine! Remember @wildone, there's more than one Kentuckian in the community, and I have a hefty discount at a booze shop.

My heart aches. It truly aches. I stared at the reaction options for nearly five minutes. Sad. Angry. Wow. I am so angry. The storytelling was phenomenal, but seeing Reinard's paranoia turn into reality... absolutely heart-wrenching. I'm biting my lip, tears are falling, and I am so... so incredibly angry at many aspects of Reinard's end. Part of me wants to blame Galen for not manning up and either going with, or inviting Reinard into his life permanently. Should Galen receive the news of Reinard's death, I am not looking forward to the tiger's response. I'm expecting the worse, but the only redeeming possibility I can imagine is a complete warpath on Galen's part, but I'm not anticipating it; I don't think pornstars can fight. Ye, you've created a Game of Thrones-level plot turn. Just when I thought the story was already in a depression-filled sack, you dump another bucket of molasses-thick misery. Brilliant work! As mentioned, the storytelling is phenomenal. Keep up the great work.

So... such advanced civilizations haven't developed a spray-on temporary antitoxin for the Togoi's wings? Seems like an important development for further relationship building. I smell a potential contribution from Garjah's people... Four generations = 1,070 years. I agree with Essell; how old is Garjah? What is the lifespan of a Four Arms? Will Essell's genetic alterations affect his life span? Bouncer is just perfect.

Thank you for reading! I greatly appreciate it!

I... I got nothing. Speechless. Fantastic writing and storytelling, but damn it, I wanted a freaking happy ending! All I'm left with is a knot in my throat and complete disappointment in Galen. There better be a turnaround incoming or I'm getting the pitchforks. (jk, but for realsies...)

We know the mother is deceased, since Essell is wearing her armbands. I want to say Garjah's father was mentioned briefly, but I can't recall what was written.

I have high hopes for the meeting, particularly for Essell and Garjah. The Delray parents will be supportive on both sides, effectively being the peacekeepers of the conversation. The question is whether the Councilors will try to get their hands on the Four Arms' technology.

This is such a neat tool! I'll add this to my toolbelt immediately. Thanks, Mr. Will!

Happy to see your comments! I did have an editor for this book, and I now have an editor for the first one. We're in the process of a drastic edit for Love in the Shadows, and it's looking a lot cleaner! Hard to say when it will be done, but I can't wait to bring it out.