Bill W

"Descry" means to catch sight of something distant, obscured, or difficult to see. In storytelling, it is a powerful linguistic tool that goes far beyond simple looking; it signals a moment of discovery, perception and revelation that changes a character trajectory. Here is why using "descry" (and the action it represents) is important in storytelling: It Signals a Turning Point: Characters do not just "descry" everyday objects; they descry something unexpected or hidden. The Shift: It transitions a scene from searching to finding. The Impact: When a character descries a sail on the horizon, a figure in the mist, or a hidden doorway, it instantly propels the plot forward and forces an immediate reaction. It Elevates Narrative Tone and Atmosphere: "Descry" carries a literary, archaic, or poetic weight that common verbs like "see," "spot," or "notice" lack. Atmospheric Framing: It is perfect for fantasy, historical fiction, or gothic mystery. It adds an air of gravity, making the act of seeing feel monumental or fated. Sensory Isolation: Because it implies looking through difficulty (like fog, darkness, or great distance), it immediately builds suspense and establishes a harsh or mysterious environment. It Highlights Character Effort and Perception: You cannot descry something by accident; it requires sharp eyes, focus, or a specific vantage point. Rewarding Attention: Using this concept shows that a character is observant, trained (like a scout or detective), or uniquely attuned to their surroundings. Active Engagement: It transforms the c haracter from a passive observer into an active tracker or seeker. It Enhances Imagery and Tension: Because the object being descried is initially unclear, it allows the writer to stretch out a moment of tension. The Slow Reveal: A writer can describe the vague shape first—a dark silhouette against the snow—before the character fully realizes what they are looking at. This delay hooks the reader's curiosity. "Descry" vs. "Descry-adjacent" Verbs: To see how it shapes a narrative, look at how it compares to similar words: Verb Narrative Effect Example Descry Reveals something hidden or distant through careful effort; carries high dramatic weight. "Through the driving rain, the watchman managed to descry the enemy's vanguard." Spot Casual, sudden, or accidental discovery. "He happened to spot his keys on the table." Discern Focuses more on mental recognition or distinguishing between two things. "She could barely discern the truth from his lies."

The word descry comes from the Old French root descrier, formed from the prefix des- ("dis-," "out") combined with crier ("to cry, shout"). Originally, the word meant to announce or cry out a discovery (such as a lookout calling out when spotting land or an object in the distance). Over time, the meaning shifted from the act of proclaiming the sight to the act of seeing it. Early spelling variations also linked it via folk etymology to the Latin dēscrībere ("to write down" or "describe"), creating historical overlap with the word describe. It is a doublet of decry, which English borrowed later in the 17th century directly from the developed French sense of décrier ("to disparage or condemn"). According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of descry in English depends on the specific entry: The earliest evidence for the verb descry ("to proclaim," "reveal," or "to detect and discover something concealed") dates to around 1330 in the Middle English work Reinbrun. The earliest evidence of the second meaning of the verb descry ("the visual act of catching sight of something faint, distant, or obscure") dates to before 1400 in the writings of the poet and historian Robert Mannyng. The earliest evidence for the noun descry dates to around 1450 in the Middle English romance Duke Rowland and Sir Otuell.

I remember the Heeeere's Johnny introduction, although it was waaay past my bedtime, unless I was out partying, of course. But I did catch it quite a few times during holidays and vacations, as well as watching old episodes on YouTube. The Anthology has started off strong, I've read the first six entries, so if you haven't, I strongly recommend that you do.

A sojourn—a temporary stay or brief period of residence in a foreign place—is one of the most powerful narrative devices in storytelling. It serves as the bridge between a character's world and their ultimate transformation. Here is why a sojourn is so critical in narrative arcs, grouped by its core functions: Catalyst for Character Arc and Growth: Forces Adaptation: Stripping characters of their familiar environment forces them to learn new customs, languages, or rules to survive. Provokes Self-Reflection: Isolation from their usual support systems provides characters the quiet space needed to confront internal flaws or past traumas. Tests Core Values: A temporary stay in an alien environment acts as a crucible, proving whether a character's beliefs can withstand external pressure. Narrative and Structural Mechanics: Facilitates the Mentorship Phase: In structural frameworks like Joseph Campbell’s The Hero's Journey, the sojourn often takes place in the "Special World," where the protagonist meets a mentor, trains, and gains vital tools. Manages Plot Pacing: A brief stay breaks up relentless action. It offers the audience a "breather" to absorb plot revelations before the final climax. Introduces New Subplots: Staying in a new location naturally opens doors to meeting secondary characters, uncovering local lore, or starting romantic B-stories. World-Building and Thematic Depth: Deepens World-Building: It gives authors a natural excuse to showcase the breadth of their fictional universe through the fresh eyes of an outsider. Highlights Contrast: By contrasting the temporary home with the character's homeland, stories can sharply highlight major themes like freedom versus oppression, or nature versus industrialism.

The word sojourn comes from the Vulgar Latin verb subdiurnare, meaning "to spend the day". It combines the prefix sub- (meaning "under," "until," or "for a while") with diurnare (meaning "to last long" or from diurnus, meaning "of a day," derived from dies, meaning "day"). The Vulgar Latin term evolved into the Old French verb sojorner or surjurner, meaning "to stay temporarily" or "to rest". According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of sojourn in English dates to the Middle English period (1150-1500). The earliest known use of the noun sojourn is before 1325 (documented in Genesis & Exodus). The earliest evidence of the verb sojourn is documented around 1290 in the South English Legendary.

The age old tale of the battle between religion and homosexuality, but this one contains a few twists that you might not be expecting. If you're looking for an interesting coming out story, then give this one a try. It might surprise you.

As drsawzall pointed out, it would be nice if some folks practiced what they preached, or what was in their Holy Bible. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The age old conflict between religion and homosexuality. And if God doesn't make mistakes, then how do they account for the fact that so many other animal species have their own examples of same sex attractions. They obviously weren't corrupted by reading banned books or groomed by some deviant influencer. I'm glad Jasper and Luke have had the courage to standup for themselves, although the road ahead certainly won't be easy.

That's the way, drsawzall, beat them with their own words. 😀

Sounds like a line from a gangster movie.

The term lucent—meaning glowing, luminous, or clear—plays a vital role in storytelling by enhancing visual imagery, thematic depth, and emotional clarity. Authors use the concept of lucency both literally (to describe light) and metaphorically (to describe truth and transparency). Here is a breakdown of why lucent elements are important in narrative craft: Mood and Atmospheric World Building: Atmospheric Contrast: Incorporating lucent elements (like a glowing forest, a luminous crystal, or a single bright beam of light) creates instant visual contrast against dark, dreary, or mundane settings. Sensory Immersion: Describing how light interacts with the environment—such as "lucent waters" or "translucent mist"—helps readers vividly visualize the texture and air of a fictional world. Symbolic and Thematic Weight: Truth and Revelation: Light traditionally symbolizes knowledge. A lucent object or setting often appears at moments of epiphany, guiding characters toward a profound truth or exposing a hidden secret. Hope and Purity: In dark or dystopian narratives, lucent objects represent uncorrupted purity, serving as a beacon of hope that the protagonists strive to protect or reach. Characterization and Emotional Resonance: Internal Clarity: When applied to a character's traits—such as "lucent eyes" or a "lucent spirit"—it signals honesty, innocence, or heightened spiritual awareness. Visual Anchors: A lucent heirloom or artifact can tie a character to their heritage or destiny, acting as a physical representation of their internal growth.

The adjective lucent (meaning "shining," "bright," or "translucent") was borrowed from Latin lucentem or lucens, the present participle of lucēre ("to shine," "glow," or "emit light"). It can also be traced back to a Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root *leuk- ("light," "brightness," or "to shine"). According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the adjective lucent first appeared in English around 1500. The related noun lucence dates slightly earlier in Middle English, appearing around 1485 in the Digby Mysteries. Lucent shares the same *leuk- ancestry as lucid (specifically recorded in 1581 in the writings of Cardinal William Allen), translucent (from 1568 in the writings of the Scottish chronicler and poet William Stewart, elucidate (from 1538, in a letter written by Miles Coverdale), lumen (from 1873 and specifically appearing in the writings of philosopher Thomas Hill Green, and lunar (both as an adjective and a noun in 1626 and found in the writings of the philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon).

This is a somewhat unusual coming out story. When the main character, Cary, is forced out of the closet on his 17th birthday, it triggers a slow moving avalanche that eventually exposes many more skeletons that were hidden in other closets. If you want to find out what I mean, then read this marvelous and well developed short story, and I promise you won't regret it.

Awesome story, Gary. Even though the family was homophobic and wouldn't accept Cary being gay, the other revelations, although disturbing, weren't all that unusual. If I were to expose the skeleton's in my family's closet, it would take a novel, not a short story, to explain each and everyone of them. I'm glad this worked out for Cary, Susan Mary, and Jamie, and that Susan Mary and Jamie were supportive of Cary when he needed them most. Your story was very well developed, and even though the feelings and outrage somewhat understated, they were emotionally charged enough to portray the dilemma that Cary found himself in. Well done!

If you're looking for an unusual and very intriguing short story, then be sure to check this one out. The main character has a disability, but he doesn't let it control him. In fact, he devises a way to use it to his advantage and slowly uses it to include his best friend, so he can ask if he is also gay. In addition to that, you'll also get to enjoy some of Lee's wit, and some of his humor will make you laugh out loud as you're reading. Be prepared to enjoy this wonderful and imaginative tale.

An unusual and very interesting coming out story, with some of Lee's humor mixed in along the way. Very delightful and informative, and I'm glad Johnson's parents have figured it out and don't have a problem with him being gay. It also means that Tanner has a safe place to enjoy and experience the wonders of boy-to-boy sex, that's if Tanner's parents aren't also okay with their son being gay. If the Rhodes are fine with that, then the boys are all set. Thanks for such a wonderful and comical short story.

I'm fascinated that you've chosen to base your story around a character with a disability. I had relatives that were mute and knew some ASL at the time, which is now mostly forgotten due to lack of use, but I'm interested to see how this story proceeds.

There was a time when ancient civilizations and religions demanded sacrifices to bring summon good luck and feared the consequences if the sacrifices were not made. If you want to understand what I mean by this comment, then read this forceful, moving, and terrifying short story to learn the extremes some will go to guarantee success and avoid failure.

Curiosity killed the cat, but this time the cat got lucky. Marvelous story, Tim, and it reminded me of ancient peoples and religions that used human sacrifices to correct unwelcomed events - such as famine or drought - or to ensure a request - such as a good harvest or mild weather. This was a truly moving and powerful short story. Well done!

Redamancy—the act of loving in return, or a love that is fully reciprocated—is one of the most powerful thematic tools a storyteller can use. While tragic, unrequited love often gets the spotlight for creating high drama, true redamancy provides deep psychological satisfaction and drives narratives forward in distinct ways. It Raises the Stakes: When two characters share a deeply mutual, established love, they have everything to lose. Storytellers use redamancy not as a "happily ever after" finish line, but as a baseline to multiply the tension. If a character faces danger, the stakes are automatically doubled because the audience fears for both the character and the partner who loves them completely. It Subverts the "Will They, Won't They" Fatigue: When two characters share a deeply mutual, established love, they have everything to lose. Storytellers use redamancy not as a "happily ever after" finish line, but as a baseline to multiply the tension. If a character faces danger, the stakes are automatically doubled because the audience fears for both the character and the partner who loves them completely. It Powers Character Transformation: True redamancy acts as a mirror and a safe harbor. When a character is loved unconditionally and returns that love, it gives them the emotional security needed to grow. It can: * Heal past traumas or insecurities. * Inspire an anti-hero to seek redemption. * Give a weary protagonist the strength to make a ultimate sacrifice. It Formulates the Ultimate Emotional Payoff: In stories where redamancy is hard-won, the moment of mutual realization satisfies the audience's emotional investment. After chapters or episodes of yearning, seeing two characters finally achieve a perfectly balanced, equal emotional ground provides a profound sense of catharsis and relief.

Redamancy comes from the New Latin noun redamantia, which derives from the Classical Latin verb redamō ("to requite love" or "to love back"). It combines the prefix re- ("back" or "again") with amāre ("to love"), paired with a nominal suffix indicating a state or action. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the English noun first appeared in the mid-1600s (recorded specifically in 1656 by antiquary and lexicographer Thomas Blount). It is a rare, largely obsolete or poetic word that has experienced modern revivals in literature and social media.

This is the start of another of Myr's wonderful Sci-Fi stories, and since this is only the first week of posting of stories for this year's anthology, I have a feeling Myr will have a follow-up for us in the next couple of weeks. Be sure to read this is Sci-Fi is your thing, and then you'll be prepared for what will come next.

As usual, a highly interesting beginning of a story, but obviously not complete, and since this is only the first week of the anthology postings, I take it another part will be coming soon. I know something extraordinary will be happening, because when the water pulled away from the beach farther than what was normal, it's a good sign that a seismic event has occurred. If that is the case, then a tsunami will soon be rushing to that same location and overwhelming the shoreline. I can't wait to read more of this complicated, intruiging, and sometimes humorous tale.

An elegiac tone or mode in storytelling is important because it shifts a narrative from simple action or conflict to deep emotional reflection, transforming loss, time, and mortality into a source of beauty and meaning. Core Functions in Storytelling: Processing Grief and Loss: It gives characters (and readers) a structured space to mourn deaths, failed relationships, or vanished eras, turning raw pain into contemplative sorrow. Navigating the Passage of Time: It highlights the transient nature of life, empires, youth, or communities, evoking a bittersweet awareness that nothing gold can stay. Moving from Sorrow to Consolation: Like the classic three-part structure of an elegy—sorrow/lament, admiration/praise, and ultimate acceptance or solace—it helps a story find emotional resolution even when a happy ending is impossible. Deepening Character Intimacy: By focusing on internal reflection and memory rather than outward spectacle, it creates a quiet, vulnerable connection between the audience and the protagonist's inner world. Elevating Stakes Beyond the Physical: It frames destruction not just as a lost battle or a broken object, but as the erasure of a unique history, culture, or innocence that can never be fully recovered.

The word elegiac comes from the Greek word elegeiakos, meaning "pertaining to an elegy or "elegiac couplet". It stems from the Greek word élegos (ἔλεγος), which means a song of lament or a funeral poem. (Some scholars also connect élegos to the ritual mourning cry eleleu!). It evolved into elegeion or elegeia, referring specifically to verses written in an elegiac couplet (a dactylic hexameter followed by a dactylic pentameter). The Greek adjective, elegeiakos, formed to describe poetry or meters written in this structure. It then passed into Latin as elegiacus and Middle French as élégiaque before entering the English language in the 1580s. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the word elegiac in English dates from before 1586, in the writings of the author and courtier Sir Philip Sidney. Originally, the earliest English usage, elegiac referred strictly to classical poetic meter—specifically, dactylic hexameter and pentameter couplets (known as elegiac couplets) inherited from ancient Greek and Latin poetry. By the 1640s, the definition shifted to mean anything directly relating to or characteristic of an elegy (a funeral song or poem of lament). By around 1800, the modern sense developed to describe a general mood of expressing sorrow, melancholy, or a nostalgic longing for the past.

If you enjoy dystopian Sci-Fi stories where the little guy is fighting to merely survive and not become a casualty of those in power, then this story is for you. There is plenty of intrigue and suspense along the way, and you find yourself rooting for the two main characters, Lee and Toby. Their goal is to maintain control and benefit from their intellectual property, rather then see it benefit a government, corporation, or merely disappear completely.