Xenocrysts #AtoZchallenge 2026 #Writing #Plotting #StoryBeats

My theme for the 2026 A to Z Challenge is plotting Book Three in my Existence series — Cave of Existence.

Xenocrysts: Individual foreign crystals rather than large rock fragments, frequently found in volcanic rock.

"Chekhov's Gun" - Russian playwright Anton Chekhov advised that if you introduce a gun in the first act of a play, it must be fired by the final act to avoid wasting the audience's attention. The principle means every element introduced in a story should serve a purpose and have a payoff, with the "gun" symbolizing any significant detail, object, or piece of information that must be used later for narrative effect.  

In Fractions of Existence, Xavier's ring was the "Chekhov's Gun." As the ring has now fully served its purpose, a new object is being introduced. 

Heath pulls xenocrysts from volcanic rock in the cave and embeds them in a necklace for Hannah, to be given to her in her next life, so he will recognize her sooner. There's so much to remember now. They can't make the same mistakes again! 

The sword-secret has many questions for Hannah.

What's your favorite gemstone?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249351265-cave-of-existence - "Want to read" (Book is not yet published)

---

📚💙 — J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

🛒Existence Series books: https://amzn.to/4rQwBsv
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  I'm grateful for follows!  https://www.goodreads.com/j_lenni_dorner
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. 

Important dates for A-to-Z 2026:

April The International April Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog Hop 

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

Weapon or Tool #AtoZchallenge 2026 #Writing #Plotting #StoryBeats

My theme for the 2026 A to Z Challenge is plotting Book Three in my Existence series — Cave of Existence.

To achieve their goals, sacrifices must be made. What will they give? Will it be enough? Is it the right decision?

A question is posed debating whether they are a weapon or a tool. Are people harmed because they exist? Do they limit life on Earth by being here? Or are they a way life could improve, be safer, and be more secure? 

Jez discovers the secret of a sword. 

What is the greatest sacrifice you have ever made, and was it worth it? 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249351265-cave-of-existence - "Want to read" (Book is not yet published)

---

📚💙 — J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

🛒Existence Series books: https://amzn.to/4rQwBsv
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  I'm grateful for follows!  https://www.goodreads.com/j_lenni_dorner
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. 

Important dates for A-to-Z 2026:

April The International April Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog Hop 

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

View in the Dark #AtoZchallenge 2026 #Writing #Plotting #StoryBeats

My theme for the 2026 A to Z Challenge is plotting Book Three in my Existence series — Cave of Existence.

They finally get to the heart of the cave. True Darkness surrounds them as they learn the truth and history behind their kind. They have, directly or indirectly, been responsible for a lot of historical events, many of which are remarkable tragedies. It is revealed why Wend left the group, severing The Existence and dampening their powers and memories.

But what about the present and the future?

What is the darkest dark you have ever experienced? 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249351265-cave-of-existence - "Want to read" (Book is not yet published)

---

📚💙 — J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

🛒Existence Series books: https://amzn.to/4rQwBsv
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  I'm grateful for follows!  https://www.goodreads.com/j_lenni_dorner
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. 

Important dates for A-to-Z 2026:

April The International April Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog Hop 

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

Understand The Traps #AtoZchallenge 2026 #Writing #Plotting #StoryBeats

My theme for the 2026 A to Z Challenge is plotting Book Three in my Existence series — Cave of Existence.

The first part of getting in was difficult. But now there are traps to face. 

Everyone needs to work together. The traps are designed so that only they could get past, but also designed to make them want to give up.

What sort of traps do you expect would be set for omnipotent beings? 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249351265-cave-of-existence - "Want to read" (Book is not yet published)

---

📚💙 — J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

🛒Existence Series books: https://amzn.to/4rQwBsv
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  I'm grateful for follows!  https://www.goodreads.com/j_lenni_dorner
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. 

Important dates for A-to-Z 2026:

April The International April Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog Hop 

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

Trials and Trails #AtoZchallenge 2026 #Writing #Plotting #StoryBeats

My theme for the 2026 A to Z Challenge is plotting Book Three in my Existence series — Cave of Existence.

One does not simply spelunk into the Cave of Existence. 

Heath has to make a serious effort to keep Hannah safe as they travel. 

Wend and Jez need to work together to move the group.

They are each also dealing with how they feel about existing, about their roles and contributions to all life on Earth. The journey to the cave is forcing them to reflect on themselves. 

What is the most physically challenging adventure you have ever done, and did it cause any introspection? 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249351265-cave-of-existence - "Want to read" (Book is not yet published)

---

📚💙 — J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

🛒Existence Series books: https://amzn.to/4rQwBsv
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  I'm grateful for follows!  https://www.goodreads.com/j_lenni_dorner
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. 

Important dates for A-to-Z 2026:

April The International April Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog Hop 

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

Something Should be Different #AtoZchallenge 2026 #Writing #Plotting #StoryBeats

My theme for the 2026 A to Z Challenge is plotting Book Three in my Existence series — Cave of Existence.

As they face the obstacles of getting in the cave, a philosophical debate starts. It's an Internal Struggle to go along with the External Struggle.

It's pointed out that they exist. Something should be different because they are here on Earth. It's debatable as to why they're here, they are here. Thus, they should make the world different. If they're not supposed to be here, then something would stop them. The Eyes in the Shadows would finally defeat them, perhaps. But if they are here, if they're worth existing, then they should make the world different, make it better for all life. 

How do you make a difference in the world? 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249351265-cave-of-existence - "Want to read" (Book is not yet published)

---

📚💙 — J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

🛒Existence Series books: https://amzn.to/4rQwBsv
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  I'm grateful for follows!  https://www.goodreads.com/j_lenni_dorner
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. 

Important dates for A-to-Z 2026:

April The International April Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog Hop 

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

Remember When #AtoZchallenge 2026 #Writing #Plotting #StoryBeats

My theme for the 2026 A to Z Challenge is plotting Book Three in my Existence series — Cave of Existence.

The next portion of the story is about the struggle of the main characters. It's a path toward success or toward failure. There's an assumption that the hero either will do something or will fail horribly, but it will entertain and educate the reader either way.

In Heath's previous life, as Frank, he was a highly decorated military officer sent early on to Vietnam. He ended up rescuing many prisoners by hiding them in a cave. He thought it was the Cave of Existence because every member of the Existence was represented. 

Vietnam's most famous discovered cave is Hang Sơn Đoòng (Son Doong Cave), the world's largest natural cave by volume, located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, first found by local Ho Khanh in 1990.

But actually, the real Cave of Existence is much older and deeper. The entrance is hidden in Challenger Deep. Humans cannot get to it, much less survive if they got in. A plan is needed to get The Existence to the Cave. 

Have you ever been in a cave?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249351265-cave-of-existence - "Want to read" (Book is not yet published)

---

📚💙 — J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

🛒Existence Series books: https://amzn.to/4rQwBsv
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  I'm grateful for follows!  https://www.goodreads.com/j_lenni_dorner
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. 

Important dates for A-to-Z 2026:

April The International April Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog Hop 

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)