Grand Canyon #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.

Xavier's ring is acting up again. Wend demands to know who gave it to him. She remembers it acting strangely in a previous life when they had trouble conceiving. 

He describes the man. Hannah suggests, though it's a long shot, that she might have an idea. The group goes back to her place. It's in Kanab, Utah, where "her Frank" built it, overlooking the Grand Canyon. (Hypothetical example of the home.)

This gives Wend and Jez a reason to spend more time together. 

Hannah points out to Heath that they can't start at the beginning again. They aren't going to become new parents. He remembers the good times. She remembers him being gone, remembers occasional military members showing up with stories of the husband she hadn't had contact with for years, then for decades. That she couldn't move on, was alone and suffering, and that he was out saving everyone but her. 

In this life, he was born to parents who are out saving everyone but him. The neglect that shaped his chronic "misbehavior" in this life may have been some cosmic retribution for the unintentional neglect he inadvertently inflicted on her in his previous life. 

Hannah asks whether they are still compatible, or if she's just better than the mountain of humans he's climbed over the last few years. Heath has to prove they still share core values, communicate well, trust and support each other, have the same long-term goals, and that he respects her worth and achievements.

Have you ever wanted to see the Grand Canyon? Do images of the Grand Canyon evoke any powerful emotions (happiness, gratitude, fear, etc) in you? 

Photo by Tim Hart on Unsplash

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

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📚💙 — 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)

Flag #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.

Still in the setup phase, this actually goes back to "D," as the main characters are still establishing where they are in life right now. 

Is Eden one of The Existence? Is Hannah? What Are They? 

Caleb angrily debates this with the others while heavily drinking, trying desperately to be intoxicated. But what really has his fur in a bunch is that everyone seems to be paired off. Finding their soulmates. Well, La Dee Dah, but Caleb already found his when he met Heath. And now Heath, the playboy of the group, the one who seemed incapable of keeping his pants closed, has committed to one individual? One memory flood just washed away everything from this lifetime? 

And Jez, who was so unwilling to commit, is asking him to go look at bridal gowns with her? 

Oh, and an interesting statistic, as Caleb just looked it up, in the early nineteen-eighties, Eden was a rarely used name in the United States, and mainly for baby girls. So Caleb declares that at least he's no longer the only one "waving a rainbow Pride flag" 🏳️‍🌈 in this group anymore. 

Meaning of the colors (Original 8-stripe Pride flag) :

Hot Pink: Sexuality

Red: Life

Orange: Healing

Yellow: Sunlight

Green: Nature

Turquoise: Magic/Art

Indigo: Harmony/Serenity

Violet: Spirit

Do you have any strong feelings about the rainbow Pride flag, or the LGBTQIA+ community? 

     * note, hateful and intolerant comments will be removed

Alternative discussion:

There's another scene in Heath's apartment where Hannah discovers he has a secret library. A vast collection of books, thousands of which he has reviewed online under an assumed identity. 

How many books have you reviewed online? 

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

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📚💙 — 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)

Eyes in the Shadows #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.

This next part of the setup checks in with the "group vs group" antagonists. 

After their narrow defeats in Proof of Existence, the Eyes in the Shadows must regroup and reassess how to best end all life on Earth. The Existence is causing life to reincarnate rather than end, according to the EitS. Paradise will never be obtainable as long as those meddling omnioptent beings keep them trapped here on this damned planet. 

Ecoterrorism in reverse! Coerce societal change to accelerate the destruction of the planet. The past few decades, especially since the Industrial Revolution, have proven that they can weaken their enemies by polluting their essence. The capturing of their "Air" proved this. Yes, she survived, but only barely. They had been so close! And in Canada, had they been slightly more prepared, they could have defeated The Existence. Maybe if there were fewer people to worship them, even inadvertently (as almost no one still believes they exist), that would weaken them? 

Yes. Reduce the population and pollute the world! That's the way to get to Heaven, or at least off of this rock and out of the cycle of death and rebirth.

Do you consider a goal to destroy all life on Earth to be villainous? Does it evoke happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, disgust, fear, or contempt in you?

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

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📚💙 — 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)

Did Anyone Get a Pronoun #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 setup continues, as the story reveals what other main characters have been doing and what conflicts they'll bring.

A gathering at Xavier and Wend's shifts the focus from the event to Jez, who has brought Eden. Just a date? No, definitely not. Jez is convinced this is her soulmate. Her mother introduced them. Have they only just met, or only just met IN THIS LIFE? The group splits as they discuss the relationship and Eden. ⚤⚧ ?

Jez's and Wend's friendship grows. They both long to have a best friend. 

Heath is all-in for Hannah, but she questions if he really wants the relationship or is just going for something easy because he can. He wants to take her clubbing and to fancy restaurants, but she wants to stay in and cuddle.

Have you ever been to an event where the focus was pulled to someone's drama?

 

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

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📚💙 — 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 4 LAST DAY TO Sign-up!!!

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

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

Challenges and Changes #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 goal is to establish where other main characters are right now in the story. This both catches the reader up and sets up the other conflicts that will happen in this book.

In Fractions of Existence, the challenge was to get Wend back with The Existence and, consequently, back to Xavier. In Proof of Existence, they finally cemented their relationship in this lifetime by marrying. Ah yes, as the popular rhythm goes, first comes love, then comes marriage… time for a baby carriage. 🚼 Alas, Wend's womb remains unoccupied. Omnipotent beings can't seem to reproduce. Plenty of memories and living evidence suggest they've successfully had offspring before, so what has changed?

 
Have you ever known someone battling with infertility? Any emotions on the topic to share?

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

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📚💙 — 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:

March 23- April 4 Sign-up

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

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

But Is Love Enough #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 goal is to introduce the central idea, or life lesson, that will be discovered and fought for throughout the story. ﹘ If Love conquers all, then Love can change characters, and Love must be a transformative, powerful force.

"Don't you know? Love overcomes all odds." Hannah tells Heath when they reconnect. But how many "odds" will they need to overcome? Is reuniting in this life enough? The Eyes in the Shadows still have plans to extinguish all life on Earth. And Hannah, lovely as she is, doesn't possess a way to stop them. In fact, this isn't the first time they've faced such a potential extinction ploy.

Have you ever witnessed an example where love was not enough to overcome all odds?

 

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

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📚💙 — 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:

March 23- April 4 Sign-up

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

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

A heart's desire #AtoZchallenge 2026 #Writing #Plotting #StoryBeats and #IWSG Fractions of Existence Playlist

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

Cave of Existence picks up where Proof of Existence left off. Heath had a revelation (thanks to Chance). 

This is the fourth scene in the book. Heath is determined to find Hannah. He had been like a rudderless ship, washing into any port, often crashing against the rocks. (Hilarious, given his true nature.) But as his memories of his past lives slip from his rocky mind, he gains a sense of purpose. He feels that Hannah is the key to everything.

Check that the opening has some primal urges:

• Survival (The Existence is working to keep life surviving, the Eyes in the Shadows are trying to end all life on Earth.)
• Hunger (We see Heath and Chance eating a light meal while standing and waiting.)
• Sex (😍😉😚 Give Heath a minute... )
• Protection of Loved Ones (No one is in immediate danger at the opening scene.)
• Fear of Death (No One is dying in the opening scene)

So we start by seeing the "flawed" world in which Hannah and Heath have been apart. 

The first time we see Hannah is on a gangplank as she's leaving the cruise ship she was on. 🚢 Hannah is happily chatting with a nonverbal boy with cerebral palsy (who uses a computerised communication touchpad). His parents shed tears of joy, as the boy had never interacted so much with anyone. 

^ video of a show with a young person who uses a computerised communication touchpad ^

This novel will examine whether "love conquers all," meaning that external obstacles and internal struggles will test relationships while highlighting love as the driving force in overcoming these challenges, even if the victory comes at a high cost. 

Have you ever felt like another person could be the key to unlocking your truest self?
What would get you to instantly feel a strong connection to a character? (An elderly, kind, female character.)

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

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https://writestats.com/writing-books-readers-discuss-how-to-write-books-readers-want-to-talk-about-not-just-finish/  - In Fractions of Existence, Xavier faces the decision to protect Wend's ignorance rather than force a truth and responsibility on her. 
Cave of Existence has a moral quandary about relationships. Heath's choices seem one way, but Hannah sees them another way. 

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InsecureWritersSupportGroup.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13

Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today: Melissa Maygrove, Cathrina Constantine, Kate Larkinsdale, and Rebecca Douglass!

April 1 question - If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?

I don't really have a playlist, but for this prompt, I made one for Fractions of Existence.


Chapter 1 takes place in 2003

1. "Here Without You" - 3 Doors Down
   

The rest of the book is set in 2005.

2. "Rain" -Madonna
3. "Furious" - Ja Rule
4. "I’ll Be Back Around" - I Am the Avalanche (whoops, that's from 2011)
5. "Baby One More Time" - Travis
   
6. "Painkiller" - Three Days Grace
7. "Miss This" - Soul Asylum
8. "Hands Down" - Dashboard Confessional
9. "Numb" – Linkin Park
10. "Sugar, We're Goin Down" - Fall Out Boy
11. "The Islander" - Nightwish
12. "Water’s Edge" - Seven Mary Three
13. "Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus
14. "Lips Like Morphine" - Kill Hannah (whoops, that's from 2006)
15. "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers
16. "Tubthumping" - Chumbawamba
17. "The Reason" – Hoobastank
18. "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" - Green Day
19. "Sweetness" - Jimmy Eat World
20. "Hey There Delilah" - Plain White T's (bonus song in the "credits")

I used Spotify for the first time. So, if you want to listen to the (totally unofficial, I have NO LEGAL RIGHTS to any of these, for an entertaining blog post ONLY) soundtrack, there's that.
I'm leaving the Travis video because most people know the lyrics from another artist, but the way Travis performs the song gives an entirely different vibe.

 

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📚💙 — 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:

March 23- April 4 Sign-up

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

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)