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)

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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)

Quick Time #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 B-Story propels the protagonist to learn the theme, or lesson, of the book. It's time to take action! The theme of this book is asking if "Love really conquers all." A new character(s) is often introduced at this stage, one who will represent the change(s) to come and who will help the hero achieve the main goal.

The mysterious ring giver appears. He promises answers and change, once they all go to the Cave. First, Xavier has to get everyone together and on the same page.

(Jez has gone to tend to her mom, Heath and Hannah are searching for his parents, Jun is helping his step-sister, Caleb is off sulking, and Wend is focused on her fertility issues.)

Have you ever had to "herd cats," as in getting a group together that isn't focused on the common goal?

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)

Prepare to Say Goodbye #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 final distraction from the main goal.

Jez breaks it off with the lightning guy (from letter M) when she learns her mother is sick. She goes to India to be with her.

Have you ever had to be there for a dying family member?

 

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)

Oh Parents, Where Art Thou #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.

Heath's parents… when was the last time they made contact? Hannah wants to know. They go to try to find them. Finding their hearts is even more difficult.

(This is another "side-quest" deviating from the primary goal.)   

Have you ever known someone with parents who were largely "absent"? How do you feel about such parents?

 

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)

No Good Deed #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.

A side-quest has occurred in Act 1, revealing a backstory that will be relevant and needed later.

Jun's step-sister is being blackmailed. Her landlord died, and his son took over. The son drugged her, videoed her in a compromising situation, and forced her to sign a waiver that he could hide cameras and live-stream her. It's not just about moving from where she's a community leader, but getting the videos down. It isn’t just her. 

Hannah is particularly upset by this news. Heath learns that, when he was Frank, he saved her from similar exploitation. 

Have you ever had to protect a family member? 

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)

Maybe It's Better This Way #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.

When debating what to do, and if they should do it, protagonists usually encounter reasons NOT to answer the call, not to move the story forward. So the next goal is for the characters to face the realities of other paths. 

(Lichtenberg figures or Keraunographic Markings)

Jez meets a guy with Lightning tattoo-like marks. True love? One of their kind? No. But she promised her mom she'd find someone. She can't talk to Wend about it, because they aren't speaking. 

Xavier feels like he has failed to reunite their kind because these two can't get along. He turns to Heath. 

But Heath is a wreck because Hannah is saying they already had their happy life and she's more in love with the previous version of him. So he's busy trying to win her over in this lifetime, which is difficult because he has been avoiding serious relationships. Except with Caleb, but it feels cruel to ask him. 

Have you ever met someone who survived being struck by lightning? 

 

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 is halfway over for 2026!

May 4 -9 Reflections (bonus blog hop)

Like, Love, or Leave #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're debating what to do and how to do it, more problems arise. 

Eden and Jez have a huge fight.

 

Jun was playing guitar by the firepit. Eden started singing a song to go with the tune. But the lyrics were very suggestive. Is it an actual song, the kind that's published and out in the world? Or was Eden seducing Jun? 

Jez demands that Jun and Eden kiss. If there's nothing going on, it won't matter. Xavier says it's a bad idea. So, naturally, Jez leaps on him and kisses him. Really kisses him. Wend's fury is obvious as the wind kicks up. Heath tries to calm her as he clings protectively to Hannah. 

💋🌪

Have you ever been romantically interested in someone who was attracted to someone else in your social circle? 

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)