Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today: Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight!
September 3 question -
What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats?
I'm not cool enough to know what any of that actually is, so I don't have any thoughts on it. I don't use it. I do use Grammarly, which I have been very open about, and even have a link on my sidebar. I use it for spelling and editing. I don't use any of the "write it for me" features.
August 18 - August 24 report:
TOPIC CHANGE!
Time to talk about my novella, or novelette, Jewels of Darterra.
Before writing, I discovered this term, STARGENDER.
"In more accurate terms the word may also refer to worldly non human gender that is beyond which genders are discovered, coined or comprehended by earthly terms."
I considered the possibilities of this when writing the story. The characters do not technically have genders, as reproduction is handled entirely by the moon world. (Yes, they have emotions, feel love, and express it. But they do not get pregnant, give birth themselves, or have reproductive organs. And I did use pronouns- though it's debatable if those pronouns are accurate.)
Consider the Orcs in the LOTR movies.
As a Native American, I considered how I could tie this knowledge into my world-building. Which is how the antagonist Jaildarn was created. Those with a gold jewel were depleting in number, no longer relevant to the world. Unable to deal with this reality, they get all genocidal. This gave me Belp, the protagonist, and the question "Could Belp have prevented all this death, and if so, why didn't he?"
While it is a speculative fiction story set on a moon world, it's easy to draw parallels to social issues here on our real world, if one is so inclined.
(A "race" that was known for exploration and discovery is declining in population and generates a villain, and a "race" known for their connection to the stones, rocks, the very world itself, produces a hero.)
Has a word or concept you had not previously encountered ever inspired you to write a story?
9798231627950 ISBN
Please 👏 add to your "want to read."
Expected publication September 9, 2025
🕮 - J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge
💖Thank you to the 37 friends who wished me well on my Facebook profile timeline facebook.com/j.lennidorner
https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
#AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website. Watch for special features: Sept 3- Intergeneration Month - Arlee Sept 17- Condiment Month - J
