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)
📚💙 — 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)
Do I have strong feelings about....
ReplyDeleteI do. I think it's important that everyone feels represented in a way that hurts no one else (and that's the critical bit. LGBTQIA+ choices aren't harmful to the people around you - they make people feel better about themselves, and they're personal choice. Expressing that personal choice is personal), and flags can be part of that, as long as they're not used in an oppressive way? I guess what I'm saying is that as long as we're adding to the human experience, not limiting it, or declaring a faction that has hurt others, that I think it's just fine, and I love many people who align with that flag, without reservation.
And I love the definitions you've shared about the colours.
Kai
Well put.
DeleteAnd the other question - do I review books online?
ReplyDeleteI used to. Now that I write as well as read, I tend to stay away from reviewing the genres I'm heavily involved in, unless I'm on a break from writing (which currently is never, but might change).
While I don't review, any books I love, I talk about and ensure they're featured in places like Substack, my blogs, my newsletters.
I even show my Kindle to the Drs and nurses that look after me if they're after reccs. Got a folder of books I can show off almost instantly.
Kai
I'm big on writing reviews after reading books. I mean, I wrote a book on the subject.
DeleteI'd be bigger on it if Amazon didn't remove them because I'm an author. I can however recommend in my storefronts to my heart's content, so I'm off to find your book now ;)
DeleteI'm one of those outdated, idealistic minority who think everyone has the right to be the way they are in the world and be respected for who they are. But respect is not fashionable right now. Bullying seems to be the flavour of the decade.
ReplyDeleteI prefer respect. Hopefully the bullies will be defeated.
DeleteI have not reviewed books online.
ReplyDeleteDo I have strong feelings about the pride flag? No. I do enjoy when it triggers people. They got angry at my congressman for having one outside his office (in his office?). Now my current congressman is openly gay, but I don't know if he flies the pride flag.
Excellent representation. Idealy, it'd be nice if our "groupings" (gender, orientation, creed, religions, heritage, etc) were all represented in Congress. A difficult task, obviously. But it would be interesting to see how the rules would work out.
DeleteI have not kept count of my book reviews.
ReplyDeleteThere are interesting characters in the plot. Good luck with your new book.
Thanks.
DeleteSites such as Goodreads keep track of numbers of reviews.
I'm in awe of anyone who has the talent to write a book. I read a lot but I wouldn't know where to start to write one. My only strong feelings about the pride flag, is that I think everyone should be able to live their lives the way that they want to, and with respect. Jennifer - https://substack.com/trackingdownthefamily
ReplyDeleteWell phrased.
DeleteA secret library? I want one! I'm sure Goodreads has a fair idea of how many books I've reviewed (at least in the last decade). I like the Pride flag and it's vibrant colours. I saw a video recently on how it was originally made and it was beautiful :-)
ReplyDeleteI saw a game show where the original designer was on as a clue.
Delete