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)
It sounds like things are coming to a head.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, with the whole alphabet, I only get 2/3 of the plotting. Don't even get to the curse!
DeleteI took a troop hiking. I have hiked lots in my childhood, though not regularly or recently or much as an adult, but I didn't realize what the combination of arthritis in the hips and recent surgery would do. I got to the halfway mark and was ready to collapse. I seriously thought about falling over. The girls were chatty (teenagers). There was no way to get a vehicle that far, they would have to carry me. The whole walk back, I concentrated on one foot at a time. I counted time. In my head, the introspection, was bouncing between taking care of my girls and the Trail of Tears - imagining all the people on that trail who kept walking until they fell over and were killed. "You aren't that bad off. You got the girls. People have done far worse. Ignore the pain. People have forced other people to do more. You can do this." Two hours of agony over rugged terrain (a medium trail during spring runoff). I got back. But that was only four hours - about 10 to 15 miles, I forget how many. Not 950 miles. Perspective can be devastating.
ReplyDeleteYeah, gotta be gentle with your body as it ages.
DeleteI can see how this can move the story forward both internally and externally.
ReplyDeleteGood good.
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