My theme for the 2026 A to Z Challenge is plotting Book Three in my Existence series — Cave of Existence.
Xenocrysts: Individual foreign crystals rather than large rock fragments, frequently found in volcanic rock.
"Chekhov's Gun" - Russian playwright Anton Chekhov advised that if you introduce a gun in the first act of a play, it must be fired by the final act to avoid wasting the audience's attention. The principle means every element introduced in a story should serve a purpose and have a payoff, with the "gun" symbolizing any significant detail, object, or piece of information that must be used later for narrative effect.
In Fractions of Existence, Xavier's ring was the "Chekhov's Gun." As the ring has now fully served its purpose, a new object is being introduced.
Heath pulls xenocrysts from volcanic rock in the cave and embeds them in a necklace for Hannah, to be given to her in her next life, so he will recognize her sooner. There's so much to remember now. They can't make the same mistakes again!
The sword-secret has many questions for Hannah.
What's your favorite gemstone?
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)
I once read a novella where every.single.element introduced was used. There was no extraneous stuff. Something describe on a desk, you know was about to be used. Sometimes scene dressing is needed to hide the fact the gun on the wall is important. That story got boring real quick.
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes true.
DeleteAh yes, Chekhov's Gun. I don't have a favorite gemstone. I'm not big on jewelry.
ReplyDeleteFair enough.
DeleteThank you for visiting my blog and for letting me know about the guest spot. I'll look for details on May 3rd. My favorite gemstone is a sapphire but I also have a topaz I love.
ReplyDeleteCool cool.
DeleteThat sounds like a great story. My favorite gemstone is Amethyst.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteMy favourite gemstone is Lapis lazuli.
ReplyDeleteI always thought that Chehkow's gun was ... if not stupid, at least going against the theories including red herrings and flavour elements. My fave literary theory is Suspension of Disbelief coined by S.T.Coleridge