Zero Days #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.

Now split, but with members of the other group, they leave the Cave. Caleb and Jun head off to find Light. Xavier and Wend travel back to New York to prepare for their babies. The effects of the Consent spell ripple across the world. 

This is where the ⏰ticking-clock comes in. They haven't yet learned if Love can conquer all. They don't yet know if they're a help or a hindrance to life on Earth, if the Eyes in the Shadows are right to want to destroy them. But they've taken actions that cannot be undone, so now the consequences are playing out. The surviving members must change, they can't go back to who they were, they must adapt and overcome for the rest of the story, and all of that will happen under the pressure of time constraints. 

How might our real world be different if everyone were forced to obey consent-guides? 

Fellow writers, allow me to suggest: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/save-the-cat-middle-1   Perfect if you want to brush up on Story Beats. 

Or http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-save-cat-beat-sheet.html  For a bit more instruction.

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)