November 2024 Issue 2

In this issue: A few cozy and yummy stories. And a minor tech issue.

MOVING PAST FRONTIERS 🚀

If you're (relatively) new here, "Hello! I'm Nila, and I have stories to tell you." 🤓

I write and post a short story every week on my site. The stories have a theme for the year. I recently started my twelfth year of storytelling, if you can believe it. (Believe it!) The theme of Year 12 is "Praxis." I discovered that word when I was brainstorming. It sparked the idea that I should engage in the praxis (formal practice) of my craft, fiction storytelling. A few of those stories are already out, and you can explore them here.

In recent years, I've also added a monthly theme. We're currently in Arcane November. I'm delving into some actual physical reference books I have on my bookshelf about topics such as alchemy and mystical symbols and their meanings.

🦉 🪶 ✒️ 🎭 📝 📓 🐦‍⬛

When November ends, I'll highlight those stories, but for now, allow me to bring you a few blasts from the past of Storyfeather. Repasts from the past that is.

Comfort food, anyone?

🍪 I Dreamed a Cookie 🍪

Have you ever had that wonderful dream where you're trapped in a bakery overnight, and there happens to be freshly baked chocolate chip cookies nearby, and you reach for one, and are just about to take a bite—

—and your alarm goes off in the so-called real world. 😭

I've had that dream. It inspired the idea for this story, a contest of cookie-making. If you're into indulgent, over-the-top descriptions of desserts, this story is for you.

Bonus: At the Listen link, you can watch a trailer for the podcast episode. This story is from Year Five, the Year of S.T.E.A.M.​

🍭 Sweet Shops of the Underworld 🍬

When we lose the taste of sweetness from our own world, there's only one place we can turn to if we want to get it back...the underworld.

This relatively recent story is from Year Eleven, the Year of Frontiers.

🍲 Five Friends of the Feast Cook 🥣

You know when you really, really need for your friends to show up and be there for you? It's when you're struggling to make sure a saboteur doesn't ruin a dish you're making to commemorate a new and delicate peace at a grand feast.

This story is from Year Ten, the Year of Fusion.

Weird minor tech issue: I've noticed that the images for some of the posts in recent years are displaying at a smaller size than they should as of this past week. This would be most noticeable if you're visiting the site on your computer or tablet. I'm aware of it and working on figuring out what's going on and how best to fix it.

Parting words🪶

In two weeks, I'll send forth the round-up of the November stories.

If you're celebrating the season by gathering with loved ones and feasting on food and gratitude, may you have a safe and happy holiday.

​Till next time.
—Nila

💡 🧠 🌩️ ☠️ 🦖 🦀 🐉

P.S. Got a fiction writer in your life? Are you the fiction writer in your life? Treat yourself and others to my fun and practical how-to book on writing short stories, using the very method I've used to write hundreds of my own stories.

Makes a wonderful holiday gift: Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories​