Today's story is another from the Myth and Science universe featuring Jenn and our resident adolescent refugee from space, Lily. It is set a few months after the events discussed in, "I have the Weirdest Friends," but you don't need to know anything aside from what has been mentioned in this paragraph to understand the story.

Today's story is set in the A.I. Universe, starting a few months after the events of "Opening Moves." However, there is absolutely no need to have read any other stories in the series to understand or enjoy this one.

Today's flash fiction takes us back to the AI Universe a few months after "Adventures in Childproofing." While you might recognize the characters if you have read a few of the other stories, you don't have to have read any of them to understand the story.

While trying my hand at teaching high school back in the fall, I spent so long away from my current rough draft, I forgot half of what I'd written. So I've been going back to read through it. In doing so, several issues with the rough have been jumping out at me, but they all stem from one factor common in rough drafts, lacking conflict.

Readers have their favorites, and they don't enjoy seeing them put through the wringer, but at the same time, what are the chances they would be so fond of those characters if they never struggled? No matter if your story is plot driven or character driven, without conflict, there is no story.

Have you heard all the hoopla surrounding Star Wars being bought out by Disney and all the new movies? Some are all for it, but others, including Mark Hamill have some... issues... with the new storylines. Why though?

Well, to get at the answer, you have to understand a few things about the Star Wars fandom and the franchise itself over the past thirty years or so.

It's time for something fun, so I've decided to do The Naughty List tag, created by Jenna Moreci. 

I had a really difficult time trying to decide between doing this tag for The Icarus Project and the Myth and Science universe, since I am working on a short story anthology for that one. So I decided to do them both! I did a version for The Icarus Project last week, so make sure to go check that one out if you missed it.

​Here's the one for the Myth and Science universe today.

Today's story is set back in the Myth and Science universe most of an hour after the events of "The More Things Change." Having read the other flash fictions can be helpful, but it's not needed to understand and enjoy the story.

You can also find the audio version, as well as a playlist with all the stories in the universe so far in chronological order, on the Eng Family Vlogs channel over on YouTube.

​Okay, I know I'm supposed to be publishing another back to basics article today, but between the prep and aftermath for Nerdy Noel 2.0 and being sick the last several days, I just can't seem to find the brain cells for a full on article. Besides, it's the holidays. It's time for something fun, so I've decided to do The Naughty List tag, created by Jenna Moreci. 

I had a really difficult time trying to decide between doing this tag for The Icarus Project and the Myth and Science universe, since I am working on a short story anthology for that one. So I decided to do them both! Today's post is for The Icarus Project, and I'll have the one for Myth and Science up next Tuesday.

Today's flash fiction takes us back to the "early days" of the AI Universe and the dealings between Anna Truman and Brady Hall previously seen in "Unknown Benefactor" and "The Game Begins." However, you don't have to have read either of these stories for "Opening Moves" to make sense.

You can also listen to the audio version.

Today's story takes us back to the Yekara Universe, about halfway through the summer following Right of Succession. While you don't have to have read the book for the flash fiction to make sense, it's perhaps a bit more fun if you have.

You can also click here to listen to the audio version of today's story. Or you can listen to a playlist of all the Yekara Universe Audios, in chronological order.