Da'Kharta Rising's Blog: Thoughts of a Slightly Social Anti-Socialite, page 5

Apocawhat? #NewFreeShyt

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? For me, it’s Manic Monday. You’re not familiar with it? That’s what YouTube is for (or you could just click on the highlighted words).

It’s not because Monday is my least favorite day. Or because I wish it was Sunday. It has more to do with the “manic” than anything. Seriously, it seems like the world is in a state of “mania” as it pertains to the current pandemic.

It is daunting to deal with a virus where there hasn’t been a cure found. Or one that is claiming hundreds and thousands of lives daily around the world. However, the main rule always spoken in the midst of a crisis is for folks to “keep calm” and “follow instructions”.

Some people will always do the opposite of what they are told. They are the group that believes in conspiracy theories or delves into an alternate reality (aka “this isn’t really happening”.). They go against protocol designed to keep them safe and end up being the very ones that become casualties instead of survivors.

Some people cannot keep calm about anything. They go into panic mode and start doing activities that don’t make any sense. Buy up all the Greek yogurt. Stock up on rice and pasta (except the brown, apparently no one likes those, even in desperate times).

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Stockpile toilet tissue. Yeah, toilet tissue.

Speaking of toilet tissue …

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via #MyShyt or #Publisher

It was that very realization that marked the spark for my newest freebie, “Apocawhat?”

It’s grocery shopping time for socially awkward siblings Urvin and Lizzie. When they arrive at the grocery store, it’s as if the whole neighborhood is there. The two have to battle through more than just people in order to be somewhat successful at getting what they need.

Some may think it’s “too soon” to do anything closely mimicking pandemic behavior. What can I say? Some of the shyt people do is funny! My inspiration is all human behavior, from the good to the bad to the stupid. If it’s not your flavor of Crystal Light, then don’t read it. Not like you’ll be losing any money.

For my die-hards, you know me. So read and enjoy.

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2 Rosie Freebies: Martina’s Memories, Angelic Epiphany

Yo what’s good? The Slightly Antisocial Socialite here, presenting another author takeover. Thank goodness it’s only for a day … wait, did I say that out loud?

What I meant to say was, “C. Desert Rose, what a pleasure-“

Um, not that either.

How about “C. Desert Rose, tell my readers all about your freebies but stay out of my food stockpile while you’re at it”?

Well, she does have an affinity for all things chocolate. I don’t want to discover I have to re-up after this.

Enough busting her chops. I temporarily hand over the cave to C. Desert Rose.

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Hello, one and all. As always, thanks for stopping by.

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For us, the lovers of the paranormal, fate is preferably manifested supernaturally. That’s because for us, fate being embodied in an otherworldly way brings a sense of excitement, mystery and importance to life.

However, those who believe that fate is real also trust that it takes place in even those things we consider mundane.

Like what?

Every day life.

In celebration of short story month I would like to bring you something old and something new. In both we will find an exhibition of fate as experienced by the characters in the interpersonal enigma that is life. Join me?

First: The Old

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Blurb:

Martina Foxworthy only knew one thing for sure in her life … the Log Cabin.

It was her family’s tradition to visit the Log Cabin every year, and every new year was a repeat of the last. Nothing ever changed at the Cabin, Martina’s family liked it that way.

But Martina, not so much.

One day, when a fly ball comes out of nowhere and crashes through her bedroom window Martina realizes that there is a lot more to life; the Log Cabin was just the thread that kept it together.

Years pass far too fast. This is something that Martina Foxworthy knows all too well. Sitting in her favorite chair, in her favorite place, Martina recollects her life’s journey.

Excerpt

“The spring of her eighteenth birthday, Martina felt like a misfit just as she had her entire life. She’d been told that said feeling would change when she got older. Well, she was older now and nothing had changed. She was, for all intended purposes, now an adult. Eighteen; she could vote, smoke, buy alcohol—although not consume it—even go into a bar if she so desired. And yet, that profuse and innate sensation of not fitting in had become such an all-consuming part of her life that Martina didn’t know how not to feel it. Ever spring, during the Easter Holiday, Martina and her kin took a two-week hiatus in the family log cabin, purchased an umpteenth million years ago by her great grandfather Martin Foxworthy the Second.

If anyone ever wondered how she’d gotten her name, all they had to do was look at the family tree. Her father was Martin Foxworthy who was the fifth in his bloodline. And, since he’d not spawned a son first but a daughter, Martin added an A to the end of the name and blessed their female child with a name that no one would ever want.”

I love this story though I don’t speak of it much. “Martina’s Memories” embodies fate in a relatable way. I feel like most of us could relate to her life trajectory, to her ups and downs and to her ultimate destiny.

Here, in this “old” story, we can see kismet at work through a seemingly banal existence. That is until the bigger picture is revealed.

Lastly, The New

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Blurb:

In the famous words of Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” For Angelo, life is like a slice of pizza; juicy, delicious and worth the wait. For Sandalphon, life is an unending cycle of sameness. That is, until she meets Angelo. From staircase to stairway to heaven, Sandalphon has an Angelic Epiphany.

Excerpt

“Angelo Esposito sat on the right-hand side of the front porch steps, fourth step up, people watching. On an overcast day, the clouds created a particular shadowy pattern across the passersby faces making them look mechanical. Things like this always entertained Angelo, he never seemed to get enough. Most of the people who strode through the streets were enthralled in their respective cell phones. The rest looked angry at life; emotionless and half-alive. Except maybe for the bum at the street corner who on any given day would assume the job of heralding government conspiracies, or dance for dollars. It all depended on the day.

Sitting on the old and tattered, historically profound New York porch step, Angelo was perfectly comfortable. Entertained and amused; a people watcher at his core. He couldn’t help but think how the persons that walked past were missing out on the knowledge of the rich culture of the avenues which they treaded. Every inch of the firmament, replete with history, depth, despair, glee and the essence of lives now gone.

Being brainwashed by technology has that effect on people. They miss the enriching simplicities of life. The little things that made life worth living like the kids jumping rope, the hum of a busy city street, the scent of pizza in the air. There was nothing like it. Angelo always felt like life was best enjoyed when appreciating small wonders.”

This story has become my newest favorite for two reasons. First, it is connected to my Fate’s Endeavor Series. Second, it’s heartwarming, relatable and supernatural. An “All-In-One Punch” if you will.

In this story, serendipity meets destiny. It feels as though the Universe has planned something accidentally-on-purpose and at the end of the day the one who learns the lesson is not the human but the angel.

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It is my pleasure to be able to offer these to everyone for free. You can get them in PDF, ePub or Mobi by clicking the link below. No strings attached! Go grab your copies and enjoy the manifestation of providence.

Omitted (#SSE2)

Well … it’s Friday. Besides that meaning “yay” to most, it is also time for another SSE (Short Story Excerpt). Since I’m a little too lazy to go back and forth, I shall continue shining the black light on Continuous Drips.

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From a stylistic perspective, “Omitted” is one of my favorite crafted stories out of my submissions. By stylistic, that’s my way of saying twist. I don’t do a lot of embellishment; it really is very action-centric to take the reader to the most pivotal point in relatively swift fashion.

Enough chitter-chatter. Let’s reveal the latest Short Story Excerpt.

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Omitted (#Excerpt)

I parked Fireball the red Hyundai right next to his mailbox and walked up the sidewalk. Although I had a key, the habit of ringing the doorbell still existed. I hit the bell once, and the 007 theme music played throughout the house. No answer. I waited a few minutes and then rang the bell again. The melody played but my hero hadn’t surfaced.

I called Jacob’s cell phone, only to get his voice messaging service. Something didn’t feel right. I turned the knob and the door opened. The scene I encountered was a horrific one. Common sense was overtaken by disbelief and grief. I rushed to my love and cradled him. I rocked Jacob back and forth as if that would take care of everything. By the time my brain engaged logically, flashing lights were outside of the house. I was surrounded by Tahiti Falls’ finest, read my Miranda rights and placed in handcuffs.

I had no alibi, and my fingerprints were all over the place. All of the evidence was stacked against me. My lawyer tried to get me to plead guilty to a lesser charge, but I refused to do it. I wasn’t temporarily insane. I didn’t do the crime. I loved Jacob! I opted for court to let the jury decide.

The jury wasn’t pleased that Jacob Tanner, son to one of the most popular benefactors in the community, had been murdered. There was no refuting the evidence; it didn’t matter how many tears were shed or how much I didn’t fit the profile of a cold-blooded killer. I was found guilty and sentenced to the death penalty.

Oooh wee! What a cliff hanger! At least you have an extended weekend to calm down. Another episode of Short Story Excerpts will resume this coming Tuesday.

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Unrest (#SSE1)

What’s the word? The SASS here. As I announced before, there would be some sprinkles of Short Story Excerpts (#SSE) here and there. These are works that can be found in other anthologies I’ve participated in. After a bit of thought, I chose to zoom in on Continuous Drips first.

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Yes, it’s still true that I tend to not play well with others but I was invited to be a part of this by a fellow author Queen of Spades. She wanted to see how well our writing styles would complement each other based on our individual philosophies on what a good write represents. What makes it “continuous” if you will. Since the concept sounded intriguing, I was like, “Sign me up.”

Before giving you a glimpse of “Unrest”, let me plop down an overview of my writing philosophy.

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All is Dripping Black

Many in the world are fans of colors. They twirl and play in the pastels, cooing over the different shades. I’ve always been a more simplistic animal. The absence of color brings me more joy—or at least the closest I’ll ever come to it.

My ink drips black, for the darkness that lurks in the crevices of every human soul. People may act disgusted by it, yet no matter how horrific, they cannot turn away. Rather than throw stones and wear the badge of hypocrisy, I take the images as fodder and let readers lap up what remains

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Unrest (#Excerpt)

Spywrit kneels in front of the bottom dresser drawer. As she pulls it out, she notices her trembling hands. Fear sets in but it’s too late to turn back. Spywrit is a person of her word, just like her dad Martin. At this moment, word is bond feels more like weakness than strength.

After careful deliberation, Spywrit opts for the white ensemble. White is a color she usually shuns but she may as well be a cavalcade of changes. The lace detailing makes this lingerie intriguing, yet innocent. He should be a fan. The molded cups and the flowing satin contour perfectly to Spywrit’s body.

You are born to wear it.

“Where are you?”

At our hideaway. I grow impatient.

“You know what they say about good things-”

Spywrit expects his laugh but silence is her greeting. She must make haste. Is she getting cold feet? No, it is only dressing in this fancy attire. She starts to put on the red ballet slippers—they are almost a match to the wreath of flowers she places on her head. Yet she remembers the footwear is of no use on this trip.

Spywrit takes a deep breath and canvases the bedroom. Nodding her approval, she opens the window and descends down the huge adjacent tree.

Anxiety causes every step on the blades of grass and tiny branches to crackle in her ears. By the time Spywrit arrives at the lake, tiny streams of blood trickle from her ears and drip from the earlobes. She is near tears at the thought of this beautiful white outfit being ruined when she feels something hot and rough slurp at the red stains.

Darling…

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Stay tuned this coming Friday for the next Short Story Excerpt.

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Mann Cave: Day 3

Though this was not the first story I’d ever written it was the first story I’d ever had published.

“… and we” was my short story contribution to “Concordant Vibrancy: Unity” the very first book in the Concordant Vibrancy collection by All Authors Publishing House.

I am particularly proud of this story, mostly because of the memories attached to it. It was the story that paved my way into the writing world. It gave me a name in so many ways. Before “… and we” I was just Donny, the introverted gay man that no one knew, the loner that loved the written word but had no one to share that with. This story opened the door for me to not just achieve my life long dream, but connect with like-minded people. Amazingly talented writers that accepted me just as I was. For this I will eternally be grateful to (1) All Authors Publishing House and its founders, and (2) “… and we”.

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Blurb:

Fierce decadence, blissful apex and euphoric ecstasy, all melded together in the whimsical melody that is us … that is we! And we, delight in every second.

It is said that two is a crowd, and three is a party. In Ronan’s case, three is nirvana.

Come take a trip down the sensual and sexual escapades of Ronan and his companions. “… and we” a short story of monumental impact.

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You can also enjoy this story for free by downloading it from the All Authors Publishing House website or my own. Following are the links:

All Authors Publishing House

Adonis Mann Website

 

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Mann Cave: Day 2

This happens to be a freebie that I do not much speak of. Truth be told, I’m not certain why I don’t.

This short story was written approximately 6 years ago on Valentine’s Day. It was a spur of the moment, off the cusp tale that just came to me. It was short and sweet and a tiny bit erotic, but most importantly … fun.

In this little story I dabbled with very light bondage. The sort that is meant for play and levity in a relationship, not as a sexual preference or fixation. I imagined a couple attempting to do something new on Valentine’s Day thereby spicing up their every day sexual encounters with dalliance. Mirth, I find, in a relationship that may have become bland and repetitive can be just what the doctor ordered.

This is the premise on which “Let’s Play on Valentine’s Day” was written.

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Blurb:

Who doesn’t love a bit of kinky play on Valentine’s Day?

Take a short and personal, yet ravishing trip to some eccentric wordplay made just for you on Valentine’s Day.

This flash fiction story gets up close and personal and takes the reader on a one of a kind journey through an entirely sexy Guessing Game.

It’s amazing what 1000 words can accomplish!

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To read if for free you can visit my publisher’s website or my own. Here are the links:

All Authors Publishing House

Adonis Mann Freebies

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Mann Cave: Day 1

Yo what’s up? The SASS here, with a warning.

The next three days, my spot is going to turn into a Mann Cave. Only to let fellow Author Adonis Mann discuss three of his free short stories for National Short Story Month. I did warn him not to mess with my color scheme or touch any of my favorite comfort foods. Or to go in the door past the secret closet.

All right Mann, have at it.

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Greetings,

Thank you for dropping by. I am grateful.

All Month Long (#Announcement)

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What’s rotating? All I can say is that it’s not me.

Just in case you didn’t know, May is National Short Story Month. Initially, I was going to bring back the “Keys to the Asylum” spiel but it took a whole lot of gathering info, getting folks together, etc. etc. I’m more of an easy-peasy, don’t want to micromanage a damn thing type of person.

But what I will be doing is talking about my first short story (which is also my first freebie), “Vocal Remedy” along with my newest short story freebie, “Apocawhat?” You may also see some appearances from individuals from All Authors Publishing House.

Also, here and there, I’ll be sharing some excerpts from short stories featured in Continuous Drips, the Concordant Vibrancy collection, and the Divergent Ink collection.

Maybe if time permits, I’ll give you a peek of some stuff I’m doing behind the scenes. But all I’ve listed does sound like a bit much. I’ll see how froggy I’m feeling.

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Armageddon Is Here (Day 5, Earth 8-8-2 Blog Tour)

It’s Author Y. Correa’s last day in the cave. It’s time for the rise … Armageddon’s Rise.

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Hello, one and all! Welcome back!

Today is the big day … the official book release day of “Earth 8-8-2: Armageddon’s Rise”. I’m so glad you could join.

If you’ve been following the last week you’ve discovered many behind the scenes information regarding The Earth 8-8-2 Saga. You’ve also seen the new covers for the 1st 2 books in the collection. In case you missed it, here they are:

Here are the blurbs …

Book 1: The Genesis Project

Could Science Serve as Salvation?

One-fourth Human.

One-fourth God.

One-fourth Superhuman.

One-fourth Vampire.

For Dr. Scott, the combined strengths of each life form represent the answer to the onslaught of malice and tyranny plaguing his Earth. When his creation—Genesis—begins developing, the lines between scientist and father become blurred. Soon the time approaches where Genesis is expected to fulfill her purpose. Does she go along willingly, or will her rapid evolution obliterate everyone’s best-laid plans?

Book 2: Genesis’ Rebellion

What happens when Science’s Instrument of Salvation blazes her own path?

In the second installment of the Earth 8-8-2 saga, Genesis is heartbroken, disillusioned, but most of all … angry: angry that she has no say-so in the narrative of her own purpose. In the absence of choice, the only response that makes sense is rebellion.

As Genesis elicits the intensity of her powers, General Townsen must act quickly to develop a counterbalance to this previous experiment gone askew. Will the General’s army rise effectively against this unlikely nemesis, or will all see the literal overtures of what occurs when powers that be attempt to regulate true evolution?

This is NOT a standalone book, but the 2nd installment in a continuing saga.

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Now that you’ve been caught up, let’s take a look at book three. First, the blurb.

In the midst of Genesis’ emotional Armageddon comes an Armageddon … of a different kind.

From the residual carnage arises Experiment-8-8-2.1, Project Armageddon. He desperately seeks the answers to his own existence. Upon searching, Armageddon is confronted by the blinding fury of Genesis, which serves as an unwelcome hindrance until the timely interjection of Dr. Anicom Zenit.

When Experiment-8-8-2.1’s origins and purpose is divulged, will Armageddon continue to rise? Or will the exquisite apex of scientific rebellion known as Genesis remain a formidable deterrent of progress?

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Born or Made (Day 4, Earth 8-8-2 Blog Tour)

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What’s hype? The SASS here. It’s the day before the release of part 3 of the Earth 8-8-2 saga. As eager as I am to dive right in, there is importance in getting the backstory, especially if you’re playing catch up.

Today I let Author Y. Correa set up shop in the Cave one more to debate what makes Genesis the way she is. Was she born with it (nature) or was it Scientific Maybelline (nurture)?

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It’s the age-old psychological question …

What makes a person evil, is it nature or nurture?

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For many years psychologists, psychiatrists, scientists of all kinds and the like have been trying to answer this question without a definitive consensus. Some say it’s nature, others argue that it’s nurture. Then there are those who blur the lines and say that perhaps it’s both. So, is the answer black, white or grey?

Genesis, the main character of the Earth 8-8-2 saga also blurs the lines. You see, due to her makeup, it’s nearly impossible to know if she was created that way, or if her upbringing turned the tide.

In my eyes, this debate boils down to science versus tenet.

Let’s take a look-see and see what you think.

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First, The Facts

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Genesis was made, not born.
Genesis shares DNA from 4 different entities which makes up her own unique DNA.
Genesis has feelings but can also be emotionless.
Genesis was raised by a scientist, a soldier and 2 women (1 old, 1 young).
Genesis had never really experienced heartbreak until she did .
The 4 beings that makeup Genesis’ DNA have their own independent characteristics and in many ways those traits contradict one another.
Genesis is all-powerful and singularly so.

What does all of this mean? Let’s see if we can figure it out.

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Second, Pros VS Cons

 

Bullet Number

Pro

Con

1 (Nature)
Can enhance the negatives and reduce the positives by bioengineering.
Cannot guarantee that all negative traits have been removed.


2 (Nature)
This can make the being incredibly powerful because knowing from what something is made of, one can predict the overall outcome..
However, it can also make the being unpredictable because when mixing things that were never meant to be unified, the risk is run that it can fail horribly.


3 (Nature)
Being human, we use feeling to help make moralistic and/or intrapersonal decisions.
Being emotionless equals being sociopathic, which can lead to violent behavior by choice.


4 (Nurture)
Having had different human influences in her life growing up could have taught her about the complexities of the human condition. Having been given love could have softened a potentially eroded heart.
Being that she is only ¼ human it may be hard for her to understand and properly process these complexities.


5 (Nurture)
Heartbreak is a common and natural part of being human but the way you are raised can greatly affect the manner in which you deal with heartache. A good upbringing means better coping skills.
If not given the proper tools for emotional stability then when heartache comes, instability can rule your emotional response.


6 (Nature)
Think about attempting to mix the DNA of a bird, a fish, an insect and a flower. This is how contradictory Genesis’ double helix is. These elements were never meant to be intertwined by nature. However, the successful combination of such makes Genesis’ nature extremely volatile. 
If effectively combined, the mixture of these sources can make for an incredible creation that could launch humanity into an even grander evolution.


7 (Nature)
Being all-powerful can be a great benefit to mankind if the individual is emotionally well prepared for the complications of life.
Being all-powerful can be a curse if the individual is ill-prepared for the intricacies of the human condition.

Third, Conjectures

In Genesis’ case, Nature weighs a far greater amount in the makeup of her person. The only counterbalance to her Nature are the binary elements of Nurture (Bullets #s 4 & 5). She carries within her a whopping 72% Nature against a miniscule 28% Nurture.

Which one can win the battle of her mind? Is the greatness of her Nature unremarkable against the strength of Nurturing? Or is it the other way round?

You know what? I’ll let you decide.