Quick Version:
The Good News: My entire book and series are free on Royal Road here.
The Bad News: Due to declining health, I no longer have the bandwidth to maintain Substack. This blog will be going on pause for now.
Longer Explanation:
I have been sick for a very long time, and in recent weeks, that health condition has declined to the point that I’m having difficulties keeping up with everything on my to-do list.
Substack has to go on the back burner.
If you’re enjoying Sam’s story, you can read the whole book on Royal Road for free here. I thank you for your time and attention here on this platform, and maybe in the future, I’ll be able to return to it.
Here is chapter 7 for you to enjoy. 💜 Ayela
Chapter 7: When DeBagg Hit On Me— I Think
Jammies and take out enchiladas were the perfect way to wind down after a long day baby sitting three-year-old twins. You know what made it better?
Beta reading my favorite author HC Maron. Everything about Shapeless Poetry was comfort in lyrical lines. Time to send him my feedback.
Ayela: I love every single page I’ve read so far, HC. Keep going. My written notes and analysis are at the end of each chapter. Link to document.
HC: Thx, that means a lot, I look forward to reading your reactions. Good day?
Ayela: Yeah, now I need to edit my own book and get some chapters scheduled for publication. How’s your day?
HC: When you get a chance, go look at the Flopper server.
Oh! I’d totally forgotten that I’d need to click back and forth between the servers to see the updates. I’d been keeping the volume of my pad turned off since Discord binged incessantly, so I mostly forgot about it. I scrolled through the Flopper server.
Oh my lord, DeBagg fawned all over my review! Darling! I added emojis to everything they wrote. Awww, it was so sweet, then Zoe! Ten tits! Zoe joined in saying I was the awesomest commenter ever! Yeeeeee!
Best day! Best day of my life! I put 💖 sparkle hearts all over Zoe’s posts. She saw me! Me! She read my comments and talked about me to all of her cool friends!
Yes! Yes! Wait, what if they actually read my book? I opened my fiction page and checked my stats for the first time all day. NO WAY. 7,500 views!!! In only a few days since joining Discord, my views had gone up by 4,000, and I had 60 Followers now! I couldn’t help it, I started crying and leaping around my apartment in a fit!
What was even happening to my life?! This was so fucking cool!
Okay, Sam, calm your ass down and think. How do you stay cool on Discord and not look like a fool? Well, there was the whole thing with the constantly pinging sounds. Maybe I should ask someone about that?
I selected DeBagg’s name and the reply button.
Ayela: Your book is amazeballs. Cultivation stories are so fly! Haters suck so hard I wanna roast them like Aster, but I need some Discord advice. Like, it’s making so much noise I can’t listen to music anymore. How do I shut this thing up?
DeBagg: lol, cutie. Select the server and change your notification settings.
Ayela: Whew! Life saver! 🥰
DeBagg: Anything for my fave commenter
Ayela: Aren’t you precious?
DeBagg: Wanna find out IRL?
WTF? Did I just get hit on? I checked the profile. No info on who I was talking to. No age, no preferences. Hmmm. What is a cool thing to do in this situation? Oh yeah, be in love with the main character of Flopper!
Ayela: My heart only beats for Pagan, but you can get in line.
DeBagg: Can’t argue with that.
Yes! Cool points for Ayela! Right answer! Now, close it down and walk away before you step in shit again. Phew! I did it. Another successful Discord encounter, and DeBagg didn’t need to know that I’d fudged that bit about not listening to music on my pad because of the sound. That detail was embellishment to up my “helpless damsel” shtick, but surely no one would hold that against me.
I pulled up my own story and got to work on edits. A few chapters in, the Pinging started.
HC: Thx for the comments.
I’m so relieved.
I wasn’t sure how any of this was landing.
It’s so different from Red Phoenix that I didn’t know if anyone would like it.
Ayela: I love it, HC. Keep going. I’ll read every word, and I promise to be honest. I’m not just blowing smoke. Your writing really matters, so don’t stop.
HC: Thx. Here’s two more chapters.
Ayela: Woooo hooo! Can’t wait!
HC: lol. You’re good for my serotonin levels.
Ayela: Best compliment ever. Well, except for what Zoe said today on Discord. 💜
HC: Oh yeah, you’re getting the love on that server. Don’t forget to read the updates! Lol.
Ayela: 😂
I finished editing another chapter then washed dishes and cleaned up my messy apartment before crashing into bed. It was another day down, and since I’d woken up in the middle of a storm early that morning, I had no trouble falling asleep.
But dreams didn’t let me rest peacefully that night. No, I was tossed about like a boat on the lake from one troubled reverie to the next, and by the time light dawned the next day, I was glad when the sun woke me up for good.
If you’re enjoying Sam’s story, you can read the whole book on Royal Road for free here.
Sending wishes and positive energy your way 💗