Alicia

This week's #onc2025 shoutout goes to @addison_sweet ! This decorated Wattpadian has done it again. "Glimmers in the Dark" is fantasy just the way I like it--dark, gritty, and the world is exquisitely built. The strong female protagonist is knowledgable and appropriately skeptical and jaded as a result of the choices that have been made FOR her. Forming an unlikely alliance with a Daemon, they are about to commit a crime against humanity that they aptly deserve.  
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/390330874-glimmers-in-the-dark
          
          I somehow managed to cross the 8000-word milestone on "Life is but a Vale of Tears" on Friday. Liv has probably had the worst night of her existence, and that's saying something. She's been through more than her fair share of war and heartbreak. Check out Chapter 4 for all the latest.
          
          How is everyone else faring? Are you looking forward to Round 2? Got any early winner predictions of your own? Let me know!
          
          Have a great week,
          Alicia

Do you have any early #onc2025 favorites? Can you believe how many entries there are? Good luck, everyone!
          
          I'm really enjoying "The Jester and The Queen" by @philouwrites , a 2024 Honorably Mentioned writer. She proves that if you pick one prompt and wear it like a crown, there's really no need to bother with any others. The tale is "reminiscent of the Tudors" and the disgraced queen/court jester matchup is "unexpected and strangely hot." If you like historically inspired fiction with romance, humor, and some thought-provoking timelessness (that gosh darn council of weak men!!!), then this one's for you.
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389217944-the-jester-and-the-queen-onc2025
          
          "Life is but a Vale of Tears" was also updated over the weekend, and so was the "World-building Cheat Sheet" (last chapter). If Chapter 1 was "warm" on the trouble scale, by the end of Chapter 3, it's a greasy, boiled-over mess! Liv knew she had mistakes to face, but she didn't expect them to pack such a mean punch. . . 
          
          Thanks for checking in,
          All the best,
          Alicia

For all of you ONC readers/writers out there, "Life is but a Vale of Tears" has its telling and tumultuous Chapter 2. 
          
          With every update, I'd also like to highlight an ONC story/participant that is truly worthy of praise in all ways. When I read prompt 105, I immediately thought @Wuckster . He not only picked it, he dominated it in a way that only HE could. 
          
          In the first chapter of "Unbridled Fury (and Relentlessly Furry)," his action-writing is "enviable" and the last line is absolutely "iconic." If you're looking for a fun, engaging style, and a charming, attentive host, then swing on over! You won't be disappointed. :)   
           
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389198684-unbridled-fury-and-relentlessly-furry-onc-2025

Thanks for adding The Perfects to your reading list! Drop the link to your story on my wall when you post it.

Thanks for returning the follow! :D

Let me know when you have your first ONC chapter up.

Thanks, and thanks for asking. What are you working on at the moment? I have finished the 30-Day December challenge and wrote my longest piece of speculative fiction/fiction ever, The One Who Eats Dreams. I have started another project inspired by a prompt, a space opera meets action: The Cosmic Keystone: A Symphony of Stars. A huge challenge 15 Chapters each 1 500 words. Let's see how I go. Also, a fanfic which will be much shorter based on Cloud Atlas. The Archivist's Rebellion: A Cloud Atlas Reimagining.  I got wildly inspired by the 39-day challenge, listened to my playlist throughout and really got into the world. I hope you are working on something too. Take care.

Congrats to all Amby Awards 2024 Top Picks! I was pleasantly surprised to see that CONDEMNED received a nod in the Paranormal/Novel category. She's a bit of a dark horse and has never won anything, so she and I are humbled and honored, and would like to thank everyone who has ever shown her some love. 
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/288180822-condemned

Happy Halloween! I have a couple of bite-sized treats, if you have the appetite for it. "Carnevale" is COMPLETE, and "The Retch" will be posting throughout the morning.
          
          I'm in the mood for candy, so if you have anything to share that's short and sweet and totally creepy, drop me a link! 
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/376698647-carnevale-shortys2024
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/381091006-the-retch-halloween
          
          Bye for now,
          Alicia

Thanks for returning the follow!