(230–65 million years ago) Earth once teemed with creatures that roamed the lands, swam the seas, and soared through the skies. These creatures were much different than those of today. In a grand chapter of Earth’s history, the era of dinosaurs unfolded between 230 and 65 million years ago, spanning a staggering 165 million years. These colossal creatures held dominion over our planet. The Mesozoic Era , the Age of Reptiles, was subdivided into three periods: the Triassic, Ju

Life in the Aftermath. Movement, Survival, and the New Normal. A stark scene of survivors in post-collapse conditions with makeshift shelters, scavenging, improvised fires, and quiet resilience in a desolate urban edge. When housing disappears, the story doesn’t end. It begins. The End of the World As We Know It isn’t eviction notices or condemned buildings. It’s what happens next, when no one has a home anymore. When shelter becomes a memory, and survival becomes the only p

Prompts & Exercises to Spark Your Creativity. The key to improving as a writer is consistent practice and a willingness to try new techniques. Writing exercises flex your creative muscles, break through blocks, and polish your skills. Whether a beginner or pro, regular practice takes your craft to new heights. Here are some prompts to get your creative juices flowing. Character Creation Challenges Creating characters is at the heart of great storytelling. The Stranger on th

Ben & Ollie's Summer Vacation. Every few years, the small Texas town was overrun by small creatures as spring became summer. In some years, it was locusts. Perhaps in another, it would be crickets. Benjamin well remembered walking downtown streets, shoes crunching the insect skeletons that covered the sidewalks two inches thick. This year, it was rats. They were everywhere. Every time you turned over a large rock or piece of lumber, there would be at least one that scurried a

Mindfulness with a Twist. Be present, notice your feelings without judgment, and find a sense of balance. Beyond yoga class, there’s a whole world of mindfulness practices waiting. Go off the beaten path and discover lesser-known techniques from different cultures. Forest Bathing in Japan In Japan, they practice “shinrin-yoku” or forest bathing. It’s about immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest . Walk slowly through a wooded area. Take in the sights, sounds, and s

WTSHTF Indicators You Can’t Ignore. Small Failures Signal Big Trouble. What to Watch For Before Things Spiral. Most think WTSHTF, it’ll be obvious. Sirens. Panic. Empty shelves. In reality, it starts quietly. A few delays. A few shortages. A few systems that don’t respond the way they should. These are the early signs. If you know what to look for, you can act before things get worse. This isn’t fear, it’s awareness. Whether managing a business, running a household, or just t

A New Website Launch for Readers, Writers & Friends New Content: Productivity Writing Life Self Meditation Speculative Paranormal Stories Serials Other StoryAngles Programs: (in-progress) StoryAngles Programs Becoming & Being a Writer On Writing Now! How to Craft Your Suspenseful Thriller Meditation, Motivation & More! Speculative Encounters <Serials> Groups: The Writer's Reach StoryAngles Group Community Spaces Vote SignUp

Proven Strategies from Real-Life Productivity Wizards. Make space for the things that matter most. Time management isn’t just about squeezing more tasks into your day. It’s about making the most of your minutes to live a fuller life. Whether you’re a busy student, a working parent, or an aspiring entrepreneur, mastering your time can change the name of your game. Classic Time Management Techniques The Pomodoro Technique This popular method involves working in focused 25-minut

Serial Fictions to Read As They Are Written! These Serial Fictions are to be Read As They Are Written, one episode at a time. They are also available from the PROGRAMS Menu. (This is the easiest method.) Remnants - Survivors in the Aftermath In this new post-apocalyptic dystopian world, Earth’s remnants battle whatever came down in the comet as an invasion force. Survivors face obstacles, and groups form (some attempt to regain civilization, others have a more sinister intent

From Protest to Introspection to the Surreal. From Hibbing to the Edge of Revolution (1941–1989) Born Robert Allen Zimmerman in 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. Bob Dylan grew up in the iron-mining town of Hibbing , a place of quiet grit and working-class realism that echoed through his lyrics for decades. By the late 1950s, Dylan was immersed in the sounds of folk, blues, and early rock. He performed in local bands and absorbed the storytelling traditions that shaped his voice. In

Small-Town Minnesotan to Electrifying Legend. The importance of staying true to yourself, no matter the cost. In the heart of Minnesota, in the small town of Hibbing, Bob Dylan first found his voice. Born on May 24, 1941, Robert Allen Zimmerman was raised in a close-knit Jewish family by a father who was a successful appliance dealer and a homemaker mother. It wasn’t the life of privilege that Dylan was drawn to. It was the world of music. His fascination with music began whe

The Dark Legacy of the Druids. Honor the bonds between humanity and the natural world. The Druids’ secretive rituals and beliefs have cast a long shadow over historians and the public for centuries. Explore the origins and practices of this ancient order. The Origins of the Druids : The Druids were a class of priests, judges, and scholars among the ancient Celtic people. They were the intellectual elite, possessing an understanding of the natural world and the cosmos. The or

10 Offbeat Tricks to Make Your Words Pop. Ten uncommon literary techniques that’ll give your writing that extra oomph. Lipograms: The Art of Leaving Out Could you write a novel without using a specific letter? Georges Perec wrote “A Void” without using the letter ‘e’. Try it. Write a short paragraph without using ‘a’. It’s tough, but it forces you to think outside the box. This exercise can help you discover words you might not usually use. Constrained Writing: Setting Your

Small Changes Bring Excitement. You Don’t Have to Travel Far to Make Life Interesting. People associate adventure with grand trips. Backpack across Europe, scale mountains, or dive into the ocean’s depths. Those require planning, money, and time. Micro-adventures offer the same sense of discovery, excitement, and break from the ordinary, without the heavy costs or commitments. Micro-adventures are local experiences that shift your routine in a refreshing way. They don’t requ

A step-by-step plan to move from first words to a lasting career. Start at the base with daily work. Move up through reading, craft, structure, voice, characters, emotional clarity, visibility, then mastery. Each level builds atop the last. Level 1 Foundational Habits Build muscle first. Write every day, even if it’s short. Daily practice. Aim for 500 words or 25 focused minutes. In the morning, write a single scene or a character snapshot. Finish things. Close a short stor

A symbolic passage between the world above and the world below. The Hopi people are a Native American tribe that has lived in the southwestern United States for thousands of years. Their culture is rooted in the belief that the earth and all living things are connected. Maintaining a harmonious relationship with nature is necessary for the well-being of both the individual and the community. For centuries, the Hopi people have used the Kiva as a sacred space for spiritual cer

The Man Behind the Quill. Themes of ambition, jealousy, madness, and the corrupting nature of power. William Shakespeare, born 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, wasn’t just another writer. His plays and poems have stood the test of time, for over four centuries. But who was the man behind these timeless works? Shakespeare’s early life was ordinary. He was born to John Shakespeare, a glove-maker and local politician, and Mary Arden, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. As the third o

The Secrets of Your Cosmic Blueprint. Insights into personalities, relationships, and life paths. Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotish , is a complex system that looks at the positions of celestial bodies at the time of your birth. It’s like a cosmic snapshot of the sky when you took your first breath. This snapshot, called a birth chart, is the foundation of Vedic astrology. Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac. Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac. It takes in

Write What You Feel. Whether you chase the thrill of suspense or bask in quiet joy, spark imagination through feeling. From surreal landscapes to moments of reflection, let mood guide where the story goes. Tension Prompt > A character overhears a conversation not meant for them, forcing a decision they’re not ready to make. Melancholy Prompt > A forgotten letter is found in a drawer, revealing a truth that changes everything. Hopeful Prompt > After years apart, two friends

Once the deal is sealed, it cannot be undone. A “ witch’s bargain ” conjures images of dark rituals, whispered promises, and high stakes. It’s a deal made between a person and a supernatural entity, the exchange of something valuable for otherworldly benefits. These bargains are steeped in tradition, warning us about the dangers of trading away what truly matters. During witch trials, accusations were made that witches made such pacts with demons. These granted witches powers

Communicate a character’s true feelings. Tense muscles, defensive postures, avoidance of eye contact, or nervous habits betray emotional turmoil. Characters who fear confrontation shrink back, fold their arms, or turn their body away during tense exchanges. Someone hiding anxiety fidgets, taps their fingers, bites their nails, or exhibits restless movements that signal discomfort. Wide eyes, raised brows, and a tight jaw are signs of fear trying to be controlled. Shallow brea

A bridge between our world and the realm of spirits. Ectoplasm is a bridge between our world and the realm of spirits. Examine its origins, its role in history, and why this mysterious substance holds importance. The idea of ectoplasm took root in the late 19th century, during the peak of the spiritualist movement. This was an era when people gathered in candlelit rooms for séances to communicate with the departed. Mediums served as conduits to the afterlife. Ectoplasm was a

One Big, Three Medium, Five Small Tasks. Start the day with a long list of tasks? By noon, half of it’s untouched. By evening, it’s forgotten. The 1–3–5 method breaks that cycle. It’s simple. Choose 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, and 5 small tasks. That’s your day. It forces you to be realistic. Focus on what matters most. Start with your big task. This is the one thing that moves your work forward. It might take a few hours. It might be mentally demanding. Choose something tha

A Brilliant 20th Century Thinker & Writer. A life of passion, determination, and a relentless pursuit of truth. A world where every person can make a difference? Simone Weil, a French philosopher, activist, and mystic, did just that. Born in 1909, Weil left an indelible mark on the world through her dedication to social justice, pacifism, and anti-fascism. Weil was a woman who not only thought deeply about the world around her but also took action to make it a better place.