ywklsenterprises

[ywklsenterprises]

It took far less time than Eve had anticipated to pack for her trip. Partly, that was due to the fact she didn't have as many things to take as she might've even a short time ago. But I also have found that I don't really need that much to get by, she thought.

The room where she had been staying with her sister-in-law didn't really feel like home even after the weeks she'd spent there, but on some level Eve was sorry to see the last of it. Even if she'd probably be back there again, once she'd taken care of business.

There was a soft noise behind her and Eve turned to see her husband's only living relative standing in the hallway, looking uncertain about what she should do. "I can't thank you enough for taking me in, Marianne," she said. Smiling, Marianne gave her a hug and whispered, "It's what Adrian would have wanted. How could I do anything else?"

Just then, Marianne's husband Daniel appeared and said, "Your Uber is here." "I've got to go. I will give you a call when I get to the Air BNB," Eve promised, grabbing her lone suitcase and heading out the front door. She wasn't in the mood for a long, tearful goodbye. Truthfully, Eve felt emotionally drained.

If I had any say in the matter, someone else would be making this trip, she reflected as she climbed into the car waiting outside and watched the house where the last reminders of her former life could be found disappear. Ahead of her was the airport, then a flight hundreds of miles to an unfamiliar part of the country. To whatever Adrian had left behind for her to uncover.

The day when she'd listened to her husband's lawyer reading his will had taken far too long to arrive in her opinion. An investigation was normal when someone died in a fire like Adrian had, but Eve was cleared of all charges. Signs of an electrical overload due to faulty wiring had been the culprit and shortly thereafter, Eve had sought to claim the insurance benefits to which she was entitled.

Since she'd had access to their bank accounts and they had no assets besides the house in which Adrian had died or their cars, Eve hadn't expected a long delay in settling her husband's estate. Instead, she'd found that Adrian was apparently the owner of multiple properties scattered across the country and now she had inherited them.

She didn't really want to have to deal with this issue and had requested that they be quietly sold. Every one of them had been bought now, except one. According to Adrian's lawyer, his will required her to visit the location before parting with it. Finding a way around this stipulation turned out to be more trouble than it was worth to her.

Why was Adrian determined for me to see this cabin? Eve reflected. Hopefully, she would find some answers once she arrived. By this point, they'd reached the airport and she hopped out and headed inside to check in. It would still be some time before she would be able to even begin getting answers. Hopefully, they would allow her to finally begin to heal from the tragedy she'd experienced.

[ywklsenterprises]

The dream came unexpectedly, but it was the same every time. Eve was walking past her home when she saw smoke pouring out of the door and windows.

Light flickered from the flames that she could now see and she rushed towards her home, calling out to Adrian. Somehow she knew that he was inside, caught by the blaze.

Against all sense, Eve ran inside; trying to move anything out through the fog which filled the air. In the back of her mind, she knew that she hadn't been there when her house burned down. This whole scene was a product of her imagination. But that didn't make it any easier.

Suddenly, Adrian lumbered out of the haze. His clothes were ragged and dirty, but he seemed otherwise unhurt. He grabbed her by the shoulders, looking desperately into her eyes. "You should have been here! Where were you? I looked for you?" her husband demanded.

Eve didn't have an answer. She knew he was right. If things had been different, maybe he might've survived. Or she would also be dead. The guilt over surviving had been eating at her in the days and weeks since the tragedy which had torn her life apart.

She wanted it to be nothing more than a nightmare, the worries of the day or some kind of aftereffect from indigestion. But it wasn't. Even in the depths of the night as she tossed and turned, Eve Jackson knew that when she woke in the morning; her worst fears would have come true.

[ywklsenterprises]

12-4-21- Mistakes Authors Make, Part 6- Villains are Dumb

Smart heroes need smart enemies.

It should be simple, but apparently not.

Far too often, because their foes are self-serving or motivated by things which are never quite explained; authors want you to hate their bad guys simply for existing.

And this too makes them idiots.

It is far more satisfying to finally overcome seemingly impossible odds than to have everything handed to you on a platter. But even more fascinating are the times when the good guys lose.

The best case is a scenario where except for a few random incidents, the hero could be the villain or vice versa.

[ywklsenterprises]

11-28-21- Mistakes Authors Make, Part 5- Death Isn't Traumatic

A character is introduced, given a name and elaborate back story only to be swiftly eliminated moments later.

This cheapens the impact of this event.

While having characters who are of lesser importance, that doesn't mean they need to perish in order to drive the plot. A good example are the expendable security officers from the original Star Trek series.

This became so common it has even been joked about. But really, your characters should have enough depth where that you become reluctant to eliminate them.

In the real world, death always hurts someone.

This should also be true in a story.

[ywklsenterprises]

11-25-21- Mistakes Authors Makes, Part 4- Mary Sue-vian

This isn't limited to novels.

A Mary Sue (or Gary Stu) is a character who can do no wrong, or who exists in a world where everything always works out. The nature of the difficulty or the conflict doesn't matter. They have infinite plot armor.

The problem with this is that the story becomes predictable and has no tension. You know that there's going to be a happy ending. This can lead to situations where things become more exaggerated until you've written yourself into a corner.

There's a corollary to this, which will be discussed next time.

Unless your protagonist is Superman, things aren't always going to work out and even then; it's better if they don't.

[ywklsenterprises]

11-22-21- Mistakes Authors Make, Part 3- Alien = Gibberish

When you're reading a story featuring a foreign language or aliens; often an author will choose to emphasize that fact by making them either speak constantly in a way which can't be understood.

Another form of this is to have names that an completely unpronounceable. If these are featured frequently, then getting through the prose becomes a slog.

Some even go to the extreme of overusing these terms and names to the point that their characters might as well be speaking nonsense.

Having strange names or languages isn't bad when used in moderation.

[ywklsenterprises]

11-21-21- Mistakes Authors Make, Part 2- Jargonese

Phasers. Lightsabers. Replicants. These are just three examples of things that appear in movies which the uninitiated might not immediately understand but can comprehend with a little explanation.

But what about more esoteric things? Often, the more is created in a particular universe; the greater amount of background is needed for it to become comprehensible.

And many times, authors who write stories with police officers, lawyers, medical professionals on involving the military; use phrases that would make no sense and don't bother to try and help their audience to know what's going on.

One especially bad example was a novel called The Quantum Thief which included numerous barely explained concepts where following the plot became nearly impossible.

Jargon is inevitable when you write, but it should always be fairly obvious what the terms mean.

[ywklsenterprises]

11-16-21- Mistakes Authors Make, Part 1- TMA

If you're wondering what this stands for, then you're already halfway to comprehending the subject. Let me spell it out for you.

TMA= Too Many Acronyms

This and my second topic are related, but let's dwell on this first.

In normal life, people deal with the linguistic shortcuts all the time. CPR, ATM, PIN, ASAP... these are all acronyms.

For the layman, an acronym is defined as follows.

An shortened form of expression which stands for a sentence, used to make conveying an idea easier.

All well and good, you might think.

Except for one simple fact.

If you're not using that acronym in your regular, everyday life; you won't recall what it means.

This usually results in a few situations when an author peppers their prose with acronyms.

First, they become meaningless. You simply don't know what they mean even if the author bothers to explain them once and afterwards you're pretty much confused all the time.

Second, they become repetitive. If you have to stop and remind your audience what the acronym means every time it shows it then why bother to use it in the first place? And if you don't then they'll like lose the train of thought.

Completely avoiding acronyms is probably impossible. Human nature tends to avoid long, complicated descriptions when short ones will suffice.

Thus, if you use an acronym; try to stick to something familiar and easily explainable. Example: Code RED- Restricted Emergency Directive- A law to allow immediate action during a crisis without the approval of the government.

[ywklsenterprises]

10-24-21- My Stories- Castle: Skeletons in the Closet

Origins: Castle, Season 4

Plot: Richard Castle and Kate Beckett investigate a murder. The clues lead to a realtor who happens to be the victim's twin sister. The pair had been separated for years and recently reuinited. They learn that the house the deceased formerly lived in was about to be demolished and conclude that the killer might have left her there on purpose.

At the site, they discover a second body. It turns out to be the adopted father of the living twin, whose body was stolen and never recovered. The autopsy confirms that he was murdered.

The dead man turns out to have a history which seems to indicate that he changed his identity. They learn he was the real father of the dead woman, though both of the couples involved in the adoption of the twins claim the opposite.

They learn that the dead man and the adopted mother of the deceased twin were their biological parents. Then the dead man divorced her and married someone else. They track down the lawyer involved in the divorce and learn of another one who no longer practices.

The house where the dead man was found has records which vanished in a fire, which lost the license of the disbarred lawyer. Castle concluded that the dead man planned to change his will, only he died first and the document was subsequently destroyed.

Interviewing the boyfriend of the dead woman, they learn that she was unusually cold with him recently. Next, they locate the disbarred lawyer. He reveals that the living twin wasn't set to inherit until the wills were changed.

The living twin admits to learning she had a twin sister five years ago. Her fiance demands no more questions until a lawyer is present. Castle and Beckett are ordered to work on the fresh murder. Castle realizes that the PI they interviewed earlier shouldn't have been able to know about the connection between the dead man and the twins.

They conclude that there was a crime which was being covered up which lead to the death of the father and then the twin when she investigated it. Tracking down the PI, they find him about to destroy evidence. Castle concludes that the dead man must have committed mail fraud.

While the precinct is ready to close the case, Castle asks to look it over again. He deduces that the twin sisters might have switched identities. Confronting the living twin with the mail fraud charges, they get her to admit to the switch.

They then tell her that the recorded call purportedly made by her dead sister only makes sense if she made it herself to provide an alibi. This allows them to close the case.

Themes: Police procedural, twins, mistaken identity

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11985175/1/Castle-Skeletons-in-the-Closet

[ywklsenterprises]

10-23-21- My Stories- The Sith Maelstrom, Book 2- The Shade of Oblivion

Origins: The Thrawn Trilogy, The New Jedi Order, The Sith War (comic), The Hand of Thrawn

Plot: Sival negotiates use of his resources with the galactic government. Tork and Valeriy Quirlarna meet with a Yuuzhan Vong collaborator. Lando and Han go looking for proof of Sival's identity.

Brakiss reunites with his father. Han learns that Yuuzhan Vong have gone into hiding on Myrkr. Vhaldoq discerns that Sival intends to recreate a deadly plague and use it on Coruscant to spark a conflict between them and the outside world.

Jacen escapes his captors and is rescued. Exar Kun and Luke face Tork and one of the two versions of Darth Sival, winning and killing the duplicate. Exar Kun pursues the real Sival to Coruscant. The Yuuzhan Vong are shown that they can use the Force.

Luke and Mara confront Valeriy Quirlarna, convincing her to destroy the weapon Sival has made to prevent his rise to power. Vhaldoq faces Tork and defeats him. Exar Kun fights Sival and both die. Vhaloq and Brakiss return to the region controlled by the Grand Admiral.

Themes: Dopplegangers, galactic conflict

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13077363/1/The-Sith-Maelstrom-Book-II-The-Shade-of-Oblivion

[ywklsenterprises]

10-21-21- My Stories- The Sith Maelstrom, Book 1- The Servants of Chaos

Origins: The Thrawn Trilogy, The New Jedi Order, The Prequel Trilogy, The Sith War (comic)

Plot: There is dissension in the Imperial ranks about what course to take. Moff Valeriy Quirlarna allies with an outsider named Tork who promises great things and passes himself off as a clone of Darth Vader.

Grand Admiral Vhaldoq meets with Han Solo, warning of a threat that is about to surface. Luke Skywalker is captured by Darth Sival. Corran Horn learns of a rising insurrection of Yuuzhan Vong. Mara Jade goes looking for her husband.

Vhaldoq agrees to meet with Gilad Pellaeon and warns him of the return of the Sith. An influential man calling himself Jonas Rianes appears in the galactic government and advocates radical action against the remaining Yuuzhan Vong.

General Airen Cracken recognizes Jonas as a Sith lord. Darth Sival's acolyte Brakiss frees Luke and renounces the Dark Side. Mara is able to help Luke escape. A fleet threatens the seat of galactic power. Jacen boards the enemy flagship and faces Tork, losing and being captured.

Luke meets up with Rkvzlanmara and learns the Brakiss is the long lost son of Exar Kun. A second force drives away those who attacked the galactic government. The leader of that group is revealed to be Darth Sival.

Themes: Dopplegangers, false identity, galactic conflict

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12926556/1/The-Sith-Maelstrom-Book-I-The-Servants-of-Chaos

[ywklsenterprises]

10-19-21- My Stories- The Sith Agenda, Book 2- The Realm of Fire

Origins: The Sith War (comic), Empire of Darkness (my story), The Thrawn Trilogy, The Hand of Thrawn, The New Jedi Order

Plot: The combined forced of the New Republic and Imperial Remnant work together to fight back against the invading forces. A team is sent undercover to a region controlled by Vhaldoq to take out a cloning facility.

Wedge is freed with the aid of his comrades in Rogue Squadron. Sival faces his clone and drives their ship into the Maw. The conflict ends with Vhaldoq retreating, revealing he did this to prepare the galaxy for a terrible conflict.

Themes: Dopplegangers, galactic conflict

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12789531/1/The-Sith-Agenda-Book-II-The-Realm-of-Fire

[ywklsenterprises]

10-18-21- My Stories- The Sith Agenda, Book 1- The Edge of Night

Origins: The Sith War (comic), Empire of Darkness (my story), The Thrawn Trilogy, The Hand of Thrawn, The New Jedi Order

Plot: It is many years after the fall of the Empire. From a previously unexplored sector, a fleet of ships appears and begins to win victories against the newly allied New Republic and Imperial Remnant.

Vhaldoq D'ukal's clone leads them and revives Darth Sival, who was imprisoned in carbonite. Sival tries to attack Coruscant. However, Exar Kun had arrived to warn Luke Skywalker of impending danger and is able to stop him.

Sival returns chastened to Vhaldoq and is presented with his own clone, who is designed to keep him in line. Vhaldoq begins trying to retrieve various Super Star Destroyers from around the galaxy. Coruscant is attacked directly and put under siege.

A plot to free Coruscant is launched. Wedge is captured. The Imperial capitol of Bastion falls to Vhaldoq.

Themes: Galactic conflict

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12662176/1/The-Sith-Agenda-Book-I-The-Edge-of-Night

[ywklsenterprises]

10-17-21- My Stories- The Sith Empire, Book 2- The Force of Shadows

Origins: The Sith War (comics); The Courtship of Princess Leia, X:Wing- Wraith Squadron, Iron Fist, Solo Command; Tie Fighter (video game), The Thrawn Trilogy

Plot: Luke Skywalker and Han Solo are lured into a conference with the bounty hunter Zol Xarh. His wife Adeyl and his son have been taken hostage by Vhaldoq D'ukal. He has a lead that his wife is being held onboard the Grand Admiral's flagship at the shipyards of Fondor.

Meanwhile, Rkvzlnmara is captured and brought to Darth Vader and Vhaldoq. Vader had previously encountered him along with a mysterious individual known as Gavis Ideji.

Elsewhere, Mara Jade investigates the activities of Grand Admiral Zaarin; ultimately uncovering a plot which forces him to flee and abdicate his position.

Zol Xarh uses the ship Vader captured to create a distraction where he can sneak aboard Vhaldoq's ship. He fights his way to the bridge, confronting Vader and D'ukal. During this struggle, the Grand Admiral is thrown into space.

Vader holds back on pursuing the bounty hunter to recover Vhaldoq's body at the behest of the Emperor. Luke and Han get away. Zol Xarh and Adeyl are happily reunited.

Themes: Galactic conflict, kidnapping

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12536404/1/The-Sith-Empire-Book-II-The-Force-of-Shadows

[ywklsenterprises]

10-16-21- My Stories- The Sith Empire, Book 1- The Rise of Darkness

Origins: The Sith War (comic), The Prequel Trilogy

Plot: After Attack of the Clones, a training facility for Imperial Guards is being run by Vhaldoq D'ukal. He discerns that one of his students is Force sensitive and eventually reveals him as a Sith who then flees.

Meanwhile, Adeyl Rianes hires bounty hunter Zol Xarh to find what happened to her father. They travel the galaxy and eventually fall in love.

Darth Jlan attempts to track down the rogue Sith, eventually leading to a conflict where he's aided by Xarh, who is actually Exar Kun in disguise. Afterwards, he regains his memory of the past.

Exar and Adeyl marry, knowing that a threat to galactic peace will soon surface.

Themes: Galactic conflict, false identity, mystery

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12390493/1/The-Sith-Empire-Book-I-The-Rise-of-Darkness

[ywklsenterprises]

10-15-21- My Stories- The Sith War, Book 2- The Fall of Legends

Origins: The Sith War (comic), The Prequel Trilogy

Plot: 25 years before the Phantom Menace a new attack is waged on multiple fronts across the galaxy. A deadly plague begins to spread, affecting the memories of those infected. Exar Kun and Darth Jlan emerge from hiding, going around to try and stop this disaster.

The threat materializes in Darth Sival, who tempts Cayn Qel-Droma to the Dark Side. Several prominent Jedi Masters fall. The Sith make it to Coruscant. Exar Kun is able to drive Sival off and alters a program which would have killed all Force users so it wipes their memories of recent history instead.

Kun sends a message to warn the Jedi, then is trapped in carbonite by Sival. The Sith goes into hibernation to await a future where he can conquer.

Themes: Galactic conflict, pandemic, amnesia

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12219315/1/The-Sith-War-Book-II-The-Fall-of-Legends

[ywklsenterprises]

10-14-21- My Stories- The Sith War, Book 1- The Path of Destiny

Origins: The Sith War (comic), Knights of the Old Republic (video game), The Prequel Trilogy

Plot: 50 years before the Phantom Menace, a Jedi apprentice named Exar Kun is tempted to the Dark Side while various Sith forces attack around the galaxy.

Exar decides that the Sith are the wrong way, but goes to the Senate to reveal the threat and plead that the Jedi need to change or they will be destroyed.

Also, a Jedi couple is united by struggles and helps bring an end to the Sith assault. One of the Sith Exar faced, Rmnklamara; also decided to leave the Dark Side. Exar faces his old master and kills him. Rmnklamara changes to the identity Darth Jlan. Exar and Jlan go into hiding together.

Themes: Redemption, destiny, galactic struggle

Story Link:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12124647/1/The-Sith-War-Book-I-The-Path-of-Destiny