Posted on

The Alter Mysteries flash fiction post, The Table, is up free and, Doll, is available on Early Access.

Hello everyone,

The most recent post of The Alter Mysteries: Death Shadow, The Table, has been up free since Sunday. TRIGGER WARNING alert for the post, The Table, because someone goes through some pretty horrible events in the scene. We get up close and personal with The Agent, which may be too much for some though by no means the most gory stuff out there. Today the next post in the series, Doll, is up on my Patreon for early access. Doll, shows you some of the aftermath of the attack and how it impacts characters’ relationships. Each post of The Alter Mysteries flash fiction is about 1500 words in length so you can read it in flash fiction format from the first post here. Or, if you prefer to read consolidated chapters check out this link.

For those of you who are new to The Alter Mysteries, it is a speculative flash fiction set in the near future that follows the Paranormal Investigation Task-force while they hunt down paranormal criminals. The Alter Mysteries: Death Shadow follows the paranormal investigator, Zara, while she pursues a serial killer that threatens the safety of paranormals in society.

I’ve been having fun playing with present tense in the series to get more inside the head of the killer and Zara at times. I’ve been wondering if I should just leave the entire series consistently in past tense. What do you think based on the scenes you’ve read?

Remember, if you want to tip me for my work you can become a patron on my Patreon. Thank you for following the series guys, please share and comment below!

Posted on

The Alter Mysteries Goodies: Did anyone say free fiction?

Hello everyone,

So today I posted all of Chapter 2 from the flash fiction series The Alter Mysteries: Death Shadow on my Patreon and here on my blog. The first post of chapter 3 is now up for free on my Patreon. Today I felt like posting chapter 3.2 a full week early on early access so my patrons of $3 or more can get a peek. Anyone interested in tipping me for my hard work can become a patron. If you would like to purchase any of my art or goodies you can check out my shop.

I’m super excited because I actually exceeded my word count goals for The Dark Prince this month. The word count is up to 41,925! A full 88 pages of 300. I’m certain I’ll get a good head start on my 20,000 minimum for next month. Writing The Dark Prince has been so much fun; especially because it is an intimate thing where no one is taking a peek. The Alter Mysteries: Death Shadow will also be turned into a book eventually with the flash fiction series continuing afterward, but since I have been sharing as I write it has a different feeling.

If you’re interested in getting a sneak peek at The Dark Prince, there is an excerpt available to paying patrons of $5 or more on my Patreon. Thank you to all my supporters who remember to share, post links, and comments with any questions.

Love you guys! Let me know what you think of The Alter Mysteries so far?

Posted on

The Muse of Creation by Laura Zabala

The Muse of Creation Promo

A framed version of this inspirational poem is available here.

Posted on

Hello, everyone,

The release of The Alter Mysteries: Death Shadow Chapter 2.4, is now up free. The newest posts of the flash fiction series The Alter Mysteries can be found on my patreon. Posts go free Sunday. My patreon allows paying patrons early access to my posts, exclusive access to content like a preview of my book in progress, The Dark Prince, and concept drawings for future books on my list. If you would like to tip me for my work head over to my patron sign-up page. There is also a shop on my site that sells accessories and clothing, like iPhone cases, mugs and shirts. For more information on the coupon and sale available for Pride Month and Father’s Day check out this post.

Feel free to leave comments and questions below. What do you think of the most recent post in The Alter Mysteries?

As always, thank you for following my blog!

Posted on

Sales, a coupon code and more of The Alter Mysteries!

Hello, everyone!

I have some goodies for you guys. First, the next flash fiction post of The Alter Mysteries: Death Shadow is available on early access for $3 patrons and above on my patreon. Don’t worry, the post will be free on Sunday, but if you can’t wait, feel free to tip me for my hard work and become a $3 patron. For those of you who do contribute, thank you for patronage! I can pump out more content, because of your support. Speaking of work, guess what? My shop has its first coupon available! The coupon is my gift to you in honor of Father’s day and Pride month. The coupon code is “gift10” (without the quotations marks) and can be applied to full priced merchandise only. That means you can get ten percent off my art, iPhone cases, and clothes. Aside from the coupon, there is also a sale on many items including my totes and pillows. The sale and the coupon both expire on Father’s day. Hurry and get your shop on before the sale is gone!

Thank you for following my blog guys! Feel free to leave questions and comments below!

Posted on

The Skinny on Chapter 2.2 and 2.3

Hey guys,

Sorry, it took me so long to post my usual reminder but chapter 2.2 of The Alter Mysteries has been up free since this past Sunday. I will be posting the next scene on early access sooner, today instead of tomorrow. Chapter 2.3 will be free to all on Sunday. I also have my first podcast available for free if you want to take a listen. My next project after I work on getting my word count up for The Dark Prince is to record the scenes I have already put out so you can listen to my flash fiction in a podcast. If you like the work that I do and my series, please consider supporting me on my Patreon, or buying goods from my shop. For the cost of the cup of coffee per month, you can make a difference. I work hard on all of this. Paying me for my work is a great way to say thank you. Spreading the word about my stories and shop can help to bring more support as well.

Thank you for following my work!

Chapter 2.3 Promo
Chapter 2.3 excerpt from The Alter Mysteries by Laura Zabala
Posted on

Meeting Your Goals

  Keeping track of our goals with creative endeavors can sometimes fall out of line with our inspiration. The last time I wrote an update about The Dark Prince was May 8th, since then my plans have changed in unexpected ways. I wrote far more for The Alter Mysteries than expected and opened a shop that sells posters, mugs, and other goodies. As a result, I am woefully short of my word minimum for May.

My word count has gone up to 12,242 words, which is 7,758 words short of my 20,000 per month goal. However, recognizing where I have come short can go a long way toward getting myself back on track. Analysis of what was done well and what needs attention can help get a creative back on track.

 

 Many creatives know that moment of intense inspiration where you can’t help but make what comes to you. The muse took me and forced me to write more of The Alter Mysteries. The ideas were so intense I could not stop writing. I feel that is a win. Since I plan to publish, The Alter Mysteries: Death Shadow, as a book. However, The Dark Prince is a book I want to publish on its own. Sooner rather than later. I want to prove to myself that I can write flash fiction while simultaneously pumping out books.

Since I have been productive I won’t punish myself for the low word count on The Dark Prince. However, this post is me reevaluating my metrics and refocusing on my goals. Creatives should review their goals and where they are in regards to meeting them. Granted sometimes you have to adjust plans and forgive yourself from taking unexpected detours. If I can manage to finish the month meeting my 20,000-word count for The Dark Prince – I consider that a win. If not, then I did well enough by writing at all and working toward my goals. Being productive in itself a great accomplishment – it is better than having no word count at all.

 

 Once an evaluation has been done of where you fall in terms of accomplishing the goals you set, now it is time to go about improving in the areas you fell short. By June 1st I will attempt to bridge the 7,758-word gap. A big goal, but one worth working toward. The more momentum I can put towards writing my book the better. I want to have a working first draft in my hand to tear apart and gripe over editing. As my word count goes up my thoughts go toward beta readers. Every time I reach a milestone I am already thinking up what will I do next. Sometimes it can shift focus away from what’s important, but this check in I do with my word count helps me go back to basics. Once the evaluation is done, and a creative sets up new goals based on what needs work, now it is time to focus on what was done right.

 

As a creative, producing results, you deserve a pat on the back, yes? This month I have been releasing new posts for The Alter Mysteries consistently, writing my book, and even opened a shop. I have been productive so I plan to treat myself by doing something I enjoy.

Purposely going out of your way to reward yourself for doing work is important. Just like a good company rewards its employees, you should reward yourself for working hard. Rewards are a way of incentivizing yourself to go above and beyond to meet your goals. Just remember that output isn’t always necessarily about volume, it’s about quality too. That is why we stop and check in to see where we are with things, not just by measuring our accomplishments, but taking a look at how others have responded. Did you get more followers? Has anyone taken the time to appreciate your work? It’s okay if no one has yet, but don’t forget that quality is extremely important.

 

Do you have any tips for reaching creative goals? If so, feel free to share. As always, thank you for reading.

Posted on

Muse by Laura Zabala (horror warning)

Muse Horror Poem by Laura Zabala
Follow Laura’s poetry and flash fiction at patreon.com/Laura_Zabala. You can read her work for free, or support her for the cost of a cup of coffee. Press on the image to check out her Patreon.
Posted on

First Post!

Writing is a lifestyle, in keeping with that premise, this is the first post of many. You can expect to find periodic updates on my stories and some personal opinion posts. If you are interested in Paranormal Adventure stories, my book in progress is listed here. There is also a free weekly fiction story, The Alter Mysteries: Death Shadow, that I post on my Patreon. Most importantly this is a space to engage in our passion for Supernatural and Science Fiction.  Look for more posts surrounding that topic for weeks to come.

Thank you for being a part of making my dreams a reality!