No, the name in the title is not my real name, as you probably guessed. I go by my pen name online, Xennariel or Xen for short. It’s actually the name of the main character of a fantasy book I’ve been trying to write for over fifteen years. I know, I know, my creativity in choosing a pen name knows no bounds! I also know that’s a hell of a long time to be writing a book. I’m a perfectionist and that’s the excuse I’m sticking with.

I’ve always been an avid reader, particularly when it comes to the fantasy…

My love of crytpids and the paranormal began at a young age. I already wrote about two of my earliest experiences in a previous article. I’ve returned to tell the tale of my final two paranormal experiences, which occurred when I was older, making them even more vivid in my memory.

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois where the first of my experiences happened. When I was twelve, my parents and I moved to Livermore California due to my father getting a new job. …

Dew drops clung to the foliage of the deep woods, a light mist permeating the air. The early morning breeze was cool and the twin suns had yet to breach the horizon, leaving the hushed forest covered in shadows.

Four small figures moved through the trees, swift and light, the plants under their feet glowing in tones of blue and purple with each step, the trees changing color with each brush past them.

The children’s soft giggles echoed through the forest as they raced toward a lake at the center. Running at their sides were two young wolves, a white…

Education

I’m here to raise awareness about a disease I had no idea existed until several months ago. I’m no expert, but I want to share everything I’ve learned as an owner of a dog diagnosed with EPI. Personal experience is often the best teacher.

Zephyr’s EPI story

When my Border Heeler pup Zephyr was about nine months old, we noticed he seemed to be losing weight and was always hungry. I didn’t think too much about him being hungry all the time. That’s not unusual for dogs. What was starting to worry me was his weight loss and unusual looking stools.

Zephyr’s poop…

Welcome to the second installment of my Controversial Pet Opinions article series! If you missed the first article, you can read it here.

I’m laying down more hard truths that many pet owners don’t seem to grasp. Nowadays we know more about animals, particularly animals we keep as pets, so things pet owners did fifty years ago or more are no longer acceptable. Proper care of your pet is an absolute must!

Here are some lesser-known pet facts that people need to learn.

Fish need bigger tanks

I am so tired of seeing Betta fish being sold in and kept in tiny bowls. …

“Shit, what the hell?” Xennariel growled, whirling around to the cafe entrance.

Blue Rain’s patrons screamed and scrambled under tables or as far away as they could from a middle aged man with a receding hairline that stumbled into the cafe. He carried an unconscious customer under one arm and held a handgun in the other. A crazy look was in his eyes and his mouth was curved in a wide smirk.

Crazy Eyes dropped the man he was holding carelessly, kicking the limp body aside. He wandered away from the door, further into the cafe, cocking the gun and…

“The nerve of that guy!” Xennariel fumed in her room the next morning to an equally annoyed Shakuran as she got ready for the day. “Blackmailing me like that. Who does he think he is?”

Shakuran grumbled in response, agreeing that the man they met in the woods was an ass. He pressed into her mind to tell her such, using their form of silent communication, something unique to all higher demons and their spirit guardians.

“Yes, yes he was.” Xennariel laughed. “It’s okay. …

There are many many books and articles that highlight the positivity of writing and becoming a writer. This is not one of those articles.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but being a writer isn’t all rainbows, sunshine, and unicorn farts. If you’re sensitive to failure, I would suggest choosing a different career path. Writing is not for the weak.

Not everyone can cut it as a writer

Despite what people say, no, not everyone can be a writer.

Writing requires at least some amount of imagination, creativity, and knowledge about the craft.

Just like I will never have what it takes to be a…