Tomorrow is the final day in April’s Mini Challenge. If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to grab the free Storms & Weather prompt packet.

Part of the reason I decided to do a Mini Challenge for the month was to start getting ready for the first large challenge I want to run. More details about that are coming up soon!

I also took it as a chance to refocus on what I wanted to do here on the Fiction Seed as well as for my own writing. Partly because I realized I’d lost focus.

The reason I started the Fiction Seed is partially because there’s a lot of chaos and uncertainty in the publishing industry right now. Many traditional publishers are still trying to catch up to the rise of indie publishing, and many authors, including myself, are turning more and more to indie publishing. In recent years however, we’ve seen the industry flooding with work pushed out by a machine. Even indie authors have reasons to be concerned.

Stories are a core human trait. Oral stories existed long before pen and paper, and even after we invented printing presses and transistors, microphones and televisions screens, we used them to tell each other stories. Audiobooks and podcasts, streaming service original shows, ebooks and so many other forms of digital media are ways for us to tell stories.

Stories have been a way for us to connect across cultures and generations for as long as humans have been human. Stories matter so much right now.

Human stories especially. The stories that make us rejoice and connect with each other. The stories about how the weak aren’t powerless but instead persistent and loving in the face of adversity.

I started the Fiction Seed because those are the stories that have gone missing from the media. I started the Fiction Seed because I know I’m not the only one that’s hurting every time there’s some new way to tear a person in half on the television. I started the Fiction Seed because I want to inspire humans to do the thing we’ve always done:

Create stories.

To that end, I’m refocusing on what I know best. I’ve let my own writing slip in the last several months, so I’m pushing myself back to writing. In fact, for those of you who’ve seen me blogging before, you might be familiar with the name.

The Written Vixen is back. This time, she’s my own substack where I’ll be posting weekly short stories and flash fiction. If you’re interested you can sign up and get a short story delivered to your inbox. If you’re just here for the inspiration, I have good news still.

I’m restructuring my prompts to be able to offer a free packet of at least 100 writing prompts a month. These will be themed and in the near future I’m looking to expand these as well, but each prompt packet will be available 100% free and no email required to download.

Additionally, each Monday I’ll have a Micro-Challenge for you to complete during the week. Wednesdays will focus on developing and growing story ideas, either through questions or through additional writing prompts.

Fridays are a bit of a mixed bag. Some Fridays you might see a weekend flash fiction challenge, or you may find a reference table. I’m also looking for guest posters for Friday slots starting in June! You can contact me here if you’re interested in writing a guest post.

And, because I know how hard writing can be, especially when starting out, I’m adding posts on Saturdays. These are longer articles and will focus on in-depth coverage of a part of writing. If there’s a particular writing topic you’d like to see covered, you can also use the contact form to ask!

The hope is always to encourage others to write their own stories. To that end, I’m expanding places you can find me. Not just the Written Vixen Substack, but you can also now find the Fiction Seed on Bluesky. If you’re on there, say hi to @fictionseed.com!

Happy, and inspired, writing.