Daily Short Stories from The Penned Sleuth

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/why-readers-struggle-to-follow-your-story Many factors influence the readability of a book. The plot, the characters, the style of writing. All of it plays a part in making your book unique and interesting. However, these factors can just as easily take a great story idea and turn it into a scattered mess. It can make a story that is simple on the surface, confusing, or a story that appears interesting, as boring as watching paint dry. These are the reasons a reader will struggle to follow a story! Writer's Workshop: https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/writers-workshop.html

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert is the second novel in the Dune series. It continues the story of Paul Atreides, Muad’dib, who is now Emperor. With being emperor comes an assortment of threats, from old enemies and allies. Even the tapestry of time is incomplete despite his powers to see various threads of the future. Something lies hidden; is it a gift or a threat? Here is my spoiler-free review of Dune Messiah! https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/dune-messiah-by-frank-herbert-book-review

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/top-10-tips-for-writing-amazing-villains Writing an antagonist is both incredibly fun, as well as incredibly nerve-wracking. You can push the boundaries of what is normal behaviour, but strive to remain in the realm of reality. An antagonist is only as intimidating as they are believable, so how can we keep this delicate balancing act going? ​ Here are my top 10 tips for writing a great antagonist!

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/twenty-thousand-leagues-under-the-sea-book-review For this week’s book review, I cover a classic novel by Jules Verne; Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. It’s the story of three men and their deep-ocean tour of the world in Captain Nemo’s submersible, the Nautilus. A story of captivity, a mysterious captain and to cap it off, the wonders of the ocean. Here is my spoiler-free review of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea!

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/my-writing-methods-and-why-i-use-them Every writer has personal rules that help them strengthen their writing style. These rules not only reinforce their way of writing but push them to improve their writing as well. If you are sincere about improving your writing, you will start developing your own rules as well. If you don't know what rules to set yourself, I am going to share my writing rules with you so you can get an idea. Perhaps some of these rules will appeal to you as well!

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/down-the-hill Climbing out of the car the two students noticed the lights were gone. Andy had seen lights that led into the forest from a distance, back in their small town, but Dave was unconvinced. Still, Andy thought it was worth more than checking out. He had been seeing things like this and his closest friends didn't believe him. The last option was Dave, who wasn't his closest friend, but a bully. If the two found what Andy saw, Dave would vouch for him and if not, Andy loses lunch money for the next week.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/ocean-floor Everyone has always wondered what was at the bottom of the deepest ocean. A mixture of foreboding and curiosity washes over them when they think of it now, but I've been down there. I've stood on the ocean floor and stared straight up. There was so much water between me and the surface you shouldn't see light, but I did. Through all the pressure surrounding me, I could feel all that was around me. The environment gave me peace, not fear.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/dune-by-frank-herbert-book-review Dune by Frank Herbert is a classic science fiction novel that tells the story of a desert covered planet called Arrakis and the extraordinary journey of a young noble, Paul Atreides. It’s a story filled with fascinating political conflict, fantastic prophecy and drama on a Shakespearean level. Here is my spoiler-free review of Dune!

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/the-underground I hated the subway. It was filled with rude people and lunatics. First, the wait for the train. You have to watch out for pickpockets and nauseous homeless drunk on cheap spirits. The moment the sounds of the street faded you knew you were in for a treat. It seemed the city's worst centred around the subway, so I guess that makes me one of the cities worst. To be honest, if I had the energy to walk across the city, I would, but I cant and this is one of the mundane problems. However, this is nothing compared to the train ride itself.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/lost "...stay tuned to hear more on Coal Pine FM..." I flicked the button and the radio fell silent. Trees closed around the car as the path narrowed, but I could see it widening up ahead. It shouldn't be too long before I reached the crossroads. Not a moment too soon either. Night was drawing in and the fog was thickening. It's going to be a difficult drive, but I won't have to drive for long at least. I sighed with relief, nearing a landmark like this after being lost for so long.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/freedom "Is the boat ready?" I asked pulling the homemade satchel over my back. "I need to leave as quickly as possible." "It's ready, but I still think you should say goodbye, friend." I sighed at the same tedious advice. However, there is no going back now. I've made my decision and if I told anyone they would just try to stop me. The fools never realized escape was the only way off of this island. There was no rescue party; there was no forgiving tribe that would take us in. We had two choices; work ourselves to death or fight for freedom.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/beneath-the-sands I just needed to keep an ear out for the bleep. I will eventually cross something of value and the metal detector will lend me a reward. It wasn't a cheap machine, but surely it would do its job and make up for it. Of course, my luck wasn't the best and the first thing I discovered wasn't worth anything. However, I felt if I continued scanning the beach I would find some kind of treasure and secure enough riches to keep me happy. It was a large beach that had been through all kinds of history, so I was bound to find something.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/the-lost-library "This better not be another waste of time," I muttered throwing the hot sand over my shoulder. "I...cannot say that it won't be," She said shrugging. "But this feels right." "You said that about the one in Alexandria." "Well, it’s supposed to be the Hidden Library of Alexandria!" Of course, she would say that, but when we found ourselves in a different antechamber beneath the sands she stated clearly that she expected the location to be a misnomer.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/to-be-disturbed I was the one student in the classroom that couldn't care less about what we were learning. Everyone else was in a panic to study and learn so they could meet the approaching finals well-prepared. Of course, I didn't have a chance in hell. The teachers decided long ago that I wasn't worth the time, considering that everything up to now I failed. So there I sat at the back of the classroom seeing things that the others could not. Strange men in black suits and top hats standing menacingly over each student.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/12-tips-for-writing-unique-characters Ever since I started writing, I’ve wanted to write a unique character. One with many interesting facets and a personality that captures the reader. A character who plays their role so well that they make it memorable. Of course, that’s the goal of every author, from the beginner to the experienced author. ​ Here are 12 professional tips for writing a unique character!

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/soldier-of-fortune I was assigned to one of the many platoons that were making its way across Europe liberating the towns and cities from the Nazi occupation. Fortunately I was lucky to avoid any battle and was always just one step behind the real war. By the time I arrived in one of the small towns outside of France it had already been liberated. French people and allied soldiers walked the streets casually, but something was amiss. Even in war time the liberated towns and cities always had one resounding floor, be it ally soldiers harassing the people or Nazi's attempting to retake the town.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/light-switch Early mornings were a cinch to me. It was the simple grind of going to the store across the street, picking what I needed for breakfast and coming home. The best part about this is that I saved money in the end. No needlessly buying extra food just in case. Unfortunately, it meant leaving my home unattended which seems to create a whole set of mysteries on its own. Whenever I come home, no matter if I was gone for just a minute, something changes in my home and never for the better.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/endless-sand We stood at the entrance to the cave. Despite our clothing we could still feel the sand hit us as the winds picked up. The desert isn’t the best place in the world to be, especially if a sandstorm begins to pickup. We usually sheltered in caves far from the entrance just like everyone else. It has been that way ever since the war ended. I remember an apt phrase to describe the aftermath of the last war. The next war will be fought with sticks or something like that.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/the-basement ​"What's the situation?" I asked the officer. The fat man seemed confused, but then his expression turned sour. "Isn't that your job, detective?" he muttered. "Did you forget that I outrank you?" His friend stopped him before he could say what he really wanted to say. "Sorry, sir. He has just seen enough horror today. Describing it isn't high priority," The calmer officer replied. I pulled him aside and told him to explain if his friend couldn't. He sighed and agreed.

https://www.thepennedsleuth.com/blog/the-strings The master of manipulation, the puppet master. Someone who controls those you have no free will, it is immoral, but easy. Suppose you want to control another puppet master, or at least someone who acts of their own accord. It's simple, you manipulate their mind. The mind is what pulls the strings, lifts the arm, and pulls the trigger. It is incredibly difficult to manipulate the manipulative, but in doing so you can make a lot more happen without any repercussions.