Note From a Triceratops
Storyfeather
We think we know their story. The asteroid. The extinction. But one person believes that the dinosaurs may have left more than their bones behind. Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery Excerpt: They saw it coming. And at first they were helpless. Despite how far they’d come in their hundred-million-plus years of existence, they were helpless to stop the asteroid that was headed right for them. So they didn’t stop it. But they didn’t stay helpless either. What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it’s connected to or...
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The Alien in My Headphones
Storyfeather
A young woman becomes increasingly convinced that the radio receiver in her bargain headphones is picking up an alien transmission. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: And I, as always, am Glormynx. As you know, this week, I’m interviewing citizens at all levels of society—soldiers, politicians, bakers, mongrel-walkers, scientists, and of course, poets. And I’m asking what they think about the planned invasion of Earth. What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it’s connected to or inspired by a...
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A Specter in Amber
Storyfeather
A woman observes an unnatural change in her sister linked to a chunk of amber that her sister stumbles upon and begins to study. Genre: Mystery Excerpt: I heard her climbing up to check on the source of the clatter, just as I had. And when I heard Marta enter the room and scream, half of me wanted to turn around and comfort her. The other half of me wanted to keep locking gazes with the specter that was floating outside the attic window.. What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it’s connected to or...
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The Dark Organ Factory
Storyfeather
Two friends uncover the truth behind the mysterious industrial accident that shuttered an organ preservation factory and cast its owner into ruin. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: Jordan then glanced around the room, the basement room that was part of the secret underground laboratory beneath the abandoned factory that was once owned by Sabrina’s mother, Alectrona Fabron, the famed pioneer of organ preservation technology. It seemed Alectrona had figured out how to preserve more than just organs. What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each...
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Unstable Blood
Storyfeather
A woman with unique blood and a man with an uncanny sense of smell are targeted by a shadowy corporation seeking to shut down all research into synthetic blood. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: Too much blood. Too much blood is dripping. He’ll smell it. He’ll find me. Once again, she stopped for a moment and leaned against a wall under the flashing red bulbs and the piercing alarm. She inhaled and drew the blood back into her body through the poorly sealed gash that arced over her shoulder. A dozen rivulets trickled up her bare arm. What story or...
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What Is Permanent Damage?
Storyfeather
A locked door, surrounded by scandal and rumor, stands in the middle of an office. No one ever goes in or comes out. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: Every day on my way to my desk, I passed by a door with the words “PERMANENT DAMAGE” written on it. No one ever went in or came out—not that I’d seen anyway, and I’d been working at the firm for about a year. I asked people about the door, and the sign. They said there used to be another firm occupying our floor and the two below it. That door supposedly led to a defunct elevator that shuttled executives...
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My Every Existing Memory
Storyfeather
An inventor of a memory management device realizes his invention is showing him a memory he hasn’t experienced, a dangerous memory. Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction Excerpt: “Memories are unreliable…” Max paused, hesitated actually. He’d rehearsed aloud what he was going to say so many times— despite not needing to remember the words— that he’d fooled himself into believing it all sounded reasonable. But now, he was about to say the words out loud to another person, the most critical person he could possibly tell his truth to.. What story or stories am I...
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The Wandering Winsome
Storyfeather
Wil Winsome is a magician-for-hire, whose newest case may involved excising a possessing spirit from a beloved and fragile grandmother. Genre: Fairy Tale, Horror Excerpt: What I got from my mother was her hands. I am the only one among my brothers and sisters who can do real magic. It took study and struggle, true. I’m only half-fairy after all. I am also the only one because my brothers and sisters chose other paths. Paths less littered with singed parchment, bearing symbols written in the faded sepia of dried blood. Paths less meandering into the mouths of bat-filled caverns....
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Lucinda of the Ashes
Storyfeather
When Lucinda’s dream of studying magic is dashed, she finds another chance in a grand royal contest that she’s been forbidden to enter. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: “Every spell I try turns to ashes. It was not my intention to teach myself. I merely have no other choice.” What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it’s connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on. This story joins the several others...
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Why Beauty Sought the Beast
Storyfeather
To be a beauty is both a burden and a boon. Genre: Fairy Tale Excerpt: Imelda’s beauty—while it may not have impressed in a city or even a large town—was quite surpassing in their little village. Surpassing enough to catch the eye of those with greater means. The girl wished to be learned. She wished to explore. Perhaps her beauty could make it so could do what she dreamed of doing. What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it’s connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an...
info_outlineAfter a young drummer commits the crime of “creativity without a license,” her bandmate discovers a way to protect her and all other unlicensed artists.
Genre: Science Fiction
Excerpt:
“Tell me, as the band’s leader, what is the future of Discordance now? Will you find a new drummer? Will you disband and follow individual careers? The fans are dying to know.”
Kavita seen herself in interviews dozens of times before, and she’d felt many different emotions at seeing herself. Mortification, dissatisfaction, pride, amusement. This time she felt only anxiety.
But it wasn’t the anxiety of what had already happened. It was the rising anxiety of anticipation.
What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?
If you could be in any band (past or present), what band would it be? What would be your role?
Source: 500 Creative Prompts. Copyright © 2019 Piccadilly (USA) Inc.
MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!
Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.
It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.
The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.
Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE
(Hint: The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free. Sounds sweet to me.)
CREDITS
Story: “The Drummer for Discordance” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel
Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel
Music:
“Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)
Music by ROZKOL
“To the Water’s Edge”
Music by KOMIKU
“Dreaming of you”
Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)*
“Abstract Vision #3”
“Abstract Vision #6”
“A&C Percussion Loop #11”
“Abstract Vision #5”
“Abstract Vision #2”
“A&C Percussion Loop #3”
“A&C Percussion Loop #14”
*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.
Music by Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market
Music by ROZKOL is licensed under CC BY 4.0
Music by Komiku is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal License
Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket
Vocal effects made in Audacity
Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.
Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net
Find more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net
Find more music by Komiku and ROZKOL at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.com
Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com
Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A girl sitting behind a full drum set, facing forward. The girl’s eyes are closed and her body is tilted to the left, both bent arms raised and holding drumsticks above cymbals. The sticks glow with sparkles. The girl’s long dark hair is whipping to the right. The tops of the three drums in front of her emit glowing threads of light. The drum at bottom bears a symbol. Translucent text at the bottom of the frame reads “The Drummer for Discordance.” Watermark of “Storyfeather” along edge of cymbol near top right. The rectangular image is made square with a framing border that shows of a color-shifted larger version of the image’s edges.