Haven't been on here much lately, and I've been neglecting the #TimeTravelAuthors prompts. But the last few days, I've been browsing through old documents and happened across two different time travel projects, left unfinished and forgotten. Now I'm excited to make cool time travel stuff again.

Slightly Diminish a Book: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Solar System A Little Bit of Chatter on the Western Front Alice's Adventures in Scottsdale A Game of Regular Chairs All the Lieutenant Governor's Men The Grapes of Perturbation Tax Fraud on the Orient Express

I'm way behind of #TimeTravelAuthors posts, but I'm still doing cool time travel stuff. Recently, I've been making plans for a time travel-themed fundraiser dinner with my theater group. And if any of you want to make the trek out to L.A., you're all totally invited.

You want some chocolate drink? I got some for my pirate friends, but they didn't want it, and now I'm stuck with a bunch of extra bottles of the stuff. So... Drink up me hearties' Yoo-Hoo!

New month, new #TimeTravelAuthors prompts! Day 1: Shoes make the man. That's MC's philosophy. Of course, when your shoes can take you through time, seven years at every step, you'd be reluctant to let anyone else walk a mile in them... (No idea if that sounds like a breezy beach read or not.)

4 Villains I've Written 1. Mad scientist with a penchant for death rays 2. Sea serpent who devours princesses and destroys kingdoms 3. 18th century industrialist who uses time travel to build a multi-century-spanning evil empire 4. Sardonic receptionist who's actually head of the Underworld

Day 29: I don't usually write much violence. There may sometimes be the threat of violence. There may be death and even murder that occur in the story. But I typically don't include the depictions of those things actually happening. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 27: Though not related by blood, MC and Rosetta have a very sibling-like relationship. They tease each other mercilessly, but they also care about each and have each other's backs. Privately, both considers themselves to be the "older sibling" who takes care of the other. #TimeTravelAuthors

Not gonna lie, a lot of the names on this list made me do a double take. Very glad Bowie did not join the 27 Club, because then who would have starred in Labyrinth? #TimeTravelAuthors

Way behind, but catching up, Day 15: 23rd century pop star Lapis Lazuli. They haven't appeared in the story yet, only briefly mentioned in passing, but I want to make more of their character. But not as a time traveler. As... I'm not sure what, actually. Guess we'll find out! #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 13, a day late: MC's unofficial catchphrase is, "I've got a spreadsheet for that!" Often said while dealing with things that are not in the spreadsheet, or run contrary to the spreadsheet. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 11: Rosetta doesn't see the point in making changes, as she believes one tragedy will just be replaced by another. MC is afraid any changes he attempts will just make things worse. And Captain Byrne is trying to figure out what changes will help prevent a future tragedy. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 9: Honestly, I don't know much about personality types or the quizzes that determine them. I've never put much stock in them, myself. I used to like Hogwarts Houses for this type of thing, but that brings with it all sorts of other implications now. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 7, a day late: "One hour to comply. Not enough time to arrange a rescue, even with time travel, and even if I had a plan for one, which I don't. No choice, then. But even if I do what he wants, can I trust that Dr. Stone will release her?" #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 5: Time stops for no one. With the boots, you can catch a play in 1864 or a train in 2235, but if the show starts at 7, or the train leaves at 7:15, and it's already 7:30 in 2025, then you're out of luck - unless you want to wait 7 years for it to swing by again. #TimeTravelAuthors

"What kind of cake do you like?"

#TimeTravelAuthors Day 3. The further I get into this story, the more Captain Byrne is becoming my favorite character.

“I asked ChatGPT” well I asked the three Fates and the one with the scissors got very agitated when I told her you were using your one precious life thread talking to that cursed thing

New month, new #TimeTravelAuthors prompts! Day 1: Navigating the timeline is difficult. More so when you can only travel in increments of seven years. And more yet when you're not sure how your time travel device even works. That's just the beginning of what MC has to face in Seven Year Boots.

Hey, #writer and #TimeTravelAuthor friends! Anyone have any recommendations for platforms to self-publish serial fiction, a chapter at a time? I had been considering Substack, but I think I'd rather have something geared specifically toward fiction, rather than blog posts. Any advice/suggestions?

Day 27: I especially love the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, as it affords me the opportunity to spoof/pay tribute to old radio, TV, movies, songs, and especially commercials. I really want to write something set in the London Blitz, but I haven't yet. I also love the end of the world. #TimeTravelAuthors

Catching up, Day 23: "I've been to the end of the world. It's a barren wasteland, desolate and burnt out. But just a step later, there are flowers, grass, trees... The ash enriches the soil, and in a few more steps, the whole planet is a garden." #TimeTravelAuthors

I was just talking about this with a friend the other day. I have never seen an LLM do something that I or another human could not have done better. So if I were to use one, it would mean I'm OK with whatever I'm doing being crap. (And destroying the environment to create that crap.)

Catching up on #TimeTravelAuthors, Day 19.

My criterion for twist endings is this: Once I know the twist, can I go back and enjoy the story again on its own merits? Or does the entire thing hinge on that single moment of surprise (or worse yet, multiple moments of surprise), so that once I know, experiencing it again holds no appeal?

I have some extra gift card credits on Amazon right now, and probably more coming in the next few weeks. Do I a.) save it up for something nice, or b.) splurge on time travel and sci-fi novels?

Day 17: MC finds a hidden room at the estate of the late Captain Byrne, which he hopes might have some information, some device, or some clue that might help him in his travels. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 15: MC does freelance and gig work across multiple eras, which makes taxes rather complicated. Fortunately, filing income taxes isn't an issue for any jobs before 1913. Unfortunately, jobs he holds at certain points in the future are even more of a nightmare. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 13: I try not to worry about it, to be honest. I've got friends who claim all time travel stories are confusing. Whatever I write, some people won't be on board. I'm not writing for them. I tend not to make my plots TOO complicated, but a few twists and turns keep things fun. #TimeTravelAuthors

Catching up, Day 5: A moment of stark introspection from our villain, Dr. Stone. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 3: Seven Year Boots is the story of a man who can travel in time, but only in increments of exactly seven years. In his travels he rescues a woman with a knack for languages and uncovers a vast temporal conspiracy, while trying to track down a tech mogul/rail tycoon/pirate. #TimeTravelAuthors

New month, new #TimeTravelAuthors prompts! In Seven Year Boots, we explore the saga of a man (who may or may not have a name), who utilizes public transportation and balances some really complicated spreadsheets, while taking several centuries to get his steps in.

Improve a first line by substituting Mrs. Dalloway. "Where's Mrs. Dalloway going with that ax?" "In a hole in the ground, there lived Mrs. Dalloway." "Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Mrs. Dalloway."

Question for my #TimeTravelAuthors friends (and anyone else): What historical figures do you think could have secretly been time travelers? I think a good case could be made for Hero of Alexandria. Any others?

#TimeTravelAuthors Day 29.

Day 27: MC would love to spend one more day with Alistair Byrne, previous owner of the 7 Year Boots, partly because he's fascinating, partly because they were friends, but mostly to ask a plethora of technical questions. Unfortunately, MC can't seem to find him on the timeline. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 25: Rosetta wants revenge against her father, who abandoned her in a distant and unfamiliar future as a social experiment. Figuring out what that revenge looks like and whether or not it's worth pursuing is something she grapples with throughout the story, with MC's help. #TimeTravelAuthors

Catching up, Day 21: One of MC's most frequent stops is the early 23rd century, which has one of the most robust and efficient public transportation systems in human history (human future?), and also some really good street food. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 19: "Compared to just seven years ago, the entire subway station is a horror. Paint is peeling, graffiti burned into the walls, and I don't know the last time it was cleaned. But the trains are still running, and the one to New York is just arriving, so... Small victories." #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 15. #TimeTravelAuthors

Catching up, day 11: Since it's me, it has to be a niche dessert. Let's go with Baked Alaska. It has its roots in history but pops up periodically at all different times, in various forms. Very complicated mechanics, and precise timing is extremely important. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 9: News is very important to MC, and particularly newspapers, which he uses to keep track of the dates of important events, so he can schedule his travel plans accordingly. Of course, mistakes still happen... #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 7: MC isn't even sure what the rules are. The boots came with an instruction manual, but it's written in either a very ancient or very far-future language he doesn't speak and can't translate. MC's friend was raised in a lawless, future society and has little regard for rules. #TimeTravelAuthors

Day 5, a day late: "I don't even think - just break into a run. No idea what direction I'm going. When I stop, I could end up in the middle of a war, or embedded in a wall. I don't think about that. All I hear is the sound and fury of the centuries as they whiz by." #TimeTravelAuthors

I've fallen off on #TimeTravelAuthors prompts last couple of months, but it's a new month, so let's start on a brand new project. And I do mean brand new. Just had the idea yesterday, so I'm figuring this out as I go. Seven Year Boots is the story of a man whose shoes allow him to travel in time.

Movie you have watched more than six times, GIFS only.

Question for my #TimeTravelAuthors friends (or anyone else with ideas) : You are attending a time travel themed dinner. Each course has dishes from a different era. What kinds of foods would you expect from courses set in the future - either near future or far future?

This seems like a cool thing to do, so let's give it a try! 1 like = 1 random thing I Iove.

I'd buy a theater/performance space where I could mount whatever shows or other events happen to come into my head. Or any of my friends' heads. Black box shows, full book musicals, puppet shows, immersive shows, concerts, weird dinner parties... I'd also buy just so, so many books...

Catching up on #TimeTravelAuthors prompts. Day 11.