This third quarter for short stories held four additions. The Alternate Extras of Halesowen got two shorts added, meaning just one more before it is complete. Shorts of the Rula had a new addition at the start of this quarter, tying into Racing Month with another story from the Zincite Storm universe. And lastly, a new universe and new entry on Wattpad with Trials of Gore Fest.

I won’t talk too much on that new one, as I’ve already provided some of the planning that went into it upon first publishing it. Published in August, this new universe is based on a werewolf game I ran on GRcade called Are You A Hitman?. Where I weaved the actions of the game into a narrative. Something I like doing with all of my games. I felt that adapting it to a proper short story would be easy enough, which is how Trials of Gore Fest came to be.

For the stories of The Alternate Extras of Halesowen, Party Revelations was a retread of Elizabeth’s birthday meal from a new point of view. And I’ve known whose point of view I wanted it to be for a long time. Alicia was the first invited to the meal, back when she, Kimberly, and Elizabeth shared drinks in Halesowen. Knowing that was another reason for bringing Carson to Alicia to sort out his warped perspective of the first year regarding Ross.

Alicia I always felt was a quiet character. One who observed the world around her to notice things others didn’t want to reveal. Not that she’d reveal what she thinks, as she holds a lot of respect for people. Letting them reveal that information on their own terms. And so it is here at the birthday meal that her observations on Carson were confirmed. But she makes other observations while here.

I really tried to lean into that side of her here. Showing how she, while at this meal, notices a lot from her friends. I didn’t want to dive deep into every person at the meal, so kept it to the important links. Brandon and his asking Elizabeth out, Carson’s news, and also Daniel hiding the fact Max was still living with him. That last one helped cement plans for the next story.

For a story from Daniel’s perspective, I was torn between what I wanted him to be doing. He would be somewhere, enjoying the last of the summer. But exactly where, with who, was still an unknown to me. When writing Party Revelations, I was thinking on exactly that. Which is where I then inserted the bit near the end of Daniel and Quinn planning a day out. A day out that Max would show himself at during Weston Delights.

After all, if Alicia could figure things out just from Max being mentioned, how would Quinn fare if Max showed himself? Would she make the connection that Max had been in the UK all this time, or believe the story of Max having come in at the Weston port for a few hours? It would be a fun one to see play out, especially if Max decided to have some more fun by disguising himself in different outfits to see if Quinn would recognise him.

Bringing things to Weston also allowed me to provide a bit of history on this alternate Weston-Super-Mare. The real Weston doesn’t have a port, so why would I say there was one in Secrets Behind The Truth? I finally had a reason to answer that, even if the obvious answer is that this is an alternate universe. In sharing that bit of history, it also reinforced other things I’ve shared about the link been the RA and the UK.

Moving on to Shorts of the Rula, the new addition of Rival Running brought another story to the Zincite Storm universe. This one focused on the delivery jobs available on the Racer’s Way. Showing how people make a living from them, and how trusted people can gain access to more lucrative jobs. Which let me finally include the reason for the universe’s name in one of its stories.

The Zincite Storm Cup is the largest and most exclusive event of the island. It attracts many people from across the island who want to watch live. Join in the festivities that the event brings. As such, it makes sense that stores will want to be well stocked with everything before the event begins. But having a story be just about a delivery job seemed boring. So, things are spiced up a bit by an unofficial race between Shannon and a friend.

Of course, you’re not meant to know that to start with. I felt a rivalry would be much more fitting, and so framed the interactions between the two more like they weren’t friends. With perhaps a few hints that they were before when it gets revealed. In focusing on the delivery jobs, it also allowed me to include a few more bits of worldbuilding, such as the non-racing road of the Racer’s Respite.

For the stories coming in Q4, there is the last of The Alternate Extras of Halesowen. Told from Vector’s point of view, the first day back at college for the second year. While the third time this day will have been seen, the perspective of the secondary group on that day will show the difference between how they saw the first year and how they are seeing this second now they’ve had time to reflect on their futures.

For Shorts of the Rula, two additions are coming. One from the Reality Twists universe that I’m still deciding on. I have two stories I could use for it. One focused on an arcade, and another tying into Halloween. Which of the two I use you’ll see in October. For December, a new Stories From The Herzan State short will depict a more happier scenario than the gang focus its two previous stories have.

Lastly, while not exactly a short story, Yogsimulated 2. I’m hoping I can get it written up for November. The planning is now done, so it is just a case of drafting each of the six stories that will be part of it, then finalising them. The plans for this second outing in the simulated Bristol have changed a lot, but I’m confident those plans are strong enough for the story I want to tell. Even trimmed down, it’ll still be greater than the first. I’m sure of it.