Are you finding yourself scrolling endlessly on YouTube for something good to watch or listen to? Perhaps your bored with traditional blogs and need something fresh. Maybe you want to learn more about what it’s like to be a writer, artist, creative entrepreneur, techy, and pet mother all at once? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, Fiction Bites may be for you!
Who am I?
Just in case you don’t know who I am, I’m Liath LaVerne Hawke, your digital nomad, writer, artist, creative entrepreneur, and techy. I’m also the mother of chickens, lovebirds, and cats.
My background is originally in Software Development and Computer Information systems (and also accessibility during current times). I have a tone of technical skills that most people don’t care about these days. So I switched to creative writing since it is my passion and I now hold a Bachelor of arts in it from Indiana University.
I know my stories and I know them well. I’ve had a story in the IU Writer’s Conference this year and it is the one I’m planning to publish soon!
Some of you may also recognize my name from Twitter’s Writing Community. I no longer live on X (formerly Twitter) since the community seems to have scattered to the four corners of the web (if the web has corners), so I live here on Substack (now) and in a few other locations. You can find those other locations on my Socials and Contact page of my author site: liath-lavern-hawke.com or on my link tree.
What is my mission?
It sounds odd to say mission, but I have one. Over my years of writing, I’ve noticed that modern stories just don’t hit the same as the classics. That applies to any format in which a story can be written. Whither that’s the change of times or something else, my mission is to write a d***n good story. I believe that most stories play it too safe. For good reasons since our kids need safe content, but for adults it’s not so great. We don’t have enough darker stories for adults to allow ourselves to connect to characters and situations that may be like our own tough experiences. Nothing with a hint of nostalgia from classic cartoons, anime, and books to make us feel young again and forget the stress of life. Plus, my focus is all over the place. If a story can’t grab my attention within the first few minutes and keep it, I’m not sticking around.
There is so much that goes into a story! It’s not just about writing words, but it’s crafting the rhythm. Making a steady beat you can dance to. Get lost within the beautiful details of a movie scene and never wanting to leave. Crying with a character that is at the bedside of a dying husband and feeling her emotions within the pages of a book. Stories are candies for our brains. They keep it, always asking a question that leads into another and then another. Your brain should feel satisfied on most occasions, but there are exceptions. I have seen a good story that has left me unsatisfied, but it had a valid reason for feeling that way.
Why fiction bites?
At the time of this writing, I think this will be my 4th or 5th attempt at a blog. I’ve lost count, but it doesn’t matter. This one is staying.
I am creating my own studios and planning to launch a book next year with a Backerkit campaign, possibly this December. I am in a co-working style space at IU campus (called IU Innovates) attempting to start this studio and I have some pretty good folks backing me up on it. Thank you all for your patience with me (and listening to my never ending rants) if you're reading this!
It takes time and an audience to build something like this, so I’m hoping to create and share free to read/listen to stories through this blog/podcast to build that audience. This is also my chance to test some story mechanics for my universe, so trust me when I said some of these stories will be a bit out there.
What kind of content does Fiction Bites post?
I will have a variety of content. On Substack, I will host blog posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Every other Friday I will post a podcast story written and read by myself. On Friday’s I don’t post a podcast story, I will post a blog like a story review or something similar. For September 2024, Episode 1 will release on the 13th and Episode 2 on the 27th.
On Mondays, I will share updates about myself, Fiction Bites, my site, etc. so that you all can know what it’s like to do all the crazy stuff I do. Most of it isn’t crazy. I’m just a very busy woman, is all.
Wednesday’s are a wildcard blog day. No specific content planned, so it will be a surprise.
My fiction stories are written in a combination of sci-fi, fantasy, and/or horror. I love cosmic horror, so I will favor that the most out of all the horror content available.
If you are a paid member, then you get access to paid blogs and podcast episodes plus chat. Founding members will get exclusive content written for founding members only, plus occasional founding member chats.
I’m hoping after these first few months of writing on a 3 day schedule will grow into a nightly read with members able to suggest content.
Note: Any free podcast content will also be available to listen to on YouTube! You can also find an archive of all of my content on my author site: liath-laverne-hawke.com
Final Thoughts
So, are you bored with your everyday content and need something fresh? Check out Fiction Bites!
Next Friday (September 13th 2024) at 9PM EST, the first episode of Fiction Bites podcast will premier on Substack and YouTube!
Don’t forget, if you want to know more about things I’m doing, Monday’s post (September 9th 2024) will be a few updates on my studios, projects, and site. I may even talk a little about entrepreneurship!
If you want to know more about what’s coming up, check out my author site for more info!
Until then, go find your delicious bites. Your brain needs it.