Meet Alexandra Peel / E. V. Faulkner What if literary fiction wandered into the uncanny? What if fantasy had something to say about ordinary human lives? What if science fiction wasn't really about technology at all—but about people? That's the territory of Alexandra Peel and E. V. Faulkner. You have learned, by now, that Peel and Faulkner are one and the same individual. Using pen names is common in the writing tradition. It enables an author to separate their different styl

Write a short story every week, it’s not possible to write 52 bad stories in a row – Ray Bradbury I set myself a challenge - write a short story a week for a year. At the time of writing this, I have written 8. To hold myself accountable - because it's easy to say you've done it when no proof is required, I am posting on my WordPress site: https://alexandra1st.wordpress.com/2026/08/19/short-story-a-week-8/ Go read them. Comment. Like. Share. 52 free stories! What's not to li

I have to start by admitting that I am a pantser. Which means creative flow is at a maximum, but editing is a drag. Pantsers creates stories without a formal outline. It comes from the phrase "flying by the seat of your pants". Instead of planning plot points ahead of time, a pantser discovers the story and develops characters organically as they write. I don't do outlines. I start writing with a blank page and a basic concept. This could be a character, the name of a charac

Tips and tricks for finding inspiration as an author and learn how to use them to fuel your writing. The thing about being an author is...

Sward: Literary definition - an expanse of short grass. Farming definition - the upper layer of soil, especially when covered with grass....

March 2023 New Year ~ New Blog ~ New Headache It has been pointed out that Sticks & Stones should have a blog. I, Alexandra, do have a...