Here are three more from Mavis Applewater's Wednesday Afternoon Series-

****Announcement***** The Academy of Bards has given us a Halloween Treat ! The Twilight Zone has taken over the Academy and they have many new stories for you to enjoy!

So Run not Walk to enjoy these Halloween Treats for Fiction Addicts!

Also Visit Wordscape for many new Halloween treats to tempt your Fiction palet!

As a Halloween book release promotion, Advocate has organized a quick and easy contest where winners will receive a free trade paperback copy of "Echoes from the Mist." For more information click here http://midgit.co.uk/echoescomp.htm   and good luck!

Tuesday October 15, 2002

Musings by Xanadu

Hello all, and good early beginning of the week to you! Okay, so how was my weekend, you ask? Well I'll tell ya. My weekend was absolutely, completely, horrribly... uneventful. My girl friend is a reporter, so I accompanied her to a blues festival held here every year for charity, and man was that fun! I don't even really LIKE blues. But it was good music and a good time. Sunday we had to do the family thing, yippie. But, we did go see White Oleander. Okay, I don't know if any of you have seen this movie or not, but it was quite odd. I mean, I liked it as it was a character study, and as a writer, that's right up my alley. My girl friend wasn't so keen on it, but overall I'd say it would make a good rental. I had today off as it's Columbus Day, and I have a government job, so that means if the President sneezes, we get the day off. Hey, I'm not gonna complain.

I have an odd little thing to add tonight, but I hope you'll read and pay attention.

I am now writing as Xanadu, the identity conceived and born of the internet, and happily have a summer home at nuthouse.com. Now, I recently went to a place called The Crossroads Inn. I have to tell you, it's an incredibly odd place. I met Rosie, prostitute extraordinaire, and the inn barkeep, Bailey. Odd chick, herself. And of course the bouncer who nearly kicked my little scrawny butt, Max. The Inn cat called, well, cat. This place had my head spinning as I saw people you'd never think you'd see in one place. I mean, at one table alone I saw Xena chatting it up with Barbara Bush! It was a nifty place, and I certainly tend to go back very soon. Next week in my ramble I'll tell you more about it, and perhaps even drag one of my new friends with me. Crossroads Inn is a place that when you enter, you just have to write about it. After all, that is it's purpose. : )

Now onto the cute little fiction list. Remember, feed the bards!!!! Chocolate works nicely.

Sunday October 13, 2002

enCHANTations by Mystic Maiden More Fun Fiction for you to enjoy.. but first a ramble from a wonderful Author: Brulee

I'd like to thank Raven for giving me the opportunity to ramble here at Beyond Uber (however much she may come to regret it). As anyone who's read my writing will tell you, rambling is right up my alley. But I didn't come over here to talk about me, I came to coin a new term. Technically speaking, I can't coin it because it was already minted in my partner Ume's clever, and sometimes devious, mental apparatus. But she's not writing this ramble, now is she?

Several months ago, Ume and I were contemplating a change in habitat; a move. We never got beyond the contemplating phase (Ume threatened to go to the positive visualization phase once or twice - but nothing came of it). We did manage to get as far as looking over our belongings, hence the inspiration for the new term - which is: crap mass.

The academically bent among you will appreciate the lengths to which Ume has gone to define her new term:

Crap mass is a measurement of the psychic weight of an object or group of objects. It is characterized by a weighted down or oppressed feeling upon an encounter with said object(s).

Much like pornography, it is difficult to define, but easily recognized.

The crap mass of an object instantly doubles when one is contemplating a change in domicile.

One's partner's accumulation of crap mass is inevitably greater than one's own (this phenomenon is curiously mirrored in the parent/child relationship).

Example sentences that demonstrate the correct usage of the term include:

"Your closet has an unacceptible level of crap mass."

"That copy of the Expanded Oxford English Dictionary in large print has a significant crap mass."

"That hub cap collection in the garage has some wicked crap mass."

Currently, Ume's working on a formula for crap mass. You might think that a term with such a highly subjective aspect couldn't have a formula (after all, a person might rate their Bo Peep Hummel figurine with a low level of crap mass while their significant other insisted that it broke all regional and possibly national, if not global and eternal, records for crap mass). Luckily, Ume isn't hindered by such trifles and plows on her merry way, mumbling about universal constants, aesthetic and functional factors and why it is that she can't find a reasonably priced deli sandwich in the state of Massachusetts.

It's my hope that one or two of you may find a use for Ume's new term (it'd make a fine name for a punk garage band...) and that you heartily enjoy the rest of the season. It's been a pleasure visiting and rambling with you all. ~Brulee

Thanks Brulee.. please folks email Brulee and let her know how much we appreciate her works and her ramble Brulee's Email,

Now on with the fiction ;)

• A Thousand Kisses by Girlbard posted on Academy of Bards(Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Countertransference the Conclusion By Phair posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Celine Recommends!

• The Reef Part 5 By Lois Kay posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• The Curse of the Higuchi Part 3 By L. Crystall Michallet posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Murder Has Two Faces By Tonya S. Coley posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Sequel to Murder by Association

• Moving On Impulse:Book 4 Part 3 Part 6By Mezzo posted on What's Ya Poison (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Obsessions Part 1 By J Brownell posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Convergence: Season 2 Episode 205 Push Comes to Shove By Blitzgal posted on Convergence Virtual Television (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Shamrock Snow Part 1-2 By Leslie Ann Miller posted on Vicking Chick's Reading Room (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Modern Crusader: Adeptus Major Part 6 By PsiDragonis posted on (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Haunted Past By Larisa posted on The Athenaeum (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Raven Recommends

• Magical Spirits part 2 By Wolf Nightwind and Hippie Squirl's posted on the Athenaeum (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Are We Being Graded On A Curve? Part 1-23 ByZuke's posted on The Athenaeum (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

Thursday October 10 2002

enCHANTations by Mystic Maiden

- lady bugs - daisys - grey green moss - puppy breath - hot apple cobbler ala mode - sparrows - kittens whiskers - cool grass - snow - Reflections of Goddess Love Everywhere -

Blessed are We!!

Ramble on...

Belle “Bel-wah” Reilly’s “Ramble”

With all due respect to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary:

“Ramble,” functioning as a verb ­ “1) to move aimlessly from place to place; to explore idly; 2) to talk or write in a desultory or long-winded wandering fashion; 3) to grow or extend irregularly.”

Hmnn. I have been known to move aimlessly from place to place. But enough about how I approach food-shopping! And I’m not sure if I’ve ever been accused of being “desultory” - is that a compliment? However, I can admit that I’ve been known to be long-winded at times. Not just because I have great breath control, but because I do tend to go on (and on… and on…) regarding things I’m passionate about. I will either win you over to my side, or drive you nuts trying! Lastly, I did “grow or extend irregularly” back when I was about twelve or thirteen. It was very traumatic at the time, but that’s all over with, now {grin}.

In any event, when the lovely Mistress of the Ramble, Raven, asked me to try my hand at it, I readily agreed. My being so familiar with the various aspects of “rambling,” of course! Raven suggested I look over the writings of previous Ramblers (the authors, not the cars ­ is my age showing?) to get a flavor of what “rambling” was all about. So I did that, and gave some additional thought to it, and what all this “rambling” stuff means. And it finally dawned on me that it was because of a “ramble” that I became involved in writing fiction in the first place. Specifically, when I considered the definition of “ramble” functioning as a noun ­ “a leisurely excursion for pleasure; an aimless walk.”

Truly, some of the best things in life can come from opening yourself up to the possibilities… to throwing caution (and sometimes reason!) to the wind and plunging forward, never looking back. I’m pretty sure that’s how old Ben Franklin “discovered” electricity, but that’s another story {grin}. Back to mine ­ although I’d been a life-long fan of science fiction and science fantasy, I remained mightily resistant to the charms of one particular campy science-fantasy program, by the name of Xena: Warrior Princess. This, despite the fact that several of my best, most highly respected friends were obsessed with… er… entertained by the program, and suggested I should give it a try.

But no. I was so proud of knowing better than they! I had so perfected the disdainful sneer, the crossed-arms haughtiness, the “Its not Star Trek” rebuke! Until. Until due to a medical malady I found myself house-bound during my recuperation, stuck reading and flipping (rambling?) past the television channels, until I landed on the USA network and ­ you guessed it ­ XWP reruns. I can even remember what first caught my eye. I’m a “bird” person, and I saw this beautiful Lorikeet, whistling and chirping. Then there was a cut to some dumb blonde chick falling off a horse which had inadvertently responded to the bird’s whistles. The ep? It was what I later found out to be,“The Greater Good.”

So, there I was, stuck every evening with XWP on the tube. And you know, after a bit ­ and maybe it was the drugs ­ I thought, “Hey ­ this ain’t so bad!” You know, the bigger they are, the harder they fall, and I was too embarrassed - at first ­ to admit to my friends that I’d discovered the error of my ways. So instead, with time on my hands, I started “rambling” through the Internet, in search of more info about this silly little series that I was beginning to find so…uniquely insightful. So deeply profound. So intriguingly complex. UGH!!! What was happening to me? {grin}

During an Internet ramble one day, I found Tim Wellman’s XWP website, and ­ lo and behold ­ there was fanfic to be found there! I read a few of the stories, and saw Tim’s “Gabrielle’s Scrolls” section, where he asked authors to send him stories as though they were written as one of Gabby’s scrolls. I’ve never been one to walk away from a challenge ­ “I can do that!” I said to myself. After all, I’d been writing on-and-off my whole life, mostly angst-ridden fiction or the occasional pass at sci-fi. Here was a new twist! So I thought I’d try to put myself in the head (so-to-speak {grin}) of the Bard of Potedaia, and write up a “scroll.” The “scroll” became “The Pendulum of Life,” my first-ever XWP fanfic. To my shock and surprise, Tim posted the story, and any others I subsequently wrote. To my even greater shock and surprise, good folks like you actually started reading them. And then I was contacted by MaryD, offering to host my stories, and the rest is history, as they say, all thanks to a “ramble.”

I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent writing my stories… I find the process very relaxing and enjoyable. Whether I’m working on a traditional XWP story, or on original Xenaverse-inspired fiction, the one thing I try to keep in mind is whether I am being entertained. If the answer is “yes,” then I figure that, largely, the rest of y’all will be, too! Speaking of… ahem… writing, I do intend to finish “Mordida” ­ soon. And as for sequels to the “Darkness Before the Dawn” series and “High Intensity,” well, I’ve got ideas {grin}… all I need is the time! And of course, there’s that brand-new story I’m just dying to get to, schedule permitting.

So anyway, thank you to Raven for allowing me this “ramble.” Thank you to all you readers out there who keep we bards going with your enthusiasm and support. And don’t wait for Raven to send you an invitation before you take it upon yourselves to “ramble.” You never know what “pleasures” may await you! J

Be sure to email Belle “Bel-wah” Reilly at Bel-wah email

Raven HIGHLY Recommends Belle’s work especially High Intensity which has been published.. check out open book to order!!!

Ramble Shmamble ;)
Many Thanks, Belle!

wink wink
Mystic Maiden

• It's Only a Game Show Part 6 By S Eliot posted on The Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Judicial Love Part 1-6 By Warriorjudge posted on Amazon Trails (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Tie Break Part 21 By Bonnie posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Fire Within part 4 By Anita Louise posted on Amazon Trails (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Magical Spirits By Hippie Squirl and Wolf Nightwind posted on The Athenaeum (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Culture Clash By Nyrdgyrl posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  This is a Fantasy/Soft SciFi tale set on a planet populated by women.

• A Fairy Story By Mr. Valentine posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  A dream about what is good and what is beautiful and what is valuable, as the dreamer is taken through Fairyland to enjoy its hospitality and learn about its games.

• Mountain Love Part 7b By Psyche_B's posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Tie Break Part 21 By Bonnie's posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Handful of Heaven Part 4 By Midgit posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Out of the Shadows part 1-8 By Lyraine posted on Scribbles (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Been there done that got the t-shirt By Angelique Rader posted on Wordscape (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Natalie is having a hell of an awful day. Her job sucks, her girlfriend's cheating on her, and she runs over her neighbour's cat. Even a Melissa Etheridge concert ends in disaster. Just what could be worse?

• Learning To Bake Bread By EM Mills posted on Wordscape (Beyond Uber Alt)
  A woman in her mid-twenties is reflecting on her mom's death on its 15th anniversary, and writes stories about small things she wishes she'd gotten to do with her mother but never did. The fiction helps her to come to grips with some things, and with some gentle prodding from her best friend, she's able to close that chapter of her life and know the she will never forget or stop caring, but that she can look ahead with hope.

• The Wanderer Chronicles Part 1 Crisis of Faith By Tenth Muse posted on Wordscape (Beyond Uber Alt)
  When David takes the confession of a stranger in his church one dark night, his faith is rocked and his life threatened by what he hears. Plummeted into the demonic world of the supernatural, only one person can save him - Catherine... The Wanderer.

Wednesday October 9 2002

Musings by Xanadu

Hello all! Miss me last night? Well, I missed you, too. So, here I am. I'm sitting in my bedroom in a nice 80's state of mind as I listen to Queensryche. Good stuff, Maynard. Anywho. So how was your weekend? Mine was good. Saturday I saw Red Dragon with my family; Alexa is too scared to see movies like that, so I had to see it when I could. : ) It was fantastic! Now I refuse to see Hannibal as no one could play Clarice Starling like Jodie Foster. Plus I hear it sucked. But I strongly recommend Red Dragon if you're a Silence of the Lambs fan. Oh, favorite song: Silent Lucidity. Do any of you remember the video to that one? The little kid on the bed and that nifty blue background? I do. Really cool. Anyway. So what else did we do over the weekend? Well, nothing. We relaxed, and watched movies we rented from Blockbuster. I introduced her to the wonderful world that is Footloose, and she introduced me to the madness that is Office Space. It was great fun. Anyway. Okay, I think I'll let you go to read. Enjoy, and feed the bards. We like to get nice and fat and pumped up and egotistical with all your lovely fanmails. : D

Monday October 7 2002

enCHANTations by Mystic Maiden

WELL, hello all you fan fic nut balls! Sorry it's been so long since you've seen me but I'm just now resurfacing from a marathon diet of raspberries, strawberries and hay!! YAWZA! Thank my goddess that Raven knows the value of chocolate melting disks!!! ;) hehe No, I haven't been hiking in the Rockies or dipping my toes in cool mountain streams...... =0 Priorities. We will however be hiking the Smoky Mountains soon! Neither one of us have been to Kentucky before and we are very very excited!!

Ok, guess I'll give you all your fiction now. Things to see, people to do.....later.

wink wink

Mystic Maiden

• Pathfinder Part 2 By Windstar and At3sparky posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• A Handful of Heaven Part 3 By Midgit posted on Midgit's Small Corner of the Xenaverse (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Raven Recommends

• Drag King: The Burning Dream Part 36 Updated By Smitty posted on The New Library of Alexandria (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Convergence: Season Two Episode 204 Still Waters By Blitzgal posted on Convergence Virtual Television Series (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Moving On Impulse:Book 4 Part 1 By Mezzo posted on What's Ya Poison (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Raven Recommends

• Ripples in Time Part 11 By Lois Kay and Cbar posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Agape Part 3-4 By Mayt posted on Bard Corner (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Of Love and Honor part 11B By WarriorGab posted on ROCshadow's Corner (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Dreams Part 26 By ROCshadow posted on ROCshadow's Corner (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• The Reef Part 4 By Lois Kay posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Daughter's of Artemis series, Gardian of the Sword part 2 By LM Townsend posted on Academy of Bards (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Fire Within By Anita Louise posted on Amazon Trails (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Judicial Love part 6 By Warrior Judge posted on Amazon Trails (Beyond Uber Alt)
  

• Cold and Lonely, Lovely Work of Art By S. Anne Gardner posted on Gemini (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Raven Recommends

• Music Within part 1 By S. Anne Gardner posted on Gemini (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Raven Recommends

• Love in Grey Shadows By S. Anne Gardner posted on Gemini (Beyond Uber Alt)
  Raven Recommends

Tuesday October 1 2002

Musings By Xanadu

Now, is it just me or is this year flying by REALLY fast? I mean come on, it is friggin' October 1st! Anyway, hello. : ) As I sit here talking to all you nice people I'm seeing that the clouds are gathering, and looking pregnant and gray. Ah, rain. Maybe. Definitely cold. Psst, don't tell anyone, but tomorrow we're both taking the day off to enjoy the fifty-odd degree weather. We're both natural born polar bears, and I keep telling my girl friend that we should get a summer home in Antarctica. She's not too keen on this idea, and I just don't understand why.

As I'm sure you all saw in last nights post I somehow, being as talented as I am, managed to totally erase Raven's post from last Thursday. Um, oops? I emailed her to let her know, so maybe she'll fix it all up and make it better. I didn't mean to for all you story-goers or bards who were posted that night. I'm sorry, okay! It bothered me all day, I couldn't eat, couldn't work, so I had to come home early from work to try and cope by eating from my little store bought container of Jell-O readymade pudding. I just love pudding, don't you? And, it's good for you. Oh wait, I was apologizing. Right, so anyway, I'm really sorry.

Okay, well there's not much to post tonight, but here is what I did manage to gather. Enjoy! And remember, feed the bards. Especially readymade pudding!