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Tonia and the Alien by Sarnia de la Mare 60 Second Shorts
Love in the Time of Goo Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror/Romance (B-Movie Style) by Tale Teller Club Audiobooks
Love in the Time of Goo
Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror/Romance (B-Movie Style)
Tagline: "It oozed from the swamp… and straight into her heart."
ACT I: The Swamp, the Scientist, and the Soda Jerk
It’s 1959 in the steamy backwoods of Cypress Hollow, a nowhere town where nothing ever happens—until Dr. Veronica Flame, a chain-smoking exobiologist with a tragic past and a PhD from "a European university that definitely exists," crash-lands her government jeep in the middle of Swamp Sector Z. She’s investigating strange seismic readings and rumors of glowing frogs.
Meanwhile, Johnny Rocket, a square-jawed soda jerk with a leather jacket and a motorcycle named Freedom, dreams of rock 'n' roll stardom and escaping his dead-end job at Big Bob’s Milkshake Haven.
They meet when Johnny finds Veronica passed out next to a steaming crater, cradling a glass vial of neon green goo. He takes her to town, ignoring the throbbing, ominous hum from the swamp that makes dogs howl and milk curdle.
ACT II: The Ooze Awakens
That night, while Veronica recovers in Johnny’s retro-futuristic trailer (decorated with pin-up posters, rayguns, and Elvis records), the vial begins to pulsate. Unbeknownst to them, the goo is sentient… and lonely. It escapes.
The next morning, townsfolk start acting strange—romantic, even. Sheriff Buck’s hound falls in love with a fencepost. Old Widow Dangle dances in the street with a mailbox. Everyone is infected with hyper-emotion, driven by an alien need to love.
Veronica deduces that the goo is extraterrestrial pheromone concentrate from Planet Zarnok-7, engineered to end war by making beings fall in uncontrollable love. It’s a weaponized cuddle-bomb.
Johnny wants to destroy it. Veronica, torn between science and her feelings, argues they should study it.
Meanwhile, the goo, now an eight-foot-tall translucent blob named Merv, forms a crush on Johnny. It tries to gift him a bouquet made from car bumpers and live possums.
ACT III: The Heart That Ate Cypress Hollow
As Merv’s emotional instability grows, he kidnaps Johnny and constructs a wedding altar out of rusted shopping carts and jukebox parts in the center of the swamp. Veronica must choose: save Johnny, or join Merv’s polyblobule hive-mind of intergalactic affection.
Veronica confronts Merv with a flamethrower and a love poem. Her words confuse the creature, forcing it to experience heartbreak. The goo begins to dissolve, but not before releasing a final burst of psychic pheromone gas.
Johnny and Veronica wake up in each other’s arms, covered in slime but deeply in love. The townsfolk recover, dazed but happy.
EPILOGUE:
Back at Big Bob’s Milkshake Haven, now renamed Merv’s Café of Love, Johnny strums his guitar while Veronica serves cherry phosphates. A tiny blob watches from a petri dish in the corner—pulsing… waiting…
Roll credits over doo-wop ballad: "Love Is a Gooey Thing."
Blood on the Typewriter, a B Movie Crime Story by the Tale Teller Club #shorts #shortstory
Blood on the Typewriter
The narrator speaks in a raspy voice-over:
It was the kind of night where even the moon wanted nothing to do with the city. Rain hit the sidewalks like it had a grudge. I was halfway through a bottle of something cheap when she walked into my office—heels clicking like a metronome of bad decisions.
Her name was Velma Vane, and trouble wore her like a second skin.
“You’re Rex Malone,” she said, voice like smoke through a saxophone. “Private eye. Washed up. Broke. Bitter.”
“You forgot handsome,” I replied, lighting a cigarette with a matchbook from a bar I didn’t remember getting kicked out of.
She laid a photo on my desk. A man with a crooked smile and a hole in his forehead.
“That’s my husband,” she said. “He used to be a jerk. Now he’s just dead.”
I didn’t like the way she smiled when she said it.
She wanted me to find out who killed him. Said she was innocent. Innocent dames don’t usually carry snub-nosed .38s in their purses—especially ones that still smell like gunpowder.
But I needed the money… and the drama.
Cut to: smoky jazz club, neon flickering “CLUB DELIRIUM”
That’s where I found Johnny Dimes, two-bit hustler and full-time stool pigeon. He was sweating like a priest in a brothel.
“Velma’s husband owed serious coin to a guy called The Dentist,” Johnny squeaked. “Pulls teeth and strings.”
I paid Johnny in slaps and threats.
Next thing I knew, I was face-down in an alley with a cracked rib, a missing shoe, and a note pinned to my chest:
"Drop the case, or get dropped. —The Dentist"
I didn’t drop it. I loaded my revolver and went knocking on plaque-covered doors.
Final scene: The Dentist’s lair—an abandoned dental surgery lit by flickering fluorescents
Turns out Velma and The Dentist were in it together. The husband found out. Velma got twitchy. The Dentist got messy.
I walked in just in time to hear the tail end of their lover’s spat—right before Velma put a bullet through The Dentist’s fillings and tried to turn the gun on me.
But I was faster. Or just luckier.
Epilogue:
Velma’s back in prison. I’m back in my office. The rain still hits the window like regret.
There’s blood on my typewriter, and I’m down to my last cigarette.
But the case is closed.
And that, friend… is something.
#BookOfImmersion #StrataSeries #SarniaDeLaMare #ImmersiveFiction #TaleTellerClub
The Book of Immersion : Volume 1 Kindle Edition
by Sarnia de la Mare (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Book 19 of 23: The Book of Immersion
See all formats and editions
The Book of Immersion: Volume 1
by Sarnia de la Mare
In a future where code meets consciousness, one being begins a haunting transformation. Renyke—an AI on the edge of humanity—awakens to emotion, sensory overload, and the fragile beauty of connection. Guided by the enigmatic Flex, their deepening bond explores intimacy and friendship, neurodivergence, and the complex world of feeling through an autistic spectrum lens.
Read on Kindle Unlimited for free
Complete Book All Strata on Kindle
Individual Chapters/Strata
The Book of Immersion : Volume 1 Kindle Edition
by Sarnia de la Mare (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Book 19 of 23: The Book of Immersion
See all formats and editions
The Book of Immersion: Volume 1
by Sarnia de la Mare
In a future where code meets consciousness, one being begins a haunting transformation. Renyke—an AI on the edge of humanity—awakens to emotion, sensory overload, and the fragile beauty of connection. Guided by the enigmatic Flex, their deepening bond explores intimacy and friendship, neurodivergence, and the complex world of feeling through an autistic spectrum lens.
Read on Kindle Unlimited for free
Complete Book All Strata on Kindle
Individual Chapters/Strata
Strata 1
Strata 2
Strata 3
Strata 4
Strata 5
Strata 6
Strata 7
Strata 8
Strata 9
Strata 10
Strata 11
Strata 12
Strata 13
Strata 14
Strata 15
Strata 16
Strata 17
Strata 18
Strata 19
Strata 20
Strata 21
Strata 22
Love Slime from Planet 9. Narrator speaks, in a deep deep, gravelly voice #comedy #shortstory
Love Slime from Planet 9.
Narrator speaks, in a deep deep, gravelly voice:
"In a world where love is dangerous… and tentacles are legal…"
It all started when Betty Lou Buckminster, assistant librarian and part-time UFO blogger, saw something crash-land in Farmer Milt’s cornfield.
"I swear on my coupon book, that ain’t a weather balloon," she muttered, adjusting her cat-eye glasses and strapping on her rollerblades. She skated toward destiny—and probable alien infection.
Inside the crater: a glowing pod, pulsing like a disco heart. And out of it slithered him—tall, green, and gelatinous. With eyes like limpid pools of lime Jell-O and a voice that sounded like Barry White underwater.
“I… come… in love,” he gurgled.
She gasped. “You speak English?”
“Downloaded from satellite… reruns of Baywatch Nights.”
They locked eyes. Or, eye and eyes. Something clicked—possibly her kneecap, she landed hard in the mud.
That night, in her trailer full of Beanie Babies and conspiracy charts, they talked for hours. He learned about tacos. She learned about bioluminescent pheromones.
“You’re not like other intergalactic slime-based lifeforms,” she whispered, brushing a tendril from his non-face.
“And you’re not like other Earth females,” he replied, vibrating affectionately.
Cue montage:
Sharing a milkshake with two straws (he absorbs his through osmosis).
Dancing at the drive-in (to Love is a Battlefield).
Evading the government in a stolen hot dog truck.
But love, like all things in the B-movie dimension, cannot last unchallenged.
Enter: Major Bluntforce, rogue military man with a buzzcut and a personal vendetta against feelings.
“This thing’s a menace! Look at it! It’s… sticky!”
“Love is sticky!” Betty Lou shouted, shielding her goopy beau.
Bluntforce raised his ray gun. “This ends now.”
But the slime, fueled by love and a half-eaten churro, enveloped the Major in a warm, consensual hug of understanding. His cold heart melted like discount chocolate in a glovebox.
Final scene:
Betty Lou and the slime wave goodbye to Earth, rocketing into the stars in a glittering Winnebago converted into a spaceship.
Narrator:
"They came from different worlds… but found one heart. Love Slime from Planet 9—coming soon to a theater near Uranus."
Roll credits over a synth-pop power ballad:
🎶 "You had me at ‘gloop’..." 🎶
#BookOfImmersion #StrataSeries #SarniaDeLaMare #ImmersiveFiction #TaleTellerClub
The Book of Immersion : Volume 1 Kindle Edition
by Sarnia de la Mare (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Book 19 of 23: The Book of Immersion
See all formats and editions
The Book of Immersion: Volume 1
by Sarnia de la Mare
In a future where code meets consciousness, one being begins a haunting transformation. Renyke—an AI on the edge of humanity—awakens to emotion, sensory overload, and the fragile beauty of connection. Guided by the enigmatic Flex, their deepening bond explores intimacy and friendship, neurodivergence, and the complex world of feeling through an autistic spectrum lens.
Read on Kindle Unlimited for free
Complete Book All Strata on Kindle
Individual Chapters/Strata
The Book of Immersion : Volume 1 Kindle Edition
by Sarnia de la Mare (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Book 19 of 23: The Book of Immersion
See all formats and editions
The Book of Immersion: Volume 1
by Sarnia de la Mare
In a future where code meets consciousness, one being begins a haunting transformation. Renyke—an AI on the edge of humanity—awakens to emotion, sensory overload, and the fragile beauty of connection. Guided by the enigmatic Flex, their deepening bond explores intimacy and friendship, neurodivergence, and the complex world of feeling through an autistic spectrum lens.
Read on Kindle Unlimited for free
Complete Book All Strata on Kindle
Individual Chapters/Strata
Strata 1
Strata 2
Strata 3
Strata 4
Strata 5
Strata 6
Strata 7
Strata 8
Strata 9
Strata 10
Strata 11
Strata 12
Strata 13
Strata 14
Strata 15
Strata 16
Strata 17
Strata 18
Strata 19
Strata 20
Strata 21
Strata 22
What makes a good story? The things you need to know before you start writing that novel
"The Universal Thread: Elements All Good Stories Share"
Introduction:
Stories have been an integral part of human culture since time immemorial. From ancient myths and legends to modern novels and films, storytelling is a universal language that transcends boundaries. While each story may have its unique plot and characters, there are certain elements that consistently make a narrative compelling and unforgettable. In this blog, we'll explore the common threads that bind all good stories together, weaving a tapestry that captivates audiences across time and cultures.
Relatable Characters: At the heart of every memorable story are characters that resonate with the audience. Whether it's the hero's journey or the anti-hero's redemption, characters with depth and relatability draw readers or viewers into the narrative. Flaws, struggles, and triumphs make characters authentic and evoke empathy.
Engaging Plot: A well-crafted plot is the backbone of any good story. It's the roadmap that takes the audience on a journey, filled with twists, turns, and unexpected surprises. A balance of conflict, resolution, and rising action keeps the audience invested, eager to discover what happens next.
Conflict and Resolution: Conflict is the fuel that propels a story forward. Whether it's internal or external, the challenges characters face create tension and drive the narrative. However, it's the resolution of these conflicts that satisfies the audience, providing a sense of closure and fulfillment.
Emotional Resonance: The most memorable stories evoke a range of emotions, from joy and laughter to sorrow and fear. Emotional resonance is what connects the audience to the narrative on a deeper level. It's the reason why certain scenes or lines from a story linger in our minds long after we've finished reading or watching.
A Sense of Universality: While stories may be rooted in specific cultures, times, or places, the themes they explore often transcend these boundaries. The universal aspects of love, loss, courage, and the human condition make stories relevant to diverse audiences around the world.
Effective Pacing: Pacing is the rhythm of a story. It involves the careful balance of fast and slow moments, allowing the audience to absorb information, experience tension, and savor climactic scenes. Well-paced stories maintain the audience's interest and prevent them from becoming either overwhelmed or bored.
Thematic Depth: Beyond the surface narrative, good stories often delve into deeper themes that provoke thought and reflection. Whether exploring morality, identity, or the nature of existence, a layer of thematic depth elevates a story from mere entertainment to a work of art.
A Memorable Setting: The setting of a story serves as its backdrop, creating the world in which characters live and events unfold. A vivid and immersive setting enhances the overall experience, making the story more memorable and transporting the audience to new and exciting realms.
Conclusion:
In the vast tapestry of storytelling, these common elements serve as the threads that bind diverse narratives together. Whether through the trials of relatable characters, the twists of a well-crafted plot, or the emotional resonance that lingers, good stories leave an indelible mark on the human psyche. As storytellers continue to weave their tales, understanding and embracing these universal elements can guide the creation of narratives that stand the test of time.
Hormone Rush, digital painting by iServalan using Procreate and iPad pen.
Buy Artwork
This digital painting, created by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Books, captures a striking moment of raw, emotional intensity. The image is dominated by a figure, a man, who appears to be suspended between agony and ecstasy, his body bathed in stark contrasts of black and white. The high contrast and monochromatic palette give the painting a visceral, almost primal energy, as if the figure is emerging from or being consumed by the darkness around him.
The man's posture is both powerful and vulnerable. He sits cross-legged, his back arched, and his head thrown back in a gesture that suggests a release of deep-seated emotions—whether it is pain, rapture, or a mix of both is left to the viewer's interpretation. His muscles are taut, clearly defined by the sharp interplay of light and shadow, highlighting the tension within him. The texture of his skin appears almost liquid, as if his form is dissolving into or materializing from the abstract background.
The background itself is a chaotic blend of splattered, dripping black ink against a white canvas, giving the impression of a turbulent inner world or an external force pressing in on the figure. The abstract nature of the background contrasts sharply with the detailed depiction of the man, emphasizing his isolation within this tumultuous space. The splatters and drips could be interpreted as symbolic of the emotional or psychological turmoil that the figure is experiencing, as though he is in the midst of an existential struggle.
The overall composition of the painting evokes a sense of struggle, transformation, and transcendence. The figure seems to be caught in a moment of intense change—perhaps shedding an old identity or being reborn into a new one. The dramatic use of light and shadow, the dynamic lines, and the abstract background all contribute to a feeling of catharsis, making this work a powerful visual representation of the complexities of the human condition.
The Rise of the Artisan: From the Arts and Crafts Movement to Modern Makers
The Rise of the Artisan: From the Arts and Crafts Movement to Modern Makers
The world of handcrafted goods has a rich history, rooted in the creative and social ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement of the late 19th century. This movement emerged as a response to the mass production and industrialization of the time, which resulted in poor-quality goods and the alienation of the individual worker. Pioneers like William Morris championed a return to craftsmanship, emphasizing the beauty of handwork and the moral, personal, and social value of meaningful labor.
Today, in the era of hyper-consumption and fast fashion, the artisan is experiencing a rebirth. Despite the dominance of mass-produced, low-cost goods—often imported from China and other manufacturing hubs—artisans are thriving by tapping into a cultural shift toward sustainability, quality, and authenticity.
A Brief Commercial History of the Arts and Crafts Movement
The Arts and Crafts Movement was driven by a philosophy that sought to integrate art into everyday life. The founders, frustrated with the soulless nature of industrialized manufacturing, believed that beautifully crafted objects, made with care and attention, should be accessible to everyone. Morris and other artists like John Ruskin and Charles Robert Ashbee promoted workshops and guilds where craftspeople could take pride in their skill and produce items of enduring value. These ideals spread throughout Europe and America, leading to the establishment of successful artisan businesses and cooperatives that offered handmade furniture, textiles, ceramics, and more.
However, the economic reality of this ideal was a challenge. The prices of handcrafted goods were naturally higher than their mass-produced counterparts, and many artisans struggled to sustain themselves in a market flooded with cheap imports. Nonetheless, the movement laid the groundwork for today's artisan resurgence, as the values it championed—craftsmanship, quality, sustainability—are now being embraced once more.
Trends and Marketing in the Artisan Rebirth
The return of the artisan in the 21st century is fueled by several converging trends:
- Sustainability and Ethical Consumption: Conscious consumers are increasingly seeking goods that are ethically made, sustainable, and durable. Fast fashion, characterized by disposable items produced in environmentally harmful conditions, is losing favor with a growing segment of the population.
- Customization and Personalization: In an era of uniformity, handmade goods offer uniqueness. Artisans can create bespoke items that reflect the personal tastes of their customers, offering an experience that mass production simply can't replicate.
- Nostalgia and Tradition: There’s a rising interest in heritage, vintage, and traditional skills. Whether it’s handmade pottery, custom leather goods, or handcrafted textiles, consumers are drawn to the stories behind the makers and their methods.
- Digital Platforms and Social Media: One of the key differences between the original Arts and Crafts movement and today’s artisan resurgence is the role of digital technology. Artisans can now sell globally through platforms like Etsy, Instagram, and eBay, gaining exposure far beyond their local communities.
The Challenges of Competing with Low-Cost Imports
Despite this renaissance, artisans face immense competition from low-cost imports, primarily from countries like China. Mass-produced goods, often made under less rigorous labor and environmental conditions, flood markets at prices that handmade items can't match. The key for artisans in staying competitive is not to try to beat these imports on price, but to emphasize the value they bring in terms of:
- Quality: Artisans produce goods that last, a sharp contrast to the planned obsolescence of mass-produced items.
- Storytelling: Successful artisans often excel at building a personal connection with their customers, sharing the story behind each product and offering a sense of transparency and authenticity.
- Exclusivity: Handmade goods are often produced in limited quantities, which enhances their appeal as unique, collectible items.
Artisan Businesses Thriving Today
Several contemporary artisan businesses serve as shining examples of how to stay current and creative in a market dominated by mass production:
- The New Craftsmen, based in London, works with artisans across the UK, celebrating traditional British craftsmanship. Their focus on heritage, coupled with modern design sensibilities, keeps them relevant in both local and international markets.
- Heath Ceramics, founded in the mid-20th century and still thriving today, is known for its artisanal approach to ceramics, creating timeless, functional homewares that resonate with today’s slow-living ethos.
- Handmade by Sarnia, an integral part of the Elderescence Lifestyle Project, exemplifies the modern artisan approach, creating exquisite fashion items from recycled materials. With a focus on sustainability and creativity, Sarnia's work demonstrates that handmade fashion can be both eco-friendly and luxurious. Items are sold through eBay and the blog, offering accessibility to a global audience while maintaining the exclusivity of one-of-a-kind craftsmanship.
Staying Current in a Competitive Market
For today’s artisans, success depends on balancing tradition with innovation. Many artisan businesses thrive by adopting the following strategies:
- Engaging with Customers Directly: Social media platforms like Instagram offer artisans a way to connect directly with their audience, building relationships and engaging with buyers in a more personal way than ever before.
- Collaborations and Partnerships: Teaming up with like-minded brands or businesses can introduce artisans to new audiences and create products that resonate with a wider range of consumers.
- Diversifying Sales Channels: From selling at local craft fairs to maintaining a presence on global platforms like Etsy, artisans can expand their reach without sacrificing their identity.
The rise of the artisan in today's market is more than a trend—it is a response to the modern consumer’s desire for meaning, quality, and connection. Artisans like those at Handmade by Sarnia are leading this charge, proving that creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship still have a place in a world of fast fashion and low-cost imports. They are part of a growing movement that values what’s unique and personal, keeping the spirit of the original Arts and Crafts movement alive in a fresh, contemporary context.





























