C. C. Harper - Author

  As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, millions of us engage in a time-honored ritual: setting New Year resolutions. From promises to eat healthier, exercise more, or finally learn that second language, we embark on this journey of self-improvement with high hopes and determination. Yet, as the weeks roll by, these resolutions often dissolve into the chaos of daily life. By February, the gyms start to empty, journals gather dust, and the motivation that seemed so abundant fades into a familiar routine. Why is this so common? And more importantly, is there a better way to approach self-growth and fulfillment? The answer lies in embracing a philosophy that has stood the test of time: Carpe diem! The problem with New Year Resolutions is that the concept is deeply flawed. It implies that meaningful changes must be tied to a calendar date—that January 1st holds some sort of magical power to reset our habits and mindset. Take a habit; for example, it takes at least 60 days to ...

 Remember when I said my mind felt like a chaotic storm filled with worry and sadness? Well, it still is! But rather than stay stuck in this creative slump, I decided to dive into updating my Erandelle Guidebook. Just a casual 40 new pages, no big deal. On top of that, I created a guide for the Esir’s constructed language and its dialects for the Kril and Selies. Easy, right? If you’re not up to speed, Erandelle is my fictional world that I’ve been shaping for a quite a while, and is connected to a novel that’s still giving me the runaround. I promise I’ll finish it eventually; I have until I’m 132! If you’re curious, my first post on Medium shares the details of the early draft . But back to the guide. I desperately needed something to keep my creativity flowing, so I made a basic outline of the cultures and customs of my fictional characters. Feeling as creatively stuck as I was, I thought tackling something simpler might help. To my surprise, this mechanical approach didn’t just...

  I know today should be midweek prompt day, and I didn’t post last week because I was traveling and, planning and scheduling in advance is just some sort of alternate concept that sometimes I use, sometimes I don’t, but… Today I just want to tell you that, recently, I came to the realization that it's important to celebrate small victories.  Now this might seem obvious to many of you, but for a long time, I overlooked these moments, always keeping my eyes fixed on what I considered to be the bigger goals. Like many others, I thought only large accomplishments deserved recognition. But now, my mind has shifted, and I understand that the small wins—those moments that seem utterly insignificant to others—are often what sustain us in the long run. Take, for example, being awarded a tiny blue badge acknowledging that you’ve published a book. Just like the one I now have next to my name and looks so cute. On the surface, it’s just a digital marker—something that doesn’t attest to t...

  A couple of years ago, I attended a training about storytelling and writing. So as a part of our exercises, we were asked to come up with a draft for a story we would like to tell. Something simple, not very fancy nor detailed. Just something that could set the wheels in motion.  As per usual, with me, nothing is ever simple. My neurons start firing at each other and arguing “do this!”, and the other goes “No! Do that!” and then a third one comes into play and says “Oh bullocks! You’re ruining everything, do this instead!”, then finally the referee shows up – whenever that may be, but preferably before they all start grabbing on each other’s throats – blows the whistle and puts some order in the place.  Therefore, when asked to keep things short and simple, normally I panic and start wondering what sort of sorcery I should resort to in order to accomplish such task… just like what I’m doing right now.  Anyway, long story short, after this long internal battle I cam...

  Today, I want to share some thoughts on AI and the use of Large Language Models (LLMs). Back in April, I presented my perspective on AI in an article titled “ The AI Factor .” In this piece, I’m diving deeper into the subject, this time based on a specific experience I had recently. Before I get into the details, let me share a bit about myself. I’m not one to follow trends blindly. I did that during my early high school years, but I eventually grew out of it and started thinking independently—around the same time I began writing. This means that just because many people hold strong opinions on a topic, it doesn’t necessarily mean I agree with them. I respect their right to their opinions, regardless of how they’ve formed them. Now that you have this background, let’s dive into the matter at hand. Last Friday, I received an email from my self-publishing platform inviting me to take a survey about LLMs and the creation of original content by writers. They were exploring new revenu...

  What better  way to restart my blog posting than with a recommendation?  A couple of days ago, I came across this wonderful website from one of our experts, and I got immediately fascinated by it. I positively loved its simplicity and cleanliness, like it is a space which allows you to breathe as you explore all the different sections.  Carefully curated by Ana Catarina Palma Neves , " Words in Ideas " is a captivating website/blog that offers an insightful journey into the world of literature through the power of words and their ability to shape our perceptions of the world around us. Whether you’re a book lover, a writer, or simply someone who enjoys delving into well-articulated thoughts, this website is a treasure trove of inspiration. The sections like " The Intrepid Book Society " and " Word Chronicles " are particularly engaging, offering readers a fresh perspective on both classic and contemporary works. The author’s ability to weave personal ins...

  In my quest to master the chaos and add a sprinkle of order to my blog, I discovered a genius trick – dedicating specific days to celebrate certain themes. Et voilà! Just like my iconic Folklore Fridays, now I shall be rolling out Prompt Wednesdays for your (or mine, to be more honest) midweek inspiration. Not the most original names, granted, but hey, they will surely get the job done! So, here I am on this wonderful Wednesday pondering all things dark, gothic, and fantastical. It seems I can't help but drift towards this sub-genre; there's just something always intriguing about the gloomy, decaying world of dark, gothic fantasy where characters tend to lean towards madness or turn to the (un)dead. Nevertheless, despite the heavy dose of tragedy and impending doom that defines this genre, who can resist indulging in a nice cup of tea or coffee while diving into Bram Stoker's "Dracula" or Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman"? Given these considerations, whe...

  I've been wondering for a while about the distinctions between "authors" and "writers," but I never really bothered to dive into it. But hey, here I am now actually thinking about it. Why the sudden interest? Well, I'll attribute it to my crazy allergy situation and all the pills I'm popping to keep it under control. So here goes nothing. What I figured out, during my research, was that when it comes to literature and storytelling, people tend to use "author" and "writer" interchangeably, which can be confusing. Even though both involve creating written works, there are actually some important differences between the two. So, let's look into these distinctions and unravel what it truly means to be an author versus a writer. **Defining Authors and Writers:** At first glance, it might seem that authors and writers perform the same function: they write. However, the distinction lies in the scope and intention of their work. **Autho...

  My earliest obsession, as I like to refer to it, in the realm of literature was with the myths and legends of ancient Greece. This particular passion took hold when I was sixteen years old, right after I finished reading Marion Zimmer Bradley's book 'The Firebrand'. Over the years that followed, I delved into everything related to ancient Greek myths and legends. I devoured books, watched documentaries, and absorbed as much information as possible to expand my knowledge. It all began with the Trojan War and its characters, leading me to explore other wars, characters, the complete pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, demigods, mythological creatures, and their captivating stories. Among these tales, one that stood out to me was about Heracles and the tragic murder of his friend Iphitus. This tale, like many others, offers multiple interpretations. However, my preference lies with the version narrated by Robert Graves in his book 'Greek Myths'. As we know, the narrative...

  As anticipated in numerous works of science fiction, video games, and movies, the era of Artificial Intelligence has arrived, bringing controversy in its wake. Also as expected, society typically avoids debating these advancements proactively; instead, discussions arise only when the technology is on our doorstep, enforcing a sudden adjustment to a new reality rather than promoting a smooth transition. Consequently, due to common human behavior, individuals are launching passionate crusades against the implementation of AI, though in certain domains more than in others. The controversy surrounding AI arises from several factors, such as: Ethical Considerations: The increasing sophistication and autonomy of AI systems raise ethical concerns regarding AI bias, privacy violations, and the possibilities of misuse for surveillance or manipulation. Job Displacement: A major concern regarding AI is its ability to automate tasks that have historically been done by humans. This can resu...

  ‘The Mists of Avalon’, by Marion Zimmer Bradley were the first books I ever read about the Arthurian Legends, after that I developed an uncontrollable passion for the theme and read everything I could possibly lay my hands on the topic. It wasn’t my first love. My first love was the Trojan War and began when I was reading the ‘Firebrand’ by the same author. Then, of course, I developed an immense crush on all the characters of the story. It was so great that I ended up reading the Iliad, and then the Odyssey and everything in between from fact to fiction. Yet, today, folklore friday is about the mystical island of Avalon, where the legendary sword Excalibur was forged and King Arthur was laid to rest.   Avalon is often depicted as a separate realm or a hidden land beyond the mortal world, therefore its precise location is an ongoing  matter of debate and interpretation, with numerous legends placing it in different locations such as England or Wales. This mystical ...

  Today, I am going to share a deeply personal part of my creative journey - the process behind “The Lost Tales of Erandelle”. Why share this? Because sometimes, in order to move forward, it's important to revisit the past without getting stuck in it.  On August 5, 2012, I published the first chapter of what was then known as "The Emerald Bay Chronicles" on this blog, which had a different name at that time. Subsequently, I posted chapters two through five in the following days before halting. As you may recall, vampires were immensely popular at that time, saturating the literary landscape with books and series focused on them. My challenge stemmed from having already explored a gothic/vampire phase in my teenage years. So by 2012, I found myself disenchanted with the vampire theme, craving something fresh and different. I had multiple ideas swirling in my mind about elves, influenced by numerous fantasy universes such as Warhammer Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons, Forgotte...

 

 

 

  Flash fiction, also known as micro fiction, is a literary form that packs a punch in a compact space. In a world inundated with information, flash fiction stands out as a literary gem that captivates readers with its brevity and brilliance. So please join me on a journey into the art of flash fiction, where every word is a brushstroke painting vivid stories in miniature. Flash fiction is more than just a condensed story; it's an art form that demands precision and creativity. With word counts ranging from a few dozen to a thousand words, writers face the challenge of conveying a complete narrative with a beginning, middle, and end. The essence lies in distilling a story to its core, leaving readers with a powerful and resonant experience. One of the remarkable aspects of flash fiction is its ability to create entire worlds in a few paragraphs. Writers wield words with precision, carefully choosing details that evoke vivid imagery and immerse readers in a narrative universe. Each ...

  Storytelling—the ancient art woven into the fabric of human existence, a timeless tradition passed down through generations. It holds within its grasp the power to transport us to far-off lands, ignite our imaginations, and stir emotions buried deep within our souls. The Power of Narratives: In every corner of the world, narratives hold sway. From fireside tales shared by elders to bestselling novels and blockbuster films, storytelling shapes cultures, influences beliefs, and bridges the gaps between diverse perspectives. It serves as a mirror reflecting our humanity back to us. Within the realms of stories, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Imagination dances with reality, conjuring heroes, villains, and worlds yet unseen. It's an invitation to explore uncharted territories, unlocking doors to empathy and understanding. At its core, storytelling is a conduit for connection. It transcends boundaries of time, culture, and language, creating bridges between individuals. Through s...

  Greetings, fellow writers and avid readers! After a hiatus, I'm thrilled to announce the grand reopening of my blog, now revamped and relaunched as The Writer's Lounge . 📚✨ Back in June 2012, this space was born, a virtual corner dedicated to my musings, stories, and literary adventures. However, life's twists and turns sometimes lead us down unexpected paths, and regrettably, this blog didn't get the attention it deserved. But fear not! Today marks a fresh start, a rebirth, and an exciting new chapter. The Writer's Lounge isn't just a name; it's a place where stories intertwine, creativity flourishes, and imagination knows no bounds. Here, I aim to create a haven for writers seeking inspiration, tips, and camaraderie. For readers, it's an invitation to peek behind the scenes, explore the worlds I craft, and join discussions about literature. More than just a personal space, this blog will serve as a platform to showcase my latest works, delve into th...