Original Notes & Tales

What happens when a ghost discovers the true power of a single act of kindness? In Journey of Thanks, a haunting story about sacrifice, Tully, a lost spirit who drowned while trying to save someone, is mysteriously drawn to a random and unknown apartment. As he unravels the mystery of his afterlife, Tully uncovers a deep, unexpected bond with a family he never knew existed. This emotional ghost story explores themes of the life-changing power of selfless acts. With raw emotion and spiritual transformation, Tully’s journey will leave you reflecting on the unseen connections we share and the profound impact of a simple act of kindness. Don’t miss this haunting tale of closure and the enduring power of thankfulness. #GhostStory #Afterlife #Sacrifice #EmotionalStory #Gratitude #Haunting #SpiritualJourney #SelflessSacrifice #UnfinishedBusiness Back in 2018, I wrote what my father considered my best story, or at least his favorite. You would think he would choose either the self-published Dead Man’s Hand (which was republished on September 26th 2024 with the help of Silversmith Press) or Drawing Thin (which was nearing the last phase of its editing at the time). While he was proud of what I’d done, neither topped Journey of Thanks. While preparing for this journey, I knew the inaugural video needed to be something special. So I went to my website and pulled up the original published version and immediately gave it some tender love and care that comes from seven years of writing experience. While endeavoring to keep the story’s original message, I cleaned up the original rough spots that it had when I first published it. Ultimately, despite the facelift, I’m convinced the underlying tale remains intact. Unfortunately, my father passed away long before this rewrite came to exist, so I’ll never know if he agreed with my conviction, but based on my memories of him, I’m sure he would embrace this new edition of his favorite tale. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Journey of Thanks: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2018/11/13/journey-of-thanks/ Attributions: The video’s thumbnail was designed using a mockup from Freepik. Follow the link below to see what they can provide. https://www.freepik.com

With Letters, you'll get a deeply emotional flash fiction story where love and secrecy intertwine against the backdrop of a world at war. As Patricia and James share a life-changing moment, a powerful and unexpected confession threatens everything they thought they knew about each other. This poignant tale explores the complexities of love, loss, and the weight of decisions made during times of uncertainty. Will the truth bring them closer or tear them apart? Letters is a story of memory, sacrifice, and the consequences of untold secrets during turbulent times. #flashfiction #romanticfiction #emotionalstorytelling #loveandloss #bittersweetstory Overview: I don’t remember when I was exposed to NYC Midnight and their writing competitions, but 2019 was the first year I took part. The initial tale was a comedy, and I will narrate that in a future video, but first I wanted to create the audio for my second entry in 2019’s first round, Letters. For those unaware of the competition NYC Midnight randomly assigns each writer a genre, a location, and an object (at least for their flash fiction competition). My group’s prompt for the second challenge was a historical fiction, taking place at a school dance, and featuring a photo album. For a hot minute, I didn’t know what I was going to write about. Fortunately, deadlines have a wonderful trait of sparking your imagination. It took me a sometime, but in sort order I had a rough idea etched out, and while my daughter was practicing volleyball, I spoke with my dad and told him what I was thinking about. Despite his initial reservations, I stuck to my guns and crafted the tragedy I had planned out. After submitting the story, I posted it on the writer’s forum for review by the contestants. And the feedback was incredible. Everyone who commented talked about how the story impacted them. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Letters: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2019/10/01/letters/ Attributions: The video’s thumbnail was designed using a mockup from Freepik. Follow the link below to see what they can provide. https://www.freepik.com

In Siphoning the Stone, a disgraced council member, once trusted and revered, seeks a dangerous path to power to escape the influence of her former allies. Ignoring the warnings of those who once called her a friend, she ventures into a world of forbidden magic and high-stakes survival. As her quest for freedom intensifies, the consequences of her actions force the council’s hand and set a relentless hunter on her trail. This gripping fantasy story explores betrayal, power, and the fine line between rebellion and survival. Can she outwit her pursuers and claim the power she desperately seeks, or will her past actions haunt her forever? #fantasyfiction #magicalconflict #sorcery #rebellionandpower #sorceryfight As I scroll through my Facebook feed, occasionally I run across an image that sparks my imagination. With its corresponding tale already growing, I scramble to preserve the location. Sometimes I’m successful, other times the inspiration for the tale is lost. Fortunately, for Siphoning the Stone, while the original Image link from Facebook has long since died, the originating location of DeviantArt is still alive and well. To date, I’ve created a bunch of characters for all the various stories I have brought to the world. Yet there are only a handful that have carved out a special place in my mind. One is Darren Gibert, whose first tale belongs to my Patrons, and another is Tiatha Orbryn, who is the protagonist of this tale. Unlike Darren’s journey, hers took longer to fully develop, but it’s no less special to me. I wish I knew what made these originally inconsequential characters become so near and dear to my heart. Whatever the reason, you can find more stories featuring her both as a member of my Patreon community, and on my blog as there is a fresh storyline swirling in my head that I’m going to want to share with everyone, so stay tuned. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Siphoning the Stone: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2020/03/26/siphoning-the-stone/ Crystallo Spiritus by Krouya: https://www.deviantart.com/krouya/art/Crystallo-Spiritus-827612274 Attributions: The video’s thumbnail was designed using a mockup from Freepik. Follow the link below to see what they can provide. https://www.freepik.com

In Seeking Justice, a determined private detective forces his way into a politician’s limousine to confront him about a woman's mysterious death. With high stakes and tense questioning, the investigator uncovers more than he bargained for, diving into a dangerous world where power and secrets collide. Set against a somber 12-bar blues soundtrack played by saxophones and a clarinet, the music amplifies the story’s tension and reflective mood, guiding the viewer through this gripping pursuit of truth. #mysteryfiction #crimeandpunishment #privateinvestigator #justice #intrigue #investigationstory There was a three-year stretch where I always took part in NYC Midnight’s Flash Fiction competition, but after 2021 I’ve lost the time. Here’s hoping that I’m able to find the needed time to join this year’s competition. However, I plan on bringing every one of those six stories to this channel, though it’s definitely happening out of order. Seeking Justice was my response to the first challenge in 2021. When I got the email for the challenge, I scratched my head for a little while, trying to think how I’d write a mystery in a motorcade while featuring a map. Fortunately, I’d developed an investigator named Kyle Rickman, but I didn’t know how this story would unfold. Rather, I didn’t see this story unfolding. As for the detective, I knew a good deal about him, since I’d molded my father, a former FBI investigator, onto him. Don’t go thinking that Kyle and my dad are clones. They’re not, rather the temperament to investigations is similar, based on what my dad told me about them. It’s not like he pulled out the case files, rather he told me how he handled himself when interacting with the criminals and even the other fed when he was doing internal investigations. With that singular aspect of my father’s personality, I set about creating my investigator. However, the location wasn’t meshing with a mystery, at least not at the moment. However, the moment my mind switched to considering the tail end of the investigation, the rest of the story flooded through my finger. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Seeking Justice: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2021/07/16/seeking-justice/

In Birthday Blowout, a couple’s special night out takes an unexpected turn when a quirky and over-the-top villain interrupts their evening, intent on sending a dangerous message. With a mix of unpredictable antics and exaggerated threats, the villain adds a comedic edge to an otherwise high-stakes situation. As the night spirals into chaos, the couple must navigate the tension while trying to regain control of their evening. Set to a jubilant 12-bar blues improvisation, featuring saxophones and a clarinet, the music amplifies the growing tension and playful nature of the villain’s interference. #suspensefiction #coupleincrisis #comedicvillain #unexpectedtwist #romanticsuspense #actionpackedfiction #campy #laughs One of the reasons I love NYC Midnight is that the competition challenges me as a writer. For each tale, I’m presented with a random genre that I have to work with, something I’ve brought to my patrons via the monthly genre poll. The reason I embraced this was due to the first prompt that the competition assigned to me, a comedy. To that point, I’d never written one. However, if I wanted to progress in this competition, I needed to produce something. However, my mind being what it is, I raced to the world of camp, specifically Adam West’s Batman. While I’m pleased, the story got points. It ranked 14th out of the thirty plus members of my group. It was difficult to craft the story I ended up with. Of course, I only had a weekend to write and edit the story. As a result, yes, there are areas of the story I would write differently now. Though that’s something that any author will say with works from their past. However, while I am editing other stories that I’ve written, I’m committed to keeping all the stories I’ve submitted to NYC Midnight as they were. That said, as I worked to narrate this tale, I still enjoyed the campy humor weaved throughout the story, so I hope you all will see it and enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy the silliness, my friends. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Birthday Blowout: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2019/09/09/birthday-blowout/

In The Noodle Trap, a father and daughter’s quiet meal is violently interrupted when a crazed individual with delusional thoughts storms into their lives. Early on, the father is thrust into a perilous situation, forcing the daughter into a desperate, life-or-death struggle to save him. As they are drawn into a world filled with mythical creatures and magic, she must summon all her courage to rescue her father before it’s too late. The 12-bar blues improvisation with saxophones and a clarinet perfectly captures the escalating tension and chaos of this high-stakes adventure. #magicaladventure #fantasystory #fatherdaughterbond #highstakes #familyrescue #mythicalcreatures #FairyTale Early in my writing journey, when I needed to get an idea, my first reaction was to run to NYC Midnight’s previous prompts, which were at the time freely available. With the list of locations and objects, I’d use Google’s random number generator to select the genre for the story. After getting the number and matching it up to the genre, I drew one of NYC Midnight’s combinations for a Fairy Tale. When the cursor stopped whirling across the screen, I discovered my tale would need to take place in a noodle restaurant and needed to feature a pair of mittens. Despite having a rough idea of the story’s core, that was it. That is right until my mind does what it does when staring down a deadline. Sometimes characters will emerge from the depths of my mind and put on a show for me. And that was exactly what happened with this fledgling story. Between a couple of moments, a trio of individuals stepped out of the mental shadows and put on a private show. It didn’t take long before the rough story unfolded and developed. Even though I possessed a rough sketch, it needed a lot of work. With each pass, I refined the shape of this story and ultimately crafted what felt like a wonderful fairy tale. When I let my daughter read the story, she loved it. Between the story’s daughter getting some mac n’ cheese and running into a talking unicorn, she thought it was an amazing tale. However, given when I wrote this, it needed a fresh edit before getting narrated. Thankfully, that wasn’t the most troublesome part of the process for The Noodle Trap. That dubious honor belongs to the backing blues track. Originally, it was going to be a duet. And despite being a fun experience, by the time I finished the saxophone and clarinet solos simply didn’t mesh. Fortunately, the work I put into learning the solos wasn’t wasted, as it strengthened my fingers, allowing me to even play something like it. Before long, I pared down the clarinet to a simple accompaniment. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (stories which don’t exceed 1000 words), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 The Noodle Trap: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2018/10/18/noodle-trap/

In Reflections, Lucious arrives at a museum and is directed towards a painting for a mysterious meeting. But what starts as a simple task soon unravels a deep, painful secret from his past. As the story explores themes of memory, loss, and regret, Lucious faces the hidden truths that have shaped him. The blues music, played on saxophone and clarinet, echoes the sorrow and introspection of his journey, amplifying the emotional weight of the moment. A haunting tale about the things we carry with us, and the truth we must confront to move forward. #Memory #Loss #Regret #Mystery #Reflective #reflectivemoments #thoughtfulscienefiction For some of my stories, I remember exactly where my stories come from, for example the idea behind Harrison & Sylvia stemmed from a game called Torchwood. I had chosen to play as an alchemist and selected the cat as the animal companion. While I don't remember if the random name generator came up with the name, my alchemist was called Harrison and his pet was Sylvia. From that seed I created a vast storyline for that pairing. However, for every pairing like that, I have a few where I don't know how I came up with the idea. Aside from a handful of science fiction shows, where a time traveler interacts with his younger self, I don't remember from under what crack in my mind I pulled out the concept of Lucious. However when I went back to update the story to convert it for its release here on Eloquent Tales & Blues, I was transported back to June of 2019. While I couldn't remember the details about how I came up with the story, the emotions behind the story flooded through me, which helped during this re-edit. Honestly, as I looked back at the story, I can think of a few instances where I'd love to take advantage of what I spun in this narrative. When you finish the tale, consider dropping a comment about the premise behind the story of Reflections. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Reflections: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2019/06/27/reflections/ Attributions: The video’s thumbnail was designed using a mockup from Freepik. Follow the link below to see what they can provide. https://www.freepik.com

In Junkyard Hunt, Lucas is thrust into a harrowing chase with his life on the line. Trapped in a desolate junkyard, a mysterious stranger gives him a brutal ultimatum: run or die. As Lucas fights to escape, every moment is filled with fear and uncertainty. Surrounded by twisted metal and broken debris, the chase becomes a desperate struggle for survival. With each step, Lucas’s will is tested—will he escape, or will the hunter claim him? The story pulses with raw tension, amplified by a relentless blues riff, capturing the intensity of a fight against fate. #FlashFiction #Survival #Thriller #Tension #Junkyard #Hunted #Escape #HeartRacing #FightForLife Over the years, I’ve come across several stories that highlight an eccentric individual who is seeking the highest form of entertainment, hunting other people for sport. Normally, this isn’t a genre that I’d explore. However, back in March of 2019, I needed to write a thriller, and I couldn’t think of anything else. While I have a vague memory of this kind of storyline converted for a comedic show like Get Smart, the more likely source of the seed was a season three episode of the Father Brown Mysteries. In The Lair of the Libertines, Father Brown, his secretary, and his friend become stranded at a hotel where everyone present is seeking to indulge in the most hedonistic forms of pleasure. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the other guests started dropping like flies. While I will not delve into the details in an effort not to spoil the episode, you should check out the show and specifically the episode. Despite being a fun mystery, it’s not about to give you any insight into my rendition of this kind of tale. As I read through the story, I noticed the NYC Midnight tag at the bottom of the page. However, this was not a story I submitted, rather it was one where I went looking for a previous prompt to help write the story. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have a record of what object was supposed to appear in this thriller. But armed with my inspiration, I dove headfirst into this harrowing tale. However, after several years of continued experience, when I went to bring this to Eloquent Tales & Blues, I saw a work that required an update before release. Fortunately, it didn’t take me long to clean up the rough edges, bringing this harrowing tale back to life. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Junkyard Hunt: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2019/03/14/junkyard-hunt/ Attributions: The video’s thumbnail was designed using a mockup from Freepik. Follow the link below to see what they can provide. https://www.freepik.com

In Downpour, Amelia stands alone on a quiet hill as the first raindrops begin to fall, a rare moment of peace in a world filled with danger. The storm’s touch revitalizes her, washing away years of struggle and exhaustion. The rain brings a sense of rebirth, but that brief serenity is shattered when a group of ruthless brigands appear, intent on causing trouble. As the rain intensifies, the stakes rise. Amelia must confront the looming threat of these merciless outlaws, but what can a solitary woman do against the group? The storm isn’t simply a force of nature. It’s a harbinger of something much darker looming over the encounter. Is Amelia’s rejuvenation a sign of hidden power, or is she doomed to fall prey to the brigands’ merciless plans? #FantasyAdventure #StormMagic #WildernessAdventure #PowerfulWomen #FantasyStory Here’s another story whose prompt has been lost. However, one of the larger pieces of inspiration will always linger. Back in my youth, specifically around my time in college, D&D introduced a prestige class that intrigued me. While I was never able to play a Storm Lord, I spent a lot of time digging into the class preparing for the day when I’d achieve the fascinating class. Despite a lack of the 3.5 edition of the rules, the idea of a character controlling and benefiting from a store lingered in my mind. Granted, my version is definitely more powerful than what was given to role players. Fortunately, that’s my right, though in the initial scene I do hint at the “kryptonite” for my Storm Wardens. When they’re not inside a storm, their bodies weaken rapidly. Despite enjoying the creation of this tale, I’ve returned to explore this character. And after redrafting the tale for its Eloquent Tales & Blues release, I have a strong desire to return to this world and flesh out more of Amelia’s character. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Downpour: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2019/05/22/downpour/ Attributions: The video’s thumbnail was designed using a mockup from Freepik. Follow the link below to see what they can provide. https://www.freepik.com

A rogue wizard flees under the cover of night, his magic crackling through the air as the Council’s relentless hunter closes in. Every spell is a desperate gamble, every moment a heartbeat between escape and capture. But this isn’t just a chase—it’s a battle of wits, power, and will. Set to a spirited blues riff, this narrated story brings magic and rhythm together in a way that will keep you on edge. As the tension builds and the music drives the momentum, one question remains: Will the rogue break free, or will the hunter enforce the Council’s will? #fantasybattle #MagicDuel #WizardsAtWar #FantasyStory #EpicShowdown #MagicalEscape As I’ve churned out stories, many concepts have been both birthed and dismissed for the litany of worlds I created for my writing. The one that to date that’s received the most amount of exploration is Morven. For those who would like to know how I came up with the name, let me assure you that the reasoning is mostly irrelevant. However, if you really want to press me on the name, I’d have to admit the reason has been lost to the depths of my mind. Which is understandable when I’m keeping the world’s history at my fingertips. While I’ve explored several periods in the planet’s history, the time stretching from their corresponding medieval point to their modern-day time frame has birthed some of my favorite stories, characters, and organizations, including the Hunters. In their feudal era, the most powerful wizards of the day banded together and conquered the world. Or at least the vast majority of it. While there were several pockets of resistance, the council ruled their portion of the world with an iron fist. And to ensure their supremacy throughout the ages, they created a group of wizards who would scour the world searching for mages born outside of their dynasty. Once found, and spellcaster who refused the council’s generous offer was dragged back to the council to face their judgment. While I’ve never told a story from their perspective, I have built out a lot of lore for the organization that I’ll eventually put down in some text. Personally, it’s more fun to highlight the ingenuity of the wizards who can elude these overpowered spell slingers. As a result, back in 2019, I sat down to create a fantasy featuring a pair of these wizards. Unfortunately, it’s been too long, so I don’t remember much more of the reason behind the story than that. However, when I tapped it for this audio makeover, the emotions of the tale rushed back into place. Support: If you enjoyed the tale, head over to my Patreon site and become a patron. For $2 a month, you get access to the genre poll (a way to help shape the exclusive stories every month), three pieces of exclusive flash fiction (sub 1000 word stories), and early access to all my artwork. https://bit.ly/3GL7sY9 Or consider buying me a croissant: https://ko-fi.com/stevenmeehan Links: Dead Man’s Hand: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Forgers-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHY1WMT8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 Dueling Wizards: https://www.stevenmeehan.com/archives/2019/07/22/dueling-wizards/ Attributions: The video’s thumbnail was designed using a mockup from Freepik. Follow the link below to see what they can provide. https://www.freepik.com