Jake Barry

Dusk and Dawn Preview

Hi guys,

I am still working on my next big story, but I promised to share something by the end of the month. This is my first draft for chapter 1, and it's rough, so go easy on me! It introduces the major characters and the premise. Again, it's a WIP, so there might be major changes before I release the official chapter 1. Take a look, and let me know what you think!

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"I've never seen monsters like these! They just keep coming! What kind of dungeon is this?" Yells o...

Thank You.

With my post of chapter 64, Magna Gratia has finally come to an end...

It is a bittersweet feeling, honestly. I began writing this story in March of 2022, during a very rough period of my life. What many don't know is that I had been planning it for far longer--since some time in 2017. It was always a dream of mine to write a novel. Now that it is done, I can properly mark it off my bucket list! It ended up being around 200,000 words... That number is just staggering to me. 

...

Chapter 64 (Epilogue)

Looking back, I cannot help but feel proud of how far I have come.

You heard me right. I said 'I', not 'we'. You probably know by now that I do not like talking about myself, but for once, I would like to. That does not mean I am ignoring all the help I have had along the way; far from it! I could not have done any of this without all of them. I owe them so much, not that they would ever allow me to repay it. Saving them was 'gift enough', or so they insist. 

<...

Chapter 63

Slow and steady, careful as can be.

With surgical precision, I bring the strand of hair out of the tank, lower it back inside, and repeat. Having dealt with Lillis for so long, I can see the dangers all around them. The air slits are thin, meaning they could knock into them if I am even slightly off. Move too quickly, and I risk causing these already weakened people to slip and fall. At the same time, I have to be quick otherwise these poor people are going to die of the ris...

Slight delay

Hey everyone! I’ve been working hard on the last chapter of the story, but it just isn’t sitting right with me. I’d like to work on it some more so bear with me until next Wednesday. If I can get it done sooner, I will, but if not, you will get it on that day. Then, the epilogue the following Wednesday. Thanks so much for understanding!

Chapter 62

Our group moves at midnight. By now, most people have either gone home and/or are already fast asleep. That means the streets are pretty empty, apart from the occasional drunk stumbling around. The street we are taking is one partially lit by streetlights, being on the less 'nice' side of town. Or so Jeannine tells me. That little bit of light disappears once we turn the corner. Into a dark alley we go, a backstreet that isn't supposed to be used by pedestrians, or anyone, really, but ends up...

Chapter 61

Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better. 

I do not think there has ever been a quote that resonated so profoundly with me. I came upon it a few months ago, shortly after the incident with the Lilli club. It has stuck with me ever since; its significance growing in my mind the more I interact with people, big and small. Once upon a time, I believed that establishing Magna Gratia was a pipe dream. Something so farfetched that, if I ...

Magna Gratia’s finale

Hey everyone!

With the release of chapter 60, we have finally arrived at the ending to this story. It’s been an amazing journey thus far! I’m both happy and sad that it will be over soon. I’d like to take a moment to explain how things will go from here.

The finale consists of three chapters. They will likely be longer than what you are used to, and because of that, take more time. I am going to be releasing 1 every 2 weeks. This is a decision my coauth...

Chapter 60

Louis sits calm and still on the examination table. I, however cannot help bouncing my leg due to anxiety. We are at the hospital undergoing a routine checkup for him. It is a lengthy process, involving various medical machines, physical tests, and bloodwork. If it is painful for me to watch, then I can only imagine how he must feel. The brave, little boy never complains. In fact, he will smile if he ever catches me looking worried. Bless his heart.

"Hey." Aurelia whispers fr...

Chapter 59

"Dinner's ready!" Robin calls to us from the kitchen. The smell of his cooking permeates the house. 

"Be right there, baby!" Sophie calls back. She turns back to look at me, having been cut off mid-sentence just a moment ago. She opens her mouth to speak, only to decide not to. Instead, she stands and offers me a hand. "Let's continue at the table?"

"Very well." I nod, taking her hand and rising to my feet. The two of us take our seats at the dining tabl...

Chapter 58

The first time I ever helped the Lillis with construction, I was extremely nervous. My heart was racing, my hand was trembling, and my stomach was tied in knots. Looking back on it now, I feel I have come a long way. I am perfectly calm--happy, even. Of course, calm does not mean relaxed. You can never be relaxed when people's lives are involved. One wrong move will be devastating for them. Now more than ever, with all the delicate, little buildings surrounding their build sites. I do not nee...

Chapter 57

"What makes them so important?" Jeannine asks me, lightly shaking our container. They are so small that they seem more like dust to her. We have only been at this for a half hour, yet we are nearing our quota. "They hardly seem rare..."

"I recall something about 'volcanic compounds' and 'ancient, indigineous life'. I do know they are more than just decorations. Their beauty aside, they have medicinal value when ground up, and even uses in construction. Icarus needs them for t...

I injured my hand.

Hey guys, bad news incoming. I injured my hand this afternoon but didn’t think much of it. Sonce then the pain has gotten worse and I went to see a doctor. Seems it’s a bad sprain, but at least it isn’t broken. I’m supposed to avoid using it as much as possible which includes typing.

I am currently looking for a good speech to text software but they are expensive and I lack a good mic to use one properly. To make a long story short, I will not be making the chapter de...

A Shoutout

Recently, Melanie and I had help writing some of the chapters in Parts 4 and 5. This wonderful person who goes by the name of slogro is a friend of mine, and a great writer all on her own. It would not have been possible to complete chapters 49, 54, and 56 without her.

Thank you, slo!

Chapter 56

"Finally! I felt like I was going to dieeee!!" Sara groans, dramatic as always. She steps out of the car along with Jeannine, her eyes squinting behind her expensive sunglasses in the bright, summer sun.

"Says the one driving." Jeannine reminds her, talking from the other side of the car. "You weren't even going the speed limit!" She berrates her, jokingly. 

"Yeah, well... I took a different road this time! One I don't know so well, okay!" Sara yells bac...

Short Story Poll #4 Results

It was close! Like, one vote close! I honestly thought the Gulliver’s Travels story would win, but it seems you all want me to try my hand at a new genre… Figures.

Well, who am I to say no? Work on the Murder Mystery story will begin soon! It will take some time, but look forward to its eventual release! I hope to impress you guys with something fresh ;)

Poll #4 Round 2 Voting ends soon

Don’t forget to vote if you haven’t! I’ll announce the winner on Sunday evening!

Short Story Poll #4 Round 2

Alright, thanks for voting everyone! It seems that the Gulliver's travels story is the most popular. The MG spinoff and Murder Mystery are tied in second place. I decided to pick the one I am more interested in writing, so please let me know which of these finalists you want more. This poll will end on Sunday evening, so don't delay!

Poll #4 Voting ends soon

Hey everyone!

The poll for my next short story will end tomorrow. Please vote if you haven’t. I will pick the two most popular ideas and post a second poll with just them on Friday. It seems Gulliver’s travels is winning so far. Let’s see if it makes it to the end!

Short Story Poll #4

Now that Piece of Work is complete, it's time we vote on the next short story. Like before, I've scrapped some of the ideas from the previous poll. I just don't really like them as much as I did previously. There are also some new ones! Some from which came from you! I hope to find out what interests you guys the most. Take a look:

1. When a Brob is found dead in their apartment, no one expected the killer to turn themselves in. To everyone's surprise, the alleged killer is...a Lilli? M...

MG Chapter 56 Delayed

This one was planned in advance. I am going on vacation for a week which means I won't have access to my PC or time to write. This chapter is set to be a very fun one involving our two tiny and two big friends all at once! I hope you will all enjoy it.

Chapter 55

"New Brobdingnag University hereby confers upon Jeannine the degree Bachelor of Arts! Majors in Political Science and International Studies." Sara reads in her 'professor' voice. She holds my degree out in front of her, as if it is some sort of treasure. "Ooh, how official!"

"It's just a piece of paper. A very expensive one." I cannot help but chuckle at her silliness. I look around fondly at the campus that has been like a second home for so long. Today, both of us will be s...

Chapter 54

As I wait for Luca to arrive, I mentally review the plan. My conversation with Icarus from the other day replays in my mind...

"The bug tracks your locations via GPS. It logs that data every ten seconds for your stalker to check out at a later date." Icarus explains, while inside the device. He decided to crawl in for a better look. The 'tiny' thing is easily as big as a house to him. "It's got a short battery life. It can only track you for a few days on a single charge." 2023-10-18 17:30:23 +0000 UTC View Post

MG Chapter 54 delayed

Sorry!

Another very important chapter that I have been unable to complete by Wednesday. I am working on it, so please bear with me. Quality matters, and I still refuse to upload a chapter I am not satisfied with. I apologize that this has happened so often recently. Thank you for understanding!

Look forward to next Wednesday and please enjoy the ending to Piece of Work! A new short story vote will be out soon…

Piece of Work - Chapter 5

Four different jobs in one week. That had to be some sort of record! 

After reluctantly walking away from Mr. G, even as he begged me to stay from the rooftop of the restaurant, I went straight home. I did not know whether to cry into a pillow or laugh hysterically. I could not believe I had quit of my own volition. The job was mine! Yes, it was not the best job, nor was the pay anything to celebrate, but it was a job! A job with a boss who liked me. 

Chapter 53

My eyes slowly scan the answer sheet in search of mistakes. I had not found any on the first pass, but a second never hurts. The way I see it, better to be sure now than regret the grade later. The exam was relatively easy, but so was the class, so I am not surprised. I kept up with my studies, did all the work, and attended office hours whenever I felt I could benefit from it. As my eyes reach the final answer, I smile. I am confident this will be a perfect score, if not one off. There is al...

Piece of Work - Chapter 4

I have to admit, the incident at the park really demoralized me. It was only after Ranger Tom called to reassure me that no animals had been hurt, that I began to feel better. He was so kind, unlike my other employers. I know that if it had been up to him, he would have given me a second chance. Sadly, I can never be so lucky.

Three jobs, three accidents. My track record was pretty miserable. Others might have called it quits and booked a flight back home. I was not going to ...

MG Chapter 53 delayed

Yeah, this is not a post I wanted to make. I am going to need another week for this one, guys. Not because of quality, but because somehow both Melanie and I have gotten sick this week and are to tired to write. Seems we're getting a taste of Nathalie's astounding bad luck! Jokes aside, neither of us can really do our best when we are so drained. I hope to get the chapter done by next week, but health comes first. At the very least, I am still putting out one of my intended posts this week. T...

Piece of Work - Chapter 3

The walk home from the beach was humiliating. I did not exactly have a chance to change back, so I simply left in shame, sandy and dripping wet. Once again, all eyes were on me, and for all the worst reasons. I decided to change back once I was far enough from the coast, but not before most of the town got a look at my sandy, unemployed butt.

Life in Lilliputia was not looking good for me. In just one week I had lost two jobs and caused a lot of damage. In my defense, I had d...

Chapter 52

"Sara, are you following?" I ask the giant girl. She seems awfully distracted for someone who should be focused on studying. It is plain to see, in her body language and where she is looking. My eyes narrow in concern. "If you need me to slow down, just say so."

"Wha- no! I'm good. The pace is good." She looks off into space again, at which point I close my copy of her textbook. She sees this, thanks to the video call we are on. A camera aimed at me lets her see exactly what ...