Ancient by King' Payne

9/15/2024

Debut author, King' Payne introduces us to his fantasy short story:
“A group of friends embark on an usual trip in the woods but stumble upon an ancient entity which shows them that sometimes it's better to be conscious.”

What an interesting story!
A simple hike in the woods turns into something sinister. I can't say anything more without spoiling the story.
This is a quick read, yet it is deeply detailed.
4.8 stars from me. I am picky about certain things.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-by-King-Payne-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-ancient

You can connect with the author:
Twitter: @KingPayne240
Blog: https://therealkingpayne. blogspot.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id= 61564039475632
Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/ therealkingpayne/
Goodreads: https://www. goodreads.com/author/show/ 50807977.King_Payne
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin. com/in/king-payne-024062329/
Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube. com/@KingPayneAuthor

Fantasy, new adults, hiking, forest, drug use,

Copyright © 2024 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.

52 Comments

King Payne link

9/15/2024 11:48:09 pm

Thank you so much, Mark, for your wonderful review! I'm absolutely thrilled that you enjoyed the book.

Mark

9/16/2024 06:41:39 am

You are welcome, I enjoyed the story.

First question.

Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

King Payne link

9/16/2024 07:34:08 am

Well, I’m a bit confused about what exactly I should talk about. Should I talk about my social identity or who I truly believe I am? I’m someone who thinks a lot about many things, and that’s probably why I write. I don’t talk much and have only a few friends. I spend most of my time with family. I enjoy traveling, although it’s usually out of obligation—but it does provide me with good stories. Honestly, while answering this question, I’ve reflected quite a bit on who I really am.

Mark

9/16/2024 01:08:12 pm

Great answer. Thank you. Travel can be fun and it can be rather arduous at times. Many factors come into play.

New questions.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer?

What kind of work do you do if you are a part-time writer? Feel free to skip that question, if you would rather not answer.

King Payne link

9/16/2024 01:58:48 pm

I am a part-time writer. I work in a bank, and every day, I go in thinking I am living a story to which I need to write a happy ending. But my irresolute efforts only end up adding another chapter to the story. I must say, if this continues, I’ll end up with more chapters to write but very few pages left.

P.S. It’s hard for me to take things without a hint of humor.

Mark

9/16/2024 05:55:34 pm

I like your humor. Without being able to laugh the world is a more dismal place. Keep your sense of humor. As the wise man said, laughter does good like a medicine.

New questions.

What is your favorite genre to read for pleasure?

Has writing changed the pleasure of reading for you?

King Payne link

9/17/2024 12:49:59 am

I don’t have a single favorite genre; I switch a lot between different genres. Sometimes I get into horror, and sometimes it’s science fiction. But mostly, it’s fiction—I hardly read any nonfiction nowadays. I do remember that as a teenager, I read a lot of college fiction, and while studying in college, I also wrote two college fiction short stories.

Writing certainly made me more inquisitive about different genres, and that’s when I started reading books from a wider range. The pleasure of reading has definitely changed since I started writing, as I now always want to understand the writer’s perspective and their style of writing. I spend a lot more time reading a single page now compared to when I didn’t write. The admiration for the writer and the feeling of elation surface while reading a book. So, yes, the pleasure has definitely changed and has increased a lot since I started writing.

Mark

9/17/2024 08:02:54 am

We have the love of a well-written book in common. I read mostly sci-fi in my early school years. I visited the public library in the summer because the school library was closed. I was given a set of the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien in my junior high years and read it three times before graduating high school.

Fantasy is a close second favorite genre and historical fiction a close third.

New questions.

Why do you write?

How has writing changed your life?

King Payne link

9/17/2024 08:54:58 am

I started writing when I realised that my life experiences were quite amusing, and I thought people would enjoy reading about them. These experiences were just a few instances from my college days, but that’s where my writing journey began. Initially, I had no plans to write anything beyond that, but I soon encountered some short story competitions, which sparked my growing passion for writing. Over time, I ventured into different genres and began experimenting with new ideas. Writing brings me immense happiness, and I always hope that others will read my work. If my writing stirs any emotion in them, I feel I have succeeded.

What has really changed for me is that even the bad experiences in life don’t sadden me as much anymore, because I turn them into stories. Humorously, I sometimes view my life from a third-person perspective, and those embarrassing or angry moments often seem funny to me.

Mark

9/17/2024 09:44:33 am

There is almost always something funny or humorous to be found in any given situation. Laughter not only releases endorphins into our bloodstream but also soothes the soul. It can also promote community and familiarity within a group of people.

You are doing well seeking the funny-sunny side of things.

New questions.

Who was the first person to inspire you to write?

What inspired you to write this book?

King Payne link

9/17/2024 10:10:25 am

Who inspired me to write?
Actually, no one; it was just me. In a way, it was like talking to myself—an idea erupted, and I just went ahead with it. I never felt that I shouldn’t do it or that it was just a passing thought. And maybe, because I’m a shy person, I never shared that thought with anyone until I actually wrote and published. I just want my books to be read, even if people don’t know who I am.

The inspiration to write this book came at a party where I saw people opening up about themselves in an intoxicated state—things they wouldn’t share when they were sober. This made me think that there are many layers to a person, and the deepest ones are the ones they never showcase. These layers can be desires, fears, or insecurities. I started thinking about what effect a mythological power could have on these feelings.

Mark

9/17/2024 11:32:35 am

You are like so many other authors when it comes to writing. Some decided to write and others were inspired by another author or a significant person in their life.

Almost every book starts with an idea and grows from there. I hope you are keeping a list of your story ideas. I have recommended to authors to keep an idea list with one idea per page so there is room to explore the idea a little bit.

Many people are afraid to reveal themselves without some kind of cover, an excuse to claim if the revelation is not accepted. Inebriation is a good excuse for a lot of people to cut loose.

New questions.

Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

Will you keep writing in the genre or will you branch out?

King Payne link

9/17/2024 12:34:00 pm

I’ll definitely keep a list of all my ideas.
I chose this genre because I want to explore different genres, and I felt that it was a good idea I shouldn’t let go. I often think about whether people will enjoy my writing, so I share it with a few friends, and if they like it, I move forward. I plan to branch out as I have other ideas from completely different genres. Right now, I’m working on a dystopian novel that delves into reimagining an alternative justice system.

Mark

9/17/2024 12:46:31 pm

We're going to see many different offerings from you over the years. Your fans will be pleased.

New questions.

Have you ever seen a UFO or UAP, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena?

How many drafts did your book go through before publishing?

King Payne link

9/18/2024 01:53:37 am

Sadly, I have never, not even once in my life, seen a UFO or UAP. Despite walking dark streets, I have yet to encounter any paranormal phenomena. I often wonder when the time will come for me to experience something supernatural. If I recall correctly, it might have taken around 10 drafts.

Mark

9/18/2024 08:01:39 am

I don't recall seeing one either. But my sisters tell me we saw a UFO when we were children. I don't think UFOs are all they are purported to be,

New questions.

Is there anything unconventional about your writing technique?

Why is that?

King Payne link

9/18/2024 11:45:29 am

Only readers and critics can truly judge whether there's something unconventional about my writing, as I don't consciously focus on my writing style while I create. However, I do believe my work has been influenced by the many writers I’ve read.

Mark

9/18/2024 12:13:20 pm

You are right on both counts. We are all of us influenced in one degree or another by our past.

New questions.

Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.

How many drafts did the cover go through?

King Payne link

9/18/2024 12:59:50 pm

Now that’s a funny story because I did it myself. I didn’t know a lot of tools, and I was way too lazy to learn how to design a cover, so I ended up creating it on a free website.
It might seem like I was being careless, but actually, designing the cover and getting the book published was a daunting task for me.
There weren’t many drafts—maybe 4 or 5, I guess. I wanted it to be related to the woods and greenery.
Well, I do hope people don’t focus much on my cover but on what’s inside.

Mark

9/18/2024 01:55:31 pm

Covers are important. Your cover is pretty unique in it's simplicity. The first thing I see is what seems to be the cut end of a log that has dried for a season or two. The drying allows cracks to propagate. The second thing I see is what seems to be a picture of a group of trees taken from the level of the forest floor with a fish-eye camera lens. Some of the trees join their tops at the center of the picture and many trees occupy the edge of the picture.

I am not surprised that you found it difficult to write and publish your story. Everything is hard the first time or two. Repetition makes a task easier.

New questions.

Was it hard to come up with the title?

What was the process?

King Payne link

9/18/2024 02:04:49 pm

Frankly speaking, Mark, I wrote this story a long time ago. However, I clearly remember choosing the title Ancient to create a sense of mystery around the book. The idea was to intrigue readers about what exactly is ancient in the story—is it historical or based on mythology? And when they read it, it would evoke a completely different feeling.

Mark

9/18/2024 08:48:42 pm

I think you succeeded with that. There is mystery in the title. Well done.

New questions.

Were the character names difficult to develop?

How did you choose them?

King Payne link

9/18/2024 11:36:20 pm

Definitely Mark, naming the characters has always been a challenge for me. In the first draft, I didn’t name all the characters and added their names later on. I even made up some names, like Arhisha, which don’t exist in the real world, as I felt it would match the story’s illusionary world. Other characters were named based on their traits—one character is called “Strub” by his friends because he frequently listens to EDM with strobe lights. It’s something friends often do, giving each other nicknames linked to their attributes. I’d love to hear readers’ opinions on the names and whether better choices could have been made.

Mark

9/19/2024 08:27:59 am

Names are challenging for many authors, depending upon the genre. Historical fiction writers might have it the easiest of all. There are many websites devoted to the most popular baby names in a given year or decade by country or region. Sometimes these lists go back for hundreds of years.

New questions.

What do you think of the current controversy regarding AI, Artificial Intelligence?

Did you use AI in any of your writing or planning for your books?
I am not including research in this question because most of the major browsers have embedded AI in the browser.

King Payne link

9/19/2024 11:19:55 am

I think AI is good, but it can never replace the human mind. Our thoughts are made up of all the experiences we have, everything we’ve seen, heard, or felt by simply observing. These feelings are different for each individual. So, no matter how much AI learns, it cannot replace a real person. AI can write a beautiful story, maybe even a unique one that has never been heard of before. But it cannot write what you and I can, because each one of us is unique. Let’s say we are AI in ourselves.

I wrote this story five years ago, before AI was so prevalent or even available to everyone. So, I didn’t use AI during the entire process. However, I did ask one AI application for feedback on my story, but the problem is, AI is the nicest being (if we can call it a being) of all. It said my story was great and even drew parallels with other famous novels and novelists. So, we can’t expect a lot of criticism from AI.

Mark

9/19/2024 12:07:50 pm

In a way, AI is like the smartest and most obedient child. It can gather lots of information in a twinkle and regurgitate it in a form to meet our request. But it can't tell you if what it's offering is true or factual. Without direction it is useless. AI appears to be easily subverted for nefarious purposes also.

New questions.

Have you encountered a troll reviewing one of your stories?

How did you handle it?

King Payne link

9/19/2024 12:29:19 pm

Not yet, but I stay calm in almost all situations. So, even if I do encounter such a situation, I would simply thank the person for reading. I also welcome positive criticism. I did have someone give a biased review, but that was just his opinion as he wasn’t open to a completely different way of thinking. I thanked him for reading as well.

Mark

9/19/2024 02:37:33 pm

You wrote this story from a particular point of view. Every person who reads it sees a different story because they are reading from their particular point of view. It is not surprising that some people don't like a story without enumerating why they don't like it. They may not even know themself.

Then there are trolls, they will throw a one-star rating easily without explaining why. When they do bother to give a reason, more often than not, it's obvious they didn't read the book. As long as they bought the book it is a win for you. I repeat what I have heard from others, don't engage in conversation with the troll. They will try harder to introduce misery into your life.

I tell authors to appreciate a poor review because it validates the good reviews. Yes, every author welcomes constructive criticism.

New question.

What was the first paying job you worked as a kid and how old were you?

King Payne link

9/19/2024 10:11:41 pm

I didn’t have a paying job as a kid, though I did plan to earn money with my siblings. Our ideas were things like selling lemonade, inspired by the kids' programs we watched on TV. It never really worked out, though.

Mark

9/20/2024 09:06:23 am

The opportunities for kids to earn money are limited. Picking strawberries and beans for commercial farmers were the first jobs I got. We were paid in cash daily. After that, I worked for a small-town, newspaper publisher addressing the mail-out copies.

New questions.

Have you done any public speaking?

If so, will you be doing more in the future?

King Payne link

9/20/2024 12:28:18 pm

I haven’t done anything remotely close to public speaking in about a decade. During my college days, I used to participate in personality contests, but it’s been so long that I now see that as a different version of myself.
But I would certainly like to do it in future if I get the chance.

Mark

9/20/2024 01:10:54 pm

I bet that was fun.

Public speaking scares a lot of authors. That fear can cause an author to avoid good opportunities to promote their books and build a fan base. Most authors have multiple opportunities right where they live. One of my favorite blogs is about pursuing the local author angle. How to be a marketing star right where you live. Another copy-and-paste link or search the title in the box below: https://annerallen.com/2019/08/hometown-book-marketing/ I would add a few tips, seek out literature teachers at the high school and college level to share in their class and there might be a club in the school. Local newspapers are a good resource for an interview as well as local cable access. There might also be a broadcast arts curriculum and/or a club at the high school and college level. Have some questions ready to hand the interviewer if they seem uncertain.

Senior centers are another good possibility and they usually welcome any sort of activity like that. Contact the events director.

If there are tourist destinations try and place your books with the local author angle. Museums, gift stores, motels, hotels, tourist attractions are all possibilities. Keep a box of books in your trunk. Get a counter-top holder for a few books, paste a picture of the cover on the holder behind the books and put re-ordering information on the back of the holder.

Consider renting a table at a comic convention, county fair, farmer's market or a flea market. Have free swag to hand out such as a bookmark and sell mugs or posters. There are so many ways to be the 'local author' I doubt I have exhausted the list of possibilities.

Mark

9/20/2024 01:13:03 pm

New questions.

Have you entered any writing contests?

Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

King Payne link

9/20/2024 01:40:35 pm

I entered two short story contests when I was in B-School. Both were college fiction. That was the first time I got published and entered the world of short stories. I won both contests, and for one of them, I earned around $80, which was my first income from writing. It made me feel great because I had earned that money from my passion—something I love to do.

Mark

9/20/2024 02:30:47 pm

Winning is a wonderful thing! Prize money is like icing on the cake! Congratulations.

I have recommended to writers that short story writing contests, especially those that provide feedback from the judges, can help a writer improve their writing skills. I do have a warning, there are a lot of shady contests out there. Some want to extract as much as they can from your wallet, others want to steal your intellectual property. Here is a copy-and-paste link about those things: Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests. You can also use the search box below to find the link. There are other blogs I have links for on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.

New questions

Among present or past family members and friends how many are or have been writers or authors?

Is there anyone you know who might claim you as their inspiration for writing?

King Payne link

9/20/2024 10:57:42 pm

None of my friends or family members have been writers, although some aspire to. A few family members have shared the idea of writing a book, but as of now, none have actually done it. No one claims to be an inspiration for my writing because I never shared the idea of writing with anyone.

Mark

9/21/2024 08:36:16 am

A lot of people dream and talk about writing a book yet only a small percentage actually put pen to paper. Of those who do try to write Many don't get past the first chapter, some don't get beyond the first page. They look at the steaming trash pile they have written and compare it to the published books they have read. They have no idea how hard it is to write an easy-to-read book. A large percentage of those who try to write quit at this point.

Congratulations are due to all who complete that first draft and beyond.

New questions.

I noticed that your book is in Kindle Unlimited. How is that working out for you?

Why did you choose that exclusive venue?

King Payne link

9/21/2024 01:00:22 pm

I embarked on this journey by doing everything myself. As this is my first book and I have no prior experience in marketing one, I decided to experiment with different strategies to see which ones work. That’s why I chose Kindle Unlimited—it provided a good platform where avid readers could access my book for free. As a debut author who is relatively unknown, I needed to prioritize visibility over exclusivity. Kindle Unlimited has helped me reach readers from different countries, but it’s still too early to determine whether this strategy is fully effective. I recognize that I have a long way to go in this learning process.

Mark

9/21/2024 01:44:10 pm

A lot of authors do really well on KU. Those with lots of books. Others with only one or two books don't do as well. If nothing else, it is encouragement to write more. It does take a while to build a fan base.

New questions.

Have you ever gone through the query process?

Were you seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers and why did you choose that path?

King Payne link

9/21/2024 02:01:24 pm

As I mentioned, Mark, this is just the beginning of my journey. I haven’t tried many things yet. I just wanted to make my book more visible and reach as many avid readers as possible. I haven’t gone through the query process or contacted any agents, but now I plan to start exploring all the available avenues

Mark

9/21/2024 04:19:44 pm

Querying is a much-debated topic among writers.

It used to be that the only way to get a book published was through a publisher, a traditional publisher, if they thought your book was good enough meaning they could sell enough copies to make a profit. That last part has not changed. The only other option was using a vanity publisher, someone the author paid thousands of dollars to and usually wound up with a pallet or two of books to store in their garage.

Enter Amazon, they decided to let anyone publish a book and maximized electronic books. This started an avalanche of destruction that has wiped out much of the traditional publishing industry. It has been shrinking for more than two decades. There are only five, large, traditional publishers left. The system of traditional publishers and agents is on the ropes. Most of them are desperate to keep the lights on. They have become even more selective about what they publish because they cannot afford a less-than-profitable book launch.

Traditional publishers and agents think of a book like a store clerk thinks about a box of cereal. It only matters to them that the book sells well.

Some publishers accept direct queries from authors others will only accept a proposal from an agent. They usually have distinct submission guidelines. Anyone who doesn't follow the guidelines is round-filed immediately.

When a publisher accepts a book to publish they offer the author a contract. When the author signs the contract, they lose all control of their book. the publisher can request any number of changes and delay publication until the publisher thinks the time is right for them to make the most money.

This system will never completely go away, it will survive in some form. I think authors are better off keeping the profits from their book instead of sharing the profits with the publisher and the agent. However, no one earns any money until the book is published and sells. If the author receives an advance that advance must be repaid out of sales. It can be a year or more after publication before an author actually receives any royalties.

That is the short version.

New question.

Have you ever seen a ghost or had some other type of supernatural experience?

King Payne link

9/21/2024 10:01:49 pm

That’s very informative, thank you, Mark.
I’ve never seen or experienced any ghost, ghoul, spirit, demon, or any other kind of supernatural activity, though I’ve desperately wanted it to happen.
I’ve realized that the only thing that can scare you like a ghost is a human. Look into the eyes of some of these humans, and you’ll see all kinds of demons.

Mark

9/22/2024 07:10:46 am

You are welcome. I hope that information helps you.

Some people have very scary eyes. Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.

New questions.

Is there a book that causes strong emotions to come up no matter how many times you read it?

Do you ever read a book more than once? If so, which one?

King Payne link

9/22/2024 10:00:57 am

Yes, there is Gerald’s Game. This book reminds me of how many of my actions, especially impulsive ones, stem from my past. Being an introvert, I used to think a lot before speaking as a child, and the instances that occurred back then have a huge impact on how I react today, similar to how the protagonist in the book reacts.

When it comes to how literature impacts us, it’s worth noting that every person evokes a set of emotions within themselves when they read or watch something, even if it’s not directly related to them.

Yes, I do read books more than once when I want to get lost again in the world created by the author. A few books I have read multiple times include Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Gerald’s Game by Stephen King, To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, and Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami.

Mark

9/22/2024 01:41:38 pm

Some books can have a great impact on a person, others are fine as entertainment. We all respond differently to books.

New questions.

Has a book ever changed your mind about any particular topic?

Did you have a favorite book as a child?

King Payne link

9/22/2024 10:06:53 pm

Yeah, recently I read Atomic Habits by James Clear, gifted to me by my friend. The book changed my thoughts a little bit about how a person can change their habits and be more productive. My previous thoughts were that a person usually behaves and organizes things around them based on their innate nature. But if we change our habits, then yes, we can be more organized and disciplined. However, I still believe that apart from the habits inculcated, in any other scenario, the person would behave according to his inherent nature.
When we were children, my siblings and I would ask our father to bring us storybooks. So, he bought us an assortment of stories by the Brothers Grimm. Those were my favorite as a child.

Mark

9/23/2024 08:07:58 am

Atomic Habits sounds like a good book. I agree with you, every person has an innate nature and will follow that unthinkingly without an external force or an internal desire to improve. Habits, good or bad, become more permanent with repetition. Building and maintaining good habits require constant attention. The bad habits are easier to slip into and they require repetition to avoid being extinguished also.

The fairytales of the Grimm brothers are widely read and available in many languages. Some of them are scary for some children and have a dark angle. Hansel and Gretel come to mind.

New question.

Can you read a book for the pleasure of reading or do you find yourself analyzing everything you read now?

King Payne link

9/23/2024 08:36:39 am

I can’t read a book without analyzing it since I started writing, unless it’s self-help or non-fiction. I often find myself poring over every sentence. This urge doesn’t seem to go away, but it brings a different kind of pleasure.

Mark

9/23/2024 09:00:00 am

Many authors have told me the same thing. Reading fiction has changed for them. It's not the same as it was before they started writing.

Last question.

If you could ask every person, who has read your story, only one question what would you ask them?

King Payne link

9/23/2024 09:49:34 am

Well being completely honest there are always two questions that I ask people, unless they answer the second one themselves.
First one is, “Did you like it?”
And I can’t help but ask the second one which is, “What did you like the most?”

Mark

9/23/2024 09:58:56 am

Most every author has responded in a similar fashion. You have lots of company in that respect.

Thank you, King, for being a fabulous guest on the Word Refiner channel. I have enjoyed chatting with you quite a bit.

Until next time, keep on writing.

King Payne link

9/23/2024 10:04:59 am

Thanks a lot, Mark. This interaction and the entire process were wonderful. You made me think about a lot of things, and I would love to collaborate with you again.

Ancient by King' Payne

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