Good morning, Fediverse! ☀️🚀

A brand new day means a completely clean slate. Whatever challenges or stress yesterday brought, leave them in the past. Today is a fresh opportunity to focus on your goals, learn something new, and make steady progress.

Grab your coffee or tea, protect your peace, and let's make it a highly productive and winning day. How is everyone starting their morning? ☕🌾

#GoodMorning #NewDay #Motivation #DailyGrind #PositiveVibes #Fediverse

Rise and shine! ☀️

Today is a fresh page. Don't let yesterday’s stress heavy-load your mind this morning. Step out with confidence, trust the process, and protect your peace. 🛡️✨

Wishing you all a productive and blessed day ahead! Let's get it! 💼🚀

#MorningVibes #Positivity #Strength #DailyGrind

“The Guardian of Couture” Full-Length Chapter Preview: Chapter 12

Folks, I live by several usual maxims that my grandparents have taught me while they were alive. And in the chapters to come as I tell this story, I’ll be sharing them with you, starting with this one: “When you least expect it, expect it.” That has gotten me through my first four years in exile from Texas and also while in high school before.

And as Gio, Kumiko, River, and I took in the ballroom and how everything was decked out, I was living in that same maxim at the moment. Now, let me make a few things clear: I wasn’t surprised on how the way that the hotel’s large ballroom was decorated in the theme Heroic Figures in the similar styles of the Met Gala and the Academy Awards in all its grandeur finest with some of the designers showcasing various gowns and tuxedoes with subtle hints of superheroic glamour. And I wasn’t surprised on how all the celebrities, politicians, and social-media influencers who had been invited were dressed to the nines: Jimmy and Jey Uso in matching black Balmain tuxedoes while Jimmy’s wife Naomi was in an alluring old-Hollywood gown by Dior, George and Amal Clooney in matching Givenchy, the Trump family in various shades of monochromatics and reds by Michael Kors, Alicia Keys in a stunning red gown by Chanel, and more.

I wasn’t surprised by all of that.

No, folks. What took my breath away and put my soul on high alert was the general staffers- the same ones with athletic bodies whom were deemed very excitable and eager for newcomers like myself and my friends and how we were to stay away from them until tonight. And they weren’t in their monochromatic office-chic outfits.

And they weren’t wearing those retro-centric Coca-Cola glasses either.

No, sir. They were wearing superhero costumes, and not the ones you find in Halloween costume stores or the cheap knockoffs from Amazon.  Real, authentic costumes that were straight out of comic books. And these people were showing off their superpowers and grinning at us four interns with a mixture of teasing, condescension, and eagerness.

“Surprise, guys,” Jorge Ramirez (the Hispanic general editor) said as he approached us, his gold-and-red costume in a blend of leather and spandex giving me the vibes of a fiery humanoid phoenix coming to life. “You just stepped into a world of comic books and haute couture.”

“Damn right,” Veronica Seeley (in a superhero costume similar to Wanda “Scarlet Witch” Maximoff, but in a tight bodysuit in purples and blacks complete with a headdress covered in elegant crystals) drawled as she stalked towards me, giving me a cat-eating grin. “This isn’t a game anymore, boys. This is real life, one that you’re now a part of.”

“I’ll bet,” Gio breathed, smiling with his eyes full of awe as a female photographer from Time sent him a saucy wink as she literally skated past him, her body now a walking ice sculpture. “And you think you can handle everything under the sun.”

“I am loving this,” River remarked as he saw both Ian and Vincent (in matching retro-centric blue-and-white superhero suits complete with blue brief-like trunks and matching boots) circled around him like jaguars stalking around their prey. “If my spiteful parents could see me now.”

“Mine too,” Kumiko added, nodding at a fire-manipulating general editor from Elle who was happily chatting away with Barack and Michelle Obama (both of them in Tom Ford reds, the designer himself nodding along and sharing a laugh).

I nodded twice before turning to Ellen. “Now I get everything,” I said. “And I take that this is part of my internship?”

“All that and so much more, Alcide Lancaster-Monroe,” she replied as Francis and everyone else from her circle surrounded me. “All the general staffers here are superheroes and antiheroes, all of which you and your cohorts will need to be familiar with for this summer. But as for myself, the other editors-in-chief and senior staffers, and administrative workers at our magazines are completely normal as well as the custodians and cafeteria workers. But of course, some of the IT workers and security staffers are superheroes themselves, so you’ll be getting to know them as well.”

“And the celebrities?” Gio asked. “Are they-“

“One-hundred percent normal, but we do work with them when the time comes,” Beyonce stated, she and Blue Ivy looking like ethereal beauties in white Reem Acra gowns while Jay-Z was dapper in a mob-boss Zegna tuxedo. “And that means you’ll be working with us as well.”

“Oh, wow,” River breathed. “And the other interns who don’t know about this? Do they know-“

“No, and they’ll only remember what transpired before tonight since they never made it,” Ja’Nisha commented with her husband standing next to her. “And in the years prior, those who don’t accept this are given other memories of the night.”

“Altered memories?”

“Just a precaution for them to keep what they saw to themselves,” Francis answered. “As for you boys, there’s still time for you to reconsider and walk out while you can.”

“That won’t be happening,” Gio interjected as his editor-in-chief came towards him with another copy of what looked like the NDA. He glared everyone down. “You guys saw a lot of potential in us when we approached the interview stage before getting the job. And you know our stories. My family wants me to work for what I have and tell me to never back down from a challenge. And you should be familiar with River, Kumiko, and Alcide’s stories by now- families rejecting them unless they assimilate to their conservative and hate-mongering ideals while Alcide’s hometown refuses to accept him and will likely shoot him dead if even returns for a day. We’re too invested to go back to what we know by now. So, you’re going to have to get used to seeing us until the internship is over and we face the unknown together.”

I then faced Ellen. “You saw a lot in me when we first met, ma’am. And you said that you wanted me to understand how my late maternal and paternal grandparents were involved,” I said. “And I intend to find out everything and see this summer internship through to the end. All I ask is for the tea, the whole tea, and nothing but the tea.”

“So help you me?”

I whirled around to see the one and only RuPaul looking like a true Glamazon in a custom-made gold-and-silver gown by Zaldy (the designer himself in shades of gold) that hugged her frame like a glove. My friends gasped as I took the drag queen’s hand and shook it. “Exactly, Mother RuPaul,” I said. “Thank you for getting me through my high-school years and showing what it means to be unapologetic through your reality show.”

“No, child. Thank you for not backing down and letting haters try to steal your glow,” the drag queen commented. “The same goes for your friends. All of you are going to be bringing a lot to the table, and everyone will try to knock you down. But remember to live without fear or regrets.”

We all nodded as Jim Nelson from GQ came to us. “All right, you four interns, this night will be all about you,” he said. “Remember that you’re to get familiar with all the supers and antiheroes here. And you’re still on the clock even though this night is about you. Don’t be surprised if you’re to run an errand or two by the celebrities.”

My friends and I glanced at each other briefly. “Looking forward to it all,” we said in unison.

You’ll never forget the first time! “The Guardian of Couture” returns with new chapters, available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! Don’t miss it! 

“The Passion of Sean Gillain” Chapter 8 Sneak Preview

“Mr. Gillain, your old designs that you submitted for your application packet are what we call hidden gems,” Ms. Demorest, my drawing teacher and fashion advisor, stated as I was kept back after learning the basics of composition and design. “Still, we think that there could be more vibrance and flair in some of your works.”

“I mainly was inspired by how I was living in a small town, the theme being rustic yet sophisticated nature of it all,” I stated. “Now, I will admit that there could be room for improvement since my artwork mainly came from middle school. But something told me that things are fine as they are.”

“Even so, Mr. Gillain, I can’t help but wonder if your work is a bit…well, distant and dialed down, as if they tell a story of someone who had to hold back and not give away too much.”

I inhaled sharply. “What are you saying?”

Ms. Demorest gave me a pointed stare. “Mr. Gillain, you basically lack passion in your craft,” she intoned gently. “It’s as if you’re trying to hide who you truly are.”

I hated when people call me out on that. “Ms. Demorest,” I began.

“I’m not trying to offend you, dear, but maybe you need to start with the basics of being an artist before going into the world of designing clothes. You need to start showing people who you want to become by looking within yourself. Tell me something, why do you hold back? What is it that you don’t want people to know about you?”

I sat back in my chair, my heart pounding even as I kept a calm facade. “There’s not much to know about me, ma’am,” I replied. “But in all honesty, I’m trying to find out what my ‘passion’ in life is. You and the other teachers know my story by now, how I was sent here after a health scare when I finished senior year in high school. For the most part, I feel like every single day that I wake up is like I have to be in survival mode. Going through the motions is kind of my normalcy back home.”

Ms. Demorest nodded. “And did you feel like you can’t open up to anyone?” she asked.

“Only when it comes to-” I stopped mid-sentence, not wanting to dive into THAT topic. “I can’t fully talk about it yet, ma’am. All I can tell you is that I’m learning what it means to live and not just survive while being a fashion student.”

The older woman nodded twice. “Well, maybe it’s best that you start by channeling what you’re dealing with into your work and classwork,” she suggested. “I want you to not only learn the basics of fashion for your time here at RISD, but also work on a collection that shows the real version of you. Realness comes from within your heart and soul, not just your mind and body. I want you to be authentic with your craft while rebuilding your art from the ground up. Think you can do that?”

I nodded. “I can try, but-“

“Don’t just try, Sean. REALLY go for it and push yourself, but remember to ask for grace and patience while you work.”

I inhaled deeply. “I can work with that, Ms. Demorest. And if it helps, I’m seeing a therapist to help me cope with my past and all.”

“Go for it, Mr. Gillain. And never be afraid to start being a part of the RISD social life. There’s a world of opportunities around the corner. Enjoy yourself, but remember your priorities…”

You’ll never forget the first time! “The Passion of Sean Gillain” has returned with all new chapters starting this weekend, available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! Don’t miss it!

“The Passion of Sean Gillain” Returns: Sean Gillain in His Own Words

After several months of radio silence, the story returns with a new voice and a new flavor!

Just my luck!

My family is known to pull low-blows on me, but them selling the family farm (with Grandpa and Grandma’s blessing) is the lowest of the low. Even for their standards. Not only that, they went and filed a college application behind my back, and in Newport, Rhode Island, of all places yet! The sad fact of it all was that it was all done even as I was recovering from a health scare that landed me in the hospital right after my high-school graduation.

If I had any real say, I’d fight everyone to get the farm and family home back. Unfortunately, I didn’t. The worse part of it all, however, is that I’ll be moving in with my gay uncle and his family who will make sure that I focus on having fun and enjoy the city life as a college kid while monitoring my health. So, what’s a brother to do at this point? Well, I can only make the most of this situation and go with the flow. But one thing will be mandatory: passions will not be on my agenda since I viewed them to be distracting and unnecessary. What I need is routine and order, not pointless fantasies or falling for my cousins’ friends. I have my standards, after all. Just sayin’.

“The Passion of Sean Gillain” has returned to Wattpad as I get things back on track. But this time, I am going to give the story a more dramatic yet flavorful storyline. The first 7 chapters are available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad right now, but chapters 8 and 9 will be republished tomorrow afternoon. After that, new chapters return beginning this Saturday.

You’ll never forget the first time! TPSG is back for the Summer Wattpad Games, and you’re going to want more and more! Don’t miss it!

In the quiet hum of the office,
focused on the path ahead.
Making every moment count.

#WorkLife #OfficeLife #Productivity #CareerGoals #YoungProfessional #DailyGrind #SuccessMindset #Inspiration

Ten years ago, I wrote the first horror story I ever posted online.
I thought it was a zombie story. Looking back now, I think it was always a tragedy about grief, obsession, and refusing to let go. #DailyGrind #WritingCommunity #TheGrind #TwistedRoads #IndieAuthor #HorrorCommunity #HorrorFiction

https://mtonks.com/2026/05/13/daily-grind-10-years-later-writingcommunity-writing-thegrind-10years/

“The Guardian of Couture” Inaugural Sneak Preview

Eleven in the morning hit like an after-school alarm as Emilia came to my office and said, “Two-hour lunch. You, me, Francis, the assistants you met today. Moreno’s Bistro. Don’t worry, it’s part of your internship. All interns are paid to eat lavish.”


I knew it wasn’t polite to say no to paid-for meals, especially when my stomach was craving for something more than fruit. So I followed the Briton assistant as we joined the others for a three-minute trek to the restaurant in question. Once we arrived (apparently, the owners of the restaurant knew of the magazine), we were sitting down in a private dining room of the restaurant as I grabbed a menu that boasted no prices. Knowing better than to refuse or go hungry, I settled for a bruschetta-themed pasta dish and a side salad.


“So, Alcide,” Gianna said after the blonde and perky waitress took everyone’s orders. “Feeling the pressure yet? You can tell that this is far from what you’re used to.”


“It’s fast-paced and full of high energy, but I’m understanding the lay of the land,” I replied, pausing to take a sip of iced tea. “Plus, staying on my feet at a job like waiting tables at Bennigan’s or busing tables at Zum-Zum gave me practice.”


“So we’ve heard,” Derrick said. “And what of your family?”


That made the air drop ten degrees at the mention of the people who had me exiled. Might as well, I said to myself. Out loud, “Well, my family isn’t the type of being used to the idea of working at a fashion magazine. They expected me to go to Liberty University or at least stay local and marry the church pastor’s daughter, who had the personality of cold spaghetti.”


“But surely you might’ve wanted some sort of reconciliation,” Mariah suggested.


I shook my head no. “My father was a proud and overly masculine man, just like my older brother Tyler. The latter was a jock with the typical asshole vibes yet is also a state trooper for the Lone-Star State and one of the teen-designated pastors,” I said. “Paige, meanwhile, could light up a room and make everyone feel more at ease. She was also as demure and deferring as my mother. They were fitted for each other. Then you have me, the middle child with dark humor like his late grandparents- both sets- and was never taken seriously. I was actually glad for being exiled because the expectations set before me changed more than Tyler changed his underpants.


“When they told me that I couldn’t return to Texas under the penalty of being shot down, I knew that they meant every word. Tyler and his buddies were good with guns and never missed a shot. They called me up every time that there was something going on back home and I was barred from attending. I was even barred from missing Paige’s graduation from middle school while I was a freshman in college. ‘Just stay where you are if you value your life,’ Tyler had slurred the day before. ‘Don’t make me regret not shooting you at the Greyhound bus station.’ So, I stayed away and either celebrated in silence when there were happy moments back home or mourned in silence when someone passed away. And even if I don’t get a job at Couture, I know that going back to Texas was, and still is, out of the question,” I finished.

You’ll never forget the first time! ” The Guardian of Couture” is hitting the runways, available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! Don’t miss it!

Science Has Found Even More Ways Coffee Is Good for You

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.wired.com/story/science-has-found-even-more-ways-coffee-is-good-for-you/

“The Guardian of Couture” in Two Days

In two days, “The Guardian of Couture” premieres EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! And from beginning to end, there will be plenty of drama, fashion, excitement, and superheroes galore!

Alcide Lancaster

“The day that I was exiled from Texas and threatened with death if I dared return was when I knew that I would have to build my life from the ground up. But I never once imagined that my summer internship at Couture would lead me to a legacy like none other!

You’ll never forget the first time! If you’re a fan of “The Devil Wears Prada” and superheroes, then this story is for you! “The Guardian of Couture,” available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad, premieres in two days! Don’t miss it!