Jacob Montanez
Bio
I explore science fiction and fantasy through writing prompts, often with a macabre or surreal twist. Most of my work is currently short stories here on Vocal Media, with an eye for longer form content I share on Royal Road and Patreon.
Stories (24)
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Elevate Your Fantasy Writing
Hello friends! My name is Jake Montanez, and on my YouTube channel, I share my writing journey to help aspiring authors hone their craft and improve their writing skills. Today I'm going to talk about how to become a better fantasy fiction writer.
By Jacob Montanez3 years ago in Education
How to Use Midjourney AI
How to Use Midjourney AI: Quick Start Guide and Intro | Write Shift Watch this on Youtube for a visual demonstration. I’m sharing my latest obsession, Midjourney AI. Midjourney is an Artificial Intelligence bot that utilizes writing prompts coupled with commands to create breathtaking artwork.
By Jacob Montanez3 years ago in Geeks
Weirdwyrm
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Rumors persisted for decades that something strange had settled there. These were dismissed, of course, by adults who “knew better” and told their children “it’s just an alligator or two.” Neighborhood kids made a game of it. Groups of two or three or more would work up their courage and hike to the outskirts of town, following the paths of their mothers and fathers before them. Each time started the same, where they would coax the youngest or most impressionable child to go down alone, afraid as they were to join them. One day, their games made their parents take note.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
The Test
“This place has no memory of me,” ZilvorX muttered, looking around. Each footstep took him further into unexplored territory. Gravel crunched and rocks slid precariously beneath his feet, threatening to toss him to the ground even as it rumbled beneath him.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
For Renfro
Wilma nestled on the dais next to the King, her shimmering, dark blue scales contrasted with the gilt lining of the throne. She watched as the various supplicants came before their ruler, nodding as her eyes followed each one. Every person gulped when she flicked her tongue out snakelike and let forth a low rumble. Their discomfort amused her.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
Prince Rendle and the Lamp of Stability
Prince Rendle, the sixth of his name, who of course was only named such because he was the fifth son of King Rendle the first, had a strange life. The king loved his name so much he persuaded his wife to name each of their sons after him. Why she put up with it, no one knew. Prince Rendle the Sixth (also known as Vi) had his own theories behind his father’s obsession, but kept them to himself. In any case, the youngest prince sat in his study with Felix, his only friend.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
Berian and Celeste
Celeste walked slowly down the lane, taking care to avoid the splatter of sludgy mud even as the rain slid from her leather coat. Clouds obscured the moon, and the flaming street lamps had been quenched by the storm. She couldn’t see me, but I saw her. Darkness kept me hidden well.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
Lightblessed
Energy disrupted the void, and with it came strife.This was the foundation of the eternal struggle between darkness and the light. One could classify it as evil versus good, or wrong against right, for those are certainly forms the conflict has taken. It hearkens back to something more simple and fundamental than that. All things fall to chaos and disorder, losing their power and strength, until chaos reclaims it all through entropy. Indeed, there was no scenario at all where energy could triumph over the void.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
Red Light, Green Light, Go
“Alright, so there’s this thing I have about green lights. They’re meant to be safe, warm, and inviting. Protective. You know, especially emphasis on the safe part. Intrinsically or perhaps inherently, we use it as a subconscious representation of good, while red signals danger.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
Carol's Price
Carol dropped to the ground as the woman’s body did. Each stared at the other for just a moment, and Carol watched as life seeped away from those gray eyes. Thinking quickly, she saw a small empty barrel and rolled it into the grass away from both herself and the building she believed Emma had been in. It bought her time, but seconds only. As the barrel crashed through the underbrush, she slipped through a crack in the lattice that skirted the porch of the building, which seemed to have been a supply store at one time.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
Carol's Daughter
Carol knelt in the shadows, hiding from the Scavengers. It was difficult to do, as the Scavengers patrolled with heat-vision goggles. Three of them went by in a pack, digging into piles of rubble to retrieve any salvageable gear. She held her breath, not wanting any noise to give her away. Sid had been gone two days, and already her heart neared breaking. He’d knowingly gone to his death.
By Jacob Montanez4 years ago in Fiction
