In this final episode of InkStains,
host John Urbancik talks about the future.
He thanks a few people,
he talks the history of InkStains,
he delivers the Ultimate InkStains Challenge.
Stories include a cosmic horror love story,
a magical tale of a woman folding paper,
a piece of art called Jenna, and
something about a safe house.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

In the penultimate episode,
our host discusses Fuel,
and stretches the definition
beyond endurance
to include our inspirations,
passions, ideas,
abilities, strengths,
and talents.
He discusses the future,
and gives you a Challenge for 2019.
Stories include
an artist in an alley
doing more than simply
making a sketch,
a kind of a sales pitch,
and a spirited
love story.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

As we get close to the final episode,
our host focuses on the positive.
And on being who you are
as opposed to who you
are pretending to be.
He talks pens and computers
and the other tools we use to create.
Then he goes through customs
with a box of Marzipan,
and discovers his phone number
belongs to someone else.
Stories include Max learning
all the secrets of the universe,
a box's journey, and
glass angels.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

Pocketful of Smoke,
Fistful of Glass!
Part 3 of 3.
Host John Urbancik continues
to issues challenges
as he reads from his novella.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

Pocketful of Smoke,
Fistful of Glass!
Part 2 of 3.
Host John Urbancik continues
to issues challenges
as he reads from his novella.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

Pocketful of Smoke,
Fistful of Glass!
Part 1 of 3.
Host John Urbancik continues
to issues challenges
as he reads from his novella.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

Endings!
The Lady, or the Tiger
and Lord of the Rings
and happy endings
and nihilistic endings.
Another kind of InkStains Challenge.
A quick review of
Bohemian Rhapsody.
Stories include
Cinderella on Times Square,
a Star and its children,
and a sword of beauty.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

World Building!
Continuity and Consistency
help make a fictional world real.
So does borrowing from the real world.
Our host discusses creating
the worlds of Stale Reality
and Midnight, the City of Night.
An announcement is made,
and a new challenge issued.
Stories from Midnight include
Ghost of Midnight,
Madmen, Poets & Thieves,
and Midnight Storms.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

Literary Toolboxes!
Language! Observation! Deduction!
Sherlock Holmes!
Science and Alchemy!
Punishing ourselves,
our bodies, psyches, and souls.
A request that you not be a creep
with this week's InkStains challenge.
And what happened when our host
attended a writer's group
in Madrid.
Stories include
a youth in love,
an adventurer's toolbox,
and Autumnal Fete.

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.

Our host struggles to define
the short story, but finally
gets into how he approaches
writing shorts, and how they're
different from InkStains stories.
Revelations. Twists.
Things that are necessary.
Experience.
Intentions.
Diversions.
Discipline.
Practice.
And all the terrible stories
that have to be written first.
Then: the tricks.
Stories this week include:
a mostly true story,
the results of a hurricane,
and "Roots of the City".

John Urbancik discusses
writing, photography, art, and creativity,
and also reads stories.