iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by AC Cross

A few times a year, there's a story in October Music that has a lot of meat left on the bone and makes it hard to stop at 500 words. Today is one of them. Day 7 of this year's October Music is what happens when you lose yourself. Please enjoy...Papa Don't Preach. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 7

Papa Don’t Preach Daddy always said we got to behave in ways ‘round the ‘good folk’, as he called ‘em. The Good Folk of Arrington deserve a penitent child. The Good...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 3h

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 7

Papa Don’t Preach Daddy always said we got to behave in ways ‘round the ‘good folk’, as he called ‘em. The Good Folk of Arrington deserve a penitent child. The Good...

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Reposted by AC Cross

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 20h

Okay. 2,000 word story written this afternoon. It's weird and stylistic and dark. So, here's the question. Do I put it up on Patreon for you all to read? Do I put it up behind a paywall? Do I try to get it published? I genuinely don't know.

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Reposted by AC Cross

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

(Since timing didn't matter, we're live now) Day 6 of this year's October Music looks at just what might happen when technology goes beyond what we should do vs. what we could do. Please enjoy...Screaming in Digital. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 6

Screaming in Digital They called it ‘lucky’. Jules died on the operating table at 7:48 AM after a car accident that severed some important blood vessels. The doctors kept...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 19h

Zallinger and Orr are PEAK my childhood. Wow.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 20h

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I swear, jobhunting is like constantly having claws being raked down your back, drawing blood, while also being punched in the stomach for your hubris at daring to look for something you could actually like while also being screamed at in your head at how stupid you are. It is JUST like dating, wow.

static.klipy.com

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 6

Screaming in Digital They called it ‘lucky’. Jules died on the operating table at 7:48 AM after a car accident that severed some important blood vessels. The doctors kept...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Day 5 of this year's October Music tells the tale of what happens when the comfort you require no longer exists. Please enjoy...Sleeping With the Television On. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 5

Sleeping With the Television On Some people require their resting place to be totally dark and quiet before they can rest. Not me. I need something filling the corners of the...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Today's October Music goes live at 11 AM CST. Not because it's not done, but because I want to see if timing matters (it probably does).

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Nightmares for an actual week. I was an anxious kid as is. This didn't help. Couple that with growing up with the Internet and the prevalance of 'screamer' pages and yeah. I STILL hate jump-scares, honestly. Give me bleak, heart-rending, bone-deep horror but spare the cheap jumps.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

LinkedIn, you can eat the entirety of my ass - butthole INCLUDED. What's next? Satan is popular in your network? The Lord of Darkness posted something recently? (ex-girlfriend's name) wants to connect?

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Reposted by AC Cross

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Day 4 of this year's October Music is an exercise in imagining what happens when what you believe is not the truth and is much, much worse. Please enjoy...Higher Power. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 4

Higher Power Be not afraid The words reverberate like ripples in the air, physically manifesting as floods of sound. Windows crack and burst. Metal...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The Ashtray Maze in Control is absolutely one of the coolest video game sections. Ever. The shifting world, the soundtrack…peak-level design.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Yeah, that'd be between 9 AM and noon where I am. The data tracks! Clearly posting something at 8:45 AM is just going to be lost in the aether.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Oh, that's cool! It does look like around 11 AM to noon is the optimal time. Hm.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Genuine question: What time of day is best to get eyes on your stuff? I ask because I post the new story every morning as soon as it's done, but I feel like I post it too early, so I reskeet it throughout the day and I feel like that is just annoying for people.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 4

Higher Power Be not afraid The words reverberate like ripples in the air, physically manifesting as floods of sound. Windows crack and burst. Metal...

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Reposted by AC Cross

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Day 3 of this year's October Music is a quick little story about how we resolve disagreements in relationships. Please enjoy...Why? www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 3

Why? Darling, we could run away together. Get in the car – right now – without a plan, without a destination, without anything but you and me hope and excitement and we...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

There is no way to make a cool line you thought of in the shower less cool than to actually write it out and physically cringe at it.

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Reposted by AC Cross

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

As a special addition to this year's October Music, I've also put together a Spotify playlist with nearly every single song I've written on to date and will continue to add to each day. So, more songs to listen to! open.spotify.com/playlist/3yo...

open.spotify.com

The October Music

All (or as many as I can get) of the songs for the October Music series on my website

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Reposted by AC Cross

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Day 2 of this year's October Music forces you to think about who you are and what you do with the feelings that rise up within you. Please enjoy...So Emotional. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 2

So Emotional The sound of glass breaking wakes you up. You grab the bat you always keep near your bed for reasons just like this. Reasons you hope you never have except in that...

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Reposted by AC Cross

Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Someone should totally get one of my books today and rid my dashboard of the Zeroes of Doom. Just saying 👀🎃

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I mean, I'm doing a story every morning! It's just getting anyone to read them or anything like that is such a slog. If I post too early, it slips by. If I post it a few times, I feel like a shill.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Two days into the month and promoting stories and engaging with social media has worn me down. That does not bode well.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's another Meme Friday and I'm done with the world for the week. It's spooky season so do it right. Watch a scary movie at night. Double-check your locks. Jump at the slightest sound. Realize you're in too deep. Get your firearm from the safe. Sneak around the house. Fire randomly. Feel safe.

It's October

Time to get spooky!

Buttons: Yes, Hell Yes

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I absolutely want to be a successful author. I don't give a damn about a private life - bring me paparazzi and stalkers!

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Day 2 of this year's October Music forces you to think about who you are and what you do with the feelings that rise up within you. Please enjoy...So Emotional. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 2

So Emotional The sound of glass breaking wakes you up. You grab the bat you always keep near your bed for reasons just like this. Reasons you hope you never have except in that...

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Reposted by AC Cross

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Welcome to the start of this year's October Music! We start off with a banger and a question. What would YOU do? Please enjoy...A Little Piece of Heaven. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 1

A Little Piece of Heaven It fell to Earth on a Tuesday. I remember the time – 2:45 AM. I was awake because I have insomnia due to romantic trauma and being ignored for no...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

open.spotify.com

The October Music

All (or as many as I can get) of the songs for the October Music series on my website

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

If you like The October Music daily stories, why not pick up the collection from the first three years available on Amazon (I know, I know)? www.amazon.com/October-Musi... If that doesn't work for you, how about a Lovecraftian book written all in letter form? www.amazon.com/Boddicker-Le...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Welcome to the start of this year's October Music! We start off with a banger and a question. What would YOU do? Please enjoy...A Little Piece of Heaven. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

aaronccross.com

The October Music, Stanza 2, Verse 2 - Day 1

A Little Piece of Heaven It fell to Earth on a Tuesday. I remember the time – 2:45 AM. I was awake because I have insomnia due to romantic trauma and being ignored for no...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

There are a few litmus tests to determine if someone has gone too deep into The Internet or is still okay mentally. 1. The song 'Funkytown'. What is your reaction? a. Oh, that disco song? It's fine. b. NO NO NO NO 2. This meme. How uncomfortable are you? a. What's that? b. First one's sick c. NO

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Half-right! Rocketman Don't Stop Me Now Enter Sandman (or you could go with The Thing That Should Not Be) Message in a Bottle

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Amazing song and, really, amazing two albums (Epica and The Black Halo).

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#HorrorWritersChat (Posting here too) Thank you for a great week of questions! Starting tomorrow, there's a free horror story every day in October here: www.aaronccross.com I also have a Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/aaronccross and two horror books here: www.amazon.com/stores/A.C.-...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#HorrorWritersChat Comments are disabled so I'll say thanks for a great week of questions! Starting tomorrow, there's a free horror story every day in October here: www.aaronccross.com I also have a Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/aaronccross and two horror books here: www.amazon.com/stores/A.C.-...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I also wrote a stageplay treatment in college for the entire 'Epica' album by Kamelot. It was...well, college-level writing. I could do better now. A lot better.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

AQ4: #HorrorWritersChat Spoiler alert: already got some! I have a few on my Patreon for free. My favorite is Aulae Damnationis. It was inspired by ‘Heresy in Disguise’ by Falconer and ‘Hellfire’ from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

What's really fun is daisy-chaining songs together in a playlist that feels like slamming a car into reverse on the highway. I'm talking Snow Patrol to T-Pain, Avenged Sevenfold to Moulin Rogue...real tonal neckbreaking. It's amazing.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Kamelot = yes. Khan years are the best years, I'll die on that hill. Swing of Death = peak Jorn Lande camp and I love it.

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I also may have gone about this prompt/question backwards...

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AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Q3: #HorrorWritersChat Come on, SO many pun-based choices. - Elton John becomes a man of combustion and steel. - Queen finds themselves spiraling through the dead of space. - Metallica haunted in their sleeps by a malevolent creature. - The Police stranded on a desert island. (Name the songs!)

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