331 episodes

I'm Nila, and I have stories to tell you. Stories in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, fairy tale, mystery, and mythology. Mortals wield godly powers, eggs appear out of enchanted pockets, sentient substances are invented, and stars are incubated in the hearts of humans. Welcome to Storyfeather.

Storyfeather Nila Patel: Fictioneer

    • Fiction
    • 5.0 • 5 Ratings

I'm Nila, and I have stories to tell you. Stories in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, fairy tale, mystery, and mythology. Mortals wield godly powers, eggs appear out of enchanted pockets, sentient substances are invented, and stars are incubated in the hearts of humans. Welcome to Storyfeather.

    Magenta Banana

    Magenta Banana

    Three friends decide to do their science project on a forgotten novelty invention, a self-peeling banana.
    Genre: Science Fiction
     
    Excerpt:
    “What about dinosaurs?” I said after a few minutes. “We could do our project on how and why they went extinct. That’s exciting.”
    K.D. shook her head. “It might seem too basic. Like something we would have done in the fifth grade.” She loved dinosaurs. She probably didn’t want someone making fun of our project if it was about the thing she loved most. “But maybe you’re on the right track. Animals, but rare ones. What about cryptids?”
     
    What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?
    Write an ad for a self-peeling banana.
    Source: A Writer’s Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers

    Faster Fictioneer
    Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method.  If you’ve got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER
    (If you want to learn even more, I’ve got info about my online course on that page too.)
     
    I’ve Got Issues For You
    The Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE

    Storyfeather-themed merchandise
    T-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges
    STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE


    CREDITS
    Story: “Magenta Banana” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel
    Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel

    Music:
    “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)
     
    Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)*
    “Casual Theme #1”
    “Casual Theme #3”
    “Casual Theme #2”
    “Casual Theme #6 (Triumph)”

    Music by LEE ROSEVERE
    “Start the Day”
    “Awkward Silences (version b)”
    “Thoughtful”
    “New Day”
    “The Long Journey”
     
    *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.
     
    Music by Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market
    Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0
    Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket
    Vocal effects created with Audacity
    Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.
     
    Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net
    Find more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net
    Find more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.com
    Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com
     
    Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Bottom half, three kids gathered around a laptop monitor, all facing forward, two sitting and one standing behind them. They all look down at the screen. Behind them stands a banana plant bearing bunches of bananas just above the standing child’s head. Some of the bananas in the bottom bunches bear a streak of magenta color along the peel. Watermark of “Storyfeather” on laptop lid.

    • 31 min
    Welcome to Thoughtsburger

    Welcome to Thoughtsburger

    A young journalist follows her latest lead into a quirky fast food place located in her dreams. 
    Genre: Mysterious Fantasy
     
    Excerpt:
    “Welcome to Thoughtsburger, would you like to try our new Weltschmerz platter with a side of Bitterness and Longing?”
    Ria stared at the person who had just addressed her. “Uh, no, thank you.”
     
    What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?
    Write a menu for a fictional fast-food restaurant.
    Source: A Writer’s Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers
     
    You might also appreciate some definitions:
    Hygge is noun in Danish that means “the feeling of coziness and contentment evoked by simple comforts, as being wrapped in a blanket, having good conversations, enjoying food, etc.”
    Weltschmerz is a noun in German that means “sorrow that one feels and accepts as one’s necessary portion in life; sentimental pessimism”
    (reference: dictionary.com)
    Soñadora is Spanish for “dreamer”
    (reference: wordhippo.com and spanishdict.com)
     
    Faster Fictioneer
    Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method.  If you’ve got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER
    (If you want to learn even more, I’ve got info about my online course on that page too.)
     
    I’ve Got Issues For You
    The Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE
     
    Storyfeather-themed merchandise
    T-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges
    STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE
     
    CREDITS
    Story: “Welcome to Thoughtsburger” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel
    Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel

    Music:
    “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)

    Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)*
    “Ground Control”
    “Fugue For One Synthetic Heart”
    “Fast Lanes Light Rain”
    “Forest Bathing”
    “Evolving Cities”
    “March Of The Waking Lights”
    “Night Time”

    *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

    Music by Andrea Baroni licensed from GameDev Market
    Vocal effects created with Audacity
    Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.

    Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net
    Find more music by Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.net
    Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com
     
    Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A woman in left profile, sitting in a booth, looking down at an open laptop. Her left hand rests on the tabletop, right hand perched over the keyboard. A hazy light glows above her head. In background is an empty countertop, above which is a sign or marquee with two sections displaying a menu with illegible characters except for one item, “Weltschmerz Special.” Above the menu is a sign that reads “Welcome to Thoughtsburger.” Watermark of “Storyfeather” along left margin.

    • 30 min
    A Tale of Nine Lemons

    A Tale of Nine Lemons

    To help a young man seek his fortune and his purpose upon leaving home, his parents endow him with a parting gift, a basket of lemons.
    Genre: Fairy Tale
     
    Excerpt:
    The couple had thirteen children by the time they were finished siring. One by one, as each child came of age, they were sent out into the world to seek their fortunes and their purposes for themselves. To each child their parents gave one gift to help them on their way. And upon receiving their gifts, each child proclaimed their grand aims.
     
    What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?
    Finish this sentence in three alternate and original ways: “When life gives you lemons…”
    Source: 500 Creative Prompts. Copyright © 2019 Piccadilly (USA) Inc. 
    (I actually ended up using the other results for another story in a future year)
     
    Faster Fictioneer
    Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method.  If you’ve got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER
    (If you want to learn even more, I’ve got info about my online course on that page too.)
     
    I’ve Got Issues For You
    The Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE
     
    Storyfeather-themed merchandise
    T-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges
    STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE
     
    CREDITS
    Story: “A Tale of Nine Lemons” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel
    Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel
     
    Music:
    “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)
     
    Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)*
    “Adventure Track #1 (looped)”
    “Medieval Track #1”
    “Lyric Voices #5”
    “Casual Theme #1”
    “Magic Within”
    “Ice and Fire (peaceful part)”
    “Medieval Track #2”
    “Lyric Voices #2”
    “Peace in My World (final theme)”
     
    *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.
     
    Music by Andrew Sitkov licensed from GameDev Market
    Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket
    Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.
     
    Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net
    Find more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net
    Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com
     
    Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A lemon tree full of lemons. At bottom right corner, a person holds a baby over their shoulder. The baby’s head is facing forward and obscuring the other person’s head. The baby’s own head rests on the shoulder, arms loosely curled around the shoulder. The baby’s eyes, partly open, look down and to the side, and each contains a burst of soft light. Watermark of “Storyfeather” at bottom right.

    • 28 min
    The Juggling Ghost Crab

    The Juggling Ghost Crab

    To save her friends and herself from being eaten, a ghost crab enters a juggling contest with a devious and possibly unbeatable opponent.
    Genre: Fable

    Excerpt:
    Four unlikely friends were frolicking in the ocean one day. They were the Ghost Crab, the Blue Marlin, the Jellyfish, and the Nautilus. The crab and the marlin splashed about on the surface, and dove back down, while the jelly and the mollusk bobbed gently under the surface.
    Overhead, there passed the shadow of the Seagull, who watched the friends with great interest, a great interest born of a keen hunger. Here she saw a variety of sweet and juicy treats for her to feast on.
     
    What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?
    Not a prompt, but a challenge to write a story that’s between 2500 to 3500 words. Aim for as short as possible without going below (or too much below). I chose a genre, fable.  And at some point, I had the words “crab” and “juggling” written down. So…what was the crab juggling?
     
    Faster Fictioneer
    Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method.  If you’ve got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER
    (If you want to learn even more, I’ve got info about my online course on that page too.)
     
    I’ve Got Issues For You
    The Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE
     
    Storyfeather-themed merchandise
    T-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges
    STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE
     
    CREDITS
    Story: “The Juggling Ghost Crab” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel
    Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel
     
    Music:
    “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)
     
    Music by JONATHAN SHAW*
    “Afternoon Chat”
    “Midnight Creeping”
    “Cold Sanctuary”
    “Spinning Tavern”
    “Thoughts”
    “Encounter of Misdeeds”
    “Lingering Evil”
    “Showdown of Misdeeds”
    “Checking Inventory”
     
    *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.
     
    Music by Jonathan Shaw licensed from GameDev Market
    Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket
    Vocal effects made in Audacity
    Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.
     
    Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net
    Find more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.uk and at gamedevmarket.net
    Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com
     
    Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Standing on sand facing forward is a ghost crab with the left claw held up.  Above the crab from left to right are a pine cone, a wedge of watermelon, and a saucer and cup of tea with tea spilling out over one edge. A bright and speckled circle of energy arcs over the objects and below the crab. Water of “Storyfeather” at bottom right. Border at top and bottom to make the image square displays a starfish pattern in colors that match the drawing.

    • 33 min
    They Linger in the Deep

    They Linger in the Deep

    When a young man sees his reflection in a pool as he has never seen it before, he is both mesmerized and suspicious.
    Genre: Mythology
      
    Excerpt:
    One day, he had an enticing thought. Then he chastised himself and told himself it was a silly and foolish thought. He shook his head as if shaking off the thought, but it was a sticky thought. It would not be forgotten.
    And so, he leaned down closer to his reflection, closer and closer, until his lips touched the surface of the water, and the lips of his reflection.
     
    What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?
    The prompt was a screen capture I took of someone looking down a deep well.  It was meant to be a reference image, but I ended up using it as a prompt as well.  And the first thought that came to mind was reflections and mermaids.  Like what if someone looked down into the waters of a lake and thought they were seeing their own reflection, but just under the surface, there really is another person... Inspired by the story of Echo and Narcissus.
     
    Faster Fictioneer
    Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method.  If you’ve got 40 minutes, I can teach you an abbreviated version of that method, right here: FASTER FICTIONEER
    (If you want to learn even more, there's info about my online course on that page too.)
     
    I’ve Got Issues For You
    The Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE
     
    Storyfeather-themed merchandise
    T-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges
    STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE
     
    CREDITS
    Story: “They Linger in the Deep” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel
    Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel

    Music:
    “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)
     
    Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)*
    “Sirens”
    “Secret water”
    “Experiment 6”
    “Runes”
    “In the shadow”
    “Between two worlds”
     
    Music by ROZKOL
    “Ambiet I-IV”
    “Fever Dream”
     
    *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.
     
    Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market
    Music by ROZKOL is licensed under CC BY 3.0

    Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket
    Vocal effects made in Audacity
    Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.
     
    Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net
    Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.net
    Find more music by ROZKOL at bandcamp.com
    Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com
     
    Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. View from below the surface of a pool looking up at a young man in a short sleeve tunic seen from waist up at a diagonal. He is gazing down. His face is reflected on the stone surface visible along the left and bottom edges. Stray water weeds cling to the rocky walls of the pool.

    • 22 min
    The Ogre and the Elf Go To Honeymoon City

    The Ogre and the Elf Go To Honeymoon City

    Longtime lovers the ogre and the elf each recall the first few days of their honeymoon a bit differently.
    Genre: Fairy Tale
     
    Excerpt:
    The ogre snapped her fingers and furrowed her warty brow. “What was the name of the place where we stayed…was it…the Twilight Twinklings Inn?”
    “No darling, that was for our first anniversary, when we went up north to see the lights.”
    The ogre brought her fist down on the table, making the forks jump. “Might of the Mermaid! That’s the place.”
    The elf nodded, then chuckled as a memory arose. “First mishap, our missing luggage…”
     
    What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?
    Write about a couple who have a very different perspective on a shared memory.
    Source: A Writer’s Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers
     
    Faster Fictioneer
    I held my first free writing workshop over Zoom to teach my method of writing short stories (an abbreviated version) on 11/8/2023. The workshop is based on my course, called “Faster Fictioneer: A Doable Method to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish in Five Weeks.”
    You can watch a replay of the workshop here: FASTER FICTIONEER
    (You can also buy the course there.)
     
    I’ve Got Issues For You
    The Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE
     
    Storyfeather-themed merchandise
    T-shirts, mugs, stickers, notebooks, baby onesies, and more featuring artwork from stories and art challenges
    STORYFEATHER TEEPUBLIC STORE


    CREDITS
    Story: “The Ogre and the Elf Go to Honeymoon City” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel
    Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel
     
    Music:
    “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)
     
    Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)*
    “Locations_Medieval Tavern Song”
    “Locations_Happy Village (loop)”
    “Humorous_Exploration (loop)”
    “Exploration_Forest Of Magic”
    “Exploration_Cave (loop)”
    “Battle_1_normal (loop)”
     
    Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)*
    “Joy”
    “Desert dance”
    “A band in the inn”
    “Sand of time (bonus track)”
    “Donjon monster”
    “The bard”
     
    *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.
     
    Music by Albert Fernandez and Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market
    Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket
    Vocal effects made in Audacity
     
    Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net
    Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Albert Fernandez at gamedevmarket.net
    Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com
     
    Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. An elf man at left and an ogre woman at right sit across from each other at a small round table, barely perched on their seats, their bodies facing forward, gazing at each other. Both have long pointed ears. The ogre has two sharp teeth curving up at the corners of the mouth, and two short horns extending from the front crown of the head. The elf rests his left elbow on the table and the right hand on the left wrist. A stein sits on the table before the elf. The ogre rests her right elbow on the table, holding up a stein, left hand propped on her lap. A plate with food and a fork and knife lie on the table. Above their heads and between them hangs a chandelier with lit candles casting down a soft light.

    • 23 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

Nickname5* ,

Best podcast ever

Every episode is like a new world. It’s fun and exciting. We absolutely love it.

Julianne S. R. ,

A new world every episode!

I get pulled into the worlds Nila creates every episode. Amazing how unique each story is. Keep the stories coming!

Tirminyl ,

Love the stories

I love listening to stories that people craft together and this is one of them. As the author, Nila does a great job narrating the stories and keep you entertaining. After every episode ends, I am left wondering if I have another in my queue. Please keep it up!

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