Get out of your comfort zone in real life to better understand what you're writing. Maybe it's trying skiing or surfing. Or maybe it's talking to (and reimbursing for their time) folx who have done sex work or finding a kink class to take. Research is great but it cant replace in-person experience.

Dark Designs is co-written with my partner and I have shared clips of if with my friends (shout out to @lyracurley.bsky.social and @stephwrites.bsky.social 🫶) While nobody but my partner has read my spicy parts, they will after the first pass of edits, and I'm sure my friends will be lovely ❤️

Alright I'm closed for Christmas comms but my end of year sale is still going! Ych will be $35 through January 2nd!

Video showing off the AlphaSmart, which came in today! All you need to do is hook it up to your computer, open the doc you want to work on, make sure your cursor is at the end, and hit send, and boom! It works! It even fits in the adventure bag with Beenjamin! (Video mentions this, in this order.)

There' an AU in my head where Svad is a monster hunter with a fated mate trope for Ren, who would obviously be a werewolf. I'd probably have him catch her but inexplicably be unable to kill her, and suddenly have a "tiger by the tail." 😏 I'm definitely writing werewolves next.

I really had a vision in Manifestations where the main love interest was a triad, but no matter how I tried to write Ava in, she just wouldn't cooperate romantically. She wanted to be a creator and a nurturer - and do these things independently - which wasnt what the other protagonists needed.

I love Garamond which makes sense since this is basically what I look like 🤷‍♀️

Me writing romance: Ah yes, chapter 33 of book 2, finally... the love interests will now accidentally brush hands. Me reading romance: OH COME ON! JUST LET THEM SMASH ALREADY!

Ren the witch exchanges a puzzle with the demon she summoned for him to honor future summons without harming her. However, in passing off the artifact, he takes some liberties with the necessity for physical contact to ensure the artifice transfers without issue. #smutcember #writesky

Starting my 2026 strong with a fully booked Jan! 🎉 Don't worry because Otters Editing is looking for clients in the Spring! I work with indie authors for fantasy, LGBTQ+, and sci-fi stories! You deserve an empathetic #editor who cares about human creativity and doesn't use AI. ottersediting.com

Me failing to write or jog consistently despite both being my hobbies like

"Art vs artis-" I do not wish to be perceived. Please do not perceive me.

Goal 1- First draft and first self-edit pass on Manifestations so I can send it to my beta readers. I'd love to start getting experience querying and it's a good book to start with. Stretch Goal - Finish Draft 1 of Dark Designs so next year can be focused on editing.

Me: (working on novel) Brain: Hey, got a great idea for a novel. Not this novel. Me: (typing) Not now, brain. Brain: Don't you wanna know what it is? Me: NOT NOW, BRAIN Brain: I'm not gonna lie, it's SUPER cool Me: LET ME FINISH THE NOVEL IN FRONT OF ME, BRAIN Brain: Okay, I'm gonna tell you

I'll admit to writing with a narrow focus- I know my protagonists and how I want them to find one another. I do have a more poly focused romance in ideation rn and that one will be really fun to play with the dynamics of. I already suspect I may write several possibilities out and see which fit.

😏 ayyyyyy This is my kind of scene.

Also Ren energy.

Ren - "I kind of was expecting you to be so monstrous to me, I'd hate you after." Svad - "I...was." Ren - "No, I know, but... I was into it?" Svad - "I know." Ren - "... Should we like... examine that? Or just?" Svad - "Do it again. To confirm replicable results." Ren - "Absolutely, yes."

Since this project is co-written, it will likely be split into two perspectives unless I can figure out how to properly 3rd person manage it in narration. I typically write in 3rd person so I try to switch without it becoming an all-consuming pov. It's a trick I'm still learning though!

In addition to the project I've been sharing for #smutcember, I'm almost done with my first draft of Manifestations, which is an urban fantasy that's more lore/story focused than spice focused. An excerpt for the #wipsnips about the dog 'Laps' who I definitely added as a little ✨treat✨ for myself.

Me trying to write a scene I dont want to

Yooooooo I'm on the Street Team for Hellbound to most effectively yell about this book. It's a good book. Everyone who likes dark settings with horror elements, a twisty plot, and just enough 🌶 should slap it on their TBR (and maybe pre-order it to be cool) 😎

Ohmygod one of my favorite series is getting a refresh on cover art and this is just beautiful. So excited to fill out my shelf with this whole series 🙌

While I built out the framework and story beats, cowriting means sometimes my partner will add something into a scene that elongates it or gives the perfect place to unexpectedly end. And sometimes we will write out something "all the way" just because it's fun 😈 Editing is for fixing flow imo.

Ren is socially awkward. Perceived as overly direct and distracted - she is off-putting to most people, which suits her fine. But the demon Svad actively wants to know her thoughts - challenging and critiquing her work. Their collaboration, both academic and practical, is becoming a distraction 1/2

The moment the witch drops her protective circle after teasing the demon for entirely too long. CW- language and suggestive language surrounding fear + arousal. #smutcember #writesky

Tell me what romance you loved reading this year that was not Ali Hazelwood I realize that despite writing romance rn, I havent read a lot this year. What I am reading just isnt holding me by the throat like I remember my first exposure to Ruby Dixon. Self Rec is fine - Pref for Queer or Poly 👇

I love the frenzy/excitement/rush of the "new" Then I like contrasting it to the enhanced intimacy I usually find once the characters are established and can push personal boundaries. No preference but different vibes for different scenes.

My MCs vs the plot

manifesting: 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 ai bubble 🕯 🕯 to pop disastrously 🕯 🕯 for all involved 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯

all the news is making me want to explode so instead can you all tell me about your favorite human creators and why you love them??? (you know this is serious bc I am opening up my replies to everyone lol)

As most of you know, pre-orders are REALLY important for debut authors and small publishers. Please consider ordering Hellbound. I have enjoyed an advanced copy of it and it is worth every penny.

I am once again glaring at the entirety of my first draft of Manifestations, fighting the urge to stop all forward progress and re-write it entirely instead of just finishing 4 more chapters so I can have editing as a little ✨treat✨

I'm currently writing 'outcasts who find each other' & enjoying the idea that forming romantic attachments is an un-learning process when someone has a history of isolation/inherent distrust of others. My fav is 'I would burn down cities for you', which is also toxic - but hey! It's Fiction!

My goal for 2025 was a book a week. I will probably fall a little short in the 45 range. But I read ✨️ so many ✨️ new things plus a few old. I read out loud to the kid, listened to audiobooks, took my time with a few non-fiction and indulged in at least 21 paper copy books. I'll be sharing them 👇

Not usually, but this next batch that I co-wrote with my married partner? Maybe a bit. 🙈 But it's good. And if I needed to create it, then someone out there will also appreciate it. To quote my favorite shirt "Life is short, why not get weird with it?", which I got from @hiddenstash.bsky.social

I absolutely LOVED working with this artist for Ren's Halloween themed commission. Please consider them for your Yule/Holiday inspired scenes.

The act itself is the main course. If I've taken my time in preparation, if all the ingredients are there, if the timing is right so the audience (and myself) are hungry for it? Then I've done something right. Even if I look like this trying to make it come together.

What to get for the too-online friend who desperately needs to touch grass

Not a criticism but it's amazing to think about how many Star Trek stories have, at their core, the idea that some alien/entity/lone survivor is simply bored or lonely & wants someone from Starfleet/the Federation to play with them. Right now not enough shows are about aliens with relatable ennui!

Quick to spice but slow to nice. I write a bit of everything, but in my current romance wip, the characters both come into the arrangement rather damaged and distrustful. While lust and carnal passion are expected, nobody anticipates someone will catch feelings. It's strictly business...right?

Hell yeah - human generated filth only.

Ren finds the demon Svad's appearance both terrifying and thrilling. She struggles with undeniable need to be close to him while feeling deep guilt for the attraction to something so monstrous. But her last partner was totally 'normal' and really awful, so the maybe authenticity is easier to trust.

And every time, I loved it.

I did not expect it to be so isolating. I have done a great many lonely things - distance running, trained a dog sled team, solo hiking, hundreds of hours driving alone. At the end, there was always a medal, a clear destination reached, a high banana to eat or a photo to point to. (1/2) #writers

How do I not have a single kiss. 🤣 70k words in each wip and no smooching. I can write pining and kink and smut but kissing? That's serious stuff.

My first foray into body doubling + writing in a very crowded coffee shop. Such a different vibe and so fun to chat about all our books while picking at word stuffs. #writesky #write

Today’s agenda:

I enjoy characters unveiling the ugly parts of themselves, and coming to realize the counterpart doesnt find them repulsive as expected. As I've mentioned before, vulnerability is hot and having someone discover even at their lowest they still have inherant value deserving of respect?