Gavin wanted to go home. He was sick of this city, and sick of L’Marc. He was mad at the driver. They had been all over, looking for this place, up and down the streets of Kalden. The driver was a fat and lazy man. Gavin hated him and everything else in this city. His mouth hurt. #wipsnips

L’Marc turned his back to him. “By how much was your mother attempting to raise our passage fees?” It cannot matter now, Gavin thought. “She told me to try for twenty percent.” L’Marc laughed. It was a reedy sound, ending in a wheeze. “I needed that." #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

Nikolai got to his feet. “This is your horse?” “He actually belongs to the Llanarth Stable. That’s Riley’s family. We uh—” Lissie looked at Niko and then glanced away. “Borrowed him.” “Borrowed?” Niko asked. #wipsnips #booksky #writingcommunity #writesky

“If the numbers hold up, it’s one in twenty that become problem cases.” Dottie was reading from her clipboard. “That’s still going to be two hundred from the guests we have,” said Lady Maribelle. They rounded the corner into the Gaoler’s Hall. “Have that sign changed to ‘Guest Bedrooms’.” #wipsnips

“Your primary directive during the interim is domestic. The Dragon demands his home remain stainless. Each house, each body, is to be systematically searched. Any exhibiting signs of infection, rash, tears, or madness, will be placed under home arrest and guarded day and night.” #wipsnips #writesky

Slowly, she pushed herself up with her hands. Her side throbbed, and her head felt like a snow globe. Every time she moved, stars burst before her. This camp was different. The grass was lush and sparkled under the torchlight. Cora let out a cry, "Riley! Careful!" #wipsnips #writingcommunity

Lissie fell once on the walk. She kept her arm from hitting the ground and fell on her face instead. She rolled over and said, “Aren’t you going to help me up?" His hands twitched and curled into fists. His bulk was massive. His crystalline eyes stared into her, waiting. #wipsnips #writesky

Riley felt desperately thirsty. And starving. "Do you have any water? Food?" "Lissie's been feeding you, and it was hard to get you to swallow. They are going to want to have a feast now that you're awake." Cora led her another direction, toward a huge tent. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

"I remember your father carried a claymore.” The man looked away, “But he had a different frame.” “Well, he carried a claymore in battle—.” Montegue interrupted him. “He always carried a claymore. I made the one for court special. Beautiful thing, that. Does he still have it?” #wipsnips #writesky

If you see this, post your getaway vehicle

Riley scowled and replied, "Puppies have the sharpest teeth. Who are you?" "Alexander Zarnovsky Endrindel MacKintosh the third, Bard and Tinkerer of the Ellium Company, though perhaps, not at the moment." #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

Riley squared her shoulders and continued. “The screaming came next. People were ranting, running from the medicine, running from their families. None of it made any sense." "The woman said that after the fear drove people out of their homes, they started acting possessed." #wipsnips #writesky

We are getting into the thick of it now. Riley is learning to face the consequences of her own reckless behavior. No one looks at her the same as they did yesterday, but the worst judge is always herself. #writingcommunity #writesky #📚 #🪐📚 flythruthechaos.com/2025/11/the-...

Lissie checked the clipboard, and her heart sank when she read ‘Emma May’. Lissie had pushed for her to receive the cure ahead of the worst symptoms, but she progressed quickly. Cora had argued with her mother, but there was no logic in the request. Only memories. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

The man slapped his knee, “You’re General Ziggy’s boy?”  Montegue’s eyes searched him up and down.  “Your ma must have been a twig.” “Will you make me a sword, then?”  Gavin’s chest beat to the sound of the hammers. flythruthechaos.com/2025/11/the-... #writingcommunity #writesky #fantasy #books

Lissie went to work building a fire. Niko approached. “The soldiers wanted to kill you.” He said it with no inflection. “I stopped them. The others are scared. They did not want to tell you what happened as you slept.” #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky

Riley swung in an upward arc. She felt her blade score the boy. His trousers tore, then his skinny gut and chest.  A red line welled from his left hip upwards. He screamed.    "First blood," Riley said automatically, as though she was on the training sands. flythruthechaos.com/2025/11/the-...

Gavin noticed a spot of mud. He was sure it was what Finnegan was looking at. He twisted his feet to the sides. Finnegan bent at the waist and through the man’s shirt, Gavin saw a painful curvature to the man’s spine. He has no room to judge me for spots on my shoes. #wipsnips #writesky

Riley proffered the fork in front of her face. Lissie took it. She ate, squawking ringing in her ears. By the last bite, she could see through the chicken’s eyes, and felt hard hands around her own feathered throat. She swallowed, and felt her neck snap. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

“You don’t have anything I haven’t seen before, and nothing Tlaso is interested in.” She disrobed and made him a liar. Her body was painted with scars. They blazed like stars. The torchlight threw them into harsh contrast, deep and red. A gasp ran through the locals. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

I cut my teeth on anything I could find from Clive Barker. Imagicka, Abarat and more. He inspired me to play with vagueness, changing focus with characterization and context. I think of his writing as exemplifying a textual representation of surrealism. #Bookvember #booksky #WriteSky #authors

The room was lit with torches on the outside walls. On the floor the tiles formed a picture that Lissie craned to see. She just caught a glimpse of fur and blood before cold hands on her shoulders brought her back. “I thought I lost you.” Niko’s breath was in her ear. #wipsnips #writesky #🛸📚

I posted the next chapter of The Wind is High on my website. Entitled "By the Fire," emotions flare. Are the strange boys as innocuous as Lissie believes, or will they be the danger Riley fears? #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky #selfpub

I remember Jane Eyre giving me my first taste of healthy, respect-based love. Jane could be more with him. But Wuthering Heights gave me a hint of what unhealthy, codependent love was going to be. Catherine eroded as she gave to Heathcliff. #Bookvember #writesky #writingcommunity #authors

The man's eyes glittered in the funny light, which came from a jar sitting on the branch. The little dog trotted out to his master and sat calmly on his lap. The man scrubbed the dog viciously, which Ruskin repaid with kisses. "My dear compatriot, what have you brought me?" #wipsnips #writesky

She was struck dumb by the movement of the workmen and women. There must have been at least sixty of them, all dressed in white leathers. "Gently, my lovelies, ever so gently," The voice that rang out was like a songbird sighing. "Oh, you're all so wonderful." #wipsnips #writesky #writingcommunity

(I didn't even have "ultimate" so "pen" it is) “How many have reached the problematic stage?” Dottie had flipped to a blank page and she held her pen poised. “None of the arrivals. Rashes, tears, fever. The problems are still contained, but we know it’s only a matter of time.” #wipsnips #writesky

Gavin snorted and Mother scowled, but Riley continued, “I rode up Commerce Road and took a trail to a clearing.” She was struggling to put the details together, all she could think about was the woman’s face, her dying eyes. “I thought she was a corpse, polluting the spring." #wipsnips #writesky

FUCK AI. Show me something you made without the use of AI. #writingcommunity

"Hullaboo, hullaboo, I see you! Hullaboo, hullaboo." Then, softer, "Well, if you don't like it, I don't know if I should keep going." The voice was carefree. Its speaker was still shaded. Cora gasped audibly, and Lissie and Riley looked steely-eyed at each other. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

Jon walked back over to Lissie and offered her the sheep sorrel like a bouquet of flowers. Lissie looked up, and accepted them gratefully. "These are very nice. Cora and Riley are good at finding firewood, but they don't help out with dinner while they go." #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

Another chapter up on my website. We are back to Riley and her friends, as they learn what lurks in the dark forest. #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky flythruthechaos.com/2025/11/the-...

L’Marc waved a hand. “They do not need to drag me.” He lifted his shirt, and bent over the table, his elbows burrowing between plates of food. Gavin stared at the spiderweb of scars. An armored man stepped forward brandishing a bull whip. “Two lashes this time." #wipsnips #writingcommunity

Lissie gave her a consoling look, "It's not something I would talk about with you. Here. But my grandmother, she insisted I learn the stories. It made me so happy to see her remember." Her eyes softened, and Riley could see the love in them. #writingcommunity #wipsnips #writesky #booksky

This next chapter has Gavin jewelry shopping and displaying concerning levels of anxiety. Every one of my beta readers has given a possible diagnosis for him. He is not coping well, whatever it is. Read for free on my website: flythruthechaos.com/2025/10/the-... #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky

Lissie looked back, and then began walking towards the beast. With half the distance covered, the monster still had not moved. Lissie tried to hold the spear out before her, but her hands were shaking. The spear dropped, and she left it on the ground. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

Cora was sitting behind Alexander, Riley reminded herself.  Sidesaddle.  With Ruskin in her lap.  A few times she saw her reaching over to Alexander’s hip for balance, but that was only natural.  Riding sidesaddle. #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky flythruthechaos.com/2025/10/the-...

Hundreds of questions were flickering through Riley's mind, but the smell of cooking meat dispelled them all. Cora opened a tent flap and led her into a kitchen like Riley had never seen before. There was a whole bull-creature in a pit lined with glowing coals. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

The boy grabbed Anvil’s reins and pulled. “We have fine stables! A broom, some fresh straw, it’s a palace in the daylight.” Anvil did not move. The boy clicked his tongue and pulled harder. “You lot are the ones that showed up in the middle of the night!” The warhorse planted his feet. #wipsnips

Gavin has not a drop of malice in his body. Instead, he embodies self righteousness. Cold logic. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

The chapter unofficially titled "Gavin Gets Fit" has been posted free to my website. Don't worry, no exercise is required. flythruthechaos.com/2025/10/the-... #writesky #writingcommunity #booksky

A Guild Master dressed in black was scrambling to his feet at the end of the table. His chair fell to the floor with a clatter. Her brother stood up and went after him. Guild Masters, her mother, and Gavin. All dressed in lies. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

I posted Chapter 9 today, entitled 'Alexander' in my file. Come meet the man of the hour! Alexander Zarnovsky Endrindel MacKintosh the third, Bard and Tinkerer of the Ellium Company, though, perhaps, not at the moment. flythruthechaos.com/2025/10/the-... #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky

Vaulting off her mare, she landed in a sprint under the second iron grate. Her breath came ragged and her mouth tasted like copper. The woman’s blood-smeared cheeks burned in her mind. Gouges, deep and old. She pushed the thought down. #writingcommunity #writesky #wipsnips

I've got to be brave and clarify this death scene. I can't leave my readers in suspense... I already tried that and they did *not* find the ambiguity enjoyable. #writingcommunity #writesky #selfpub

I just posted another chapter onto my website, adding onto the Wind is High. I know a chapter a day is too fast to post, but I chopped that book into a LOT of chapters. They are quite short. I want to get it all published and available as soon as I can. #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky

“You folks lost? Never seen ya about.” The boy that spoke was tiny. He was dressed in a long blue coat, with a matching hat with a jaunty feather. He was smoking a cigar. This one smelled sweet. Alexander sang, “Not lost, on our way to Gateman’s Wharf.” #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

I came up with the idea of providing chapter-specific maps since I have total control over my website. I always wanted to give locations to people - as well as other, more mysterious information! #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky #fantasymap

"Midgat is a Duchy that is entirely dry! That means there is no drinking. Not for the performers, which is punishment enough, but neither for the audience, which is even worse. There is also no gambling and no work for a minority of our more gracious Company." #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

This is my first #shamelessSelfPromoFriday and I am shamelessly presenting my debut novel, the Wind is High. I am posting it chapter by chapter on my blog, www.flythruthechaos.com Get swept across the world with three teenage girls as they search for a cure to a zombie plague outbreak.