Trolls that were injured or too slow in mind or body were sent at sunset to block breeches in the walls, form flameproof ladders for the goblins to clamber over, or be smashed into blocks to feed the catapults. The boss's cry of 'No mercy!' applied first to his own troops. #WIPSnips

A wee poem about what the land remembers (and we too often forget to hear) for #PromptCombo #subtext. Thanks @victoriaspires.bsky.social for a tricky prompt and apologies for not being brave enough to tackle the terza rima! #poems #poetry #writingcommunity #decolonisation

sparrow on the fence— the whole morning fits in her chest #haiku #poetry

No snow still cold Enough now for wool Socks with a hole, big Enough for one toe to Sneak through, peek Into view to pull back To a thread now between, Unseen but real enough to Feel in shoes too tight Wearing wool socks and A hole, still too cold For snow #thingstowriteabout #wool #writingcommunity

Took the prompt #outside for Tuesdays January 20th #thingstowriteabout

Chapter 47: Wherein a Wyvern is Unseen Illustration 47/52 #WrensAria, an illustrated animal fantasy with bonus magical creatures. Coming soon!

As he spoke his torch went out. Ro could still see the faint outlines of those in front. A current of air wafted the scent of earth to her. Abruptly, the passage widened and they found themselves on the edge of a pool fed by moisture pouring down the fractured walls above it. #humpday #WIPSnips

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still" - Dorothea Lange #Photography #Morning #Dawn #Sunrise #Skyscape #EastCoastKin

Nature’s not slapdash she merely seems that way an orderly chaos #vss365 #Slapdash #Haiku #Poetry #Photography #BlackWalnut #ImageAndVerse #Haiga #EastCoastKin

You, Schrodinger's cat of lost - perpetually lost and found at the same time, until one of the two states becomes unmissable. But the height of these states can surge like a flare. Or like joy & pain. High enough to see the world. Sad enough to see the world. #writemap #satsplat #vss365 #unmissable

She aimed a playful blow at his arm, but he staggered coughing. Alarmed, she rushed to support him. Instantly, he grabbed her close with both arms. She stopped struggling and they looked long into each other's eyes. #ThingsToWriteAbout

could you g a t h e r me a cup or whimsy while you’re out? fill it to the brim with marvels of moonlight pour it into my pores while I sleep the dark away so I’ll wake to nothing but play and the wild sway of the west wind inviting me to dance upon blades of grass and other soft things #poetry

silhouettes of snow delivery of a poem before paper #vss365 #delivery

“This is the birth of the United Rebel Front,” said Kaonto, visibly moved. “I confess I have withheld some #unmissable information that I must share with you, now that we are allies in this revolution.” Hmmm…Withholding information…not a good way to start an alliance. #vss365

It drifts above the grass like a car-sized snowflake. Touching the starship from outer space, I know. It’s the same as the one I came in, fifty years ago. Doors activate and unfold. I lift the baby I find inside. “Welcome to Earth, little one.” #vss #sff

The ancient yew tree's branches were adorned with ribbons, woven dolls and scraps of mirror, but its real glory was its size; at least six people would be needed with arms outstretched to span its girth. A brown figure detached itself from the folds of its bark. #vss365

Eyes down as the rain beats a #symphony on my umbrella, I glide past petty kingdoms of ants, hills silent and still but for hardy sentries that may report that they saw far off a flying saucer, and beneath it, half-glimpsed through the deluge, a long, lone giant whistling to the wind. #vss365

Lord Stolomhn pushed the flower #adorned craft gently from the dock, watching it scythe through the water, leaving wide ripples atop the tranquil lake. Eyes closed, he raised a hand & flaming arrows filled the sky, turning the boat to a funeral pyre where entwined Catherine & Ravisham burned #vss365

The mud houses were home now only to nesting birds and small animals that skittered away from them on the straw strewn floor. Unglazed and unshuttered, the windows gazed mournfully at them. As they passed, Lar would quickly avert her eyes and hum a low chant. #WIPSnips

Something's #spooked My kitty cat Her tail is All bushed out She runs then Hunkers down to stare Where nothing Is about It's only she and I Inside this quiet house At this point I'd be grateful If it proved To be a mouse #vss365

- i cross the glen at the end of a dying day, deer silhouettes lift their heads, we freeze, equally unsure who startled whom, both of us a little spooked by being seen, here or perhaps at just being at all. - #vss365 #poetry

Night before twelfth. Last of the old year twists amongst branches, creaking regrets. So, owl tells ghost stories to glory the moon. And those ghosts of our homes croon what may yet be. That we dream strange fortunes in puzzle songs. Awake clueless, but seeking again. #ThingsToWriteAbout #vss365

"They wrecked Auntie's home." "I wrecked Auntie's home," Ro corrected, then wished she had not as she felt the force of Varda's gaze. "It was an accident." #WIPSnips

For the #Januarty theme of #down, how about a goose? I admire geese for their extreme take-no-nonsense goosiness. Something to aspire to 😂 #Januarty2026

such generous doubt the size of what we don’t say fills the whole room #2WordPrompt #Generous #Size #Senryu #Haiku #Poetry #Micropoetry

My thanks to everyone who downloaded Discord's Child in the Smashwords End of Year Sale. Enjoy!

"Go home." Ro felt a surge of resentment; her mother had expected her to ruin things. "You'll be discussing me, won't you?" "How can we avoid it?" "Then I have a right to be here." #ThingsToWriteAbout

"Well, wat do ya fink?" Riz said, holding up a piece of paper. "I'm tryin out a #abstract style fer dese artworks." "It looks like you dipped your paws in different colours and danced on the page," I replied. "Pff u don't know art!" "But I know what I like!" #vss365 #riztherogue

They both thought in abstractions, but they were not the same. Her mind worked in the ordered squares of Mondrian, while his thoughts splattered like a Pollack. #vss365

soft snowfall- I refill the birdbath with moonlight #haiku #poetry

sky shows off whole new shade of blue like a dare I ask what she calls this but sky says guess #TankaThursday (blue sky) #ThingsToWriteAbout (curiousity)

Chapter 30: Wren’s Aria Illustration 30/52 #WrensAria, a charming illustrated animal fantasy arriving in 2026 (that's this year now! 😱) (and yes this chapter has the same title as the book because REASONS! Don't you love it when the book title shows up in the book? I do!)

The Smashwords End of Year sale doesn't end at the end of the year but at the end of the first day of the new year. That means you can still treat yourselves to some free books until midnight tomorrow (Jan 1st). You'll find Discord's Child at www.smashwords.com/profile/view... #EoYSale25.

There was unfinished business for her in Najarind. The city still had not given up its secrets to cure Lalli. She dreamed of the serene tree-fringed pool in Iyessa where only the rustle of branches troubled the thoughts. Would she ever know its peace again? #whistpr #vss365

dreams travel lightly they slip into waking hours asking to be kept #vss365 #Dream #Haiku #Senryu #Poetry #Micropoetry #Photography #Moon #Skyscape #Night #Nightscape #Winter #ImageAndVerse #Haiga #EastCoastKin

Halfway through taking photo, I wandered off to stand under a different tree, listening to winter song birds.

forgive yourself— the river never asks where the water has been #haiku #poetry

Starcat says each cosmos begins with a wink she yawns silvery stretching time into thinking space or a word Starcat says found inside a moment's peace these beloved sparks to imagine better worlds #whistpr (beloved, peace) Thank you, Helen, for your delicious writing prompts. 🧡

still echoing your footsteps the cobbles you walked as I dreamed you

Write. Create. Be inspired. The #2WordPrompt for 31-DEC-25 is: Belong & Throw #Prompt

There's still time to bag some free reading in the Smashwords End of Year sale. Visit www.smashwords.com/profile/view... to download Discord's Child before 1st January. #EoYSale25

At the centre of the cage was an immense monster with a slavering maw, whose sole desire in life was to devour all that came in its path. It shifted its bulk, perhaps hearing her terrified whisper and sensing the nearness of warm blood, and thudded against the bars. #vss365

say yes to the sunlight when it finds you #haiku #poetry

Rainy day sunshine— A #sole fiery bloom Dispels shades of gloom #vss365 #haiku #Bloomscrolling

Forget the blue of my eyes, love Let them fade in the winter frost to pale memories Forget, beloved, the white of my skin It cannot compare to the snow bedecked trees And Frosted gates where the red-breasted Robins perch Survive is all I wish In the memory of good and bad This time brings #vss365

There's still time to give yourselves a FREE Christmas present. Visit www.smashwords.com/profile/view... and download Discord's Child. Enjoy! #EoYSale25

Struggling to stay on her feet, the Fire-hearer wildly grabbed at air and dragged Ro down with her into an undignified tangle on the herb-cushioned path. In the shocked silence that followed, Ro sucked in her breath fighting off a surge of giggles. ##vss365

Where it all began! Pixie on trial for playing a prank too far. About to meet a certain angel who will change her life. #vss365 #Air katemachon.com/books/

#MyFirstBirdoftheDay Two large mobs of crows opening the day with somewhere to go while a blackbird worm-hopped on short grass. The cold sun yellowed the pale purple sky towards blue and further down the path, made an eery green of the low horizon. Lots of birds sang in the dark trees.