While writing books in Italian might still be some way off, I will give edits on my German language training book a final push. I have the results of my target group research, so with some final touches, I may proceed to typesetting. #amwriting #writingcommunity

I've learned Italian for two years on #Duolingo. Do I speak Italian? No. That might just be me, but memorization isn't my style of learning, and the app focuses on it exclusively. What it does it does well, but knowing the "what" without the "why" isn't for me.

#ValentinesDay is named after Bishop Valentine of Terni, killed February 14th 269 for illegally marrying young couples. He is believed to have paid the occasional dowry out of his own pocket, and to present newly weds with flowers. St. Valentine's Day was 1st celebrated in 496.

I finally took some time to prepare covers for book 1 to 3. Yes, writing and editing is the priority. However, adding a cover makes it feel more real. Like promise that "yes, we are doing this, and we are doing it now". #amWriting #WritingCommunity

In light of recent events, I decided to update the design of my book #cover. #amWriting #WritingCommunity

Happy #RepublicDay to our friends in India. Enjoy a wonderful and sunny day.

Happy lazy #Caturday #WritersCats

I thought I had seen my fair share of weird stuff. Then, tonight, I scraped a dead mouse from the inside of a car's cabin air filter. Not sure I want to turn that particular experience into a "fresh" story.

One famous regional legend goes like this: Once upon a time, a woman had a house dragon do her bidding. To get ever richer without being caught, she summoned the dragon and demanded to steal a drop of milk from every cow, a grain of wheat from every stack, and so on. #amWriting

Legends are rich with creatures, and tales. Folklore attributes to the dwarfs alone named kings and kingdoms, who even went to war with each other. Forests and mountains are filled with moss and forest people, spirits, ghosts, and countless stories we may utilize in our writing.

The #kidlit story I'm writing at the moment sees a young witch travel on foot to the Blocksberg for a dance, after she had an accident that left her unable to fly. The actual path taken exists, is 40km long, and can be walked in 10 hours plus breaks. Maybe a bit longer with kids.

The legendary house dragon took the shape of a lindworm. It could fly, and looked like a white streak moving across the sky. When it was returning home laden with gifts, that streak took a thick barrel shape. Wizards would beguile a dragon by leaving an offering at a crossroads.

I adore the stories of moss people living in the Harz forests. These sometimes helpful, sometimes vengeful spirits resemble folks, about half as tall as a man, and covered in moss and greens. They help around the house as long as the family lives a life of virtue. #amWriting

There are countless legends that fly under the radar. One such is the European "house dragon". I was introduced to this creature at a young age, when my grandmother told me that this particular dragon guarded families and brought great fortune when treated right. #amWriting

Finally had the time to sketch one of the illustrations for my #kidlit #book. Meet the giant "Bodo". Folklore has it, he is grumpy, because his bride-to-be got cold feet, stole his magic steed, and made a run for it. He lost his second favorite horse and his crown in the pursuit.

Happy New Year 2026 everybody!

In case you wonder why the new year starts on January 1st in Europe, the answer is Cesar. Cesar swapped the old Roman lunar calendar of 355 days for a 356 days lunisolar calendar, with leap years. The new year is celebrated on the day of the first new moon of winter in 45BC.

The night is young, the child in bed, I got a book on the table, and a purring bundle of cat sitting on my lap. Things could be worse. #WritingCommunity

Public service announcement: Did you already create a backup of your latest draft? #WritingCommunity #amWriting

The author's lament: "Yesterday I had the perfect line. Yet neither pen nor paper."

What I love about exploring old towns is to stumble upon places, you may miss if you follow the masses. This historic butcher's shop was tucked away in a side alley. It's fully functional. Sometimes, you find your research, sometimes the research finds you. #amWriting

The Christmas pickle--the odd one out for comic relief. It was a must-have into the early 20th century. Hidden somewhere not too obvious, a price was owed to the person who found it. In social situations and storytelling both, odd elements can be a tremendous help. #amWriting

Reason no. 128 to marry a writer: You get to benefit from extensive food research. Well. To be honest, that one can be a hit or miss. #amWriting

Numerous historic calendars ended with an even 360 days, putting "New Year" on December 25, leaving 5-6 unassigned days, which were considered dark and unlucky. People wouldn't buy new things, washing clothes wasn't done etc way into the late 20th century. #amWriting

I found an old picture showcasing the hoops we had to jump through to get a 3 year old to eat. Good times! Also, the kid didn't finish this one. #WritingCommunityDad

The "Raunächte" AKA "dreadful nights" have begun, spanning December 25 until the new year. When ghosts and monsters come out to play. Allfather Odin and the Wild Hunt roam the nights to punish the wicked, and reward those who've been good. So keep your lights on! #amWriting

Historically, the year didn't always end in December. "Decem" means 10 in Latin, hinting that December was the 10th month, and the Roman year began in March, around the equinox and start of spring. This changed gradually over the centuries when calenders got updated. #amWriting

When writing historic medieval fiction, keep in mind that December 24/25th was not for giving gifts. On Christmas Eve, churches instead reenacted Adam and Eve leaving paradise. The tree was decorated with sweet apples, which children plucked after the festivities on January 6th.

Merry #Christmas Eve to all of us celebrating! Have a peaceful night and Christmas morning full of wonder and joy!

December 6 is the date on which, in medieval times, kids received their presents. The tradition lends from the story of St. Nicolas of Myra ("Sinterklaas" = "Santa Claus"), a 4th century bishop, who was believed to have performed miracles--and famously gave gifts to children.

What did a medieval Christmas tree look like? Well, December 24th was dedicated to Adam and Eve. Churches held paradise plays, and the tree was decorated with apples, wooden figures, and even snakes. On December 24, the apples were "plucked".

This is an actual castle kitchen. Notice how the pan is mounted on a metal arm that can be swung around to move it off or on the fire without burning your hands. Little detail for your next story, perhaps. #amWriting

I'm glad I had a chance to talk to this master craftsman. Yes, medieval pottery is his main occupation. Apparently, a medieval potter's kick-wheel weighed up to a whooping 200kg--and thus rarely moved out of its spot. Even this "portable" version is still above 50kg. #amwriting

Quick reminder: Don't waste time you could spend being productive on folks who are wrong on the Internet. Scrolling social media and writing 1000 words for your story take the same amount of effort. The most precious currency in life is your time. Spend it wisely.

I had a lovely chat with some crazy folks who are building a 11th century castle from scratch, using only tools they make on their own with historically accurate methods. Learning about history through experimentation. Wow! burg-hofraite.de/ #amWriting

I came across this little library at a train station while traveling. Left a signed copy of my book Vagabonds and Bureaucrats, and discovered a new author to read. www.amazon.com/dp/B0... If you see these libraries, I encourage you to do the same. #amwriting

No day without a #littlefreelibrary ❣️📚❄️

Apparently, we've drawn an audience. #writersCats

Look who came by to say hello (and enjoy some berries).

I came across this lovely little library in York, Toronto, aaand yes. Of course I left a signed copy of "A night in Amber". If you see these around, I encourage you to add signed copies of your own work. Donate a book--gift a new journey--receive a smile. #amWriting

When you walk through the woods and the tree shadows give you a free book cover. #amWriting

A court found an AI company guilty of redistributing copyrighted material. German organization GEMA, representing the rights of composers, won an important case against OpenAI. The court ruled that OpenAI distributed copyrighted material without license.

There is a story, that once a holy man led by his dog reached the gate to the afterlife. The holy man was told that in order to enter, he had to abandon his dog--The man refused to go without him. Pleased by that loyalty, the dog turned into the God Yama, and granted him passage.

Happy Kukur Tihar. (If you don't know what that is, it's a festival where you celebrate the loyalty of dogs with garlands and treats. Hugs appreciated.)

Happy Diwali to everybody! #diwali2025

I subscribed the house to the squirrel channel to give the pets some entertainment. The reception is great, only the price is nuts. #dadjoke #writingcommunitydad

To whoever thinks it's okay to give a kid some giant can of sticky glitter-slime for their birthday at school: Not funny! #writingCommunityDad

If you still need an excuse for allowing strange ideas in your writing, look no further than navratri: A nine-night fast of potato chips and chocolate. How come? The navratri idea is that you retreat to the forest to meditate, consuming only what the forest provides. #amWriting

When world building traditions and lore for scifi and fantasy, being quirky is not a fault, but good advice based on reality. Take the bishnoi tribe for example. Their traditional rules ban the obvious like violence, theft, meat, alcohol, and ... the color "indigo". #amwriting

The cats are having a movie night. They are watching "The Birds". #dadjoke #writerscats