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

Anyone know of university creative writing professors who are organizing against use of AI in their classrooms (or resisting it in other interesting ways)? For something I’m working on. DM me here or contact info in my bio…

To explain the "spell": It's fairly common in India and other parts of Asia, to find this and other warding spells painted on objects that might attract negative emotions toward their owner: like cars--or books. It's a personal, friendly nod towards some good people in my life.

A while back, I began to open my presentations with "buri nazar wale tera muh kala", which are magic words to ward off the evil eye--I haven't had a bad response since. While I'm not sure it's the spell's magic at work, it does give me something to talk about to break the ice.

I recently attended a talk by a person that makes four digits per session as a "communication trainer". She didn't have much to say. Except that each presentation should be "an experience". Ever since, I bring cookies. It works.

Authors and their characters have one thing in common: Every living thing, fictional or not, is always a "work in progress". #amWriting

Looking at the story with fresh eyes, the ending is obvious. People come and go, things go wrong, and it doesn't need to be anybody's fault. Protagonists don't need to struggle with conflict, when living a meaningful life is hard enough. Finding meaning in chaos is satisfying.

I finally realized why I had trouble writing the ending to my latest book, and it's that I listened to wrong advice instead of my heart. Learn from my mistake, and if you know something to be true, write the way you need to. #writingcommunity #amWriting

To entice a protagonist to pick up an instrument: Used violins are often dirt-cheap. Novices buy them, to find they can't get a peep out of it. Disappointed, they sell it at a loss, unknowing that it needs not skill, but a tiny box labelled "colophony". #amWriting

It's fascinating, how in #SciFi, protagonists regularly eat and drink at alien pubs, while back on Earth, even our local species can't digest food meant for humans and vice versa. Toxins, allergies, intolerances, you name it. There may be unexplored plot points here. #amWriting

She sells seashells by the sea shore. (I always wanted to say that.)

The good thing about being in an affordable “homestay” hotel: Every room comes with a free lizard.

The Konark sun temple is a world wonder. It's resembling the sun-chariot, with 12 wheel-shaped sun dials, drawn by 7 stone horses. Each of the elaborately carved wheels has a precision of 3 minutes. #amWriting

Animals can provide exposition. Take this monkey: He demonstrates what true courage means. True courage is taking an ice cream cart to the Hanuman temple. These little fellows don't care for fruits, they live for sweets, and they will rob you blind. #amWriting

Stories are everywhere. This is "Bound Hanuman" temple. Here, Hanuman was tasked by Vishnu to guard the costal town of Puri from flooding. However, Hanuman has a sweet tooth, snuck off for dessert, and the town was flooded. Upon his return, Vishnu chained Hanuman to his post.

Narrow side-alleys that offer anything and everything from street dogs, haircuts, medicine, photo-copies, to food are a typical sight. Except: They are usually busier than this. (But, it's off-season on a Tuesday night at 2AM.) Best place to find some local stories.

Looking for a #cyberpunk book cover? Delhi got you covered. This is an “AC café”. The only thing on the money they actually make is chai. But they have AC, and can get you whatever the neighboring stalls are selling to enjoy inside your little “cooler box”. #amWriting

What I find fascinating is: they are getting away with it. Technically, it's a legal gray zone; it's easy to implement, with virtually no risk for the alleged perpetrator. I think, we are seeing the tip of the iceberg. Bets are on, more folks got their hands in the cookie jar.

Interested in a true-crime story? People who buy some small apartment for themselves typically own a tiny share in a big building. Because there are so many parties, the building owners hire property managers to handle repairs and bills for them. And some managers are crooked.

Want your protagonists to run across a street festival? Today is "Dirty" or "Fat" Thursday, the day when during medieval times animals were slaughtered and pastries made for a last feast before Lent. It also happens to be "Carnaval des femmes". #amWriting

In case you were wondering what those old winter fairytales are talking about: This is why it's called "ice flowers". #amWriting #writingCommunity

Animals in storytelling can ignore decorum. They can go where no character can, provide comic relief, transcend physical and/or social limitations of our characters, provide exposition on protagonists or places, and--best of all--have no need for extended dialog.

One of the unexpected benefits of having pets is how it improves writing. I used animals in writing before, but having one in the house is different. Cats can imitate the voice of toddlers. Dogs can feel schadenfreude, and laugh. They can elevate storytelling by leaps and bounds.

Another surreal town name that exists is Münzenberg AKA "mountain of coin", whose original name had an "i" for the "ü", meaning "mountain of mint". Except, when a noble built a castle there, the plant was swapped for currency, because it sounded more precious. #amWriting

When naming places in a book, being bold is historically accurate. Take “Lederhose”, the official name of a real village. It used to be Ludorazhusen = “home of Ludoraz”. But locals preferred a different pronunciation and eventually, the name “Lederhose” stuck. #amWriting

Having an office job changes people. I was about to write an email to my partner to share meeting notes and confirm the agreed points of our grocery list, as proof of requirements. Before I paused, realized what I was doing, and instead decided to call “Be back soon!”

Sometimes when writing, keep in mind how weird real life can be. Take this truck driver, for example, who crashed his truck in the middle of a highway at night, got out, and just went home. I particularly like how the door is held shut by a random branch. #amwriting

I know they say “when life gives you lemons”, but the cellar got flooded for 3rd time in 6 months. The building manager stole money from the repair budget, then filed for bankruptcy when found out. Thanks, life. I got enough writing material now. Can we go back to “boring”?

Had a storm last night, and parts of the roof came down. Never a boring day around here.

To all my friends in India, have a very Happy #RepublicDay!

WARNING to the #WritingCommunity The fake profiles are getting more sophisticated including an excellent clone profile of a NYT Bestselling author in the romance genre. Please like or repost. The script is the same: What got you into writing? Blockers? Sales? Here's my marketing team for you ...

I successfully reunited a lost pet with its family about five minutes ago. The little lady had been missing for a month. Seeing them all together again made my day. :) #foundCat