Two weeks of not working on the novel and, now that I'm sitting down to write, my brain thinks it's funny to be like, "What is writing?" 😐 Anyone else jumping back in after a break? #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

Any other writers out there who are dads? We seem to be a mighty few. 💪 If you’re pioneering a book while deep in the jungles of dad-hood, would love to say hi! 👋 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

Up against a scene where the easy way out is an exposition dump. But we are writers. Easy is for everyone else. 🫠 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter

59°F (15°C) in August. A grey, misting rain falls. Petrichor drifts through the open windows on a damp wind. I'll find the time to write for a bit. 🥰 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter

Scrolling through trying to find a show to watch with my wife, aaaaaand I think HBO Max may wanna revisit this one… 😱

The writing assistant continues his tireless efforts towards the book, examining it from all angles. Happy #caturday! #AmWriting #FantasyWriter

Dear future Editing Me, I deeply apologize for my overuse of the word “only.” I am aware that I’m the problem. However, I will not stop. Please send snacks, First Draft Me 🖕 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter

Celebrating. The halfway point in this manuscript has been written. 🎉 Chapter complete. Just shy of 50K words of 100K word count target. 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ It's actually coming together. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter #DadWriter

I’m sitting on a scene I’m dying to finish writing while a beloved, out-of-town family member stays at the house for a few days. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter #DadWriter

A midpoint reveal is tantalizingly close. So rewarding to see this sequence fleshed out after 15 years of dreaming. ✨ Anyone else writing, or have recently written, something that excites you? #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyAuthor #DadWriter

If you see a massive bruise on my forehead, that's because it took days to wear down the brick wall blocking this scene. Lots of good things were behind it, though. ❤️ Anyone else powering through a sequence in their book? #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter #DadWriter

6YO: (in bed, from room) Hey Dad! Come here! I want to tell you something. ME: What is it, buddy? 6YO: There’s a voice in the wall. It says, “[his name].” ME: … 6YO: … ME: Uhh…just don’t listen to it. Go to sleep. 6YO: Okaaaayy. #MightBeMoving #Parenting #ParentLife #DadLife

Alright, #booksky, my TBR list has a distinct hole for recent fantasy books with a lot of political intrigue. I need more Dune’s and GoT’s in my life. What’s a book I might have missed where the world runs deep and the daggers run deeper? 💔🗡️ #WritingCommunity

I did it. Son of a gun, the gift-wrapping dream has happened. 🎁

The writing assistant continues his valuable contribution to the book. Happy #caturday! #amwriting

Writers: What is that one word that you just cannot spell, even if your life depended on it? I’ll go first… “Privilege.” My brain apparently will not. Ever. 🧠🚫 #WritingCommunity

Another chapter completed! 46K of 100K word count target. 🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ Slow and steady! #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter #DadWriter

Baby 3 is on the way later this year — and it's a boy! 💙

Bonus #caturday! The writing assistant continues to earn his paycheck while I get a moment to read. #AmWriting #Booksky

Moral support from the writing assistant yesterday. Happy #caturday! #amwriting

Question for those writing novels: What's a piece of advice or lesson that had the greatest impact on your prose? ✍️✅ #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

Keep your mushrooms. Still riding that high from finding the perfect metaphor. 🍄🌌 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter

This chronic outliner just pantsed a section of the novel. It's better because of it; however, I now have a narrative hole that I don't immediately know how to fill. To my fellow outliners: I have failed you. #WritingCommunity #AmWriter #FantasyWriter

Tomorrow's plans demand that I stop writing my current scene tantalizingly close to its end. Hate having to be pulled away before I could finish it. 🫠 Darn job... #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter

4YO: Can we talk about Bruno? ME:

Thanks to the day off, I finally finished “The Dragon Republic” by R.F. Kuang. I can see why this series was recommended! Loving the politics behind her war, not just the action. Anyone else read this one? My immediate circle had never heard of this series, so I must discuss. #Booksky

Been six months since the start of writing this debut novel. Looking back, I'm blown away with how far both it and I have progressed. Holy bleepity bleep, I think I'm actually gonna finish this book. 🤯 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

Ever been stuck on a scene that's difficult to write for one reason or another? How did you push through the writer's block? ✍️❌ Finally willpowered my way out of a sequence that proved difficult, but I'm proud of the end result. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

4YO: Jesus keeps us safe. Watch… #DadLife #ParentLife

I needed about two weeks off from the novel after a busy season, but I’m back in the writing game now. Word count is going up again. 💪 Anyone else jumping back in (or need to jump in) to writing after a break? #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

5YO: There’s a squirrel in the road! WIFE: There are lots of squirrels on the road. 5YO: [Cackles maniacally 😈]

Happy #caturday from the writing assistant, hard at work. #WritingCommunity

Shout out to the writers who attempt to write on planes. On the list of difficult places to make progress, it’s up there. ✈️ #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter #Writer

I have shown my 5yo “Super Mario World”, and he now knows the true despair losing Yoshi to the abyss. 😫

If anyone knows of a good writing Discord server: ANDREW ...is writing a fantasy novel 📖✍️ ...plays well with others 🤝 ...can send pix of fluffy pets whenever required 🐶🐱🐱 (Can only find the large servers. Looking for something smaller.) #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

Writers: How do you handle days and times when you can't actively write in that exact moment (ex. driving, out and about, busy seasons, etc.)? #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter #Writer

Hot takes required: When it comes to how writers handle social media, what’s your likes and dislikes? 💭 For example, on social, I’ve found I like seeing the writer more than the writing — and especially over just reposts. Nothing beats connection. #WritingCommunity

My Instagram is live! 📷 Follow along as I attempt to *visually* showcase writing a debut novel without resorting to inspirational quotes or slo-mo typing stories. 🫠 instagram.com/theandrewmcp

33 words last night before I had to step away — a record new low. Progress at #DadWriter speed right there… 🫠 Anyone else advancing through their writing at the speed of a glacier? #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter

Early morning puzzles with my 4yo before I leave for the day. Writing can wait another moment. 🐸🧚‍♀️ #DadWriter #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #FantasyWriter

5YO: D...O...G! Dog! 4YO: (not to be one-upped) A...R...B...C...D! Fridge!

Extra project for the next two weeks, so novel writing may stagnate for a spell — which is fine: 1. More time to think how to make this next, tricky sequence special. 2. Will be wound up like a toy race car when I get back and ready to roll. 🏎️💨 Anyone else experiencing the chaos of summer?

My 5yo is beginning to say words like “fast” and “can’t” with a British accent. I have yet to determine if they need to watch less or more of “The Great British Bake Off.” 🇬🇧 #GBBO #DadLife #ParentLife

It turns out that an obscene amount of blackberry cobbler is an excellent booster of one's word count. 😋 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

ME: Alright, the ice cream is frozen — so we have to wait patiently for it to warm up so we can scoop it. Now, what does waiting “patiently” mean? 5YO: The ice cream has warmed up. 🍦 #DadLife #ParentLife #Dad

Question for those in #WritingCommunity: Do you find that users who post about more than just writing/reading is a positive thing? Or do you prefer staying on topic? I have thoughts, but I’d love to hear your opinions first. 💭

Another chapter down! 38K of 100K word count target. 🟩🟩🟩⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ Right on target, confident in direction, and still have wind in my sails. How the bleepity bleep is this working?? 🤯 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

Writers block sucks. 🧱 To get past it, tried scribbling in a notebook today instead of brainstorming on a laptop. Holy crap. Broke through with a vengeance. Notebooks, for the win. 📒🏆 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

Another chapter complete. 37K words of 100K word count target. ✅✅✅⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ 8K words while working during this 8-week, all-day therapy program for one of my own. “Thrilled” is an understatement. This novel is inching towards completion. 🐢 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #DadWriter #FantasyWriter

5YO: (playing with toy trains, as usual) 5YO: (speaks Parseltongue to Thomas the Tank Engine, not as usual) 🐍 #DadLife #ParentLife #DadWriter