#pennedpossibilities — Public Fediverse posts

#PennedPossibilities 1126: Tell us what your narrator sounds like in your mind.

Scottish. *Incredibly* Scottish, and I’m a fan.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #TheScarletMirror #FatedByFire #CozyFantasy #Fantasy #SwordAndSorcery #Romance

#PennedPossibilities 1123: What figure do people most commonly tell stories about and how?

In general, it's urban fantasy on our world (of ~2018), so the regular sort of news we see.

More specifically to the characters, it does tend to be about Carrie. Her future, her connection to other characters (both romantically and her link to the assassin) and how she can use her time powers. In the far future, I suspect volumes have been written about her.

1125. SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Calanthe, the MC's tutor says, "I'd rename Ravenhold Castle into Ragehold Castle because I don't know anyone else who is as filled with rage as the queen is."

#PennedPossibilities

#PennedPossibilities 1125: SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

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#PennedPossibilities 1125: SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Lichfield actually does have a couple of alternative names The origin of the modern name Lichfield is interesting. At Wall, south of the current city, there was a Romano-British village, Letocetum, a Common Brittonic place-name meaning "Grey wood", "grey" perhaps referring to varieties of tree prominent in the landscape, such as ash and elm. In the post-Roman period, Letocetum developed into Old Welsh Luitcoyt.

The earliest record of the name in English is the Vita Sancti Wilfredi of around 715, describing when Chad moves from York to Lichfield in 669. "Chad was made Bishop of the Mercians immediately after his deposition; Wilfred gave him the place (locus) at Lichfield (Onlicitfelda)".[8] The prefix "on" indicates that the place given to Chad by Wilfrid was "in Lichfield", indicating the name was understood to apply to a region rather than a specific settlement. Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, completed in 731, states that Chad acquired Licidfelth as his episcopal seat.

#WritersOfMastodon #TalesFrom… #SecretLife… #HowtoSucceed… #Author #Novel

#PennedPossibilities 1125: SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Pigeon the Pilferer would say:

Home City? I'd choose Misery. Not a place where dreams come to be crushed underfoot so much as where they can't spout because if some people, or many people, don't like how you look, sound… you smell, they'll steal even your dirt, they'll beat you, for the fun of it, and they'll leave you bleeding on bare stone, stone where your seeds of hope will shrivel from the heat of hate only to be ground to meager powder, to be blown away in the slightest breeze.

Well, that's way more eloquent than usual for him! The day angel got bullied and picked on growing up. Don't know why. I imagine the metallic blue, green, and purple sheen to his otherwise grey feathers had something to do with it. He grew up to be a punk gangster with a bad attitude and a miserable disposition, ready to fight at the merest slight. He's Bolt's lesser antagonist.

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#PennedPossibilities 1125: SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Pigeon the Pilferer would say:

Home City? I'd choose Misery. Not a place where dreams come to be crushed underfoot so much as where they can't spout because if some people, or many people, don't like how you look, sound… you smell, they'll steal even your dirt, they'll beat you, for the fun of it, and they'll leave you bleeding on bare stone, stone where your seeds of hope will shrivel from the heat of hate only to be ground to meager powder, to be blown away in the slightest breeze.

Well, that's way more eloquent than usual for him! The day angel got bullied and picked on growing up. Don't know why. I imagine the metallic blue, green, and purple sheen to his otherwise grey feathers had something to do with it. He grew up to be a punk gangster with a bad attitude and a miserable disposition, ready to fight at the merest slight. He's Bolt's lesser antagonist.

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#PennedPossibilities 1125: SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Pigeon the Pilferer would say:

Home City? I'd choose Misery. Not a place where dreams come to be crushed underfoot so much as where they can't spout because if some people, or many people, don't like how you look, sound… you smell, they'll steal even your dirt, they'll beat you, for the fun of it, and they'll leave you bleeding on bare stone, stone where your seeds of hope will shrivel from the heat of hate only to be ground to meager powder, to be blown away in the slightest breeze.

Well, that's way more eloquent than usual for him! The day angel got bullied and picked on growing up. Don't know why. I imagine the metallic blue, green, and purple sheen to his otherwise grey feathers had something to do with it. He grew up to be a punk gangster with a bad attitude and a miserable disposition, ready to fight at the merest slight. He's Bolt's lesser antagonist.

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#PennedPossibilities 1125: SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Pigeon the Pilferer would say:

Home City? I'd choose Misery. Not a place where dreams come to be crushed underfoot so much as where they can't spout because if some people, or many people, don't like how you look, sound… you smell, they'll steal even your dirt, they'll beat you, for the fun of it, and they'll leave you bleeding on bare stone, stone where your seeds of hope will shrivel from the heat of hate only to be ground to meager powder, to be blown away in the slightest breeze.

Well, that's way more eloquent than usual for him! The day angel got bullied and picked on growing up. Don't know why. I imagine the metallic blue, green, and purple sheen to his otherwise grey feathers had something to do with it. He grew up to be a punk gangster with a bad attitude and a miserable disposition, ready to fight at the merest slight. He's Bolt's lesser antagonist.

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#PennedPossibilities 1125: SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Pigeon the Pilferer would say:

Home City? I'd choose Misery. Not a place where dreams come to be crushed underfoot so much as where they can't spout because if some people, or many people, don't like how you look, sound… you smell, they'll steal even your dirt, they'll beat you, for the fun of it, and they'll leave you bleeding on bare stone, stone where your seeds of hope will shrivel from the heat of hate only to be ground to meager powder, to be blown away in the slightest breeze.

Well, that's way more eloquent than usual for him! The day angel got bullied and picked on growing up. Don't know why. I imagine the metallic blue, green, and purple sheen to his otherwise grey feathers had something to do with it. He grew up to be a punk gangster with a bad attitude and a miserable disposition, ready to fight at the merest slight. He's Bolt's lesser antagonist.

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#PennedPossibilities 1125

SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Boredom
Pop. 85
Elev. 3201

"In the middle of the desert, five streets, a general store, a small diner, a scrapyard, a regional school, nothing else. Perfectly suited for a covert Army operation."

EDIT
(Had read the question as "MC" first.
MY BAD!🤗)

#PennedPossibilities 1125: SC POV: Give your city (or town or region) a new name that reflects what type of place it is and explain why you chose that name.

Grigga: *snort-laugh* As corny as it might be, let’s call it Trouble Town. Everything seems to happen in Marelance, both good and bad. And believe me, the brigands love showing up and causing trouble.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #TheScarletMirror #FatedByFire #CozyFantasy #Fantasy #SwordAndSorcery #Romance

#PennedPossibilities 1122: SC favourite meal?

(Legit going to pass on this one. There's probably something at home their parents made semi-regularly that they liked, but I've no idea what, am bad for incorporating food anyway, and don't see it being relevant since they're not at home.)

#PennedPossibilities 1124: MC POV: What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?

I always wonder why, when expressing a fear or phobia that you have to endure (like going to the dentist), other people in that situation often ask, "are you okay?" "No. I mentioned that I'm terrified out of my mind. Why would you think I'd be okay?"

#PennedPossibilities 1124
MC POV: What stupid question,...

I am going to answer for me as an author. Many people think "where do you get your ideas from?" and "which is better, being a plotter or a pantser" are *stupid* questions. They are honest attempts by someone less experienced than you to ask a "expert". You may find them trite, be frightened of showing yourself up, or .hate the intellectual effort of answering them.

I answer these with grace and gratitude.

#reading #writing #books

#PennedPossibilities 1124
MC POV: What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?

'I'm sorry, but questions are rarely stupid. They might be uninformed, ill-conceived, half-digested or perhaps even malicious. But plain stupid rarely ask questions. Stupid is content with what little they know. Asking a question shows, in most cases and to some extent, a will to expand one's horizons, and I am loath to attribute that to stupidity.'

#PennedPossibilities 1121: MC personal strengths?

Carrie would likely mention her open mindedness, and ability to think on the fly. Perhaps also stubborn resolve, hesitating as to whether that's a strength.

Others would agree. They might also mention honesty, but that's more because she's not great at lying.

#PennedPossibilities 1124
MC POV: What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?

Maggie: "Too damn many. But, no, I'm not supposed to say that. I've been told I can be too prickly. Unapproachable. 'There are no stupid questions.' That's my mantra. Answer these morons with a smile."

1124. MC POV: What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?

Bella says, "People sometimes are ignorant about things. Then their questions seem stupid. I'm as guilty of that as most people. My teacher taught me that the purpose of questions is to learn things so you aren't ignorant any longer. Ergo: no stupid questions.

"But I disagree. I've had bullies ask me questions to get a rise out of me. These are the really stupid ones."

#PennedPossibilities

#PennedPossibilities 1124

MC POV: What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?

Kessy:
"Not a question, but [her girlfriend] Rosa's aunt has once stated that a lesbian can't get pregnant because she will never have her period. This is so mind boggling stupid I will never be able to wrap my head around that."

#ScribesAndMakers 2026.09.09 — ~Share something you've been working on this month.

"Share" to me means #excerpt. Really, all I've done is revision. Apropos to Gloria Stienem passing, I worked on this decidedly feminist passage, a small part of which showed up in #pennedPossibilities 1120 last Sunday. The WIP takes place in a female-centric society where people chose their own names. Morning Glory is an upstart male who's become a diva actor and Steamed Milk and Sugar [nickname Shugh (short for Sugar)] is their society's version of trans-fem. Lightning Bolt (dba Good Eye), the MC POV narrator is… Well, she's… sexist? I'll let this unfold. CW: Casting couch reference. Your comments are welcome.

Nodding, the actor stood and asked, "[Shugh]. That name you chose, you chose it because you had problems as a journalist? Your [clothes]? That ribbon in your hair—?"

Red. Satin. Decidedly not masculine.

"I chose Steamed Milk and Sugar because I wanted to blend in amongst the other women. Journalists are women, at least in the capital, but my name turned out suggestive of the assignments I got—tea runner, typing pool—and it was the jobs I did until a few days ago, when I asked a favor of Good Eye."

I grinned. "Me."

"Because of asking then, today I landed this [magazine] interview."

[Morning Glory] nodded. "You're like I was: A kid, barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. It earned me parts when others got none, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing. I am an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums."

Shugh chuckled, looking askance. "Paid attention, yes, but preferred blending in, being supportive. Minimized riding."

Morning Glory nodded. "It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, dismissively. Dismissively, I decided, because I'd stolen his point and was a woman. Undoubtedly annoying, but he fleshed out the idea, pacing again.

I sighed and faded into the background with my camera. Far safer, anyway.

I can't say I liked recognizing that except for my dream-crushing incident at the Haulers guild where my gender proved poisonous, I definitely benefited from being a woman and I liked that more and more when I had to listen to what Shugh and Morning Glory dealt with. Couldn't change that I was female—I wasn't Shugh, who seemed to be trying to be accepted as… not male—and no, I couldn't feel guilty about it.

This interview Shugh's big chance. I had no chance to better my life and I didn't want to impinge on his chance. Neither guy's for that matter…

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing
#gender #fiction #writer #author
photographer chef cooking
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#ScribesAndMakers 2026.09.09 — ~Share something you've been working on this month.

"Share" to me means #excerpt. Really, all I've done is revision. Apropos to Gloria Stienem passing, I worked on this decidedly feminist passage, a small part of which showed up in #pennedPossibilities 1120 last Sunday. The WIP takes place in a female-centric society where people chose their own names. Morning Glory is an upstart male who's become a diva actor and Steamed Milk and Sugar [nickname Shugh (short for Sugar)] is their society's version of trans-fem. Lightning Bolt (dba Good Eye), the MC POV narrator is… Well, she's… sexist? I'll let this unfold. CW: Casting couch reference. Your comments are welcome.

Nodding, the actor stood and asked, "[Shugh]. That name you chose, you chose it because you had problems as a journalist? Your [clothes]? That ribbon in your hair—?"

Red. Satin. Decidedly not masculine.

"I chose Steamed Milk and Sugar because I wanted to blend in amongst the other women. Journalists are women, at least in the capital, but my name turned out suggestive of the assignments I got—tea runner, typing pool—and it was the jobs I did until a few days ago, when I asked a favor of Good Eye."

I grinned. "Me."

"Because of asking then, today I landed this [magazine] interview."

[Morning Glory] nodded. "You're like I was: A kid, barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. It earned me parts when others got none, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing. I am an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums."

Shugh chuckled, looking askance. "Paid attention, yes, but preferred blending in, being supportive. Minimized riding."

Morning Glory nodded. "It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, dismissively. Dismissively, I decided, because I'd stolen his point and was a woman. Undoubtedly annoying, but he fleshed out the idea, pacing again.

I sighed and faded into the background with my camera. Far safer, anyway.

I can't say I liked recognizing that except for my dream-crushing incident at the Haulers guild where my gender proved poisonous, I definitely benefited from being a woman and I liked that more and more when I had to listen to what Shugh and Morning Glory dealt with. Couldn't change that I was female—I wasn't Shugh, who seemed to be trying to be accepted as… not male—and no, I couldn't feel guilty about it.

This interview Shugh's big chance. I had no chance to better my life and I didn't want to impinge on his chance. Neither guy's for that matter…

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing
#gender #fiction #writer #author
photographer chef cooking
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#ScribesAndMakers 2026.09.09 — ~Share something you've been working on this month.

"Share" to me means #excerpt. Really, all I've done is revision. Apropos to Gloria Stienem passing, I worked on this decidedly feminist passage, a small part of which showed up in #pennedPossibilities 1120 last Sunday. The WIP takes place in a female-centric society where people chose their own names. Morning Glory is an upstart male who's become a diva actor and Steamed Milk and Sugar [nickname Shugh (short for Sugar)] is their society's version of trans-fem. Lightning Bolt (dba Good Eye), the MC POV narrator is… Well, she's… sexist? I'll let this unfold. CW: Casting couch reference. Your comments are welcome.

Nodding, the actor stood and asked, "[Shugh]. That name you chose, you chose it because you had problems as a journalist? Your [clothes]? That ribbon in your hair—?"

Red. Satin. Decidedly not masculine.

"I chose Steamed Milk and Sugar because I wanted to blend in amongst the other women. Journalists are women, at least in the capital, but my name turned out suggestive of the assignments I got—tea runner, typing pool—and it was the jobs I did until a few days ago, when I asked a favor of Good Eye."

I grinned. "Me."

"Because of asking then, today I landed this [magazine] interview."

[Morning Glory] nodded. "You're like I was: A kid, barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. It earned me parts when others got none, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing. I am an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums."

Shugh chuckled, looking askance. "Paid attention, yes, but preferred blending in, being supportive. Minimized riding."

Morning Glory nodded. "It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, dismissively. Dismissively, I decided, because I'd stolen his point and was a woman. Undoubtedly annoying, but he fleshed out the idea, pacing again.

I sighed and faded into the background with my camera. Far safer, anyway.

I can't say I liked recognizing that except for my dream-crushing incident at the Haulers guild where my gender proved poisonous, I definitely benefited from being a woman and I liked that more and more when I had to listen to what Shugh and Morning Glory dealt with. Couldn't change that I was female—I wasn't Shugh, who seemed to be trying to be accepted as… not male—and no, I couldn't feel guilty about it.

This interview Shugh's big chance. I had no chance to better my life and I didn't want to impinge on his chance. Neither guy's for that matter…

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing
#gender #fiction #writer #author
photographer chef cooking
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#ScribesAndMakers 2026.09.09 — ~Share something you've been working on this month.

"Share" to me means #excerpt. Really, all I've done is revision. Apropos to Gloria Stienem passing, I worked on this decidedly feminist passage, a small part of which showed up in #pennedPossibilities 1120 last Sunday. The WIP takes place in a female-centric society where people chose their own names. Morning Glory is an upstart male who's become a diva actor and Steamed Milk and Sugar [nickname Shugh (short for Sugar)] is their society's version of trans-fem. Lightning Bolt (dba Good Eye), the MC POV narrator is… Well, she's… sexist? I'll let this unfold. CW: Casting couch reference. Your comments are welcome.

Nodding, the actor stood and asked, "[Shugh]. That name you chose, you chose it because you had problems as a journalist? Your [clothes]? That ribbon in your hair—?"

Red. Satin. Decidedly not masculine.

"I chose Steamed Milk and Sugar because I wanted to blend in amongst the other women. Journalists are women, at least in the capital, but my name turned out suggestive of the assignments I got—tea runner, typing pool—and it was the jobs I did until a few days ago, when I asked a favor of Good Eye."

I grinned. "Me."

"Because of asking then, today I landed this [magazine] interview."

[Morning Glory] nodded. "You're like I was: A kid, barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. It earned me parts when others got none, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing. I am an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums."

Shugh chuckled, looking askance. "Paid attention, yes, but preferred blending in, being supportive. Minimized riding."

Morning Glory nodded. "It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, dismissively. Dismissively, I decided, because I'd stolen his point and was a woman. Undoubtedly annoying, but he fleshed out the idea, pacing again.

I sighed and faded into the background with my camera. Far safer, anyway.

I can't say I liked recognizing that except for my dream-crushing incident at the Haulers guild where my gender proved poisonous, I definitely benefited from being a woman and I liked that more and more when I had to listen to what Shugh and Morning Glory dealt with. Couldn't change that I was female—I wasn't Shugh, who seemed to be trying to be accepted as… not male—and no, I couldn't feel guilty about it.

This interview Shugh's big chance. I had no chance to better my life and I didn't want to impinge on his chance. Neither guy's for that matter…

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing
#gender #fiction #writer #author
photographer chef cooking
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#ScribesAndMakers 2026.09.09 — ~Share something you've been working on this month.

"Share" to me means #excerpt. Really, all I've done is revision. Apropos to Gloria Stienem passing, I worked on this decidedly feminist passage, a small part of which showed up in #pennedPossibilities 1120 last Sunday. The WIP takes place in a female-centric society where people chose their own names. Morning Glory is an upstart male who's become a diva actor and Steamed Milk and Sugar [nickname Shugh (short for Sugar)] is their society's version of trans-fem. Lightning Bolt (dba Good Eye), the MC POV narrator is… Well, she's… sexist? I'll let this unfold. CW: Casting couch reference. Your comments are welcome.

Nodding, the actor stood and asked, "[Shugh]. That name you chose, you chose it because you had problems as a journalist? Your [clothes]? That ribbon in your hair—?"

Red. Satin. Decidedly not masculine.

"I chose Steamed Milk and Sugar because I wanted to blend in amongst the other women. Journalists are women, at least in the capital, but my name turned out suggestive of the assignments I got—tea runner, typing pool—and it was the jobs I did until a few days ago, when I asked a favor of Good Eye."

I grinned. "Me."

"Because of asking then, today I landed this [magazine] interview."

[Morning Glory] nodded. "You're like I was: A kid, barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. It earned me parts when others got none, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing. I am an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums."

Shugh chuckled, looking askance. "Paid attention, yes, but preferred blending in, being supportive. Minimized riding."

Morning Glory nodded. "It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, dismissively. Dismissively, I decided, because I'd stolen his point and was a woman. Undoubtedly annoying, but he fleshed out the idea, pacing again.

I sighed and faded into the background with my camera. Far safer, anyway.

I can't say I liked recognizing that except for my dream-crushing incident at the Haulers guild where my gender proved poisonous, I definitely benefited from being a woman and I liked that more and more when I had to listen to what Shugh and Morning Glory dealt with. Couldn't change that I was female—I wasn't Shugh, who seemed to be trying to be accepted as… not male—and no, I couldn't feel guilty about it.

This interview Shugh's big chance. I had no chance to better my life and I didn't want to impinge on his chance. Neither guy's for that matter…

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing
#gender #fiction #writer #author
photographer chef cooking
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#PennedPossibilities 1124: MC POV: What stupid question have you heard someone ask (or asked yourself)?

Elric: I myself have asked many, surely. And I've heard even more from the mouths of others. But then again, all questions might just seem idiotic to the right (or wrong) ears. I can’t recall the last question I asked that someone else deemed beneath my intelligence level. By the way, just so you’re aware, I’m also rolling my eyes as we speak. And laughing, of course.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #TheScarletMirror #FatedByFire #CozyFantasy #Fantasy #SwordAndSorcery #Romance

#PennedPossibilities 1123: What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told (books, plays, television, spoken word, broadcast, etc.)?

Jormandr would prefer that all stories be about him. And if others won't tell them, he tells them himself. He also feels strongly that the more amazing he seems in the story the more 100% factual it must be.

#PennedPossibilities 1123
What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told?

The Mansion is populated by staff that are working hard, they don't gossip. And they don't tell a lot of stories, the one exception is the Librarian but they tell stories about everything.

There is a strong oral tradition, the Mansion staff doesn't read much despite having access to a miraculously large library and a huge archive.

Again, it feels like I've misunderstood the question.

#PennedPossibilities 1123
What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told?

Funnily enough, members of the magical community talk about the same things as people without magic.

You know, magic wielders; AKA wizards; witches; warlocks; and so on, even though they use the term practitioner to describe themselves.

They love taking the piss out fictional magicians and, whatever you do, don’t get them started on sorcerers.

#WritersOfMastodon #TalesFrom… #SecretLife… #HowtoSucceed… #Author #Novel

#PennedPossibilities 1123: "What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? (...)"

There are quite a few. Queen Arnegunde of Ripa, founder of the kingdom (to be imagined at about the time of Clovis I.), is hugely popular, and there is also a Viking heroine called Herja the Strong. In one story, it is mentioned that there are wild tales about "Thiudareiks" (= Dietrich von Bern, a heavily fictionalized version of Theodoric the Great featuring prominently in medieval German literature).

#PennedPossibilities 1123: What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told (books, plays, television, spoken word, broadcast, etc.)?

Ethereal is a story-heavy nation, mostly through oral narration and books. Since the global amnesia over a generation ago, people have been frantically trying to reestablish the narratives to know who they are. The context, the status, the parts of the stories and family histories that were lost, it can all still be felt. After the realignment, hero worship was big, obsessive, and downright dangerous. Which created an opportunity for nasty folks to take advantage of this longing for stories. Legends were made up, persona were invented, and for most of those, it became rather clear that it was all bullshit. But one of the newly invented heroes was general Seth. (Lazarus and Damien's father, but not Freya's) He was shoved into his position mostly because he looked the part. Tall, blond, handsome, strong man with a naturally commanding presence. It was mere coincidence that he was actually a nice guy. He commandeered Qinos' army of deadly weirdos, and fought for people indiscriminately. His heartbreakingly gruesome death shocked the entire nation, broke Ophelia's heart, and lead her to decide to create Freya. So, Freya's entire life, she's followed around by his legacy, while not actually being his child, unlike her brothers.

#writing

#PennedPossibilities 1120: "entertainment"

*
Jenny couldn’t see Heather’s expression, but wondered if the other girl was frowning. When Heather spun around though, her face was neutral.

“Point. Sorry. Thank you. And Frank, thanks for listening. If you have any theories, I’ll even listen to them. Could be entertaining. Bye now.” She turned away again.

“I’ll bear that in mind,” Frank said. “And Carrie, thanks for keeping me in the loop. I was starting to wonder what had happened to you.”

#PennedPossibilities 1123
What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told?

This depends on the region & timeline. The most popular legendary figures in the north are Alamander Rey, the last mage king. Also Queen Jade, the most famous Dragon Age monarch. Rowena Rey is a Modern Era hero who brought magery back.

All around the eastern hemisphere, legends told of Jezmian, maker of dragons. And the Librarian, who might steal your soul.

1123. What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told (books, plays, television, spoken word, broadcast, etc.)?

Before magic--even talking about magic--was banned in one of the realms, everyone would tell stories and sing songs about brave Lady Linden, a heroine who saved her world together with the River King, there was a lot of magic involved.

Now, tales and songs mostly focus on Good Queen Ravenhold, and her victories in the war.

Books, scrolls, songs, telling tales around the fire. Theater not so much. There would be plays to amuse the queen, haven't given this much thought.

#PennedPossibilities

#PennedPossibilities 1123: What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told (books, plays, television, spoken word, broadcast, etc.)?

There are books, newspapers, and theatre as well cinema akin to the silent film era. Theirs is a civilization powered by human labor and something else that isn't electricity. I don't know a heck of a lot about the stories they favor or tell, but I do know a character who's deeply into romance and gothic novels, who frighteningly takes some guidance from them in real life. Stories are serialized in newspapers like Dickens were. As for the types of stories in theatre, one actor playwright in this #excerpt talks about a trope popular in this strongly woman-centric society. CW: Casting couch reference.

[Morning Glory said, "You're] like I was: A kid barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. I got parts when others didn't, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing, likely at first because I was an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums. It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," …

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#PennedPossibilities 1123: What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told (books, plays, television, spoken word, broadcast, etc.)?

There are books, newspapers, and theatre as well cinema akin to the silent film era. Theirs is a civilization powered by human labor and something else that isn't electricity. I don't know a heck of a lot about the stories they favor or tell, but I do know a character who's deeply into romance and gothic novels, who frighteningly takes some guidance from them in real life. Stories are serialized in newspapers like Dickens were. As for the types of stories in theatre, one actor playwright in this #excerpt talks about a trope popular in this strongly woman-centric society. CW: Casting couch reference.

[Morning Glory said, "You're] like I was: A kid barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. I got parts when others didn't, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing, likely at first because I was an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums. It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," …

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#PennedPossibilities 1123: What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told (books, plays, television, spoken word, broadcast, etc.)?

There are books, newspapers, and theatre as well cinema akin to the silent film era. Theirs is a civilization powered by human labor and something else that isn't electricity. I don't know a heck of a lot about the stories they favor or tell, but I do know a character who's deeply into romance and gothic novels, who frighteningly takes some guidance from them in real life. Stories are serialized in newspapers like Dickens were. As for the types of stories in theatre, one actor playwright in this #excerpt talks about a trope popular in this strongly woman-centric society. CW: Casting couch reference.

[Morning Glory said, "You're] like I was: A kid barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. I got parts when others didn't, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing, likely at first because I was an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums. It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," …

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#PennedPossibilities 1123: What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told (books, plays, television, spoken word, broadcast, etc.)?

There are books, newspapers, and theatre as well cinema akin to the silent film era. Theirs is a civilization powered by human labor and something else that isn't electricity. I don't know a heck of a lot about the stories they favor or tell, but I do know a character who's deeply into romance and gothic novels, who frighteningly takes some guidance from them in real life. Stories are serialized in newspapers like Dickens were. As for the types of stories in theatre, one actor playwright in this #excerpt talks about a trope popular in this strongly woman-centric society. CW: Casting couch reference.

[Morning Glory said, "You're] like I was: A kid barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. I got parts when others didn't, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing, likely at first because I was an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums. It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," …

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#PennedPossibilities 1123: What figure do people most commonly tell stories about? How are these stories told (books, plays, television, spoken word, broadcast, etc.)?

There are books, newspapers, and theatre as well cinema akin to the silent film era. Theirs is a civilization powered by human labor and something else that isn't electricity. I don't know a heck of a lot about the stories they favor or tell, but I do know a character who's deeply into romance and gothic novels, who frighteningly takes some guidance from them in real life. Stories are serialized in newspapers like Dickens were. As for the types of stories in theatre, one actor playwright in this #excerpt talks about a trope popular in this strongly woman-centric society. CW: Casting couch reference.

[Morning Glory said, "You're] like I was: A kid barely old enough to be adult, who every woman wanted to ride whether I was in a local actors' group or later in a traveling theatre troupe. I got parts when others didn't, bit parts definitely, sharp looking window dressing, likely at first because I was an expert ride; I paid attention in Men's Studies in school, especially the practicums. It took years to change from being cast as the conniving man who uses the woman and comes to a tragic end, to writing plays where I helped the woman succeed against her competition because of my conniving ways—" He sighed. "—and together we'd fight—"

"For equality?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," …

[Author retains copyright (c)2026 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#PennedPossibilities 1115: What sounds or smells remind your MC of their childhood?

Let’s talk about Alistair for this one. The smell of baked goods in the kitchen. Tobacco and pipe smoke as well. The sounds of laughter. The sound of a woman whistling or singing (like his mother used to). The sounds of joy, honestly.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Fantasy #Gothic #Victorian #Edwardian #Vampires #Werewolves #Supernatural

#PennedPossibilities 1112: MC or SC POV: Can you tell us about the last time you laughed? What about when you cried?

Fenella: I’m sure I laughed at something Alistair said, to be fair. And as for crying, that might very well have been from a comment he made as well. Not at me, of course, he would never hurt me, but he often rips my heart to shreds without realizing it — just by mentioning our past, what we’ve endured or what we had together. I miss him dearly. And I wonder if he feels the same way. On occasion, he’ll look at me a certain way and I’ll be left wondering.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Fantasy #Gothic #Victorian #Edwardian #Vampires #Werewolves #Supernatural

#PennedPossibilities 1110: What is your antagonist good at hiding about themselves? What are they bad at hiding?

Let’s talk about Duncan. He’s good at hiding how… possessive he can be at times. Things become a game to him. It’s all about the hunt. Fenella has become his current objective. What is he bad at hiding, though? How ruthless he usually is.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Fantasy #Gothic #Victorian #Edwardian #Vampires #Werewolves #Supernatural

#PennedPossibilities 1109: What question does your MC long to find an answer for? What answer do they hope for, and which one would they fear?

As we found out already in one of the previously posted chapters, Fenella enjoys researching vampires. She only knows bits and pieces of their lore. Alternatively, as she gets to know Hati, the woman reveals the origins of wolves (AKA werewolves) to her. Viking mythology isn’t just mythology. It’s history. It’s true. Fenella wishes she knew this much about her own people. Perhaps one day she’ll find the answers she seeks. Maybe the Eddas are a good place to start. I would go so far as to say that I’m not entirely sure what answer she’s hoping for and which one would frighten her, only because she doesn’t know where to begin.

(I had hoped to write more for this one, but I really don't feel well today. That’s okay, though.)

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Fantasy #Gothic #Victorian #Edwardian #Vampires #Werewolves #Supernatural

#PennedPossibilities 1108 Tell us something you like about your story. (Maybe something you find interesting, entertaining, or amusing.)

What I like about #Unmodeled and #Companion, is that they don't mince words. They are unsettling dystopias and could very well become reality. I like their potential to maybe change some minds or even just one.

What I like about #Reencounter, #ForYou, and #FindingMe, is the chemistry in them. One's more nerdy, one more flirty—but they all vibe.

#amWriting

#PennedPossibilities 1108: Tell us something you like about your story. (Maybe something you find interesting, entertaining, or amusing.)

For me, this is something interesting and it verges on amusing (for Alistair, though). It also ties perfectly into tomorrow’s prompt and my answer, which you’ll learn. I really liked this snippet.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Fantasy #Gothic #Victorian #Edwardian #Vampires #Werewolves #Supernatural

#PennedPossibilities 1107: Saturday Word Edition: Share something from your WIP pertaining to the word “anticipation.”

(For @thatwriterellie.)

I’ll share a tiny excerpt.

⬇️

“How long have you thought about this?” asked Fenella, her gaze bravely searching for his own. His thumb slid away her lips and he dragged it along her chin, inhaling sharply as he leant closer. Then his breath ghosted across her skin as he exhaled. It was almost an intimate caress, but she craved more.

“I’ve thought of little else since you left,” Alistair confessed. “It’s been torture.”

“Then show me what you’ve missed,” she begged, a hand falling to the small of his back. The anticipation was enough to swallow her whole. She pulled him into her, guiding him, and he groaned at the pressure, the closeness, and the intimacy behind it. His free hand settled on her hip, where he tightened his hold, and her knees went weak.

“Let’s try again,” she added. “I think we deserve a second chance.”

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Fantasy #Gothic #Victorian #Edwardian #Vampires #Werewolves #Supernatural

#PennedPossibilities 1087 — Friday Word Edition: In honor of a friend (@thatwriterellie), we’re using a word once per week. Share something from your WIP pertaining to the word “struggle.”

(Posting this early because I have plans later. It's karaoke night!)

This excerpt isn’t from my new Paranormal & Gothic Romance novel. It’s from a story for The Hour that I’m working on. You’ll find the word “struggle” here, and it absolutely makes sense, given the context of the conversation. I always have to be writing something, even if it’s just fanfiction for friends and happy, eager subscribers. It makes my heart happy.

The full story is here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/80977666/chapters/212759941

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #TheHour #RandallBrown #LixStorm #AO3 #ArchiveOfOurOwn #Fanfic #Fanfiction

#PennedPossibilities 1085 — What is special about your world or universe?

A baroque mixture of creepy and romance; myth, legend, and folklore; and a sprinkling of poetry and metaphorical talk.

#NMPP #NMPrompts #Mythpunk

#PennedPossibilities 909 -What advice would your MC give to their younger self?

Roxane would tell herself that Olympos isn't worth falling in love with. He doesn't care about her, just her status as a potential daughter of Hades. Also her dad isn't as bad as she thought

#DivineWarsAwakening #FantasyNovel #WritingCommunity

I was on the Great Wall of China, so was Flicka. My stories sometimes draw inspiration from real-life travels. #wednesday #WednesdayVibes #inspiration #book #Bookstodon #booktok #WritersCoffeeClub #WritersOfMastodon #WritersLife #writers #writer #ScribesAndMakers #Romance #Romancelandia #iamwriting #Story #Storytelling #WritingCommunity #writing #AmWriting #books #travel #Fiction #Literature #Author #Authors #ampublishing #filmcommunity #wordweavers #pennedpossibilities #china #MyWork #Words

#PennedPossibilities 751 — Check-In: Share a snippet you’ve written recently that you’re proud of. (Doesn’t matter what it’s from, or if it’s edited or not.)

I'm going to start posting these prompts every so often so we can share our writing, have more engagement, and get to know each other's writing styles and see how wonderfully different we all are. Let's spread the love and support each other!

My full story is here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/61476478/chapters/157155637

#LGBT #LGBTQIA #TheWitcher #TheWitcher3 #EmielRegis #CirillaOfCintra #GeraltOfRivia #Romance #Worldbuilding #AmWriting #WritingCommunity