#rsreluctancestory — Public Fediverse posts

#PennedPossibilities 1016 — MC POV: Tell us about a time that you found a “skeleton in the closet,” but it doesn’t matter whose it was. It didn’t need to be yours.

[Bolt, woman day angel MC:] Only the devil-girl, when she unaccountably started acting drunk, let on about events and acquaintances that might be considered a "skeleton in the closet," but she was trying (successfully I might add) to get me (as you people would say it) "into bed," so I don't remember too many details. They didn't come off as boasts, or made up "true" stories, simply details that ought to worry Boss Mead about having hired her as an enforcer. The dets would interest the coppers, but how could they prove any of it? Kind of a dare, perhaps, for anyone to bring her history up so she could have an excuse for mayhem.

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

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#WordWeavers 2026.05.16 — Would your WIP still work if you changed the gender of your MC?

Well, you see, the story is already gender fiction. The narrative should eventually cause the reader to change the gender of the MC in their minds, then other characters to boot. I expect they'll find it revelatory. I hope everybody learns something about the oppressive absurdity of gender roles.

To answer the question, of course it would still work, but the message would be totally lost!

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

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#WordWeavers 2026.05.16 — Would your WIP still work if you changed the gender of your MC?

Well, you see, the story is already gender fiction. The narrative should eventually cause the reader to change the gender of the MC in their minds, then other characters to boot. I expect they'll find it revelatory. I hope everybody learns something about the oppressive absurdity of gender roles.

To answer the question, of course it would still work, but the message would be totally lost!

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

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author

#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#WordWeavers 2026.05.16 — Would your WIP still work if you changed the gender of your MC?

Well, you see, the story is already gender fiction. The narrative should eventually cause the reader to change the gender of the MC in their minds, then other characters to boot. I expect they'll find it revelatory. I hope everybody learns something about the oppressive absurdity of gender roles.

To answer the question, of course it would still work, but the message would be totally lost!

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

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author

#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#WordWeavers 2026.05.16 — Would your WIP still work if you changed the gender of your MC?

Well, you see, the story is already gender fiction. The narrative should eventually cause the reader to change the gender of the MC in their minds, then other characters to boot. I expect they'll find it revelatory. I hope everybody learns something about the oppressive absurdity of gender roles.

To answer the question, of course it would still work, but the message would be totally lost!

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

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author

#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#WordWeavers 2026.05.16 — Would your WIP still work if you changed the gender of your MC?

Well, you see, the story is already gender fiction. The narrative should eventually cause the reader to change the gender of the MC in their minds, then other characters to boot. I expect they'll find it revelatory. I hope everybody learns something about the oppressive absurdity of gender roles.

To answer the question, of course it would still work, but the message would be totally lost!

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

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author

#Cozy #mystery #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#WritersCoffeeClub #WCC 2026.05.16 — What's a writerly risk you've taken recently? Did it pay off?

Two. One is the focus on the life, loves, and friends of the protagonist and to do it more intimately than I usually do, and second backgrounding some of the action, ultimately to make it a cozy yet spicy mystery sf novel. I think it is working out, but until I complete the first draft, I dunno.

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

#BoostingIsSharing
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#cozy #mystery #fantasy #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
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#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#WritersCoffeeClub #WCC 2026.05.16 — What's a writerly risk you've taken recently? Did it pay off?

Two. One is the focus on the life, loves, and friends of the protagonist and to do it more intimately than I usually do, and second backgrounding some of the action, ultimately to make it a cozy yet spicy mystery sf novel. I think it is working out, but until I complete the first draft, I dunno.

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

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

#WritersCoffeeClub #WCC 2026.05.16 — What's a writerly risk you've taken recently? Did it pay off?

Two. One is the focus on the life, loves, and friends of the protagonist and to do it more intimately than I usually do, and second backgrounding some of the action, ultimately to make it a cozy yet spicy mystery sf novel. I think it is working out, but until I complete the first draft, I dunno.

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

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

#WritersCoffeeClub #WCC 2026.05.16 — What's a writerly risk you've taken recently? Did it pay off?

Two. One is the focus on the life, loves, and friends of the protagonist and to do it more intimately than I usually do, and second backgrounding some of the action, ultimately to make it a cozy yet spicy mystery sf novel. I think it is working out, but until I complete the first draft, I dunno.

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

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

#WritersCoffeeClub #WCC 2026.05.16 — What's a writerly risk you've taken recently? Did it pay off?

Two. One is the focus on the life, loves, and friends of the protagonist and to do it more intimately than I usually do, and second backgrounding some of the action, ultimately to make it a cozy yet spicy mystery sf novel. I think it is working out, but until I complete the first draft, I dunno.

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

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

#PennedPossibilities 1015 — Were any of the scenes in your WIP inspired by your own experiences?

Inspired? That presumes "motivated to write." Informed, definitely.

I've mentioned this before. My mother was a bailbondswoman who did her own bounty hunting in the 1960s. Some of her clients were also her friends. You could say I was raised around thieves and crooks. Funny thing about such people? They're regular people, just criminal—some with stories of being incarcerated in Leavenworth, others about bank robbery.

Bolt, the MC in the WIP: we know from the beginning she did something that caused her to run from the law. She's really a regular Joe (okay, Jane, but you get the idea) and very much a jock, and she's well aware she's done wrong. Blackmailed by the mob as she is, she has no choice but continue being a criminal. Oh, the mob thing? Well, my mother knew some of them, too.

So inspired? Not so much. Definitely informed.

Interesting upbringing, though, huh?

[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 1015 — Were any of the scenes in your WIP inspired by your own experiences?

Inspired? That presumes "motivated to write." Informed, definitely.

I've mentioned this before. My mother was a bailbondswoman who did her own bounty hunting in the 1960s. Some of her clients were also her friends. You could say I was raised around thieves and crooks. Funny thing about such people? They're regular people, just criminal—some with stories of being incarcerated in Leavenworth, others about bank robbery.

Bolt, the MC in the WIP: we know from the beginning she did something that caused her to run from the law. She's really a regular Joe (okay, Jane, but you get the idea) and very much a jock, and she's well aware she's done wrong. Blackmailed by the mob as she is, she has no choice but continue being a criminal. Oh, the mob thing? Well, my mother knew some of them, too.

So inspired? Not so much. Definitely informed.

Interesting upbringing, though, huh?

[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 1015 — Were any of the scenes in your WIP inspired by your own experiences?

Inspired? That presumes "motivated to write." Informed, definitely.

I've mentioned this before. My mother was a bailbondswoman who did her own bounty hunting in the 1960s. Some of her clients were also her friends. You could say I was raised around thieves and crooks. Funny thing about such people? They're regular people, just criminal—some with stories of being incarcerated in Leavenworth, others about bank robbery.

Bolt, the MC in the WIP: we know from the beginning she did something that caused her to run from the law. She's really a regular Joe (okay, Jane, but you get the idea) and very much a jock, and she's well aware she's done wrong. Blackmailed by the mob as she is, she has no choice but continue being a criminal. Oh, the mob thing? Well, my mother knew some of them, too.

So inspired? Not so much. Definitely informed.

Interesting upbringing, though, huh?

[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 1015 — Were any of the scenes in your WIP inspired by your own experiences?

Inspired? That presumes "motivated to write." Informed, definitely.

I've mentioned this before. My mother was a bailbondswoman who did her own bounty hunting in the 1960s. Some of her clients were also her friends. You could say I was raised around thieves and crooks. Funny thing about such people? They're regular people, just criminal—some with stories of being incarcerated in Leavenworth, others about bank robbery.

Bolt, the MC in the WIP: we know from the beginning she did something that caused her to run from the law. She's really a regular Joe (okay, Jane, but you get the idea) and very much a jock, and she's well aware she's done wrong. Blackmailed by the mob as she is, she has no choice but continue being a criminal. Oh, the mob thing? Well, my mother knew some of them, too.

So inspired? Not so much. Definitely informed.

Interesting upbringing, though, huh?

[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 1015 — Were any of the scenes in your WIP inspired by your own experiences?

Inspired? That presumes "motivated to write." Informed, definitely.

I've mentioned this before. My mother was a bailbondswoman who did her own bounty hunting in the 1960s. Some of her clients were also her friends. You could say I was raised around thieves and crooks. Funny thing about such people? They're regular people, just criminal—some with stories of being incarcerated in Leavenworth, others about bank robbery.

Bolt, the MC in the WIP: we know from the beginning she did something that caused her to run from the law. She's really a regular Joe (okay, Jane, but you get the idea) and very much a jock, and she's well aware she's done wrong. Blackmailed by the mob as she is, she has no choice but continue being a criminal. Oh, the mob thing? Well, my mother knew some of them, too.

So inspired? Not so much. Definitely informed.

Interesting upbringing, though, huh?

[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 1014 — If it came down to it, would your SC choose to protect the MC in a dangerous situation?

Funny you should ask. Reluctant Courier (for the Mob) is a story where a secondary character and a main character switch off being narrator for a novel in a series. Trying to be spoiler-free, the mainline novel has a deadly moment where the SC jumps in to protect the MC in a rather uncharacteristically brave fashion, saving the MC's life whilst being injured badly herself. In the current novel, that same character instead as the MC is surprised to find herself protected in the aftermath of the equivalent of a shootout with the police, then finds herself unexpectedly whisked away to safety at great personal risk to the SC, saving the MC from a life of incarceration.

So… double-yes. Both characters really hate seeing people get the short end of the stick. Situationally, they will do the right thing, thought one is arguably brave and the other generally a coward (in other words, a normal person).

[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 1014 — If it came down to it, would your SC choose to protect the MC in a dangerous situation?

Funny you should ask. Reluctant Courier (for the Mob) is a story where a secondary character and a main character switch off being narrator for a novel in a series. Trying to be spoiler-free, the mainline novel has a deadly moment where the SC jumps in to protect the MC in a rather uncharacteristically brave fashion, saving the MC's life whilst being injured badly herself. In the current novel, that same character instead as the MC is surprised to find herself protected in the aftermath of the equivalent of a shootout with the police, then finds herself unexpectedly whisked away to safety at great personal risk to the SC, saving the MC from a life of incarceration.

So… double-yes. Both characters really hate seeing people get the short end of the stick. Situationally, they will do the right thing, thought one is arguably brave and the other generally a coward (in other words, a normal person).

[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 1014 — If it came down to it, would your SC choose to protect the MC in a dangerous situation?

Funny you should ask. Reluctant Courier (for the Mob) is a story where a secondary character and a main character switch off being narrator for a novel in a series. Trying to be spoiler-free, the mainline novel has a deadly moment where the SC jumps in to protect the MC in a rather uncharacteristically brave fashion, saving the MC's life whilst being injured badly herself. In the current novel, that same character instead as the MC is surprised to find herself protected in the aftermath of the equivalent of a shootout with the police, then finds herself unexpectedly whisked away to safety at great personal risk to the SC, saving the MC from a life of incarceration.

So… double-yes. Both characters really hate seeing people get the short end of the stick. Situationally, they will do the right thing, thought one is arguably brave and the other generally a coward (in other words, a normal person).

[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 1014 — If it came down to it, would your SC choose to protect the MC in a dangerous situation?

Funny you should ask. Reluctant Courier (for the Mob) is a story where a secondary character and a main character switch off being narrator for a novel in a series. Trying to be spoiler-free, the mainline novel has a deadly moment where the SC jumps in to protect the MC in a rather uncharacteristically brave fashion, saving the MC's life whilst being injured badly herself. In the current novel, that same character instead as the MC is surprised to find herself protected in the aftermath of the equivalent of a shootout with the police, then finds herself unexpectedly whisked away to safety at great personal risk to the SC, saving the MC from a life of incarceration.

So… double-yes. Both characters really hate seeing people get the short end of the stick. Situationally, they will do the right thing, thought one is arguably brave and the other generally a coward (in other words, a normal person).

[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 1014 — If it came down to it, would your SC choose to protect the MC in a dangerous situation?

Funny you should ask. Reluctant Courier (for the Mob) is a story where a secondary character and a main character switch off being narrator for a novel in a series. Trying to be spoiler-free, the mainline novel has a deadly moment where the SC jumps in to protect the MC in a rather uncharacteristically brave fashion, saving the MC's life whilst being injured badly herself. In the current novel, that same character instead as the MC is surprised to find herself protected in the aftermath of the equivalent of a shootout with the police, then finds herself unexpectedly whisked away to safety at great personal risk to the SC, saving the MC from a life of incarceration.

So… double-yes. Both characters really hate seeing people get the short end of the stick. Situationally, they will do the right thing, thought one is arguably brave and the other generally a coward (in other words, a normal person).

[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 1013 — MC POV: Have you ever lived in another country / place besides where you were born? Would you want to?

[Bolt:] Okay. figured ya didn't mean in the country, a different country area other than where I was born, so I had to look it up, then had to ask someone. A pretty-out there question, this one! Learnt there're a few autonomous regions that get to have different customs, different laws, and different money systems, but there's no other place completely, separately ruled by anyone other than Rainy Days. There's a reason why her title is Director of Home (our world) and the Nine Outer Worlds (because there are nine others, but none like home). Now that I've learnt that "Nine Outer Worlds" actually means nine other places beyond the stars that people live and ya can walk through an Interstellar gateway to go there, I'd like to walk through one of them daemon-worked miracle gateways, to see a sky different from ours, at least once. Since Boss Mead's syndicate doesn't extend beyond Home City, I probably won't be allowed, though.

[Bolt's a bit of a country bumpkin who ended up in the big city against her will. But she's right, there are no nation states, and though Rainy Days delegates much of her authority, that sometimes backfires to the extent that wars break out (like the one she started in Reluctant Moon), she technically rules ten worlds, mostly colonies on Mars-like worlds where people live under domes, and two hollowed out asteroids. The Dragon world is large enough that it has a breathable atmosphere, but it's hellish.—RS]

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#PennedPossibilities 1013 — MC POV: Have you ever lived in another country / place besides where you were born? Would you want to?

[Bolt:] Okay. figured ya didn't mean in the country, a different country area other than where I was born, so I had to look it up, then had to ask someone. A pretty-out there question, this one! Learnt there're a few autonomous regions that get to have different customs, different laws, and different money systems, but there's no other place completely, separately ruled by anyone other than Rainy Days. There's a reason why her title is Director of Home (our world) and the Nine Outer Worlds (because there are nine others, but none like home). Now that I've learnt that "Nine Outer Worlds" actually means nine other places beyond the stars that people live and ya can walk through an Interstellar gateway to go there, I'd like to walk through one of them daemon-worked miracle gateways, to see a sky different from ours, at least once. Since Boss Mead's syndicate doesn't extend beyond Home City, I probably won't be allowed, though.

[Bolt's a bit of a country bumpkin who ended up in the big city against her will. But she's right, there are no nation states, and though Rainy Days delegates much of her authority, that sometimes backfires to the extent that wars break out (like the one she started in Reluctant Moon), she technically rules ten worlds, mostly colonies on Mars-like worlds where people live under domes, and two hollowed out asteroids. The Dragon world is large enough that it has a breathable atmosphere, but it's hellish.—RS]

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#PennedPossibilities 1013 — MC POV: Have you ever lived in another country / place besides where you were born? Would you want to?

[Bolt:] Okay. figured ya didn't mean in the country, a different country area other than where I was born, so I had to look it up, then had to ask someone. A pretty-out there question, this one! Learnt there're a few autonomous regions that get to have different customs, different laws, and different money systems, but there's no other place completely, separately ruled by anyone other than Rainy Days. There's a reason why her title is Director of Home (our world) and the Nine Outer Worlds (because there are nine others, but none like home). Now that I've learnt that "Nine Outer Worlds" actually means nine other places beyond the stars that people live and ya can walk through an Interstellar gateway to go there, I'd like to walk through one of them daemon-worked miracle gateways, to see a sky different from ours, at least once. Since Boss Mead's syndicate doesn't extend beyond Home City, I probably won't be allowed, though.

[Bolt's a bit of a country bumpkin who ended up in the big city against her will. But she's right, there are no nation states, and though Rainy Days delegates much of her authority, that sometimes backfires to the extent that wars break out (like the one she started in Reluctant Moon), she technically rules ten worlds, mostly colonies on Mars-like worlds where people live under domes, and two hollowed out asteroids. The Dragon world is large enough that it has a breathable atmosphere, but it's hellish.—RS]

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#PennedPossibilities 1013 — MC POV: Have you ever lived in another country / place besides where you were born? Would you want to?

[Bolt:] Okay. figured ya didn't mean in the country, a different country area other than where I was born, so I had to look it up, then had to ask someone. A pretty-out there question, this one! Learnt there're a few autonomous regions that get to have different customs, different laws, and different money systems, but there's no other place completely, separately ruled by anyone other than Rainy Days. There's a reason why her title is Director of Home (our world) and the Nine Outer Worlds (because there are nine others, but none like home). Now that I've learnt that "Nine Outer Worlds" actually means nine other places beyond the stars that people live and ya can walk through an Interstellar gateway to go there, I'd like to walk through one of them daemon-worked miracle gateways, to see a sky different from ours, at least once. Since Boss Mead's syndicate doesn't extend beyond Home City, I probably won't be allowed, though.

[Bolt's a bit of a country bumpkin who ended up in the big city against her will. But she's right, there are no nation states, and though Rainy Days delegates much of her authority, that sometimes backfires to the extent that wars break out (like the one she started in Reluctant Moon), she technically rules ten worlds, mostly colonies on Mars-like worlds where people live under domes, and two hollowed out asteroids. The Dragon world is large enough that it has a breathable atmosphere, but it's hellish.—RS]

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#PennedPossibilities 1013 — MC POV: Have you ever lived in another country / place besides where you were born? Would you want to?

[Bolt:] Okay. figured ya didn't mean in the country, a different country area other than where I was born, so I had to look it up, then had to ask someone. A pretty-out there question, this one! Learnt there're a few autonomous regions that get to have different customs, different laws, and different money systems, but there's no other place completely, separately ruled by anyone other than Rainy Days. There's a reason why her title is Director of Home (our world) and the Nine Outer Worlds (because there are nine others, but none like home). Now that I've learnt that "Nine Outer Worlds" actually means nine other places beyond the stars that people live and ya can walk through an Interstellar gateway to go there, I'd like to walk through one of them daemon-worked miracle gateways, to see a sky different from ours, at least once. Since Boss Mead's syndicate doesn't extend beyond Home City, I probably won't be allowed, though.

[Bolt's a bit of a country bumpkin who ended up in the big city against her will. But she's right, there are no nation states, and though Rainy Days delegates much of her authority, that sometimes backfires to the extent that wars break out (like the one she started in Reluctant Moon), she technically rules ten worlds, mostly colonies on Mars-like worlds where people live under domes, and two hollowed out asteroids. The Dragon world is large enough that it has a breathable atmosphere, but it's hellish.—RS]

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.13 — What role does non-romantic love play in your story?

Like yesterday's response, today's is a high level meta answer; specifics would delve into plot. Whilst these responses sound all very planned out, plotted, Machiavellian even, I'm a simple pantser. Character discovery drives the story. Here I'm analyzing the total affect on my stories.

Non-romantic love? An interesting distinction: Basically a love were sex has nothing to do with it? My Reluctance Series stories go out of their way to remove sex as an important factor in love—unless the characters choose otherwise!— meaning all love in the story is essentially the non-romantic sort. Sex? Well humans need to eat and sleep, too? Right? Most characters are very fond of, or go out of the way to be with, others. Many feel connected. They enjoy levels of intimacy with many people, this in a way that our society works hard to make us (i.e., the reader) feel uncomfortably close, or to cause us to worry about upsetting our primary partner, or to worry that friends, family, or co-workers might call us out, embarrass us or ostracize. We live in an hierarchal society strictly structured to provide power to a select few, with set gender roles that control women's freedom and restrict men and force them to act cruel; reluctance series stories poke furiously (though subtly) at that to make the reader reluctantly think, to make them change their context such that they can view the world and themselves differently. The role that non-romantic love plays is to propose that friendship should always be primary in any relationship and, if friendship is neglected, such relationships are destined to fail or, at best, be transient.

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

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#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory

#WordWeavers 2026.05.13 — What role does non-romantic love play in your story?

Like yesterday's response, today's is a high level meta answer; specifics would delve into plot. Whilst these responses sound all very planned out, plotted, Machiavellian even, I'm a simple pantser. Character discovery drives the story. Here I'm analyzing the total affect on my stories.

Non-romantic love? An interesting distinction: Basically a love were sex has nothing to do with it? My Reluctance Series stories go out of their way to remove sex as an important factor in love—unless the characters choose otherwise!— meaning all love in the story is essentially the non-romantic sort. Sex? Well humans need to eat and sleep, too? Right? Most characters are very fond of, or go out of the way to be with, others. Many feel connected. They enjoy levels of intimacy with many people, this in a way that our society works hard to make us (i.e., the reader) feel uncomfortably close, or to cause us to worry about upsetting our primary partner, or to worry that friends, family, or co-workers might call us out, embarrass us or ostracize. We live in an hierarchal society strictly structured to provide power to a select few, with set gender roles that control women's freedom and restrict men and force them to act cruel; reluctance series stories poke furiously (though subtly) at that to make the reader reluctantly think, to make them change their context such that they can view the world and themselves differently. The role that non-romantic love plays is to propose that friendship should always be primary in any relationship and, if friendship is neglected, such relationships are destined to fail or, at best, be transient.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.13 — What role does non-romantic love play in your story?

Like yesterday's response, today's is a high level meta answer; specifics would delve into plot. Whilst these responses sound all very planned out, plotted, Machiavellian even, I'm a simple pantser. Character discovery drives the story. Here I'm analyzing the total affect on my stories.

Non-romantic love? An interesting distinction: Basically a love were sex has nothing to do with it? My Reluctance Series stories go out of their way to remove sex as an important factor in love—unless the characters choose otherwise!— meaning all love in the story is essentially the non-romantic sort. Sex? Well humans need to eat and sleep, too? Right? Most characters are very fond of, or go out of the way to be with, others. Many feel connected. They enjoy levels of intimacy with many people, this in a way that our society works hard to make us (i.e., the reader) feel uncomfortably close, or to cause us to worry about upsetting our primary partner, or to worry that friends, family, or co-workers might call us out, embarrass us or ostracize. We live in an hierarchal society strictly structured to provide power to a select few, with set gender roles that control women's freedom and restrict men and force them to act cruel; reluctance series stories poke furiously (though subtly) at that to make the reader reluctantly think, to make them change their context such that they can view the world and themselves differently. The role that non-romantic love plays is to propose that friendship should always be primary in any relationship and, if friendship is neglected, such relationships are destined to fail or, at best, be transient.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.13 — What role does non-romantic love play in your story?

Like yesterday's response, today's is a high level meta answer; specifics would delve into plot. Whilst these responses sound all very planned out, plotted, Machiavellian even, I'm a simple pantser. Character discovery drives the story. Here I'm analyzing the total affect on my stories.

Non-romantic love? An interesting distinction: Basically a love were sex has nothing to do with it? My Reluctance Series stories go out of their way to remove sex as an important factor in love—unless the characters choose otherwise!— meaning all love in the story is essentially the non-romantic sort. Sex? Well humans need to eat and sleep, too? Right? Most characters are very fond of, or go out of the way to be with, others. Many feel connected. They enjoy levels of intimacy with many people, this in a way that our society works hard to make us (i.e., the reader) feel uncomfortably close, or to cause us to worry about upsetting our primary partner, or to worry that friends, family, or co-workers might call us out, embarrass us or ostracize. We live in an hierarchal society strictly structured to provide power to a select few, with set gender roles that control women's freedom and restrict men and force them to act cruel; reluctance series stories poke furiously (though subtly) at that to make the reader reluctantly think, to make them change their context such that they can view the world and themselves differently. The role that non-romantic love plays is to propose that friendship should always be primary in any relationship and, if friendship is neglected, such relationships are destined to fail or, at best, be transient.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.13 — What role does non-romantic love play in your story?

Like yesterday's response, today's is a high level meta answer; specifics would delve into plot. Whilst these responses sound all very planned out, plotted, Machiavellian even, I'm a simple pantser. Character discovery drives the story. Here I'm analyzing the total affect on my stories.

Non-romantic love? An interesting distinction: Basically a love were sex has nothing to do with it? My Reluctance Series stories go out of their way to remove sex as an important factor in love—unless the characters choose otherwise!— meaning all love in the story is essentially the non-romantic sort. Sex? Well humans need to eat and sleep, too? Right? Most characters are very fond of, or go out of the way to be with, others. Many feel connected. They enjoy levels of intimacy with many people, this in a way that our society works hard to make us (i.e., the reader) feel uncomfortably close, or to cause us to worry about upsetting our primary partner, or to worry that friends, family, or co-workers might call us out, embarrass us or ostracize. We live in an hierarchal society strictly structured to provide power to a select few, with set gender roles that control women's freedom and restrict men and force them to act cruel; reluctance series stories poke furiously (though subtly) at that to make the reader reluctantly think, to make them change their context such that they can view the world and themselves differently. The role that non-romantic love plays is to propose that friendship should always be primary in any relationship and, if friendship is neglected, such relationships are destined to fail or, at best, be transient.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#EroticMusings 2026.05.03 — Week 49 (May 3-9) Characters: Do you come up with your characters before their relationships, or do you design characters to fit desired relationships or interpersonal dynamics? Any interesting examples?

The daemon Thorn Rose and the day angel Streak Carryingaton were created with their relationship in mind. She's as dark as midnight and he's as white as snow. I'm using intentionally loaded words here. Also, she has an accent that alludes to an eastern European accent. She's a first generation daughter of an emigrant mother alluding to the Jewish ethnic experience in the early to mid-1900s in the US. He's simply from a bad neighborhood never expected to amount to much. In a world where a relationship like what we would call "marriage" does not exist—and is indeed frowned upon enough to merit special adjectives describing it, like ancestrous—these two lovers have a special youthful chemistry and randiness. It allows me to contrast a relationship that seems normal to us with a normalcy in their society we'd find promiscuous at best. It puts an interesting spin on concepts of fidelity and love. They spend parts of this moonshot novel proving they're better than what everyone assumes.

Other than this one example, I'm more likely to have characters form relationships of their own accord as the story develops and I discover connections.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#EroticMusings 2026.05.03 — Week 49 (May 3-9) Characters: Do you come up with your characters before their relationships, or do you design characters to fit desired relationships or interpersonal dynamics? Any interesting examples?

The daemon Thorn Rose and the day angel Streak Carryingaton were created with their relationship in mind. She's as dark as midnight and he's as white as snow. I'm using intentionally loaded words here. Also, she has an accent that alludes to an eastern European accent. She's a first generation daughter of an emigrant mother alluding to the Jewish ethnic experience in the early to mid-1900s in the US. He's simply from a bad neighborhood never expected to amount to much. In a world where a relationship like what we would call "marriage" does not exist—and is indeed frowned upon enough to merit special adjectives describing it, like ancestrous—these two lovers have a special youthful chemistry and randiness. It allows me to contrast a relationship that seems normal to us with a normalcy in their society we'd find promiscuous at best. It puts an interesting spin on concepts of fidelity and love. They spend parts of this moonshot novel proving they're better than what everyone assumes.

Other than this one example, I'm more likely to have characters form relationships of their own accord as the story develops and I discover connections.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#EroticMusings 2026.05.03 — Week 49 (May 3-9) Characters: Do you come up with your characters before their relationships, or do you design characters to fit desired relationships or interpersonal dynamics? Any interesting examples?

The daemon Thorn Rose and the day angel Streak Carryingaton were created with their relationship in mind. She's as dark as midnight and he's as white as snow. I'm using intentionally loaded words here. Also, she has an accent that alludes to an eastern European accent. She's a first generation daughter of an emigrant mother alluding to the Jewish ethnic experience in the early to mid-1900s in the US. He's simply from a bad neighborhood never expected to amount to much. In a world where a relationship like what we would call "marriage" does not exist—and is indeed frowned upon enough to merit special adjectives describing it, like ancestrous—these two lovers have a special youthful chemistry and randiness. It allows me to contrast a relationship that seems normal to us with a normalcy in their society we'd find promiscuous at best. It puts an interesting spin on concepts of fidelity and love. They spend parts of this moonshot novel proving they're better than what everyone assumes.

Other than this one example, I'm more likely to have characters form relationships of their own accord as the story develops and I discover connections.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#EroticMusings 2026.05.03 — Week 49 (May 3-9) Characters: Do you come up with your characters before their relationships, or do you design characters to fit desired relationships or interpersonal dynamics? Any interesting examples?

The daemon Thorn Rose and the day angel Streak Carryingaton were created with their relationship in mind. She's as dark as midnight and he's as white as snow. I'm using intentionally loaded words here. Also, she has an accent that alludes to an eastern European accent. She's a first generation daughter of an emigrant mother alluding to the Jewish ethnic experience in the early to mid-1900s in the US. He's simply from a bad neighborhood never expected to amount to much. In a world where a relationship like what we would call "marriage" does not exist—and is indeed frowned upon enough to merit special adjectives describing it, like ancestrous—these two lovers have a special youthful chemistry and randiness. It allows me to contrast a relationship that seems normal to us with a normalcy in their society we'd find promiscuous at best. It puts an interesting spin on concepts of fidelity and love. They spend parts of this moonshot novel proving they're better than what everyone assumes.

Other than this one example, I'm more likely to have characters form relationships of their own accord as the story develops and I discover connections.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#EroticMusings 2026.05.03 — Week 49 (May 3-9) Characters: Do you come up with your characters before their relationships, or do you design characters to fit desired relationships or interpersonal dynamics? Any interesting examples?

The daemon Thorn Rose and the day angel Streak Carryingaton were created with their relationship in mind. She's as dark as midnight and he's as white as snow. I'm using intentionally loaded words here. Also, she has an accent that alludes to an eastern European accent. She's a first generation daughter of an emigrant mother alluding to the Jewish ethnic experience in the early to mid-1900s in the US. He's simply from a bad neighborhood never expected to amount to much. In a world where a relationship like what we would call "marriage" does not exist—and is indeed frowned upon enough to merit special adjectives describing it, like ancestrous—these two lovers have a special youthful chemistry and randiness. It allows me to contrast a relationship that seems normal to us with a normalcy in their society we'd find promiscuous at best. It puts an interesting spin on concepts of fidelity and love. They spend parts of this moonshot novel proving they're better than what everyone assumes.

Other than this one example, I'm more likely to have characters form relationships of their own accord as the story develops and I discover connections.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#PennedPossibilities 1012 — How do your characters feel about seeing doctors or anyone in the medical field?

The best doctors are daemons as Bolt, my day angel MC, understands it. As far as she knows (and she'll learn she's wrong) all doctors are part of Health Services, something everyone gets for free along with basic income, and is therefore available to her only if she shows her government ID. She's a criminal, so she's intentionally lost that ID; the last thing she needs is for the mob to use it to trace her to her family (or for the constabulary to link her to a teenage cough-cough "indiscretion"). Her first experience with the medical field in the novel is when she takes her boyfriend Molt, who is a very cute university student, to Health Services to mend a broken arm. Not only does a daemon nurse use a miracle to relieve the guy's pain, but a daemon doctor later "reaches" into Molt's body to "convince" his fracture to heal "miraculously" quickly. Bolt later learns from the devil-girl that the exceptionally talented doctor they had to wait half the night for is Rainy Day's personal physician.

It's interesting how the main series antagonist, Rainy Days, keeps up showing up peripherally in the story!

[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 1012 — How do your characters feel about seeing doctors or anyone in the medical field?

The best doctors are daemons as Bolt, my day angel MC, understands it. As far as she knows (and she'll learn she's wrong) all doctors are part of Health Services, something everyone gets for free along with basic income, and is therefore available to her only if she shows her government ID. She's a criminal, so she's intentionally lost that ID; the last thing she needs is for the mob to use it to trace her to her family (or for the constabulary to link her to a teenage cough-cough "indiscretion"). Her first experience with the medical field in the novel is when she takes her boyfriend Molt, who is a very cute university student, to Health Services to mend a broken arm. Not only does a daemon nurse use a miracle to relieve the guy's pain, but a daemon doctor later "reaches" into Molt's body to "convince" his fracture to heal "miraculously" quickly. Bolt later learns from the devil-girl that the exceptionally talented doctor they had to wait half the night for is Rainy Day's personal physician.

It's interesting how the main series antagonist, Rainy Days, keeps up showing up peripherally in the story!

[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 1012 — How do your characters feel about seeing doctors or anyone in the medical field?

The best doctors are daemons as Bolt, my day angel MC, understands it. As far as she knows (and she'll learn she's wrong) all doctors are part of Health Services, something everyone gets for free along with basic income, and is therefore available to her only if she shows her government ID. She's a criminal, so she's intentionally lost that ID; the last thing she needs is for the mob to use it to trace her to her family (or for the constabulary to link her to a teenage cough-cough "indiscretion"). Her first experience with the medical field in the novel is when she takes her boyfriend Molt, who is a very cute university student, to Health Services to mend a broken arm. Not only does a daemon nurse use a miracle to relieve the guy's pain, but a daemon doctor later "reaches" into Molt's body to "convince" his fracture to heal "miraculously" quickly. Bolt later learns from the devil-girl that the exceptionally talented doctor they had to wait half the night for is Rainy Day's personal physician.

It's interesting how the main series antagonist, Rainy Days, keeps up showing up peripherally in the story!

[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 1012 — How do your characters feel about seeing doctors or anyone in the medical field?

The best doctors are daemons as Bolt, my day angel MC, understands it. As far as she knows (and she'll learn she's wrong) all doctors are part of Health Services, something everyone gets for free along with basic income, and is therefore available to her only if she shows her government ID. She's a criminal, so she's intentionally lost that ID; the last thing she needs is for the mob to use it to trace her to her family (or for the constabulary to link her to a teenage cough-cough "indiscretion"). Her first experience with the medical field in the novel is when she takes her boyfriend Molt, who is a very cute university student, to Health Services to mend a broken arm. Not only does a daemon nurse use a miracle to relieve the guy's pain, but a daemon doctor later "reaches" into Molt's body to "convince" his fracture to heal "miraculously" quickly. Bolt later learns from the devil-girl that the exceptionally talented doctor they had to wait half the night for is Rainy Day's personal physician.

It's interesting how the main series antagonist, Rainy Days, keeps up showing up peripherally in the story!

[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 1012 — How do your characters feel about seeing doctors or anyone in the medical field?

The best doctors are daemons as Bolt, my day angel MC, understands it. As far as she knows (and she'll learn she's wrong) all doctors are part of Health Services, something everyone gets for free along with basic income, and is therefore available to her only if she shows her government ID. She's a criminal, so she's intentionally lost that ID; the last thing she needs is for the mob to use it to trace her to her family (or for the constabulary to link her to a teenage cough-cough "indiscretion"). Her first experience with the medical field in the novel is when she takes her boyfriend Molt, who is a very cute university student, to Health Services to mend a broken arm. Not only does a daemon nurse use a miracle to relieve the guy's pain, but a daemon doctor later "reaches" into Molt's body to "convince" his fracture to heal "miraculously" quickly. Bolt later learns from the devil-girl that the exceptionally talented doctor they had to wait half the night for is Rainy Day's personal physician.

It's interesting how the main series antagonist, Rainy Days, keeps up showing up peripherally in the story!

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?

Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?

Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?

Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?

Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.12 — What role does romantic love play in your story?

Part of my aim writing the Reluctance Series of stories is to address what-if human social structures totally different to ours, societies with no history of being male-centric. As a result, I approach the concept of romantic love from a totally foreign point of view, deconstructing what romance means when human biological imperatives are accepted as typically human and as normal as eating and sleeping, never regulated to control half of humanity or build a social hierarchy to oppresses both genders. Romance exists, but it's more applicable to friendship and long term relationships, regardless of gender, than to a woman stereotypically finding a man to whom she's not related to depend upon, possibly to raise a family. Even in a society stripped of the concept of blood inheritance, I think it's possible for humans to find soulmates, to experience love, and feel comfortable attachment. For this reason, none of my stories can really escape a romance angle; most include romance subplots.

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

#BoostingIsSharing

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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.

While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.

Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.

The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.

It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.

I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.

Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.

[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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.

While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.

Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.

The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.

It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.

I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.

Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.

[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

#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.

While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.

Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.

The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.

It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.

I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.

Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.

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

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#WordWeavers 2026.05.11 — Antagonist POV: Tell us about a fun time you recently had.

While flying, I found a new praetorian of mine and a day angel woman I'd been told about by an advisor having fun in the sky, flying tandem. She went by the name Lightning Bolt and was the one who taught Arrow Flies True precision flying that allowed him to become part of my guard—for selfish reasons I could see! Very athletic, those two.They were having so much fun. I soared in to join them.

Most people either fright, flee, or fawn when I show up, this time flying circles around her, them, but she took the challenge and flew flack, stunt for stunt I tried, countering me sparrow versus hawk driving her away from the man, despite my being faster and more agile, able to augment my acceleration [by magic]. We ended with us on either side of my handsome new praetorian wingtip to wingtip, having gotten me to sweat at least.

The fellow looked adorably confused and worried, but kept formation despite being fought over.

It wasn't anger Bolt showed me. It was more like annoyance, having her needed playtime interrupted perhaps after a previous bad day? I knew that feeling. It was a fragility masked with a hard shell. A good talent.

I liked her. I hadn't had such fun in awhile. I mentally noted to make her a student. Lots of potential to match my ability given the right training.

Author note: As an absolute ruler, you don't want to interest Rainy Days. She seems pleasant and normal, but her students quickly find she's an unrelenting and demanding teacher.

[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