#secretlife — Public Fediverse posts

#WordWeavers 7. Share a line of dialogue that tells us everything we need to know about a character's personality.

Many of my characters have assumed names as a way of getting around the vulnerability of some antagonist learning your true name and magically using against you.

There’s one Hound, an enforcer for the Council, the body governing the magical community, who goes by the name of Ripley who always introduces himself by saying, ‘Name’s Ripley, believe it or not.'

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

#WritersCoffeeClub 11/10: What's a turn of phrase you've 'inherited' from someone else?

“This is not food, it’s just McDonald’s,” parodying the M&S ads.

I’ve expanded on this by coming up with the term Drive By restaurant to describe the sort of place purveying the alternatively phrased, “This is just not food, this is McDonald's.”

I’m not sure which version I prefer, any suggestions?

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

#FantasyCon

Final day today, forced to get up early to attend a 9am panel, I was so befuddled I ended up entering the wrong room and watching a panel discussing Ethics in Space.
I decided to try and make the best of things by turning things around with the idea of applying the discussion to my genre featuring magic and the supernatural.

Followed this with a panel on Creating New Folklore, which got me wondering, are urban legends actually the folklore of tomorrow?

As I’m considering doing more short fiction my next panel was The Structure of Short Stories which provided food for thought.

I’m presently taking a break and having a coffee before attending my final workshop - Understanding Publishing Contracts.

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

#PennedPossibilities 1149: Think of a choice your MC made. How did it lead to where and who they are now?

Nathan’s life changed significantly after he agreed to take on a commission for Judith Armstrong who wanted him to water from the Fountain of Youth for her.

He got drawn deeper into the Demi-monde and discovered things he hadn’t previously known about how it was governed and policed.

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

#WritersCoffeeClub 10 Oct. Do you have a guiding principle as a writer?

To try and be entertaining as possible, and I guess I do that by writing the kind of stories I like to read myself.

There’s little point in writing something I wouldn’t enjoy reading.

All I can do is hope other people find my novels as entertaining as I do.

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

#PennedPossibilities What is your MC’s relationship to what modern society considers the paranormal or supernatural?

For Nathan and Vicky magic and the supernatural are part and parcel of their everyday lives.

It’s something they take in their collective stride.

Truth be told, they actually come across as a couple of weirdness magnets as they are continually getting involve in situations involving magic and the supernatural, so much so it’s become second nature for them to end up investigating something weird.

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

#FantasyCon

This afternoon I attended a panel on retelling fairytales, interesting stuff.

Watched an interview featuring one of the guests of honour, Peter F Hamilton.
If you’ve ever wondered about the prominence of the letter F in his name it’s because when he was stating out it was what he thought SF writers did, as per Arthur C Clarke.

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

#FantasyCon

Day 2 of FantasyCon.

I’ve actually managed to sell a couple of copies of How to Succeed as a Supervillain by Following the Evil Overlord List!!

If anyone is at the Con, you can find them on the BFS table in the dealer’s area.

A couple of interesting panels this morning, one on monsters, the other on The Changing Face of Publishing.

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

Belated post
#PennedPossibilities 1147. How does your SC feel about those around them?

I’m currently writing Tales From the Demi-monde; my collection of short stories told from the point of view of a number of my secondary characters.
In the process I’m beginning to learn how they all view my joint protagonists, Nathan and Vicky.

It’s turning out to be an interesting experience that I’d recommend any author to try as you’ll begin to see your characters in a new light.

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

Belated post.
#WordWeavers 10/9: Share a description from your WIP that establishes atmosphere without explicitly naming the emotion.

Emrys tentatively stepped onto the ledge running along the brink of the abyss and began shuffling his way towards safety.

At just about the same time as he reached what he reckoned to be the halfway point, he heard the impossible, a voice in his ear coming from behind.

‘Don’t look down, don’t look down, look at your friends, look at you friends. You might yet live another day if you don’t look down but look at your friends instead.’

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

Belated post.

#PennedPossibilities 1148: Is your favourite genre to read also your favourite one to write?

I read a wide range of genres, SF, Fantasy, Horror, Crime, Thrillers, and even the occasional Historic novel.

I believe that by reading widely you open yourself up to new ideas, some of which can be beneficially reworked,.

In my case in urban fantasy, perhaps adding something new to the genre.

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

#FantasyCon

Well, I've registered and I'm now sitting around wondering what to do next as there’s not a lot happening at the moment.

Breaking news! I’ve been privileged enough to make the first sale of the day from the BFS book table!

How's about that for a result...

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

#WordWeavers 9. Your MC finds a letter addressed to them that was never meant to be delivered. Who wrote it, and what does it say?

Not something I’ve thought about, it does have possibilities though.

How's about Nathan coming across a missive from the enigmatic Noone, someone who’s believed to follow the dark arts and may, or may not, be the antagonist of the story.

What dark secrets will it reveal?

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

#PennedPossibilities 150 What's your favourite under-appreciated novel?

It's a short story, rather than a novel, "Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street," by Herman Melville.

First serialised anonymously in two parts in the November and December 1853 issues of Putnam's Magazine and reprinted in his, The Piazza Tales, in 1856.

In the story, a Wall Street lawyer hires a new clerk, who, after an initial bout of hard work, refuses to make copies or do any other task required of him, responding to any request with the words "I would prefer not to," which becomes all he ever says.

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

#onthisday

It's the first day of FantasyCon 2026 and my first time attending the event, not really sure what to expect.

Picked out a short list of panels to attend, including:
My First FantasyCon.
Fantasy Murder Mysteries.
Learning How to Pitch.

I’ve yet to feel out a few others.

Donated copies of How to Succeed as a Supervillain by Following the Evil Overlord List to the book bags, brought along a few more to flog.

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

@AverageS

My Word of the Day today is SCATURIGINOUS. Share YOUR words to describe this picture in the comments!

Scaturiginous, from Latin scaturigīnus, from scaturīgo, scatūr(iō), to bubble or flow forth; to abound, + -igō) + -īnus, of or pertaining to.
Meaning having a copious supply of springs or sources of water; vernal. (uncommon)

The photo shows a long-exposure view of a cascading rock waterfall tumbling over tiered grey and mossy stones.

Worryingly, another unfamiliar word, doubly worrying as, for a moment, I thought it might be related to scat i.e. excrement; droppings or dung.

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

#ScribesAndMakers 10/9. Our next featured creator is a 'relentless optimist.' How full is your glass?

Years ago, I came to the conclusion that the glass half or half empty thing is pretty meaningless.

After all, there are plenty more bottles sitting in the cellar waiting to be opened.

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

#onthisday

Today, the 9th of October, marks the first day of FantasyCon 2026.

This is my first time attending the event so I’m not really sure what to expect.

I’ve picked out a short list of panels to attend, so far, it includes:
My First FantasyCon.
The drinks reception which coincides with Fantasy Murder Mysteries, I’m yet to make my mind up on this one.
Learning How to Pitch.

I’m going to feel out which of the others might be worth trying.

I’ve donated a few copies of How to Succeed as a Supervillain by Following the Evil Overlord List to the book bags and brought a few more along to try to flog.

Just waiting around in the hotel until it’s time to register. More later.

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