Just finished my 8th draft. Started 7 chapters later than my last draft, and gutted the ending to make it more fast paced. Somehow ended up adding 1100 words 😭😮💨. Feeling sooo frustrated #writingcommunity #authorproblems
S.L. Murray
@authorslm.bsky.social
43 followers 52 following 23 posts
I am a 31-year-old English teacher with a passion for cautionary tales of propaganda, morally complex romance, and characters who challenge systems built on lies. #amquerying 📝✏️📚
![Purple/pink ombre zodiac background with gold along the sides and bottom. THE OPENING PAGE at the top of the page in ombre yellow/orange text. Two deep plum tarot cards in the top corners, one with a sun and one with an eye. Golden page break. Then, the following text in Times New Roman inside of a white-colored, rounded-corner box: Death is staring at me.
Rather, the Death card is staring at me. It’s the third time this reading it’s come up for my regular, Macie. She’s been on a journey of rebirth for a while and is at the precipice.
I arrange the cards, taking in Death, The Tower, Eight of Pentacles in reverse. When I shift the spread, the navy celestial tablecloth snags on my nail, toppling over the labradorite curvy goddess carving. Biting my cheek, I flip another card. Five of Swords. Shit.
“What? What’s wrong? Why are you making that face? That’s never a good face,” Macie rambles. Her round, hazel eyes are filled with what I’ve come to know as anticipatory terror.
Poor thing is an anxious wreck. I’m trying to guide her, not send her into a doom spiral about her life. “You know these cards aren't omens or premonitions. They’re pillars of guidance, leading you along your path. This card…” I sigh, cracking my knuckles, rings scraping against my dry skin. I have got to restock my lotion. Eleven minutes left on the timer and twenty to my last client. Maybe I’ll stop by Sephora before dinner.
“Jade?”
Oh, right. The reading. I shake my head. “The Death card—”
“Death? Please, no. Anything but Death.”
“The Death card,” I repeat, “means your cycle is ready to renew. Paired with The Tower? Well, it’s time. Your spirit guides aren’t waiting for you to feel ready—they’re pushing you over the edge. This is rock bottom. Know that what’s on the other side is a brighter version of you.” [sample continues]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xrnw5sea7coaxzrmdmfyytg2/bafkreifvk7ivfcxhymesclpjfjwsrz5hgzc4wikntmll6zpsa6vhvgaohi)
