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Anne Winchell

@awinchell.bsky.social

538 followers 587 following 498 posts

Author of Hopeful Speculative Fiction. English Adjunct Professor. MFA. SFWA. Cat Mom. Gamer. Ace. She/Her. BLM. Trans rights are human rights. Living in Texas but refusing to be Texan. Active on Twitter at @lilaeris_9 annewinchell.com

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Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Well well well… if it isn’t the shipment of Lion brand yarn I ordered in 2023! I received a full refund… in 2023… I mean, do I tell them I finally got it? 😂

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Nothing like a student email at 8am that starts “I know grades are due at noon but” 🤨 Asked me to grade a rewrite they turned in late (8 days after course grades were released) so they could possibly pass the class. So… do I teach a lesson about responsibility, or let them pass & stay in college?

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

The semester is almost over!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

I just realized I haven’t written anything other than comments on student papers in nearly three weeks. That’s pretty bad for someone who needs to finish her book asap so it can be published in a reasonable timeframe. But it’s the end of the semester, so I’m stuck for another week.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

I know I’ve been mostly quiet on here, but boy have I been buried in grading! The world isn’t making it easier with everything that’s happened. I’m just trying to get through the semester, then I can start looking for better ways to speak up and make my voice heard.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 31/10/2024

It’s that spooky time of year! Are you dressing up as a monster? I probably can’t help with your costume, but if you wanted to write about monsters, my friend @vivissiah.bsky.social and I have some tips for adding a spooky, monstrous appeal to your worlds!

viviansayan.com

Writing & Worldbuilding 202: Monsters — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, Anne Winchell and I finalize our Spooky October marathon by talking about monsters! Whether real or imagined, we've got you covered!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 02/10/2024

I was Rebecca's TA for a film studies class my first semester at Texas State University. She's intelligent, passionate, & extremely kind, & she's running for State Board of Education in Texas. Whether you're Texan or just want to promote education, consider giving!

contribute.givingfuel.com

Support Rebecca Bell-Metereau

Come to Rebecca's campaign fundraiser Wednesday, October 2, from 5:30 to 8 PM at KMFA-FM's Draylen Mason Music Studio. Net proceeds will be shared with Texas Parent PAC to help elect legislators who ...

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 23/09/2024

I have an international student who asks endless questions. I teach on zoom & I’ll get questions privately in the chat for everything. I love it so much. She’s literally never learned this stuff so she has no embarrassment asking, while my other students think they “should” know it so they don’t.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 22/09/2024

Guess what? I have a new blogpost out! This one is about understanding critiques. I talk about the general groups who might critique your work (like beta readers & editors), what they do, & how to find them, plus how to develop positive relationships with them!

viviansayan.com

Writing 201: Understanding Critiques — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, the great Anne Winchell defines the types of critique and gives tips on how to form positive relationships with your critiquers.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 21/09/2024

I survived a bridal shower for my cousin (who I love) surrounded by 30 very wealthy Southern women talking about fashion & football & redecorating. While I stand there in my $30 dress from Amazon having never attended a college football game & whose redecorating budget might be $100, not $10,000.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 20/09/2024

Pro tip, apparently: want your students to find out trump’s dark side? Ask them for examples of historical political scandals. Not a single one said Watergate, it was all just trump’s scandals, which many were learning about for the first time. Bc that is historical to them 😂 (I did redirect them)

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 08/09/2024

So far, my classes are way better than last semester, but their latest assignment worries me... Me: Choose a focused topic you have a close, immediate, personal connection to that wouldn't be shared by anyone else. Student: My topic is climate change because it'll impact everyone in the world. 😭

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 06/09/2024

In my honors college class today, we were discussing yellow journalism & social media, & after a while, one student said that she didn’t have social media & hadn’t for six years after she decided it was ruining her life. The entire class gave her a round of applause 😂

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 04/09/2024

Oof. Geography didn’t approve my honors course substitution not because my course doesn’t work as a human geography course (it does), but because their major only requires 32 credits & the students have to take certain classes & don’t get electives. That doesn’t sound like a fun major, honestly.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 04/09/2024

Well, we're officially back to school & this week's worldbuilding blogpost is about education! @vivissiah.bsky.social breaks down what education is, why we have it, what the purpose is, & why a liberal arts education is the best education! Oh wait, not the last part? Well, I'm sure it's implied!

viviansayan.com

Worldbuilding 201: Education Basics — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, I discuss the basics of education as well as how to start building your own education system for your worlds.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 03/09/2024

How odd (but nice?) While walking to my car, a first year student randomly started talking to me (complimented my umbrella). We actually had a conversation until we went different ways. She thought I was a student at first lol. Really nice though, and a writer! I hope to run into her again.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 03/09/2024

I’m proposing a worldbuilding course in the honors college & I’m trying to get as many substitutions as possible so it counts towards student’s majors. Just heard back that sociology didn’t approve it, which is sad. Fingers crossed it’ll count as geography & anthropology!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 25/08/2024

The dealer flips over a triangle. You subtly eye the circles & square in your hand & stifle a smirk. Calmly, you raise the bet. Now, we don't know what any of this means, but if you have it in a story, it reveals character & relationships & adds tension. I wrote about adding games to stories here!

viviansayan.com

Worldbuilding & Writing 201: Games — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, Anne and I discuss games: what they are and how to incorporate them into your world and your writing!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 23/08/2024

It’s Birthday time! Today, Lily turns 15, and I turn 40! Quite the big day!

A photo looking from above at Lily, a gray and white cat, who looks up at the camera waiting for you to give her wet food.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 18/08/2024

News writing is so unique & I'm always interested in pulling it into novels, so I put together advice for what the news is, what types & mediums there are, how to write news with the inverted pyramid, &, of course, how you can incorporate all of this into your stories! Can you handle the truth?

viviansayan.com

Writing 301: News Writing — Author Vivian Sayan

Extra! Extra! In today's blogpost, Anne Winchell breaks down the news: how to write it and how to include it in your stories. Read all about it!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 11/08/2024

Most writers aren't math people. You know the cliche, good at writing, bad at math. However, I've needed to calculate a variety of things in my stories & I turn to my friend Vivian for help. Vivian put together some easy, intuitive ways to get realistic numbers in your stories. Hate math? Read this!

viviansayan.com

Worldbuilding 103: Mathing — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, I math it up with some methods to do quick and easy calculations to help making your worlds more believable.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 07/08/2024

Hi y'all! My friend & I are writing a worldbuilding book that includes math & how to use it, except we're struggling for examples because there's... too many 😅 Is there anything in your writing where you did or wished you could calculate something? If you need help, we'll answer if we can, too!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 29/07/2024

In my gaming classes, I always ask whether it's more fun to play as a hero or a villain, & almost inevitably, the majority say villain. Why? Not because most people like being evil, but because most villains have lines that they won't cross, which adds interest to the story. I write about this here!

viviansayan.com

Character 201: Villainy and Honour — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, Anne and I discuss villainy, and more specifically, the honourable kind of villain who has a line that they will not cross.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 24/07/2024

I’ve been having such fun w my website. I’m making a page for each of my 7 continents w all sorts of info, & I’m getting way more in depth than I have before. Each continent is isolated & unique, so I made maps w them in little bubbles. Making maps is really fun! Not everything is up yet, but soon!

empire.annewinchell.com

The Imperial Saga

Home of the Empire of the Seven Continents

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 18/07/2024

We haven’t gotten a Lily update in a while! She’s enjoying her desk, but isn’t so pleased when I attempt to type. My hand is there for her to rest her paw on, not for me to use!

Lily, a gray and white cat, sits on a desk with her flexed paw on top of my hand. Under my hand is a keyboard, but there’s no way I’m getting to it.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 15/07/2024

I've always been interested in constructing a complete language for my stories, but I've never really known where to start. If you're interested too, check out this post by @vivissiah.bsky.social! Also... there's an ADORABLE music video about my cat Lily teaching me about inflections 😄

viviansayan.com

Conlanging 101: An introduction — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, I start a new series about conlanging, or creating constructed languages. What are all the steps? They are many, so let's get started!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 27/06/2024

You might say that I've been extremely quiet on here, but I say that's propaganda! Or is it? My friend Vivian & I wrote a post about propaganda, complete with posters, obviously! See for yourself what propaganda is & how it works, plus get some advice for guarding against it because it's everywhere!

viviansayan.com

Worldbuilding & Writing 105: Propaganda — Author Vivian Sayan

Today's topic is propaganda and how it can be used in both worldbuilding and writing.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 17/06/2024

Scenes need to be vivid and invoke all five senses - we're told that a lot as writers, but how exactly do you accomplish it? And what if you have characters whose sensory perception differs from the norm? I've put together some tips and strategies for integrating all the senses!

viviansayan.com

Writing 202: Writing Human Senses — Author Vivian Sayan

Reposted by Anne Winchell

Vivian Sayan @vivissiah.bsky.social · 01/06/2024

Day 1 Question: What materials are used to produce the primary currency, and what do they signify? #juneworldbuilder #writingcommunity

Reposted by Anne Winchell

Vivian Sayan @vivissiah.bsky.social · 01/06/2024

#writingcommunity! As anyone knows I love worldbuilding so for June I am doing #JuneWorldbuilder with the theme of economics. Each day I will ask a question, the topic you can see in the images below, so build and hopefully answer all of these! Close ups on each is ⬇️

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 26/05/2024

@vivissiah.bsky.social & I have been planning on doing a blogpost about Modern Monetary Theory for a while & apparently our timing is great as it's in the news right now! Vivian offers a great walkthrough of how taxes actually work in modern economies & how you can get it right in your stories!

viviansayan.com

Worldbuilding 201: Taxes & Modern Monetary Theory — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, I discuss modern monetary theory and why many writers mistake how states and money interact in modern and post modern societies.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 20/05/2024

My friend @vivissiah.bsky.social wrote about how to avoid technobabble in writing by using fictoscience, and I made a practicum to show how you can do this with some examples from the world we're creating. From choosing roots and affixes to pacing and frequency of use, I walk through the basics!

viviansayan.com

Practicum: Fictoscience Fantasy — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's practicum, Anne Winchell shows how fictoscience can be used in a fantasy setting.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 13/05/2024

Whelp, tried to go to a retirement party for two profs who helped guide my career and managed to stay and do the socializing thing for 30 minutes before I had to leave so I could have a panic attack in private 😅 I forgot how extreme my social anxiety is since I never go to these things normally.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 13/05/2024

My friend just published a book! I’ve started reading and it’s great so far. Check it out if you liked the villains in superhero comics!

Amazon.com: Flux: Origins eBook : Curator, The: Kindle Store

Amazon.com: Flux: Origins eBook : Curator, The: Kindle Store

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 09/05/2024

I'm so close to being done with the semester... I had a couple of students need some extra time with the last paper, so I have everything graded except theirs. Soooo close... Then it's nothing but writing all summer!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 07/05/2024

Really fun update! My friend @vivissiah.bsky.social and I wrote an article on humor! We go over the basics, then have a big list of types of humor with descriptions, and of course how to incorporate humor into your writing. Do we succeed at being funny writing it? You’ll have to judge for yourself!

viviansayan.com

Writing 201: Humour — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, Anne and I discuss humor: what it is, why it exists, how to use it in writing, plus we give descriptions of a variety of different types.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 06/05/2024

I'm in the final days of grading, and three (college freshmen) students now have used "juristically" in their papers instead of "drastically," which is one I hadn't seen before!

Reposted by Anne Winchell

Vivian Sayan @vivissiah.bsky.social · 05/05/2024

🌌✨ Just launched: A fresh look at humor with Me and @awinchell.bsky.social ! Explore the nuances of what makes us laugh and why it’s essential in narrative art. Perfect for writers and readers alike! Dive into the discussion ➡️ www.viviansayan.com/blog/writing... #writingcommunity

viviansayan.com

Writing 201: Humour — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, Anne and I discuss humor: what it is, why it exists, how to use it in writing, plus we give descriptions of a variety of different types.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 29/04/2024

The term "socialism" is so misunderstood, with people throwing it at whatever they don't like (at least in the US). However, it's an interesting concept that at its core has nothing to do with what most people think. If you want to use anything socialism-related in your stories, check this post out!

viviansayan.com

Worldbuilding 202: Socialism — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, I discuss socialism and how it is often misunderstood, going through several options one can choose to make their own socialisms.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 29/04/2024

At midnight tonight, I’m getting everything in from my English classes, & that’s it. No more class meetings, no more assignments, just desperate grading until it’s all done. I never want to repeat the experience of teaching students like this. If students are like this again next fall, we’re doomed.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 23/04/2024

Last summer, I rearranged my office so there’s nothing on the desk and Lily can sprawl. Best thing I’ve ever done! Now she just lies there, purrs, and expects tummy rubs the whole time I’m working. Teaching online is way better when you’ve got a purring cat!

A closeup of Lily, a gray and white cat, lying on her side. Her front paws are curled like a bunny and she has a look of pure satisfaction and happiness.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 22/04/2024

Is your protagonist from an unoppressed group, but they join an oppressed group under attack from said powerful group, & then the protagonist singlehandedly saves the poor oppressed people? You might be writing a Savior Story, & you might want to check my post to see the (many) potential risks!

viviansayan.com

Writing 202: Savior Stories — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's blogpost, the magnificent Anne discusses saviour stories, the multiple issues with using them, and the ways you can use them to promote tolerance instead of intolerance.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 22/04/2024

On the one hand, I’m spending all day grading papers. On (under) the other hand, CAT!

Lily, a gray and white cat, is getting a tummy rub looking happy.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 20/04/2024

Student 1: I need another day on this paper is that okay? Me: Sure. S2: Can I turn this in 2 days late? Me: Sure. S3: Remember that January paper you allowed a rewrite on & you talked about every class for 2 months & I didn’t do? I just figured out I’m failing so reopen the assignment now. Me: 🤨

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 20/04/2024

I have so many things to grade… so many… so obviously I’ve spent today paralyzed by anxiety, unable to do anything besides scroll social media for the past 4 hours.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 19/04/2024

My apartment is still under construction and the patio is a mess, but I got the table and chairs set up for the sole purpose of her sleeping here.

A lovely gray and white cat soundly sleeping on a rod iron chair with a teal cushion and a big pillow with a bright teal and coral floral design behind her.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 14/04/2024

My friend and I tackled a difficult subject in this week's worldbuilding & writing blog: bigotry. I talk about how to write bigoted characters without seeming like a bigot yourself. I really think we need to write these characters so that we can recognize and deal with bigotry in the real world.

viviansayan.com

Worldbuilding and Writing 202: Bigotry — Author Vivian Sayan

In today's post, Anne and I discuss bigotry in terms of worldbuilding and how to write about it without endorsing it.

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 12/04/2024

Talked to a student obviously using ChatGPT on her papers. Turns out she writes the papers but her teachers always said she wasn’t formal enough, so now she uses ChatGPT/Google to rewrite her paper. I looked at her original. Some mistakes, sure, but she’s learning! Overall, she’s a good writer!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 08/04/2024

I’m set up at a coffee shop with a great view! Let the eclipse begin!

Anne Winchell @awinchell.bsky.social · 07/04/2024

I found out it’s asexual awareness day just like I found out I’m asexual: way too late and from social media 😂