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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 30/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Zayne: accidentally because he lost control of his powers. Cole: What School? What Fire? You Can't Prove Anything!

Sept 29 Who would burn down their school?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 28/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Queer people are not the majority or anything but in most places it's not considered abnormal (there are more progressive and more conservative worlds of course).

Sept 28 How Queernormative is your story's world?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 28/09/2026

#AuthorSky I regret to inform you that once again, I have chosen violence! on a comment thread under an ad for a 'service provider' that says you can pay them to get you 'legitimate' book reviews on Amazon.

Close-up photo of a black-and-white cat staring directly at the camera against a teal-green background. Large yellow text reads: “If you (a human) should find yourself engaged in a contest of wills with a cat, you have already lost.”

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 28/09/2026

I made a meme to commemorate the occasion! lol. #CatSky

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 27/09/2026

sometimes people ask me what advice I have for newer writers, and I do have some: Get Out While You Still Can It's Too Late For Me But You Can Still Save Yourself!!! (jk sorta) #WriterSky

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 27/09/2026

I say this as a person of Faith. If you're insisting that Science proves your faith is real, then you've kind of missed the point of Faith.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 26/09/2026

#QueerPrompts it's not really a thing in this world but if they were in our modern times Cole's official position would be 'I don't believe in ghosts except for the one in my moms' house that motherfucker is real!'

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 26/09/2026

my favorite part of getting older is how your priorities crystalize and you let go of so many things that aren't that important, like the weight of everyone else's opinions and expectations.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 25/09/2026

#QueerPrompts I want to get the A/B draft of The Paradox Matrix finished by Feb 20th. And The Radiant Tomb edited and released on March 4th.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 24/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Zayne - Fire fighter Cole - Private Investigator

Sept 24 what career would your characters be good at?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 24/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Zahra Nasryn/Mother Sage, one of Cole's mothers, is bi. She's married to a (badass) woman now, but she's still bi. this will become plot relevant eventually <maniacal laugh> (not because she cheats I don't play that way).

Sept 23 Bisexual visibility day. Bi or Pan characters?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 23/09/2026

I have never committed war crimes but I may have accidentally left the kitchen light on a couple of times (allegedly) and according to my parents that's basically the same thing.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 21/09/2026

You can't want something for somebody more than they want it for themselves. Allow people the dignity of their own experience and consequences ... #AccidentalLifeCoach

Close-up outdoor selfie of a man wearing brown rectangular glasses and blue earbuds, giving the camera a slight amused smile. He has short brown hair, an olive-green T-shirt, and is standing beside a paved driveway with leafy trees and shrubs in the background.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 21/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Zayne's lifelong dream was to join the Vanguard and defend the empire from the Zhedari so ... adventure. Cole is an active member of the resistance but would like peace eventually.

Sep 21 World Gratitude Day/Intl Day of peace:

Do you characters long for peace or adventure?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 21/09/2026

#QueerPrompts neither Zayne nor Cole had trouble with this. I, however, was raised fundamentalist and was tortured by it, even marrying a woman because I thought it would 'fix me.' I came out to myself at 35, then got divorced and came out completely at 46 when my kids were grown. it was a lot.

your characters or your own journey to understanding your sexuality.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 18/09/2026

Me too 25,000 year old humans you're Not Special! #GaySky

Black-and-white close-up of ancient human teeth above a bright blue text panel reading, “25,000-year-old teeth reveal ancient humans were addicted to nut sucking

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 18/09/2026

he would be going through a whole process. Shock, anger, relief, finally amazement. he'd wish we were farther along on some goals but thrilled we are writing full time. he would be gobsmacked to realize we could just be gay and the world wouldn't end. and he'd be stoked we still have all our hair.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 17/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Ask Zayne after the midpoint reveal <maniacal laugh>

Sept 17 - how positive or negative does your character view the world?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 15/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Though most people speak imperial standard, there are numerous languages spoken in the Diamond Empire. Each of the alien peoples has at least one language or more) and many modern languages are spoken by specific communities. Most people not in the capital speak at least 2 languages

Sept 15 - Any other languages spoken in your story?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 14/09/2026

Getting through the book. Through 6 of 50 plot points (12% complete!). The deadline for this A/B draft is the middle of February. #AmWriting #WriterSky #BookSky #QueerPrompts

A large whiteboard titled “The Paradox Matrix,” covered with dozens of handwritten, color-coded index cards arranged in rows to map out the novel’s plot and character beats. The cards are yellow, purple, blue, green, and red, forming a sprawling story outline across the board. 6 of the 50 post its have been removed.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 14/09/2026

#QueerPrompts image that captures the vibe of the opening scene.

A silhouetted human figure stands at the center of a brilliant blue-white burst of light, with streaks of glowing energy radiating outward in all directions, creating the impression of a portal, warp-speed effect, or cosmic explosion. A Getty Images watermark and credit appear in the lower right.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 14/09/2026

#QueerPrompts I don't really have a category called 'elders' as a monolith. there are characters of various ages and they are respected or not respected on an individual basis that goes both ways. that said, the main villain is at least 1000 years old..

Sept 13 - How respected are elders in your story?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 12/09/2026

#QueerPrompts The key theme of this book is the importance of questioning the orthodoxies you have been taught, and making decisions for you life based on real information. Also, figuring out who you can really trust.

Sept 12 - National Day of Encouragement

Any lesson of message readers might interpret your story having?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 12/09/2026

crazy week, but I got the writing done, and managed not to get sick #AmWriting #WriterSky #AuthorSky

Selfie of a man with short hair styled upward, wearing rectangular glasses and a rose-colored T-shirt. He’s outdoors beside a paved road and bright green lawn, with trees and warm evening sunlight in the background.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 11/09/2026

#QueerPrompts I'm using alpha readers as I go along this time, which I don't normally do because this is sort of a sprawling novel with a lot of moving parts and I want to make sure it hang s together before I get to the end and have to rewrite everything.

Sept 11 any advice about your story that you used?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 11/09/2026

my nomination for Unesco World Heritage Post.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 11/09/2026

we have three kittens who are pretty chill and one who is launching himself up the sides of the enclosure with a 'BECOME UNGOVERNABLE' flag in his teeth. #CatSky

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 10/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Zayne: (in the past) his father and sister and a couple of friends. Now, Kendra the XO and his new friend, Enzo. Cole: his mothers (especially Stadi), his friends Jak and Orin. in the future for both of them: Each other.

Sept 10- who do your characters go to for advice before making a tough decision?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 09/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Zayne would have had many as a kid his favorite of which he probably gave an honored spot on the shelf in his childhood bedroom. Cole would never admit to such a thing but there's probably one in a secure box buried in the bottom of his closet

Sept 9nNatl Teddy Bear Day. who would have had a stuffed animal/plushie.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 08/09/2026

My favorite franchise. The fictional world I would most like to live in! Ad Astra Per Aspera! #StarTrek

Happy Star Trek Day - Live Long and Prosper (60 years in the background).

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 08/09/2026

#QueerPrompts after abandoning an interesting space opera that turned out to be too grimdark for me, I switched to a YA fantasy installment by a good friend (Faeries Don't Hide by TF Burke) and it has been a great pallette cleanser.

Sept 8 international literacy day - current or recent read

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 07/09/2026

ok, this is legit clever. And I am 100% OK with not being a Tomato. When I came out of the closet, the only person who was really shocked was my mom (and possibly my aunt?). Everybody else was like 'yeah, that tracks ' To be fair, my voice was Out way before I was. #GaySky

Colorful rainbow-gradient meme with tomato and laughing emojis. Large black text reads: “I was today years old when I learned ‘tomato’ is the new term for a straight-passing gay man, because despite outward appearances, he’s still a fruit.”

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 06/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Zayne: The Real Hero's Journey - A Joseph Campbell Guide to Life Cole: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.

Sept 6 read a book day Make up a book or use a real one your characters would read.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 04/09/2026

#QueerPrompts most of my books do. I generally have several explicit scenes and try to show a healthy view of sex for my main couples. In the Paradox Matrix, this is kind of on the back burner since Zayne and Cole don't really get together until book 2. but the series will address this.

Sept 4 - does your story discuss sexual health or healthy sex?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 03/09/2026

#QueerPrompts this is the entire pivot point of book 1. When Zayne finds out the truth about what is really going on, he will have to decide whether to burn down his entire life or play along with a destructive lie.

Sept 28 Difficult decision your character must make.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 02/09/2026

#QueerPrompts lol RECKLESS. the thought of even one of these goobers having a coherent thought before leaping into action is laughable.

Sept 2 Natl Chicken month: are your characters more likely to be cowardly or reckless?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 02/09/2026

I'm Chad and I write queer SFF with epic Worldbuilding and Big feelings. 13 books out so far. link to website (and books) in bio. Current WIP is the Paradox Matrix, 1st in a space opera series i describe as 'Legion of Super-Heroes meets Babylon 5, but make it super gay.' #QueerPrompts

September 1st - intro yourself and your WIP

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 01/09/2026

August Progress Report! Word Count 9403 Low for me but most of the month was about finishing a freelance editing project and then I took my scheduled week off. Still on track for The Paradox Matrix to be done on time, plus I got an edition of my newsletter out. YTD: 103,614. #AmWriting

Photo of an August 2026 wall calendar showing my writing progress. I logged five writing days: 2,105 words on Aug. 24, 1,218 on Aug. 26, 2,035 on Aug. 27, 2,017 on Aug. 28, and 2,028 on Aug. 31. Handwritten notes at the bottom read “Total 9,403” and “YTD 103,614.”

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 31/08/2026

#QueerPrompts This month I finished the freelance editing project, took my scheduled week off, and then last week got back to work on the Paradox Matrix..So, not a huge word count this month but lots of work done.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 30/08/2026

#QueerPrompts Zayne - swimming and body surfing. Cole - Beach volleyball and burying Zayne in the sand.

Aug 30 - What would your characters do at the beach?.

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 30/08/2026

#QueerPrompts In the first few chapters, Zayne's family throws him a going away party before he leaves to report for the Vanguard, and it's while taking a break from this that Zayne meets Cole for the first time.

Aug 29 any parties or celebrations in your story?

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Chad Grayson @chadgrayson.com · 28/08/2026

#QueerPrompts lol Cole is literally an alien prince/smuggler/spy with purple skin and dark purple hair.

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