iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I finished a short story I started in June, then restarted in September at a diff point in the narrative. It flows so much better now, and of course it is longer than I wanted it to be lol #indieauthor #fantasy #wriitngcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

This week in The Shepherd and the Shadow, Aura has a rude awakening and an even ruder breakfast #serialfiction #cozyfantasy #indieauthor #writingcommunity crystaldenniswrites.substack.com/p/the-shephe...

crystaldenniswrites.substack.com

The Shepherd and the Shadow Chapter 5

Stale Bread and Staler Hearts

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Reading outside in crisp, cool fall weather is sooo much better than reading outside in super hot summer weather because you need to keep your mind off of your brain melting #readinginfall #writingcommunity #AMreading

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Don't mind me, I've just been homebrewing a card game in my spare time #indiegaming #cardgames #butreallywhatelseshouldibedoiing

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I did a lot of non-writing stuff today that made me too tired to write but I'm glad I got them done. Tmw back to working on too many projects at once though lol #indieauthor #writingcommunity #fantasy #cozyfantasy

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This week in The Shepherd and the Shadow, Aura tries to make the best of a bad situation, and maybe makes things worse? #cozyfantasy #fantasy #writingcommunity #indieauthor #serialfiction crystaldenniswrites.substack.com/p/the-shephe...

crystaldenniswrites.substack.com

The Shepherd and the Shadow Chapter 4

A World of Darkness, a World of Shadows

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I've got scene 1 squared away for this short story. I guess I needed the idea of publishing a short story collection to light a fire under me to finally go back to this one haha #fantasy #writingcommunity #indieauthor #shortstory

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

OK after using this new keyboard for a full day I really like it. Just goes to show investing in quality tools is wortth it, because my hands aren't straining as much to type as they were with the cheaper keyboards #writingcommunity #indieauthorr #authorlife

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I'm typing on my new bluetooth keyboard ohohoho~ I got a higher quality one this time, so hopefully it lasts longer than a year #writingcommunity #indieauthor #newtechwoo

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Got 600 words down in a #shortstory I needed to restart at a diff spot. This character is so cheeky and fun to write, love how their voice is coming to be #indieauthor #fantasy #cozyfantasy #authorlife #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I've kinda had to force myself to schedule The Shepherd and the Shadow chapters early so I stop picking at editing so much haha. Ch. 4 goes up on Friday, so get ready for more cozy and eerie vibes #indieauthor #cozyfantasy #fantasy #writingcommunity #serialfiction

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

, Nothing like staying in your PJs until 1 PM because you're setting up a Final Fantasy Vi access mod then playing it for 2 hours 😅, I forgot how much I love this game, nostalgia #accessiblegaming #finalfantasyvi #finalfantasy #gaming

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I started writing a letter exchange fantasy romance that won't leave me alone and I love creating the characters via stream of thought correspondence #fantasy #cozyfantasy #fantasyofmanners #indieauthor #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

, I've gotten over dragging my feet when it comes to editing, now I need to get over dragging my feet when it comes to actually publishing wide lol. Baby steps, baby steps #indieauthor #fantasy #cozyfantasy #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This week Aura has to deal with a less than welcoming Innkeep #cozyfantasy #serialfiction #writingcommunity The Shepherd and the Shadow Chapter 3 crystaldenniswrites.substack.com/p/the-shephe...

crystaldenniswrites.substack.com

The Shepherd and the Shadow Chapter 3

The Innkeeper’s Ire

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I went out to run errands today so instead of coming back and riding I decided to beat a run in a video game. I'm really glad I made that choice because I'm happy I beat it, and now I can focus on my writing when I'm not wiped lol #indiegaming #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Chapter 3 of The Shepard and the Shadow goes up on Friday! To catch up w/the story thus far, check out the table of contents below #cozyfantasy #fantasy #indieauthor #serialfiction #writingcommunity crystaldenniswrites.substack.com/p/the-shephe...

crystaldenniswrites.substack.com

The Shepherd and the Shadow Table of Contents

A 16 Chapter Novella Posted Weekly

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I have a draft one of a story I wanted to work on but an outline I've been working on is calling my name. I'm impulsive and I need to go where my creativity takes me #writingcommunity #indieauthor #fantasy

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

, Earlier today I realized I'm sitting on short stories that could already be published as a collection so uh…I guess I'll keep everyone posted on that front 🤣😹 #writingcommunity #fantasy #selfpub #indieauthor

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Without fail these Princess of Dragons Bane #rewrites are chopping chapters in half 🗡️ this is the story I wanted to tell though, so it's very rewarding #fantasy #indieauthor #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

In this weeks chapter, Aura travels to Oakhaven and sees exactly the type of problem she was sent to solve #cozyfantasy #serialfiction #fantasy #writingcommunity #indieauthor crystaldenniswrites.substack.com/p/the-shephe... Chapter 3

crystaldenniswrites.substack.com

The Shepherd and the Shadow Chapter 2

The Longest Short Road

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Maybe it's the random shift to fall weather for a day but I'm really in a reading mood 📖 #amreading #reading #fantasy #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I've been quiet this week because I have no kb to type on my phone atm, but it's been nice setting aside time to do tasks on the computer instead of always having access to do whatever whenever #writingcommunity #authorlife #indieauthor

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

It's been a quiet week because my bluetooth kb broke and I do a lot of stuff w/that on the phone, but it's also been nice putting time aside to boot up the computer and do stuff instead of being on all the time. #cozyfantasy #authorlife #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

This week my brand new novella begins! Introducing Aura, a Priestess who is in over her head, but is the only one who can save a cursed town #cozyfantasy #fantasy #serialfiction #writingcommunity #indieauthr crystaldenniswrites.substack.com/p/the-shephe...

crystaldenniswrites.substack.com

The Shepherd and the Shadow Chapter 1

Rainstorms and Refuge

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I love when you've done 2 passes of a chapter then the 3rd pass clicks all the beats you wanted into place #writingcommunity #fantasy #cozyfantasy #indieauthor #authorlife

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Guess who scheduled the 1st chapter of a brand new novella for Friday? Me! It's the #retrorpg inspired Priestess novella, very excited to stop editing until I explode lol #cozyfantasy #indieauthor #writingcommunity #fantasy #authorlife

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I've decided to focus primarily on posting #fantasy fiction online, because that's what brings me the most joy. I feel so amazing after making that choice, strange how things feel hard until you make a finite decision #indieauthor #writingcommunity #cozyfantasy

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Finished editing 2 chapters from 2 different projects. If everything goes according to plan, will start posting a novella this Friday #writingcommunity #cozyfantasy #indieauthor

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I started washing laundry exclusively by hand a few months ago, and I really like how it makes you slow down. You also have an exhausted sense of accomplishment when you're done, and it's a great few hours to think about your story w/o actively working on it #indieauthor.

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I'm really enjoying the subgenre of regency inspired fantasy. The asthetic is great, and being as historically accurate as you want is great too. I know I'll use the setting 1 day #cozyfantasy #fantasy #indieauthor #writingcommunity .

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I thougght I'd be like 2 chapters to rewrite then switch projects, rinse, repeat. But it's more like finish this sequence of events, hop to another project, rinse, repeat. I'm learning more about my process doing edits then drafting #fantasy #writingcommunity #indieauthor

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I think serializing has become a necessity for me because otherwise I hyper obsess and never release anything. W/that being said, a novella will probs start going up soon lol #cozyfantasy #writingcommunity #indieauthor

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

4 chapters rewritten, 30 more to go! I reread the old ver before diving into rewrites to get the core of the scene and half the time I am like what was I thinking? So much info dumping, such slow momentum lol #writingcommunity #fantasy #indieauthor

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I wanted to share song lyrics as tribute to #DollyParton my Mom said this song got her through tough times, and when she shared it withme I fell in love. #RIPDolly you will be missed #songshare #insporlyrics #RIPDollyParton

"I'll be just fine and dandy, Lord it's like a hard candy Christmas. I'm barely getting through tomorrow, But still I won't let sorrow pull me way down." — 🎶 Hard Candy Christmas, Dolly Parton

A horizontal, vintage-style postcard tribute. The background features aged, off-white paper textured with soft watercolor washes of muted rose and dusty green. A delicate, ornate golden scrollwork border with a sparkling, glittery finish frames the entire image.

The lyrics and song attribution are centered on the right side in an elegant, dark brown script font.

On the left side, retro-style illustrations show clusters of hard candies, striped peppermints, and green ribbons. A musical staff flows underneath the candies, surrounded by small stars and musical notes that shimmer with subtle gold glitter.

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Today's #microfiction is from the POV of Orion, the MMC for Selece's story. Hrm, is there something off about him, or is it just me ;) #writingcommunity #flashfiction #fantasy #indieauthor

Every step towards Father’s study filled Orion with unmitigated dread. Did he find out about the late night tavern brawls? The week-long journies to the border? Did he find out about the secret visits with Uncle Bane, the training under his tutelage? Orion let out a breath as soon as he saw Father’s disappointed look. No cover had been blown. Now, it was time to put on his greatest cover yet. “Father.” He gave the smile of a charming rogue, leaning his elbows on the desk like he didn’t have a care in the world. “How have you been this fine morning? Anything I can do for you today?”" Image: Text set over a dark, torchlit stone hallway facing massive double doors. An arch above the doors displays a crest of an eagle holding a sword over a kneeling knight.

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

There's a short story I was working on I abandoned halfway through, and I just figured out I need to start it one scene further into the story. I'm also excited to rewrite it after learning more about POV so we'll see how it goes when I dive back in #writingcommunity #fantasy

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I've learned during self teaching #writingcraft to be selective with the books I choose to teach me. You don't need to throw yourself into a bunch of different techniques, all you need is to learn how to fix things you're currently struggling with #writingcommunity #fantasy

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I am simultaneously excited these rewrites are bringing the story to life in a whole new way and dreading having to literally rewrite this entire manuscript #writingcommunity #fantasy #indieauthor #authorlife

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I'm enjoying finding writing craft books that can help add to my toolbox. ATM I'm diving into figuring out when to pan the camera in and out w/different types of POV choices #writingcommunity #fantasy #indieauthor #autherlife

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I'm figuring out I have 2 styles for narration. Deep POV for character driven stories, and a storybook whimsical narrator for more plot driven stories with big character moments #writingcommunity #fantasy #cozyfantasy

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Chapter 2 got cut from 2100 words to 700 O.O this is both terrifying and liberating haha. Also, fleshing out the characters in this draft is nice. The draft I posted was defs a draft 1 as far as feeling things out #fantasy #writingcommunity #indieauthor..

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I'm thinking of maybe editing like 2 chapters of Princess of Dragons Bane at a time when the mood strikes. I know that's a bad way to try and release something in a decent amount of time, but who said I was structured lol #fantasy #indieauthor #writingcommunity.

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I thought I'd be editing this story and I am going to be doing full blown rewrites. It's tough because I feel like I should be further along and publishing by now but no one tells you about all the ups and downs of writing multiple draft #fantasy #writingcommunity #indieauthor.

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I finished X-Men 97, so what do I watch next? The X-Men animated series of course! Alas, it doesn't have audio description, but I find there's less action andmore talking in the original so its not so bad #Xmen #Marvel #MCU #Disney #audiodescriptionwouldstillbenicethough.

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I went into editing Ch. 1 of Princess of Dragons Bane thinking it won't take long, nbd. Four hours later and I carved this sucker up rotfl. Amazing what a good book on editing can help you accomplish #fantasy #writingcommunity #authorlife #indieauthor

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

OK I don't wanna get my hopes up but the Avengers Doomsday trailer that dropped this weekend gives me hope for the MCU. Dare I get back into it again? No idea, I'll just stick to enjoying the shows for now lol #Marvel #MCU #Disney #animatedshowsstillarebetterthough.

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

OK I went into the last thing I wrote and cut out a lot of what Self Editing for Fiction said to notice and make judgment calls on whether they serve the story or not and it does flow a lot better so I really want to focus on training my brain to remove fluff #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Nothing like seeing u use a ton of dialogue tags that the book you're reading says wd be better as action beats or removed. I know the writing journey is filled with growing pains but this one is particularly painful. I love my smiles and smirks and grimaces 😭😭 #authorlife

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