iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 1h

The days I don't post, or post very little I am working on writing. I'm gonna use socials how I wanna use them. Meaning whenever I have something to say. Good news: silence = new stories soon #indieauthor #fantasy #cozyfantasy #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The further I get in The Shepherd and the Shadow edits, the less I have to edit. 2nd half of the story I am p much making sure style stays consistant across the novella #cozyfantasy #indieauthor #writingcommunity

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I started playing the Phoenix Wright Trilogy yesterday. I'm on game 1, case 2. I am so happy we are in this era of people making access mods for games I've always wanted to play haha #a11y #accessiblegaming #PhoenixWright

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Writing cozy fantasy is a whole different muscle I really need to stretch. I keep on being like isn't this boring? But no,,,,,, it's vibes #cozyfantasy #indieauthor #writingcommunity

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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 · 27/09/2026

Yeah it's a secret. At least, until the story is released ;)

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Crystal Dennis @crystaldwrites.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Definitely haha. I'm gonna unvail how exactly but p much.

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

Yup, it's the inciting incident lol.

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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

The FMC is very snarky and sassy and it gets her into trouble but she doesn't stop sassin' so it's fun to write haha.

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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 · 24/09/2026

THey are too sassy for their own good lol

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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 can usually juggle 2 to 3 projects, and since 2 of them are edits and rewrites right now it isn't too bad.

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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

Oh she's a softy with an edge and fighting spirit for sure. If you'd like to get an idea of her, the 1st draft is up to read. open.substack.com/pub/crystald...

open.substack.com

Princess of Dragons Bane Table of Contents

[Completed] All Available chapters can be found here

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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

The tagline is what if Beauty hunted the Beast so the FMC is a diff char than a lot of retellings I've read.

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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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