iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Why do birds fly south in the winter? ... it's too far to walk.

Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

I #amreading a lot to escape and recharge. I finished Dungeon Crawler Carl. I am now binging Beware of Chicken. Props to @mattdinniman.bsky.social and Casual Farmer. Both series are brilliant. These are top shelf absurdity.

Cover for Dungeon Crawler Carl. Man in heart-pattern boxes running from a goblin on a bulldozer.

Beware of Chicken cover. Idyllic drawing of a rooster on a stump next to a lounging man in a martial arts outfit.

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Did ya'll hear about the farmer who traded his rooster for a duck? ... Yeah. He wakes up at the quack of dawn now. #funny

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Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com · 27/01/2025

Tomorrow, January 28, at 8 PM ET, I'm hosting an Q&A with readers and fans about The Calculating Stars. It's free to join. Simply sign up here, and you'll receive the Zoom link: www.maryrobinettekowal.com/book-club

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

#pretendpanel 💙📚🪐 Day 24: I'd like readers to feel like they've had a wee vacation to a corner of the world they didn't expect to enjoy nearly as much they did. I'd like them to find a feeling of comfy, cozy whimsy and just dwell there for a bit.

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 24th: What do you want your readers to take away from this book/story/WIP?
Please support your fellow #pretentpanel posters with replies, likes and reposts!

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Without downloading any new pics, where are you mentally? ... this seems right given the past few days.

The box for the kids board game, "No thank you, Evil!"

It's a game of make believe for families and features motor bikes and wizards and unicycle and superheroes on the cover.

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

#pretendpanel #writingcommunity 📚💙 Day 23: Errm... Uh... *picks up a mirror* You got any of them nerdy folk in desperate need of some cozy escapism featuring food, friendship, weird niche historical details, and dad jokes? Maybe a bit of romance and magic, too?

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 23rd: Who do you see as your ideal reader?
Please support your fellow #pretentpanel posters with replies, likes and reposts!

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Nicole "Ashrah" Hidalgo 😈🧄👻 @sayaashrah.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Happy (Inter)national Handwriting Day! To be honest... My handwriting sucks 😅 But during the pandemic, I met some amazing pen pals, some of which have become friends, and once we could, we sent snail mail to each other. It wasn't something I had experienced before, and it was so amazing!

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Today (January 23rd) is International Handwriting Day. Why today? It's John Hancock's birthday. I guess that seemed appropriate. Anywho. I combined some things I love to celebrate: #dadjokes, #comics, #handwriting, and #xkcd. Also: #penmanship and #booksky for good measure.

XKCD style comic with stick-figures.

Two People.

Person 1 - When does a joke become a dad joke?

Person 2 - Isn't it a parent?

Person 1 - No... It has to be fully groan.

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Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 11/12/2024

Making Tea xkcd.com/3022

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Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 06/01/2025

Features of Adulthood xkcd.com/3034

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

#pretendpanel Day 22: I write (and read) to escape. Everything's cozy, fantastical, and made of magic. They're not mechanisms I use to process trauma. That would be a healthy outlet, but who needs that? Pretending is doesn't exist is definitely working out for me.

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 22nd: Do you believe in writing through your traumas? Or is your writing more about escapism? (or is it both at once!)
Please support your fellow #pretentpanel posters with replies, likes and reposts!

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Jenna Satterthwaite @jennaschmenna.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

(Free) writing craft-related post today on the newsletter--pacing, tension, momentum: what it means and how to do it. Hope this helps someone out there! jennasatterthwaite.substack.com/p/what-makes...

jennasatterthwaite.substack.com

What makes me request a full?

On pacing, tension and momentum

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

#pretendpanel Day 20: I usually pull traits and features from friends, acquaintances, and family. They're not generally strictly one person, though. My characters tend to be an amalgamation of interesting bits from people I've encountered over the years.

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 20th: Are you more of a writer who writes themselves onto the page, or other people in their life?
Please support your fellow #pretentpanel posters with replies, likes and reposts!

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Past, present, and future walked into a bar. I'm not sure what I expected, but it was pretty tense. #booksky #dadjokes #writingcommunity

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

introduce yourself with... one book 📕 one film 🎬 one album 💿 one show 📺 #booksky

The cover of Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men. Red with a blue button as a shield with a crossed sword and spear.

October Sky's DVD cover. Jake Gyllenhaal and Laura Dern looking up. Space background.

Season 1 of Psych. A guy in a green shirt pretending to be a psychic. Friend in sports jacket looking over the first's shoulder with raised eyebrow.

Andy Grammar's Compilation Album from 2022, "The Art of Joy"

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Margaret A-Spelle 🎃 @margaretadelle.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Reminder that Librivox offers free audiobooks for books in the public domain. Fantastic resource if you're working your way through classics (or listen to a large amount of audiobooks.) #booksky

librivox.org

LibriVox | free public domain audiobooks

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Bailey Poletti @baileypoletti.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

One thing before tomorrow: Use your local libraries. Get your card. Borrow books, manga, films, audios, ebooks. Recommend titles for purchase (usually online). Attend promoted activities. Fill out those "How are we doing?" questionnaires. Tell your kids that libraries are good. They are. 📚

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

*taps mic* Is this thing on? I noticed someone had to put a fall hazard sign in the library. Apparently, there's a non-friction section now. #booksky #dadjoke

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zara🌿🧚 @zara116.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

the three cozy fantasy books I've read so far. all three are amazing highly recommend 📚💙 #booksky

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lohla-boo !! 🧸🍂⋆˚ ༘ * @lohlabug.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

today i’d like to recommend the tea dragon society series!! ☕️🫖🐉🌷🌼 anyone who loves dragons, cozy fantasy, or graphic novels will love these books. reading them feels like drinking a warm cup of tea ^_^ #LohlasBookRecs

three graphic novels. they are respectively called the tea dragon society, the tea dragon festival, and the tea dragon tapestry

the cover of the case for the complete collection of the tea dragon society

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Rae (with the ducks) she/her @rae-with-the-ducks.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

I finished this one tonight- really charming, no spice, cozy fantasy about growth and family. I think it could be adapted for the stage in a really fun way. 💙📚 #booksky #thecrescentmoontearoom #cozyfantasy

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Nicole @nicolezbs.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

I really liked The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leung. It was a nice cozy fantasy with enjoyable characters. Definitely the vibe I needed right now. I hope there’s a sequel: #books #booksky #fantasy

Book cover with a woman sitting in the back of a wagon with a cat

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Erica Gee @ericarg10.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

2nd book of 2025. A sapphic "cozy" fantasy. While fantasy is something I read the most, cozy or romance is not. Gorl, I ate this up and can't wait to continue the series. 🐲🐲🐲🐲 (4.25 out of 5)

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

#hbp84 My friends will say I need an intervention. But... when I said I had a weakness for charming bastards, I really didn't mean grumpy wizards so old their children need to take their keys away.

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🎃☠️ Amina ☠️🎃 @aminaleeds.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

#PretendPanel 19. Freebie Sunday! Since the world sucks right now and we're all tired... I'll ask a question❓️ What would be your elaborate comps for your WIP? Mine would be Sons of Anarchy meets Frankenstein meets Hansel & Gretal if the candy forest witch had pink hair & only poisoned bad guys

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

#PretendPanel Day 19: My choice? Anything I'd like to say? Y'all. This is totally random, but I recently learned of the existence of "Pizza Hut Classics." rolandopujol.substack.com/p/the-retrol... #WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 19th: Freebie Sunday - post anything you'd like to say
Please support your fellow #pretentpanel posters with replies, likes and reposts!

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

#pretendpanel Day 18: I'm fairly proud of the depictions of everyday things and how the characters interact with the world around them. My goal is to get the reader to experience the story, and I think I do a reasonably good job.

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 18th: Which part of your book/story/WIP makes you proudest?
Please support your fellow #pretentpanel posters with replies, likes and reposts!

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

"Oi. Why would they whitewash the wall under the privy?" "Hell if I know. Sounds pretty shitty to me." #hbp82

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

#pretendpanel Day 17: Not yet. It's not out of the question, though.

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 17th: Does any part of your book/story/WIP make you cry?
Please support your fellow #pretentpanel posters with replies, likes and reposts!

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Megan Wyreweden @thecreepingmoon.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

“The Great Redwall Feast’ acrylic and ink on paper, finally finished 🖤 a tribute to one of my most favorite childhood series and its incredible descriptions of food

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Eliwood S(pooky) Ghost @eliwoodsgheist.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

#pretendpanel Bludeye Beach is the first thing I've written since I was a kid that was free of self-doubt. A series of bad mentors & peers installed some very harmful mental blocks whenever I sat down to write. But Bludeye was written with joy, not criticism. It is the best thing I have ever made ❤️

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Shanna Swendson @shannaswendson.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

The book I'm working on is in a series set in my fantasy happy place and I love to retreat there. I love the characters, flaws and all, and I hope to give readers a nice, cozy escape, too. Plus, this series has been pretty profitable for me, so this book is key for my income. #PretendPanel

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Kara Moon 🏴‍☠️💜⚓️ @karamoonauthor.com · 12/01/2025

Greetings, #pretendpanel! It is indeed... January 12th: Freebie Sunday Do as you will ✌️ #WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 12th: Freebie Sunday
Please support your fellow #pretentpanel posters with replies, likes and reposts!

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Aer of Appalachia @aer-of-appalachia.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

A lot of people don't realize how disastrous coal mining has (and will continue to be) for the Appalachian region it decimates the environment and the people.

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It's Quinn! @officialqjg.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

If someone says you can't use adverbs, they're wholeheartedly lying. If they say you must use contractions, you do not have to. If they say don't start sentences with a conjunction, they're wrong. And shortsighted. There are no rules, so don't limit yourself. #pretendpanel #writingcommunity

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Aaron Sofaer ✍️🏳️‍⚧️ @aaronsofaer.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

I am a cargo pantser, #pretendpanel, I reject all binaries! Eyyy! Sorry, anyway, I go into a story with characters, beats, scenes, moments, narrative, theme, and suchlike jangling around in my capacious skirt pockets. And then I use them. #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity #Authors #Writers

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Septimus Brown @septimusbrown.com · 07/01/2025

Have you had a successful author slide into your DMs lately? Watch out for this scam. People are impersonating (mostly midlist) authors on here, striking up conversations, and eventually offering to connect you with their "marketing team." It's fake 🐴💩 #booksky #writingcommunity

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Kara Moon 🏴‍☠️💜⚓️ @karamoonauthor.com · 05/01/2025

I was inspired to make this by a convo over in #pretendpanel Some of us need reminding sometimes. We have permission to be imperfect on a first go. If we don't allow ourselves that grace, then there will never be a draft at all! #WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts

Simpsons bus driver meme. First panel, bus driver facing forward says 'Don't make me tap the sign.' Second panel, he taps the sign, which says 'First drafts are not supposed to be perfect'

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Scribe Forge @scribeforge.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Writers: word count is not everything. Thinking is writing. Rereading is writing. Daydreaming is writing. Deleting a chapter because you’ve realized it doesn’t work is writing. Word count is just one part. #writing #writers

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Lizzie Blackwood @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Wait, we have to finish them? 😳🤣 This is something I'm still working through. I've finished many drafts, but editing and polishing a book through to publication is something I have yet to accomplish. Content-wise, I have a weakness for ending a story on a schmaltzy emotional note. 😅 #PretendPanel

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Kara Moon 🏴‍☠️💜⚓️ @karamoonauthor.com · 03/01/2025

Whether you've never done a writer's panel, or done a fair few, it's good to think about what you might be asked, and how you would answer. This is #pretendpanel, a prompt tag for all interested writers. Jan 3: How do you start a book? #WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts

#pretendpanel
a daily prompt tag hosted by @hiriadunning.bsky.social
January 3rd:
How do you start a book?
Please support your fellow #pretendpanel posters with replies, likes and repost!

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Day 1: Hi! I'm Chris. He/Him. By day, I'm a math teacher, husband, and dad. I've enjoyed escaping into fantastic worlds my whole life. My current #WIP is a cozy bit of magical realism set in the hills of late 19th century Appalachia that's been stewing, unwritten, far too long. #pretendpanel

Pretend Panel Prompt Schedule. Daily prompts for January to encourage authors to share about their works.

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Post a gif from your favorite Christmas episode. #amwriting #books #booksky💙📚

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Sometimes, I just copy down 'first lines' to ground myself. #Books #BookSky💙📚 #writingcommunity #handwriting #penmanship #startingoffwrite

Handwritten copy of the first paragraph from Becky Chambers's The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Handwritten copy of the first line from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

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Chris @cwb-writes.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Reading some craft books. Ensuring the characters are real to me. Make a beat-by-beat, scene-by-scene guide for what needs to be accomplished as I progress through the story. Writing down different ideas for scenes and world-building ideas I'd love to see implemented. #StartingOffWrite

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