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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#LGBTQWriteAThon, Oct 5: Start writing, start writing, start writing, start writing, start-- Or continue what I already started... 😅

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

A conjunction between the humanity of thriving identities and ways of life and how "survival isn't enough" when oppression becomes law.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#PretendPanel Oct 3: Maybe it's pretentious, but I write for queer kids out there. More specifically those socialized as boys through gentle, concerned pressure of well meaning family.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Just a few images from my WIP's (very new, like, just put it together) mood board. 😅 #LGBTQWriteAThon Oct 2.

The protag as a male courtesan (in world term šren).

A bit of general flavor. The world has gas lamps and printing presses.

More of the same... the protag is also a student-scholar restoring an archive.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#SongsOfSeptember Day 23: I play this whenever I start a good writing sesh: Loreena McKennitt's "Sun, Moon, and Stars" It's more about the setting... Which is vaguely Andalusian.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I would LOVE to say "get back on the horse" and write more, but... It's a hell of a week. Probably won't be happening. I can hopefully pick it up again next week. Meanwhile: work out the snag the book is in, so I can write my way out of it! Also, maybe: stay gloriously queer! 🏳️‍🌈 #QueerWriters

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

And during, 😂 But in all seriousness: yes. It's an easy period where I keep my word count goals by exploring other projects and ideas. But no pressure to produce. #QueerWritersChat

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A bit blocked and busy. Went shopping while plotting my way out of this slump... #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Drafting

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This one feels personal, somehow, because it ties into themes, don't it? Dear #QueerPrompts, my characters recognize the world is unfair and there isn't much they can do about it, but they believe they can find safety and survival if they're smart enough and careful enough.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

This is, in fact, an integral part of the initiation ceremony for becoming a courtesan/Rose. They do it with invisible ink, so for a few days it's just an irritated area. Carries on an old tradition of using invisible ink to tattoo "words of power" (or the equivalent in this world). #QueerPrompts

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#Septopolis, 12: The dominant "philosophy" is the Dicta of the High Priory, which denounces all gods' divinity and worship. Think of chanting Bible verses to wipe away magic or supernatural claims. But also, persecuting queerness and the old ways of the land they conquered.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#SongsOfSeptember #14: Got *nothing* for the MC, but my villain LIVES "Hellfire" from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Trust me, though I haven't written that equivalent scene yet. 😂

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I am queer and grew up with very few stuff to read. I know there's a lot more of that now, but the big epic stuff is still mostly heteronormative. So, this is me writing what I wish I could read.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

He trusts them, and this is him realizing he needs a wider network (which he has) to keep things from falling apart.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Had D&D today, so no new writing done. Here's a little snippet from my WIP The First Blade ("prequel" of Illusion's Bane). Very first draft, be gentle if you're inclined to comment/critique. #AmWriting #WriteSky #AuthorLife #QueerFantasy

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I've long now realized my voice has a very soporific effect, so I probably won't be reading it myself. But I'll think about paying someone to record it professionally, if the ebooks or print is doing well. Sure! That's such a long way from now, #PretendPanel. Gotta focus on just #WritingFiction now.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#QueerPrompts, Sept 12: The one I intend: Queerness is sacred and beautiful. Another possible one: Survival isn't enough. Fight to protect your loved ones! #LoveIsABlade.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#PretendPanel Sept 11: I like audiobooks and I am very picky about them. I *prefer* to read along when possible because my mind does wander. But I don't really have a commute any more... Harder to pause daily life and listen.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

So many agendas! Yllan is rife with plots and rumors of plots. Most prominently, you have the quiet Cynae restorationists who will soon find a plucky scholar-courtesan as their figurehead, and the ruthless Priory, leashed for now, always ready to enforce orthodoxy. #Septopolis

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Caelan was a serious child who learned fun later. But he would totally give Aric - a street urchin he adopts as a little brother - a plushie. Just because he doesn't want the boy's innocence to fade in the harsh realities of Yllan, Turncoat City. #QueerPrompts

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Who, me? Still trying to work through The Spear Cuts Through Water, but literally everything keeps my earphones off and the audiobook paused. #QueerPrompts

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

YLLAN is a small canyon city. It has about 45% Cynae (older) ancestry and 35% Varanian, with the rest being either Raethi attendants or mixed/uncounted. That's my #Septopolis, I guess.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Dubious milestone: got a publishing scam email pretending to be from HarperCollins. QUITE unsolicited! 😆 #Flattered #Reported #Deleted Meanwhile, I wrote a nice spicy scene for my chapter two. #AmWriting #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Stickman's Fiery Writing

ALT: Stickman's Fiery Writing

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I arrived at Yllan sort of randomly. During the War of the Banners, which saw the "conquest" of the peninsula by the Crown of Var, Yllan capitulated to the armies coming down from the North without a fight. Since then, it's been known as Turncoat City. It's essentially a puppet. #Septopolis

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#QueerPrompts Sept 7: You mean, who already did? Caelan did. Aimé and Wardelyn have lots of money, but Caelan spent all he had (not much) to restore the old, neglected archives under the Domes and restore books there.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Caelan is a courtesan, serving the illicit pleasures of the kingdom and yes, he's very good at it... But he's far more passionate about BOOKS. Right now balances the inner nerd with the forbidden role. How long will that last? 😁 #Septversary

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Caelan's mentor would have him flayed, but with stern words and disappointment. Which is worse. Her cane whacks, but her words kill. Also, maybe, a learning institution or two would burn to the ground because of some damn zealots. #QueerPrompts #HesACourtesanScholar

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Okay, now that I've chosen to continue Caelan's story... Hell yes! Caelan doesn't say much, observes much, and catches everything. So when he speaks, he's delivering a blow to someone's psyche, or a seduction, or dropping lore bombs. His friends are sarcastic noblings, no less sharp. #pretendpanel

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

And here's the alternate project I could work on. Much more ready and far more needed (wrote the sequel first, thinking it would be the first book of the series and only realized I needed a book "before" to establish character and setting better). #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #QueerFantasyFiction

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

If only I felt comfortable writing animal interiority... I'm afraid the characters will have to be boring ol' humans. Maybe an aware bot or two.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

My current audiobook obsession, except I can't find the quiet time to just sit down and listen. 😆 Need long commutes, again. #WritingInspiration #BookSky #QueerBooks

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Dunno if this is the "new project" but it's what "came through" last night before going to bed. Been a while since a specific thing has arrived in full. It's meant to be the "ending"? We'll see if compelling enough characters arrive. Four of them? #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #PostApocFiction?

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Not while I'm writing. And yes, for very prelim, fresh-off-the-typewriter stuff I have my hubby.

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

After two weeks, I think I am ready to write again. Life kept me busy, but I think I should be able to squeeze a few hours to pump out 1,000 words again. 𝓛𝓮𝓽'𝓼 𝓱𝓸𝓹𝓮 𝓼𝓸! #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Then maybe till I have both Vessel and Crown out to read the more complete romance arc... 😂

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I'm surprised I wrote a romance at all. Romantic subplots, yes, sometimes. But Vessel made the romance part of the technology and the war, given it's ancient Greek inspo. So there I went. Won't spoil the end, but I had a choice between writing a character faithfully and genre conventions. #SumLuv

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Difficult to tell, but I prefer clean covers with almost logographic designs... Either that or very apt croppings of Renaissance art for my fantasy stuff. #PrerendPanel

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Plotting my queer political fantasy prequel in a 7-book epic. Invoking the great wisdom of the #QueerFantasy writing/reading masses: What tropes do you LOVE and which do you HATE? What do you think we need more of? Talk to me. #AuthorsLife #WritingCommunity #BookSky #WritingAdvise

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Man Typing on a Daktilo Typewriter

ALT: Man Typing on a Daktilo Typewriter

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I keep them apart. But honestly: Faren just lost his husband and soul mate (less destined, more manufactured). Evander was assigned to replace him. I honor the grief. But also... Faren is already keenly aware that war consumes love and doesn't want it to happen again. #SumLuv

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Skeletor Laughs In Evil

ALT: Skeletor Laughs In Evil

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Dayan Skipper-Martinez @dskippermartinez.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Aaaannnd it's cloudy. At least the beach wasn't too hot???

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