Sign in

kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social

@kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social
76 followers 69 following 161 posts
PostsRepliesMedia
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Okay! 2000 words yesterday, 1800 today, nearly done with the act II synopsis! Carpal Tunnel here I come, lol.
media.tenor.com
a cartoon of a baseball player wearing a hat with the letter g on it
ALT: a cartoon of a baseball player wearing a hat with the letter g on it
000 0
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Good morning #5amwritersclub! This time of year I'm writing to the light of the Christmas tree, wishing for a fire in the darkness.
050 5
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Urgent Holiday Request: DO NOT start whistling the song the clothes dryer makes when the cycle is complete. JUST DON'T.
000 0
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
Okay. I broke down and started storyboarding my book after watching Mr Scorsese on Apple TV. However, I've decided not to do the cocaine.
010 1
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Killing your darlings. Oof. Love that character. Written a lot for them. Reminding myself they're just going on ice, not gone. After all, there's a whole other book for them to live in. Still sad. 'Cause you gotta love 'em to write 'em. Here's some sap to go with the whine. #5amwritersclub
youtube.com
Tom Waits - "Somewhere" (From 'West Side Story')
YouTube video by Tom Waits
060 6
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
I think I might have figured something out! I only wish it didn't take so dang long. #5amwritersclub #writesky
190 9
Reposted by @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social
God @thegodshow.com · 11/10/2025
Peaceful assembly isn’t an insurrection. Storming the Capitol to hang your own vice-president and end democracy is.
278230096795 23K
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Currently mining for a bright silver vein, a shining ribbon through the world on the pages. #5amwritersclub #writersky
080 8
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Someone asked me how I think up my books- and it nearly always starts with a news story of someone doing something awful or bizarre and wondering what story they're telling themselves about the world. Up at 3 with kalamata olive induced migraine. #5amwritersclub #migraine
080 8
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Yesterday, completely demoralized. Then my husband reminded me that I'd written and outlined quite a lot and was likely just tired. Perspective.
media.tenor.com
a picture of a man in a suit with the caption look at the big picture here
ALT: a picture of a man in a suit with the caption look at the big picture here
120 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
So the other day @alicebooks333.bsky.social posted that she preferred writing a standalone to a series. And I was all "oooh, my characters have sooo much to say!" Then my writing buddy read my histfic synopsis and said "that's three books," and suddenly I felt a real tug to write a standalone.
media.tenor.com
a man in a suit and hawaiian shirt is standing in front of a door .
ALT: a man in a suit and hawaiian shirt is standing in front of a door .
020 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
It might actually be my favorite film, favorite script. Crimson Peak. Guillermo Del Torro.
media.tenor.com
a poster for the movie crimson peak showing a woman with bloody hands
ALT: a poster for the movie crimson peak showing a woman with bloody hands
020 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
“When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.” Stephen King I start by writing a synopsis- a long one- and really working on it. Then, I map the plot points out on powerpoint. Then I'll write it.
media.tenor.com
a black and white photo of a man with the words we 've presumed to prepare a draft below him
ALT: a black and white photo of a man with the words we 've presumed to prepare a draft below him
010 1
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
OKAY! Rough draft of synopsis for The French House complete! 10,000 words. Tomorrow, I will fill in a few blanks and start polishing the synopsis! 1720's London. #histfic #5amwritersclub #writersky
060 6
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Back in it after a lot of research for my 18thc #histfic. How did Londoners get around at night or in the fog? How much would a hansom cab cost from Mayfair to Westminster? How often did carriages get stuck or break a wheel? What types of pumps did capital ships carry and do they work in a storm?
media.tenor.com
a painting of a man in a wig reading a book .
ALT: a painting of a man in a wig reading a book .
010 1
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
There's a lot that goes into writing a book! Proof reading for spelling, tense and grammar. POV/head hopping checks. Voice consistency & choice- first, third & omniscient. Character building/arcs. Plot holes. Weak opens, soggy middles and unresolved endings. Unearned twists. What's hanging you up?
media.tenor.com
a man is sitting at a desk with a keyboard and the words oh my god writing is so hard above him
ALT: a man is sitting at a desk with a keyboard and the words oh my god writing is so hard above him
020 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Out nearly a week with migraine and feeling like time has slipped through my fingers. Need to dig down and find some new vein of energy to give to these poor, poor books of mine. #writersky #5amwritersclub
media.tenor.com
a black and white photo of a woman laying in bed with a tcm logo
ALT: a black and white photo of a woman laying in bed with a tcm logo
040 4
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
020 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Did a lot of research and character work today, but still feel itchy that I didn't do as much "writing" as I'd like to have. But I do love what's happening with these people! #writersky
media.tenor.com
kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
ALT: kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
030 3
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Slept in. Needed it. #5amwritersclub had become the three am writers club for a few weeks. Nearly done outlining The French House #specfic historical 18th century offshoot of current-day #gothic #specfic #literarythriller Think spies, Isaac Newton, Chocolate Houses, Jacobites & land speculation.
randombitsoffascination.com
English Chocolate Houses
While chocolate seems ubiquitous today, it did not make its official debut in England until the 1650s when it became very popular in the English Royal Court.)…
060 6
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Some days the #5amwritersclub is just thinking about your book in bed. Like, what are 5 quirks of each character? Why do i think there are two "h"'s in character? How do Freeholds work? What were the building materials in London after the Great Fire? Could Samuel Pepys be more self-interested?
1131 13
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
I collect stories of writers wrestling award winning books over the finish line. Stephen King rewriting The Stand, Michael Chabon says it happens on most of his, and this is Margaret Atwood finding the narrator. Take heart, rewriters! www.theguardian.com/books/2013/a... #5amwritersclub #booksky
theguardian.com
Margaret Atwood on The Blind Assassin – Guardian book club
The events of the great depression, as lived through by the characters, are all drawn from history, writes Margaret Atwood
060 6
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Writing to the hum of cicadas and frogs...and the startling scream of a night heron. Dripping out the backstory...with one spouse offering an apologia of the other to an adult child. "She is more your ally in this than your enemy." Maybe! #writersky #5amwritersclub #writing
0210 21
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
Having way too much fun with The French House! Dreaming up a ripping yarn grounded in the amazing year of 1720 London. I'm really enjoying writing this historical fiction! #Huguenots #london #Jacobites #histfic #5AMWritersClub #writesky #skywriters #writingcommunity #booksky #althistfic
John Theophilus Desaguliers
0120 12
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
A fun 5am start today- revisited my 1720 historical fiction spin off of my main current day series. Fun to take a little break and dip back into the South Sea Bubble! Many parallels to our world, of course. #5amwritersclub #booksky #writersky www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Hi...
historic-uk.com
The South Sea Bubble of 1720
The 18th century version of the Dot Com Boom - and Bust!
181 8
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Ooh! Real Human Art for sale! Get an art print! 49003330.hs-sites.com/john-whitake...
030 3
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Weak Openings, Soggy Middles and Junk Shop Endings. Of these, my current novel has pitted me against my opening most often. I've played with four of them now, and two of them simply moved. I think the current one will work. But then again, I thought that about the others!
media.tenor.com
elmo is standing in front of a fire with the words `` so it begins '' .
ALT: elmo is standing in front of a fire with the words `` so it begins '' .
040 4
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
I had a long wait at the University's Animal Clinic. This is how I amused myself...
050 5
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
As a science fiction lover (but not the genre I write in), I was thrilled to read Octavia Butler, but ashamed not to have known of her earlier. Our son shared his syllabus from an Alternative Worlds class and I got a copy of her short stories, Bloodchild. Read it during a blackout.
050 5
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Wearing ear pods to get in the 5 am writing zone, the sound of a Great Horned Owl calling is clear as day above the hum of the fan. #5amwritersclub #writing
0150 15
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
Good Morning! Wishing you Good Writing today and this weekend! #writingCommunity #booksky #WritersOfBlueSky
A Chihuahua dog with a sassy bob wishing you BON CHANCE with your writing.
060 6
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
Hey writers! What's your creative method for getting backstory out? For me, it's creating media surrounding the events of my story. #writesky #skywriters #writingcommunity
media.tenor.com
a group of men are sitting around a table with the words media media written on the bottom
ALT: a group of men are sitting around a table with the words media media written on the bottom
020 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness... #Writing #Booksky #authors
020 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
What do you call it when: --You write something awesome and come back to find it absolute dreck --You write something mid and come back to find gold I guess I just have to call it writing. But it feels like a bad case of beer goggles. #writingCommunity #writerSky #authorSky
020 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Genre Bending? Tell us what chocolate is in your peanut butter-the OG mashup! Knowing this matters when you query- you want Agents that are fans of the key elements of your story. Mine is Speculative-Gothic-Thriller #booksky #WritersCommunity #writingcommunity #thriller #speculative #gothic
media.tenor.com
a close up of a woman 's face with the words oh so you doing the bending
ALT: a close up of a woman 's face with the words oh so you doing the bending
050 5
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Thou shalt not complicate when complexity is better. Thou shalt rewrite. #writing #authorlife
040 4
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Have you ever been asked if you're a pantser or a plotter? I submit that every first time author is a pantser by default and that much of the journey is becoming a plotter of some type. Your thoughts? #booksky #gothic #writing #WritingCommunity #WritersCommunity #ReadingCommunity #indieauthors
masterclass.com
Plotters vs. Pantsers: What Kind of Writer Are You? - 2025 - MasterClass
When planning novels, writers generally fall into two categories: “plotters” and “pantsers.” Learn whether a pantser approach, or writing without a roadmap, is the right fit for you.
020 2
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
1970s books #BookSky #bookchallenge #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #booktok #bookish #books
050 5
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Beauty amongst the wreckage. #Gothic #Booksky
010 1
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Did you know these authors are in the #Gothic genre? Joyce Carol Oates Stephen King Margaret Atwood Flannery O'Connor Shirley Jackson Toni Morrison Cormac McCarthy Anne Rice Charlotte Bronte Daphne DuMaurier Henry James Robert Louis Stevenson Louisa May Alcott Edith Wharton What's your Gothic Love?
media.tenor.com
a man stands in front of a fence with a sign that says rodan
ALT: a man stands in front of a fence with a sign that says rodan
110 1
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
When you realize your heart beats for #Gothic As Carol Senf has stated, "the Gothic was... a counterbalance produced by writers and thinkers who felt limited by such a confident worldview and recognized that the power of the past, the irrational, and the violent continue to sway in the world."
140 4
kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social @kellywhitakerbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Swing for the fences #booksky
120 2