iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 4h

went on a walk specifically to take pictures of the queer pumpkin house I drive past every workday

A Victorian style house with turret whose three balconies are lined with pumpkins. An inclusive Pride flag is displayed. More pumpkins ring around the giant pine tree on the front lawn.

A close up of a Victorian style house with turret whose three balconies are lined with pumpkins. An inclusive Pride flag is displayed.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

curled up next to some books, she’s living that librarian’s cat life

Glinda, an orange and white cat lays amongst blankets on a bed next to a pile of three books. The book on top is The Scourge Between Stars.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

a synonym and a little nod to the train scene from Anastasia 1997 for today's #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An excerpt from the first draft of my book A Thief's Guide to Happily Ever After: She stands and crosses to Melirin, clasping her shoulder. “Hey, I’m going—”
A fist flies out, and Ness rears back, her face searing with pain, as she cups her tender nose. “What the fuck?!”
Melirin scowls. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“I wasn’t. I was waking you up to tell you I’m going for a walk but you had to go and attack me.”
“You should’ve said my name or something.” She shoves to her feet, raising her voice. “You can’t just touch someone and not expect some sort of reaction.”
“I didn’t want to wake Thias.”

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#QueerWritersChat A3: DETAILS WANTED, the next project I plan to draft, will have alllll of the romantic yearning

a collection of memes:
-a "look babe, i finished a new boo" gf and a "tell me all about it" gf
-a person on their knees slamming a fist onto the ground surrounded by hearts with the words when they laugh
-a person on their knees holding out their credit card with the caption taking naps together
-a woman holding a tankard labeled "that gay shit" and drinking deeply
-Two women almost kissing
-someone being patient with yo is one of the best forms of love
-a bunny rabbit before a table of books with the caption I'm full of useless information
-a smiling stick person labeled "person who asks weird random with a questions" and another smiling stick person labeled "person who answers them anyways"
-bro, she's a piece of art, pin her against the wall
-don't shorten your words, I like your details
-mentally I'm a slut physically I'm scared of intimacy
-sitting here: unkissed. when will it end
-if we were two sunflowers I would have faced you instead of the sun

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Hi #QueerWritersChat! I’m Leah (she/her) and I’m prepping to do my first revision of my adult fantasy romance that’s ANASTASIA x OCEAN’S 8. Have I been prepping for a while? Yes. But! I adopted a cat on Tuesday!

A small female cat named Glinda curled up on towels and looking at the camera. her name is Glinda and she’s orange and white.

Glinda “loafing” on a pillow my mother made atop a chair which has become “her seat”.

Glinda curled up sleeping on my bath mat.

Glinda stepping one paw out from underneath my bed with a determined look on her face.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

going with a synonym for today's #WIPSnips due to the actual word being a part of spoilery lines #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An excerpt from the first draft of my book A Thief's Guide to Happily Ever After: “Aww,” Vivee says, lowering her voice as she steps beside Ness. “This reminds me of my first shopping trip when I began transitioning. The joy of finding the right fit for you—there’s nothing better.”
Ness reaches for her hand and gives a fond squeeze. She’s always admired Vivee’s casual vulnerability, how easily she finds connections with others. “Let me guess, you’ve already decided to befriend him?”
“The poor man just lost his parents. He needs people looking after him.”
“Yes, well, try not to get too attached, okay?” Ness cuts a look to Thias. Though his crown is gone, he still carries himself with the regalness of a noble. “He’s royalty, and once we collect the reward money from his aunt, we’ll likely never see him again.”
It’s as much a reminder to herself as it is to Vivee.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Walked from my new apartment to the bakery that sells out by noon to bring pastries to my parents as a treat!

A box of pastries from Bri’s Fresh Bakes: Pretzel
Apple Butter Cinnamon Roll
Potato and Leek Croissant
Pumpkin Cruffin
Turkey and Pepper Jack cheese croissant
Pear and Almond Croissant
Pistachio Croissant
Nutella Cruffin
Maple Chai Morning Bun.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

When you run into your unfairly attractive nemesis in the middle of a heist #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

an excerpt from the first draft of my book A Thief's Guide to Happily Ever After: The rhythm of Ness’ heart trips, as if it’s unsure whether to speed up or slow down. Try as she might, she can’t look away. The infernal woman is wearing a dress. No, a gown. It’s a rich burgundy with long sleeves, a deep vee neckline, and high slits in the skirt that reveal tantalizing flashes of her long legs as she stalks the perimeter of the dance floor.
“Change in plans?” Vivee asks, fingers tightening on her tray.
A swirl of whirling dancers separates them, but Ness knows the instant Melirin finds her. Their eyes meet like a key in a lock and for a scant moment, neither of them moves, as if willing the other still by keeping their eyes on one another. But then the orchestra ends its song, and Melirin is starting across the room as the last violin note fades from the air.
Before she can think better of it, Ness takes a generous sip of wine and hands the glass to Vivee. “I’ll handle her.”

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

A patron I helped at the library yesterday came back with flowers as a thank you!

A vase of pink, purple, and white flowers decorated with a fake dark blue butterfly and a pink ribbon.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Ness catches sight of her two love interests kissing each other and wishes she could join them #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An excerpt from the first draft of my WIP: A Thief's Guide to Happily Ever After: A feverish heat sweeps over her. In someone else, it might be fueled by hurt, jealousy, or embarrassment. Any of those would be understandable. But the fire stirring inside her is fed by hunger, a want for more. Watching the two of them together is far more intoxicating than the glass of wine in her hand. For one dizzying moment, she imagines joining them outside.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

THE RUTHLESS LADY'S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY+A RESTLESS TRUTH That awkward moment when you (a poor, bi, autistic woman with wanderlust) agree to pretend to chaperone a lesbian duchess so she can woo women instead of men but then you start falling for her while trying to solve a murder #QuestPit #W #F #R

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

ANASTASIA x RUNNING CLOSE TO THE WIND To keep her queer crew from being kicked out of their gang, 24 year-old Ness must steal a prince, get him to his rich aunt, and keep her pretty nemesis from interfering. Falling for both the prince and her nemesis wasn't in the plan. #QuestPit #W #A #F #R

An icy blue background with the title of my book A Thief's Guide to Happily Ever After.

An icy blue back groun with The pitch for my book A Thief's Guide to Happily Ever After: To keep her queer crew from being kicked out of their gang, 24 year-old thief Ness must steal a prince, get him to his rich aunt, and keep her pretty nemesis from interfering. Falling for both of them wasn’t in the plan. A collage of memes for my book A Thief's Guide to Happily Ever After:
-steal everything your gay little hands can carry
-middle spoon
-the nonsense has escalated
-* instant regret *
-the sexual tension when someone says "make me"
-Be Gay do Crimes
-A knife? Are you flirting with me?
-A cat walking on two legs carrying an umbrella and carpet bag. Sheet music with the caption I don't know where I'm going but I'm gay
-A tweet from @ MaineMillennial: the goal of polyamory is to acquire enough partners to pull off a successful heist.

For fans of Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland (fun romp, horny MC), A Power Unbound by Freya Marske (queer fantasy romance, cool magic system), Little Thieves by Margaret Owen (female con MC, cat-and-mouse romance), 1997 Anastasia movie (banter, travel) Ocean’s Eight movie and The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi (heists, found family).

A snippet from the first draft of my book A Thief's Guide to Happily Ever After: “Stop, thief.”
Ness stills. She knows that voice.
Smooth blades of midnight wrapped in silk.
A frisson of excitement shoots down Ness’ spine, and she has to force herself to turn slowly. It’s bad form for a mouse to appear too eager to entice the cat into a heart-pounding chase. Though she’s shrouded in shadow, she meets Melirin’s flinty gaze unerringly. Her obsidian eyes glint with a spark of challenge.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Feels good to have chopped off a bunch of hair

Me, a white woman, with chin-length curly brown hair.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

I know I've shared this snippet multiple times before, but I'm sharing it again because I like it! #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An excerpt from the first draft of my adult queer fantasy romance book: Vivee snags a wooden cup from the table and holds it aloft regally. “Then we celebrate our success with food and drink!”
“Oooh, yes, can we go to the new place Magna mentioned? He swears they have the best skycakes and sometimes they let you choose the pattern they cook into them.”
A slight smile slips across Ness’ lips at the dreamy gleam in Britha’s eyes—maybe their next job should be a pastry heist of some sort. But that’s getting too far ahead.
Step one, steal a prince. Step two, consume confections. And step three, plan more capers with her friends.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

when you run into your nemesis at a ball when you're in the middle of a job #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An excerpt from the first draft of my Be Gay Do Crimes WIP: Melirin halts just out of arm’s reach. “What are you doing here?”
Oh, the usual, here to steal a prince. It’s tempting to let the words fall from her mouth, to leave the spy entirely nonplussed, but instead she says, “Would you believe I was invited?”
“Absolutely not. You’re up to something, like always.”
“Am I?” If there were a wall or pillar nearby, Ness would lean against it, but there isn’t, so she settles for her classic knowing smirk. “And here I thought I came for the dancing and food.”

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

✨ quote post! introduce yourself! ✨ name: Leah pronouns: she/her fav fantasy creature: Dragons! fav book last year...see next post fav book so far this year: The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin and current fav movie: Clue current fav show: Haunting of Hill House season: winter ...and a gif/meme

A post from @tesbecca which reads so simple but easily one of the most romantic lines ever spoken on tv and a screenshot from Abbot Elementary of Gregory telling Janine "I take all your recommendations seriously. I want to know why you like stuff."

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Unrelated: @stevewestenra.bsky.social I’m about halfway through Dracula and I’m pleased to discover others have had similar reactions to it as me

Jonathan Harker: Oh my god, I am a prisoner in this wretched castle! Nothing but prey for that bewildering Dracula fellow! There is no hope for me but to pray I arise no suspicion in Dracula so I may delay the inevitable.
Dracula, washing Johnathan’s dishes: This is going great. I’m gonna get a good grade in being human, which is both normal and possible to achieve.

Dracula is so funny right now Mina and Lucy’s letters are just like hiiii bestie Lola sweetheart 😍😍😍 how are youuuuu I love you so much 🥰 can’t wait to see you again you’re my favorite person everrrr did I hear you have a crush 🤭🤭 btw sorry 4 slow replies 😅😅 I was busy thinking about my boyfriend 😍😍😍Johnathan 😍😍😍 and then the Johnathan is question is just like Dear Diary Today I Experienced Horrors Beyond My Comprehension.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

I'm sharing a longer snippet than usual just because this is a fun scene "blade" #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An excerpt from the first draft of my Be Gay Do Crimes WIP: What turns out to be a peach galette hits the spy in the shoulder and bounces off. For a moment, both of them are still, then Melirin blinks slowly. “Did you just fling a pastry at me?”
“Yup.” She snags two croissants and tosses them like throwing stars. Maybe if she distracts her enough with food flying through the air, she’ll be able to slip out of the room.
Melirin bats the flaky crescents away. “This is ridiculous, even for you.”
Oh, she’ll show her ridiculous. Ness turns and spies a bowl full of whipped cream. With a grin, she scoops up a spoonful and spins around, holding it aloft triumphantly.
“Don’t you dare.”
Ness flicks the spoon at her. The whipped cream sails through the air, landing on her left cheek. Eyes flashing with anger, Melirin snatches up her sword and rushes at Ness, shoving her against the wall and bringing the blade to bare inches from her throat.
Shit, that backfired.
Ness releases a shaky breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She’s close enough to see the whipped cream has slid down Melirin’s cheek, catching on her lips. Suddenly, she has the urge to lick the cream from her mouth.
What the hell? Now is not the time. It’ll never be the time, not with her. Unless, she’s distracting her—that certainly wouldn’t count.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

I saw people talking about Widow's Bay being renewed. It's the first I've heard of the show, so I decided to look it up and the "did you mean" took me out😂

A screenshot of a Google Search results page for "widow's bay" in which Google suggests: Did you mean "the next martha's vineyard and definitely not cursed".

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

#QueerWritersChat A4: Here's a snippet from the first draft of my Be Gay Do Crimes WIP with the word "art"

An excerpt from the first draft of my Be Gay Do Crimes WIP: As the train official trails off, Ness rises and casts a furtive glance in their direction. The sleeve of one of the passenger’s shirts has fallen to their elbow, revealing a tattoo of a black dagger, its outline glowing like an ember amongst coal. Whoever this person is, they’re seconds away from summoning the blade from their skin. The hairs on Ness’ nape stand on end. She’s heard of the tavere—ink mages trained in the complex art of transmuting body ink—but she has no desire to see this one in action. Besides, Melirin might catch up to her at any moment.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

#QueerWritersChat A2: Oh gosh, there is so much art I find inspirational! Okay, I'll limit myself to two. a) Anastasia artwork by Lexidus Art that I used for inspo for my current WIP b) Van Gogh's Cafe Terrace at Night that my sister bought for me to hang in my apartment

Anastasia stands below a swirling sky of people dancing amongst the stars; the night sky is full of a variety of shade s of blue, purple, pink, and black.

A yellow cafe building with people sitting at small tables outside it while people stroll by; Van Gogh's famous starry night motif can be seen in the background.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Vivee, a trans bisexual woman with ink magic, talking about using her magic to help people with their identification papers seems like a pretty good fit for today's #SapphicLineShare theme: identity #QueerWriters #BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #Pride

An excerpt from the first draft of my Be Gay Do Crimes WIP: “Thanks. For now, I’m happy to assist people outside the law. That’s actually how I met Britha. She was helping her brother through his transition. When he heard rumors of someone in Triselyss’ gang forging identity documents free of charge for people whose paperwork didn’t match their gender, she insisted on going with him. Afterwards, I sweet talked her into joining the gang.”

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

A synonym and a little story within a story for today's #WIPSnips: Melirin is telling the story "The Imposter's Last Lie" #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An excerpt from the first draft of my Be Gay Do Crimes WIP: “Long ago, far away, there lived a girl who never quite fit. She was quiet when she needed to be loud and loud in places she should’ve been quiet. When she tried to help others, they found her presence cloying and irksome. But when she kept her distance, people viewed her as arrogant and aloof. No matter the situation, she always felt like an outsider.”

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

#QueerWritersChat A3: Kind of? My reward to myself is that whenever I finish drafting a chapter, I get to buy a song. So, here's the one I've been making for the 1st draft of my Be Gay Do Crimes WIP. Some of the songs fit the book and others I just like 🤷‍♀️

Playlist: When We're Together, What Was I Made For? abcedfu(angrier), A Little Wicked, I'm Confident that I'm Insecure, Rat, Proud Mary, Runaway Baby, Red Wine Supernova, Dream Boy, Not Another Rock Star.

Playlist: True to Your Heart, How Will I Know, It Ain't Over, Hard Times, Chaise Longue, Blame Brett, Seventeen, Gossip, Hot to Go!, Pink Pony Club, Shadow, Rebel Girl.

Playlist: Glasgow Roaster, Old Tom Bombadil, The Lotto, Unsweetened Lemonade, How It's Done, Dulaman, Soy Yo, Psycho, The King of Wishful Thinking, Cold Cold Cold, A Tear in the Space, Heartwood.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

#SFFChat A4: *immediately goes to learn more about worms instead of answering this question* A 190 foot worm?!

A screenshot of the wikipedia entry for worm which states Worms vary in size from microscopic to over 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length for marine polychaete worms (bristle worms);[1] 6.7 metres (22 ft) for the African giant earthworm, Microchaetus rappi;[2] and 58 metres (190 ft) for the marine nemertean worm (bootlace worm), Lineus longissimus.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

I'm doing a PowerPoint night with friends, and I have prepared slides to convince people to watch Taskmaster

List of reasons to watch Taskmaster: funny; UK, Australia, New Zealand; Nothing matters; loopholes; team tasks; free on YouTube, Kumail Nanjiani. A sealed envelope with the word Taskmaster on it; the sabotage task featuring Fern Brady, John Kearns, and Dara Ó Briain; Kumail Nanjiani with his mouth open in delighted surprise; the contestants of series 12 in picture frames (Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson, and Victoria Coren Mitchell).

A collection of stills from Taskmaster: James Acaster saying "I know it's early days, are we the stupidest so far?"; Bob Mortimer singing "Rosalind is a fucking nightmare"; Mike Wazniak telling a vole, "You've got no chutzpah! Uh, your organizational skills are lackluster, your timekeeping is abysmal."; Julian Clary saying "Well, it was quite hard work for an ageing homosexual"; Daisy May Cooper saying "only elephants and hippos have that kind of tail.; Katherine Parkinson asking, "am I the spider?"; and Asim Chaudry singing "Tall motherfucker with the ivory hair."

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

#QueerWritersChat A4: Who on earth knows if this will make it to draft two, but here it is for now!

An excerpt from the first draft of my Be Gay Do Crimes WIP: Drumming her fingers against the table, Ness considers the pockets of cloth mages scattered about the room. Their clothes are a rich melody full of contrast: the practical earth tones of the common people’s clothes, the jewel-colored fabrics of the wealthy, and the beautifully embroidered garments in the winter shades of the highlands.

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leahbauerwrites.bsky.social @leahbauerwrites.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

The battle of wills continues: keep growing my hair out vs cutting it short again 😅

Me, a white woman, with shoulder length curly brown hair

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