iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 2h

#AwesomeCharacters I'm guessing it's Saida's plan in order to foster togetherness. Tevyal is attending to make sure nobody attacks her. Dom finagles it into a charity dinner for the Thaumic Reactivity Foundation, so he spends his time working the room for donations. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The press isn't the only one that picked a story and ran with it... #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Excerpt from Delay of Game by Lisa L Hilton

Dom spot-checked the last two preseason games. He’d played the majority of the third game, and things had been rougher than he’d expected. He’d created his own narrative—Jed was still rusty, the team hadn’t gelled yet, nobody was going to risk injury to make a big play in the preseason. He’d sat out the final preseason game, and his personal narrative had made him miss some of the same signs he’d seen last night.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Oh. Not plot pivotal. Hm. Saida writes herself a rest day with no interruptions. Tevyal writes himself a really juicy steak. --- Dom writes himself a good day of practice where he doesn't have a concussion. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida is usually fairly patient, except when people are already on her nerves for other reasons. Tevyal has to learn to be patient with himself first of all. He was not particularly patient before the story started. 1/?

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THUNK DA PEON @thunkdapeon.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

((Ink’s starting to smudge so I should probably be done with this sticky note doodle.) (Any resemblance to Gobbos living, deceased or on the TL is purely coincidental.)

((A really stupid sticky note doodle of an Orc Peon wearing a baby carrier across his chest with an angry Goblin riding in it. The caption declares him to be a “Goblin-Sitter Peon”.)

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida has a decent perception of herself, but there are blind spots. She's decent at compartmentalizing, and she hasn't quite figured out that she doesn't have to read every single report that comes across her desk. :) 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

NotMike/Jonah for sure. A perfect fit for him. :)

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

How could I not snip this book for this word? :D #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

$Excerpt from Delay of Game by Lisa L Hilton Dom left the cane in his locker and went out to get some practice. They pulled Jed to throw for him. It was just light work, but Dom could feel the fractional delay in each throw. And he realized that he’d been compensating for it without noticing. He’d been getting himself where Jed would get the ball, not where the ball was supposed to be. Doing that now, even in easy drills, was draining him. He paused, needing to close his eyes to think.$

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida doesn't do a lot for fun. The closest is spending time with her father, and she only rarely allows herself to do that. Tevyal is also not much of a fun guy, but I do imagine that, some day, he's going to grab a camel and a handler and learn to ride a camel. 1/?

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D.N. Schmidt, SF author🪐📚 @dnschmidt.com · 26/09/2026

I made a typo describing a character's appearance, and now I want to rewrite the whole story to be about "an awful haircult." The hero bristles with anger and bangs on their door, saying there will be hell toupee if they don't cut it out, but he has a brush with death and... Okay, maybe knot.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Redhawk's personality developed over the course of writing this novel, and I love how he came out. If I write another book in this setting, he or his son might be the protagonist. #WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WriteSky

Excerpt from Delay of Game by Lisa L Hilton

The last two plays for seven-on-sevens didn’t need Dom, for which his aching head was thankful. He sat on the bench, monitoring Jed. Other players started trickling over, getting ready for the next round. Redhawk sat next to Dom, the bench creaking under his weight. “He looks good,” the orc observed.

Dom rubbed his eyes. He wasn’t feeling up to another cryptic conversation with the center. But Redhawk didn’t say anything else, just sat until the last rounds were done.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida lives in a desert that doesn't really have an autumn. I feel like she'd love a good bonfire, though. Tevyal was into the cozy side of fall. Cider by the fire, walking in the forest to enjoy the colors, etc. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters If Saida is smiling about a plan, we’re on solid ground. With Tevyal it could go either way. He has a dark sense of humor, so he could be smiling because we’re about to die. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters The Queen’s Waterman has only two, Tevyal and Saida. I considered others, but the early option would rob me of the chance for some worldbuilding with the guy new to the culture. By the time I came on another possible POV, it felt too late to introduce a third POV. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters People usually meet Saida in a formal setting, and they usually bring whatever baggage their parasocial relationship includes. Those meeting her for the first time see someone young for the role, earnest, and, if they’re especially insightful, scared. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Assuming “still to come” includes in the course of the book. Saida’s is still to come. Tevyal’s is in the past. Dom’s is still to come. Jonah’s is both, kind of. Fern’s is in the past. Barlow’s are in the past. Ahem.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters For the Queen’s Waterman, it’s Inaya, one of the camel handlers. For the Sunset Sanctuary series, it’s Anne. (With Barlow in second place and Fern in third.) Delay of Game… uh, Dom does good against the Bears… :)

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida has a hard time accepting comfort, because somewhere in her brain she’s decided she needs to carry the worry of her decisions on her own. She is good at accepting new ideas and figuring out how to implement them in a sustainable way. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters The Queen's Waterman: Mostly Tevyal, but at one point, definitely Saida. Delay of Game: Dom. Yep, the same person. :D My Name is a Lie: NotMike and Fern are neck-and-neck for this one. Barlow's book: Elena so far. And maybe Jonah and Barlow. :)

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Hoping this is just a passing cold. It makes me feel so gungy.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters For the Queen’s Waterman, there are several that I hope will evoke the desire to smack them around. They are all on some degree of the antagonism spectrum. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida: I like how she is willing to make a decision, even if she doesn't know if it's the right one. She doesn't dither. Tevyal: I love my emo boy and how much he refuses to excuse who he was in the past. He's trying to be better, but he also doesn't want a free pass. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I have my new desk, computer, and monitor set up. I refuse to admit how long they have stayed in boxes. They're here now. That's all that matters. Right? Now back to writing.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida’s rival, as close as she has one, is either her mother or herself. Tevyal’s is maybe his dad, but in the opposite direction. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

There is a big reason I hire cover artists instead of trying to do it myself. :) #writing

A stick figure in black with a blue, fuzzy swirl coming from its right hand.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

After all this learning about donkeys and colic, I may actually skip writing that part and move on to the next law enforcement officer showing up. #writing

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Delay of Game: Marisol. She tries to keep Dom from letting life get him down too much. The Queen's Waterman: Amron. Especially when his hair hurts. My Name is a Lie: Barlow's sister-in-law, probably. Barlow's book: Daniel or Burrito. It's a toss-up.

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Kira Leigh 🏳️‍⚧️ @kiraleigh.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

everyone. stop what you're doing and look at this precious baby.

a sloth hanging off a branch eating an ear of corn. their eyes are closed and they seems happy, munching away.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida: If I work hard enough, I can make sure none of my decisions hurt people. Tevyal: I don't deserve to live, because I was part of an evil organization that is responsible for my sister's death. 1/2

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Football's back. So are the orcs. Real fantasy football, with orcs on the line, an elf at quarterback, and a conspiracy in the medical bay. books2read.com/u/3RRONv #booksky #indieauthor #contemporaryfantasy #books

Scoreboard with the text "Football is back. So are the orcs."

Ted Lasso with orcs and a harder hit.

Cover of the book Delay of Game by Lisa L Hilton depicting a football player in the tunnel with glowing magical runes on the wall.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida would help and the person would be all “You don’t have to do that, azza,” and I would be amused. Tevyal would attempt to help, and the person would probably be weirded out and let him, and it would be slower since he only has one hand. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida would turn to Chadra for physical protection and Tevyal for magical protection. Tevyal would want help from Yusuf or Amron for magical help. Physical help... Hm. He'd probably go to the guards training in the palace grounds. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida was taught how to rule by her mother. Not sure if there was a tutor or if Rafek handled it. Tevyal probably had some basic schooling for the three Rs, then learned magic in the Guild Keep. And villainy from his father. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I assembled a flat-pack piece of furniture. The instructions were clear, which is always nice, but more importantly, all the screws were the same size! I didn't have to keep track of a bunch of different sizes! Maybe I should assemble more stools... :D

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida would be all over “Getting Things Done” as a way to better manage everything she’s responsible for. Tevyal would get really into sports romances, I suspect. Strong men being all soft with a woman would appeal to him. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts I'd say a hot dog for a hot dog, but this BBQ is in November, so the dog is probably chilly. But probably shouldn't feed a chilly dog a chili dog. :D

Dom took the half a hot dog, looked around, didn’t see anybody to object, and slid it under the table. The dog inhaled it and began licking his fingers. “Okay, that’s enough,” Dom said, pulling his hand away. The dog sighed deeply and went to find another mark.

Excerpt from Delay of Game by Lisa L Hilton

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida is quite well-known in that she is the queen, though there's some parasocial stuff going on there. She isn't too concerned with how she's perceived by her people, but she wants Erysh to know she means business. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters This is tough. Dom probably has the most expensive outfit, though it gets destroyed early on. But overall, he’s got sweats and tees more than fancy. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida doesn’t do much herself, but I love the scene where she and her father go through her mother’s clothes. Tevyal also doesn’t do much, beyond trying to make his wrist stop burning. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Saida: Decide: She has to decide things as the queen. Sometimes it’s easier than others. Care: She cares about the people of her country. Yawn: She is often very tired. 1/?

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Is there anything more cringe than an ad with a fake influencer? Possibly, but probably fewer things than you'd imagine.

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters In the Queen's Waterman, that's Paolo. He has wealth and privilege, and while the plot brushes against him some, it's not to the same depth as, say, Yusuf. In Delay of Game, that's, uh, Jed & Lys's boys, probably. And maybe Dr. Mwangi. 1/2

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#AwesomeCharacters Probably Saida and I. I wouldn't need to do magic or be freakishly fit. I'd just have to make decisions. I can do that. Saida would struggle with the computer, but she would enjoy playing with the terrierist. It'd basically be a vacation for her. :)

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Lisa L Hilton @lisalhilton.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts No chips referenced directly, but knapping might produce them. :)

$Harek taught him the pattern for identifying fractures in stone. The mason used it to re-knap broken tools efficiently, but holding the pattern as long as needed took more strength than Tevyal had yet. For each tool, Harek added a wrapping made from Tevyal’s old robe. That evening, he said, “I wonder what your old friends would think of a Guild robe being used to improve hammers and shovels.”$

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