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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

#WIPSnips #writingcommunity #WritingPrompts Work: Radiant Sworn Context: Yameina has woken up in the middle of the night and is wandering the Temple grounds, which is forbidden.

Purposefully Yameina drifted forward diligently following the intersecting paths always careful to circle around any of the guards that she heard. After some time she was hungry enough to risk picking a fruit from a tree. It is a risk not because it is forbidden but because the rustling of the leaves usually alerts a guards person to my presence. Coming to rest next to an apricot tree she smiled. This time I will be better about holding the branch steady. Gently squeezing the soft fuzzy fruit in the dark she found one that was ripe and within her reach. Glancing about for the guards she steadfastedly held the branch and picked the apricot. Fortunately it was ripe enough that it came away easily. She slipped away from the tree and onto the path that led back into the complex. Biting into the fruit she couldn't help but grab. The sweetly tart juices slid over her tongue and caused her jaw to clench slightly. Savoring it she chewed thoughtfully.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity WIP: Radiant Sworn Context: Just some blue children skipping class to take a dip in the Highland Pools; nothing to see here...

The bathhouse that contained the highland pool sprawled before them. Bits of delicate brass wove together to create and aestically pleasing screen. How can we even get it? Atycuise whispered. Utehnia straightened her posture, delighted and imperious, Follow me. She walked her posse around to where the brass screen met the wall of the rock face. Although the metal was scrubbed meticuously clean, the deep trenches within the floral design werer oxidized from the surrounding dampness. These pools, after all, were mainted by a steady stream of water from highger up. As a result, the waters were mineral laden and cool to the touch. Utehnia caressed the petal f a brass flower that was about a haf span from the rock. She pulled it in. Then, grinning, slipped it on its head. Servant's entrance, she explained. Atycuise made a sounds halfway between a whoop and a snort, THat's really something. SHyness suddenly all-consuming, GIaus mumbled his agreement.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity From: Radiant Sworn, Book 1 of the Chronicles of the Ageless Cycle Context: The guard Raede and the theif Ed'rei have just fought an undead monster together while exploring a labyrinth against their will.

Trying to allow he eyes to re-ajust, she rotated her injured shoulder checking it. The first time she'd hurt it almost a decade before, her captainn had warned her it would remain forever loose and come out of socket relatively easily. Well, that's proved true over the cycles. she thought grimly, taking off her leather and steel helmet and setting it at her feet.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#WIPSnips Sept 29: #WritingCommunity #WriteSky Context: Ashtarote is a young theif who is seeking refuge with the Temple and has been sent on an errand.

I didn't Ahstarote protested. Don't you dare with your's I didn'ts and your It wasn't me. Like I don't know you and your gang. You steal from me practically every day. You cost me more than taxes. As if a mule would make me not realize who you are. You, to have come into such wealth as to have a mue. And look at how meager my stall is. At the last, the stall's owner gestured at the roughly two span by two span area. The stall was little more than six wwoven baskets of nopales sitting around a half circle with a lea-ton in the back for shade. A few blankets were draped over the two crate underneath the baskets to create a tiered effect, possibly to liven up the area. I can pay. Ashtarote nearly shouted to change the flow of conversation. THe stall owner just snorted, crossing his arms and mostly looking away. You never do. Well, this time, I have a list and I have to visit a lot of you vndors. I need a stone of nopales. A stone? The older eadinor laughed. Don you know how much silver that would be? In answer, ahstarote hefted the bag of coin from the Temple. I know that i have it. Let me see. Could be false coin. I doubt the Temple is using false coin. He mentally grumbled. However, he handed the bag to the stall owner and waited for the man to test it or count it. Instead, the stall owner hefted the coin purse high in the air. Help, police. THis boy has robbed some unfortunate person. Police!

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Thank you for sharing! Definitely went down a rabbit hole but do not regret it.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Sheshai and her brother are at a ball and she is trying to wring information from him while they both use the Language of the Fans to express inner thoughts and intentions. #WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts "He brushed the fan away from his mouth, signaling distaste."

How mad is Mother at me? Dhanajai stiffened but continued the fluid motions of the dance uninterrupted. Good, Sheshai smiled tightly, dipping low and then twirling. I feel bad for being so abrupt with him, but it is the best way to keep him completely honest. Why would you say that? There were several discourtesiies to Tandr and myself since we arrived. Sheshai clarified I want to know is she is threatening to disown me. For the briefest of moments Dhanajai's large amethyst eyes widened further, his strong jaw. Clenching. He looks so much like Father. His shock was only briefly glimpsed until he raised a black lace fab to hide his features. He brushed the fan away from his mouth, signaling distaste. Mother isn't in charge of hospitality, this time elder sister. Who is? Kayaanai. Our eldest sister.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Book research: I thought I had the right word for a type of single-person litter that sits atop a single camel's back. Wrong. Lots of research & about two hours later: it's got a few names but the most prominent is utfa. This makes me elated. That is all. #amwriting #writingcommunity

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Getting from A to B without getting lost... again...

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I think it is a bit run-on. It might help to split off the list of physical traits.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It's an epic Fantasy that starts off by following an assassin seeking revenge against mythical creatures. 😁 Thank you for the support!!!

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Finished up the glossary and turned it in for the addition of phonetic spellings. Ridiculously excited to see everything coming together! #amwriting #author #writingcommunity #writerscommunity

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

After 9.5 years, I have finished final edits!!! Now, for some well-deserved sleep. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writerscommunity

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

108k plus a glossary... 'tis meaty.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

New Pitch for Book 1: Traumatized by the eradication of her people, Yameina vows revenge against the near-mythical creatures that murdered them, but that act threatens the very existence of her planet. Thoughts? #amwriting

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

After a long break, I'm back. And I do have something to show for it... not much writing but this hand-stitched embroidery on jeans. A present. Should I try my hand at more? #embroidery #hand-made

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

You'd have me reading the back cover but whether I'd bite would be the cover would at least need to hint at whether I'd be loving or loving to hate that parasite. Best of luck.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Last chapter is with my readers... again... but it is SO much better for it. Just want to express my thanks! #amwriting #betareaders

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Depends on the genre and publisher, but typically 90-100k is what I've found to be max. Best of luck!

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

I am putting my glossary together... am at 154 items and only 2/3 through... this is going to need a trim! #amwriting #writer

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Got the last few chapters into 3 beta readers' hands last night. Super excited at this one tiny step out of millions! #writers

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

I'd say it depends on how far they are separated in the book. Personally, I do 1-2 sentence recaps if it's been at least 7 chapters.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Last week, I had a flash of insight into how to better organize Book 1. Today it looks... better? (Looks at it sideways) #author #writer #amwriting

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Thank you thank you. Merry Christmas!

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Sure! I love constructive criticism.

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Pitch of Book 1: A centuries-long war, which is fated to destroy all life on the planet, may only be stopped by the actions of a fae research scholar, if only he can sift quickly enough through the memories of key people to discover the main mechanism behind it. #author #writer

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

Finally got the tree up. The cats are certainly happy about it.

Christmas tree lit up with presents underneath

Cat looking directly at the camera with a lit tree behind her

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Thank you so much! It's been fun seeing the story flesh out and the characters evolve 😁

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Sarah Hensley @madscilab.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Working on editing my first book, cats at my side, I'm lucky to have found such great beta editors. I'm learning and growing so much. Now, if I can just incorporate it all without going insane!

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