iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 12h

Just sneaking in here to actually post something for once before diving back into schoolwork. Help me. #WIPSnips #writingcommunity #writesky

Clara called for Eli’s help, wondering what was taking him so long. Eli motioned for Will to follow him and jogged the rest of the way to the Saloon, stepping through the doors like the sheriff in all the westerns. As if his presence alone would solve everything.

Judging by the way the room stilled and everyone looked up at him, Will had to wonder if it could. Clara knelt by a man, directing him to press a handkerchief into his side as she dug into her bag for whatever tools she needed. The bleeding man grit his teeth in pain but otherwise made no other concession to agony.

“It’s Al.” Another man called out to Eli. He was standing over the wounded man—the Albert of whom Eli spoke earlier, judging by the Union cavalry hat lying next him—preventing anyone from coming near. “Damned Reb stabbed him.” He gestured to the far end of the room, where a wiry fellow, whose pointed features rather reminded Will of a stoat, sat under guard by several of the townsfolk. “Went after Isaiah.” Another gesture, this time to a large black man in the near corner, tucked into the round table by the window. He had something against his eye.

Will’s stomach churned at the smell of booze and blood commingling in the air, but Eli made no sign of noticing it. “Jeb. Isaiah. Grab him. Clara, we’ll take him back to the homestead. Reverend, I’m going to need your gig. Everyone else, stand back. And keep Jeremiah still. He’s done enough damage this evening. We don’t need him doing anything to bring the Marshals down on us. Again.”

0205

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Honestly, this is when Rei is at her worst. She doesn't really know what to do when there's nothing she has to do. Relaxation gives her time to freak out. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

191

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Excluding the literal god, who would of course be supremely OK against a punch, it comes down to Aulus and Easun, with Rei healing quickly but still preferring not to get hit (hence the stealth). Aulus is a priest of the war god and Easun is an immortal Ancient soldier. #AwesomeCharacters #writesky

150

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Rei would love harvest festivals, complete with rides, apple cider, so much food to try, and games to win. She would unironically adore a corn maze and a hay ride, and art involving leaves. Scary stuff isn't her favorite, but no haunted house compares to her childhood. #AwesomeCharacters #writesky

180

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

21. Temena is ships and trade, hands down. The vast majority of people in the city work in some industry related to ships, whether that be ropes, metal, wood, cloth, etc or the trade that comes with them. It is absolutely secure, as Temena is indispensible to sea trade. #Septopolis #writesky

020

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Right now, only Rei and Aulus are POV characters, leaning hard on Rei. Book two will add the Praesor as the Kythene aspect of the storyline comes back into play. I picked Aulus to complement Rei because he holds down the mortal half of the storyline. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

140

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

On the whole, Rei inspires feelings of "that woman could kill me if she wanted to" in most people, though whether the person feels she wants to is extremely variable. Usually, the could isn't matched by a would. When it is, she is terrifying. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

190

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

20. Temena is a trade hub full of markets, which is their economic raison d'être, but they built their economic power on shipyards. For millennia, they built the best ships, and even now they do the best repairs, carrying on magical applications created by the Ancients. #Septopolis #writesky

031

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

That's definitely Asah. He's just really good with them, but his particular branch of the Sun Tribes also has a genuine belief in the sanctity of animal life and their duty to care for animals. Kell is a close second. She adores them and gives them treats. #AwesomeCharacters #writesky

140

Reposted by C Alexandra

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Dionysus spends half the novel giving Beren emotional whiplash. His characterization is the one thing I think I got perfectly right in this thing. #WIPSnips #writingcommunity #writesky

Dionysus regarded Beren with something like bemusement. “I believe you truly want safety for this town. But even with that admission, you have not revealed the whole of your desire to me. Why do you hold back?”

“Because someone has to be here to pick up the pieces after you get bored and leave.”

Dionysus was at the door in a blink, staring up at the afternoon sky, a halo of sunlight around him. Beren’s breath caught in her throat, and her fingers twitched. “My dear, I wish it were as simple as my choosing to leave, though why you think I would get bored when you continue to prove so intransigent is beyond me.” He turned and regarded Beren with a cool detachment that twisted her stomach. “Your coven has bargained with a god, Berenice Guiscard, and accepted his gifts. You must now fulfill that bargain between us. Until then, I will remain in Glaucaster.”

“But—” Beren’s throat tightened with dread. “What am I supposed to do?”

“I have told you. Revelry, ecstasy. True worship, though I would settle for the workings of worship sincerely given.” Dionysus smiled suddenly, mad and proud, pointing his walking stick at her. “The Fates themselves make answer when gods and mortals strike deals. And I should not like to see your soul rent by their dreadful cut. I can say only this: you have until the grape vines bud to make your payment. After that, I cannot stop what happens, no matter what I might want.”

0256

Reposted by C Alexandra

Adregem ཐིཋྀ @adregem.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

From Light Wielding. Sunday is arguing with Jahnari about the unfair cost of breaking a faery bargain. #WIPSnips #WIP #AmWriting #WritingPrompts #Writers #Writing #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #Fantasy #FantasySky #FantasyRomCom

“I just kind of feel like that's a steep price for forgetting to bring you a fucking pizza.”
“Language, girl.”
“When I forget to make a credit card payment, the bank charges me a fee.”
She scoffs.
“A onetime fee. And banks are a hell of a lot more evil than you are.”
“Flattery,” she says. “You have no idea how evil I am.”

4337

Reposted by C Alexandra

🌱🫜 Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta 🦊🪻 @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

September 18th – payment K’allon has something he wants to discuss with Nik, but he is hesitating. He has good reason. It might be lightly…treasonous. #DawnsBlood #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

She broke the seal and pulled the cork out of the bottle of amber liquid; she took a swig and passed it over to K’allon.
“Where did you get a bottle of 20-year-old whiskey?” He inspected the label.
“Won it in a card game.” Nik shrugged.
“Oh, well as long as it isn’t costing you anything.” He took a long pull from the bottle before passing it back.
“Not a thing,” she confirmed. “And don’t worry, I can win another. Your people are all terrible at cards.”
“You don’t feel guilty, taking their money?”
“I consider it payment for my services as a teacher.” She laughed. “They’ll either get better or learn not to gamble. Both valuable lessons.”
K’allon rolled his eyes, but he laughed too.
“Sound reasoning.” He took the bottle back. “This is good stuff.”
Nik nodded. At least he was talking, even if it was about something of no consequence.

64910

Reposted by C Alexandra

PJC Cahill @pjccahill.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#WIPSnips -Blood Price (TaMB 4)- No one knows what Sulaf is up to! Not even Zhi at this point! Handy snip for introducing one of the new supporting cast members. Agent Sidiropolis was fun to draft! Also confirming: Darien is 'Agent Wilson' (from Silverwolf). My Books: pjccahill.carrd.co

Vasiliki cut in again. "Our current theory is that Dhana orchestrated this breakout, then killed the hired vampires simply to spare herself payment. As the literal expert on Dhana, do you have any insight to offer?"
Zhi stared, then let her eyes falter down. "I can see why you'd think that. I'm sorry, Agent... ah."
Vasiliki smirked, "Sidiropolis, but almost no one can pronounce it anyway. Agent Sid works."
"Sounds Greek?"
Vasiliki smiled with a light 'mm.'
"I try to pronounce names correctly. So... Agent Sidiropolis," Zhi flicked a smile for the tiny thumbs-up the agent gave her attempt, "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you. Sulaf is a master manipulator and incredibly powerful. I haven't learned enough about her, even with years of exchange. I doubt she hired these vampires, but I have no proof to offer you for that. I am curious how they arrived and she departed during daylight hours, though?"
Darien answered, "The intruders used a specialized crew van. The severe tint to the front windows implied some manner of protective layer against sunlight. Sulaf took the same vehicle. We're running checks, but it was custom and unmarked, so -- outside of witnesses catching it -- it'll be a long search."
"I see. Thanks," Zhi muttered, barely remembering to nod. "All I really know, Agent Sidiropolis, is that Sulaf thinks highly of herself, and she has interest in me. I'm honestly surprised she left me here rather than whisking me away."

5398

Reposted by C Alexandra

Headless🎃Horsewoman🪉💎🏹🐴⚔️ @acturek.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#fantasy #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WIPSnips #payment -> repay Drisal answers questions about his gem work. Chalmalch offers payment for his services. - Brother’s Keeper, my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power

You know not the significance of what you do. Where do you obtain the gems?"

"I'm sometimes paid in them, like with the rubies. A Loëthgil kinsman trades outside, and I make trips with ... another kinsman to find them. We've seldom gotten much beyond Yellow Pass ourselves.
Because of the homelonging, you see. Precious gems, we don't find often. The majority are quartz crystals I transform. They can change color or clarity during the Work, sometimes even their lattice structure, but-"

"The Lago Mountains above the Cedhrun
lands teem with precious jewels for those who know where to look." Ra'am Chalmalch sat back, tapping his fingertips together as he thought. "Rälla Etania will repay you for your services in jewels or metal or a combination thereof. In addition, I will give you two maps of the Lago. I think you'll find them helpful."

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

44110

Reposted by C Alexandra

Zed Prospero @zprospero.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#WIPSnips Cyrus agrees to make a significant payment... For Blake & Gabriela's mother's care. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

“Mariah Carrington.” Cyrus said.
“Oh, yes, a very tragic case. Attempted suicide, leading to severe brain damage.” The doctor pulled a file and examined it. “She’s been here about a year now. We didn’t think she would pull through.”
“I would like to expunge any current debt and personally cover her ongoing care.” Cyrus said, signing a check and handing it blank to the doctor. “You write down whatever she owes, so you don’t have to tell me, and I’ll have my people call the hospital to set up ongoing payment.”
“This is incredibly generous of you, sir.” The doctor said. “To be honest, the only reason she’s still here and not been kicked out for non-payment is it would not be legal to do so because she is homeless. They sold the house to pay for her care.”

1296

Reposted by C Alexandra

Jan Karlsson @jangoeswriting.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

From: ‘Soulstice’ Prompt: ‘Payment’ Minus: ‘-ment’ #WiPSnips

Flirty continued at a pace as Particular found that the thieves had stolen everything except the pile of leaflets, including the cart. It wasn’t that the people of Drippings on the Lea were particularly more inclined to thievery, but Soulstice was an age-old tradition, pumpkins had some part to play in it, and Particular had bought the only pumpkin patch when she arrived and charged a fortune for them.

Really, Flirty should have moved. She should have moved somewhere nice and started afresh. She heard Certain Incontinence, a village on the other side of the hills, was a nice place to live, once you got used to the smell, but the soil there was far too alkaline rich for her purposes, with an overabundance of ammonia, for some reason. But she actually liked Drippings on the Lea. She had friends here. It was pretty, after a fashion. And, frankly, being a self-employed botanist, and reluctant witch-substitute, didn’t pay well enough to hire anyone to cart her things all that way.

So she stayed. She suffered the indignities of performing certain witchly duties that she wasn’t in the least qualified for and she fought, every single day, to get someone, anyone, to call her by her proper name. That, more than anything, was infuriating. In fact, she needed to reach the bakers, but her bread and then probably take the long way out of the village back to her cottage because she’d had more than enough of, well, everything already. And Particular looked as though she was about to start tactical leaflet distributions and that always ended in disaster.

0183

Reposted by C Alexandra

L.M. du Plessis 📚💙 ‪✨Writing TLC Sequel✨ @smoking-gnu.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

G'morning #WIPsnips! Milly and new employer discussing her payment for the job that is to come. (I think i may have snipped this part before?) #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

“Right! We were- yes! Your asked about an offer?” Irena said, reminding me of where we’d been.
“Okay. Yeah. So, the letter talked about payment being discussed here? That’s basically the only reason I showed up, to be perfectly honest, as you kinda have me over a barrel at the moment,” I say, which causes creases to appear on Irena’s face.
“I’m sorry? I do not follow your meaning?”
I sigh again, because I’m going to have to recount yesterday’s events. “There was an… incident at my workplace yesterday. I’m very probably going to be unemployed soon. My roommate and I need money to live, just like everyone else, so I’m really here only because I’m desperate.”
“I see,” Irena says and then stops, rubbing her mouth with her thumb whilst her hand holds her chin. He turns to look out of the window at the grey sky. “I can offer… one thousand a day, under the stipulation that you live on the manor grounds for the entirety of the month of October to complete your duties. You may venture out into town every now and then, but these visits should not sacrifice any duties we agree on whilst this position’s responsibilities become clear. Would that be enough?”
I wouldn’t be surprised if my head made some version of an operating system startup jingle, because I fully blanked out once the number was mentioned and I completely missed the words that followed. “Excuse me, how much was that?”

1275

Reposted by C Alexandra

Alex Larkspur 💛📚🌻 @applesncinnamon.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#WIPSnips Sep 18 - payment Silas pays Kai for a honeysuckle plant. Chicory realizes what Silas gave up.

“Be right back,” Silas said to him. “I’m going to pay Kai.”
“Let me know when you save up for that lemon tree,” Kai said, walking with Silas back towards their cart. “I’ll make sure I get one for you, yeah?”
Chicory once again stilled. Silas gave up his lemon tree so that he could replace the honeysuckle. Chicory was so selfish that he hadn’t even realized it until now. Silas said it would cost a lot of money to replace the honeysuckle, and he had said that the lemon tree cost a lot. Chicory didn’t really understand human money, but he knew that humans struggled to get it. He heard stories of humans doing desperate things for it. And Silas had spent his money on Chicory.

1367

Reposted by C Alexandra

L.L. Stephens @triempery.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#WIPSnips The word for September 18 is PAYMENT Kate starts out among the nomari as a slave and then graduates to mere poverty. "Payment?" With what? She figures out how to advance herself through the human glassworkers. She might yet find a means of escape. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #SFF

Text excerpt from NOMARA, a science fiction WIP by L.L. Stephens. Snip shows Kate revealing to the headmistress of the glassworker humans, one of whom Kate has been working with, that she now has some money.

A quick stop at the Kumbh Kaldarim to test the waters paid off even more than she had hoped. Kate was informed that Hawel had finished with the lenses, and also that the glassblowers had succeeded in producing an electron tube casing which met her specifications. If they could produce two more, she was in business. A simple subspace radio was all she wanted. Alameda would pick up even a weak signal, as long as it differed from native noise. Now if she could just perfect a thermionic valve. Unfortunately, even the most primitive concepts of electronics were beyond the natives. Nomari or human, they remained pre-industrial. Although Kate could do little about that, she nonetheless left a purse with Kurvinda, directing that it should go to Hawel.
“As part of my patronage. Or payment. However you prefer,” Kate told the surprised Kumbhara.
Kurvinda looked pleased. “You have come into funds, then.”
“Yes.”
“I rejoice at your good fortune,” the Kumbhara said congenially. “Hawel is like a man reborn because of your patronage. He is quite convinced of the importance of his work. So much is going well for us. Hawel’s findings have gained notice from scholars as far away as Ankasbul and Pesht.”

0236

Reposted by C Alexandra

Fox Veros, Novelist @verosthewriter.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#WIPSnips CW: mention of bosoms And thus, the story of Grinks & Co. begins, both in plot and in randiness. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #writingprompt #amwriting

“I’m headed out of town tomorrow on a little expedition. It’ll be rough country, and I could use a companion who knows how to fight. I expect it to take about a week. Twenty gold if you get me there in one piece.”
Twenty gold was dangerously close to generous for a week’s job as a bodyguard. “Does this have anything to do with why those guards were chasing you?”
Grinks gave him an appreciative smile, smaller than her grin, but still big. “Combat experience, good looks, and brains. I’ll give you the details when we’re out of town.” She leaned forward and subtly wiggled her shoulders; the top button of her blouse came undone as the garment slipped down a little more, and her nipples strained against the fabric more than ever.

0162

Reposted by C Alexandra

Isaac ⚔ Isaac @isaacxisaac.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I'll go with "pay" for today's #WIPSnips. You wouldn't believe how much research I did for this little paragraph, and I'm STILL not sure I've got it correct. 😵 The point IMO is Alexander's characterization.

“Well, there is not—that is to say—we have been trying, Mr. Aldridge, sir,” the man stammered as he twisted his hat in his hands, “to get up what’s owed Widow Knapp for the copyhold, and every year I’ve applied my best designs to the improvement of the fields, but God has not sent a good harvest for the past four years. You see we have turned some land over to orchard, and in time I think the ciderists shall pay us well, but ‘twill be four or five years yet till peak fruiting, and—”
“Father’s no intention to raise the rents this year,” Alexander interrupted. “Our return ought to be Risenden’s physic, not another trial. I am not here to squeeze it but to see it prosper when it is mine.”

0283

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Dionysus spends half the novel giving Beren emotional whiplash. His characterization is the one thing I think I got perfectly right in this thing. #WIPSnips #writingcommunity #writesky

0256

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Hmm. Rei's unwillingness to trust is both her weakness and her strength, in some ways. It certainly kept her alive (after she died that one time) for years, but it's also the thing keeping her from healing and growing. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

170

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

17. For the most part, transport in Temena is handled by people walking. Or animals walking with people on them or in carts dragged by them. When magic was more plentiful, there were magical equipages, and the tracks for them remain, but now they're mechanical. #Septoplis #writingcommunity #writesky

030

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Definitely Thadis. Isolated and alone until he convinced himself it's what he wanted (and even came to believe it), just wanted to do right by existence, and betrayed by both his own family and the humans he rewrote reality to spare. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

171

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

16. Missed so many days! Darn grad school. Temena is an immense metropolis, though nothing compared to Archyropol. It does dwarf Kythe in size and population, however, as it isn't limited by islands. It began as a smaller walled city with agricultural plots just outside-- #Septopolis #writesky 🧵

151

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

With the possible exception of Kell and perhaps Asah, I fully expect everyone to want to punch each of my characters at least once. Aulus and Grip are probably the top choices. I rather expect people to admire the Praesor despite themselves. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

380

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A rival? No. Rei doesn't bother to feel competitive against people. She's the kind of person who prefers to win when she plays games, but she doesn't care overmuch if she loses. Her defense mechanism was not to care enough to have a rival. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

171

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Between the mind-melting amounts of info I'm meant to absorb each semester, I managed to get some research done on the baddest bitch around: Amaterasu. I'm pretty sure part one includes that time a naked lady danced her out of a cave! #history #shinto #amaterasu www.buzzsprout.com/1855074/epis...

buzzsprout.com

Pocketful of Amaterasu (Shinto Sun Goddess pt. 1) - Mythsogyny

Yep, it's the sapphic cave sun kami and the original Pocketful of Sunshine, Amaterasu. But of course there's a lot more to her and even to that story. C takes us on a tour of Japan's shinto religion a...

041

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I don't know if I've created a character that will make people laugh, but people have laughed at certain lines, so I don't know. A lot of my chars use humor as a coping mechanism. In-world, I feel like Grip is very much the one that knows how to disarm people with humor. #AwesomeCharacters #writesky

172

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

10. There isn't a widespread political movement to change the city, but there are groups of people who operate within the system to fight it. The most common is centered around the Temple of Sokomos, just outside the city's walls, though its entrance is-- #Septopolis #writingcommunity #writesky

150

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Is Anna amazing? Yes. Is she way cooler than everyone else in this novel? Also yes. Does Will adore her almost from the moment they met? Absolutely. #WIPSnips #writingcommunity #writesky

The woman’s lips thinned. “I’m afraid I can’t answer with any specifics. I can only surmise that an error occurred in our system. Be that as it may, the information we received stated that Ms. Scott would play Elijah Barker and you, Mr. Coombes-Fitzgerald, would be Clara Phillips.”

“You didn’t think it odd a man signed up for a female character?”

The woman blinked, her round eyes widening, thick lashes brushing against the tops of her cheeks with every flutter. “Not particularly, sir. Should we have?”

Will bowed her head to hide her smile. At least the experience wouldn’t be a total flop. In fact, she’d fallen a little in love already.

Mr. Coombes-Fitzgerald’s mouth pinched into a quick frown before he waved his concession and brushed an errant chestnut lock off his forehead. Will wondered if she imagined the hint of chagrin in his expression. “I suppose not.”

Will tried to put herself in the man’s shoes. Years of chastisement at her supposed lack of empathy flashed like distressed phantoms across her mind. She knew how easily a simple mistake could upend her mental equilibrium. Perhaps she should give him a break. “If it helps, Mr. Whittaker believed the homesteader had been cancelled when I showed up to fill out my paperwork. He worried about filling the role so close to the day. So, it was clearly in the computer.”

“No one blames you, Ms. Scott.” The woman smiled at her, revealing a small gap between her front two teeth, almost whimsical in such a steadfast person.

“No. Of course not. You couldn’t have known what occurred when you purchased your package.” Mr. Coombes-Fitzgerald’s voice softened, though Will still heard something in it she couldn’t quite identify. Not that she’d ever been good at reading people. As a child, her parents had held up pictures of faces so she’d understand how they were feeling. And by child, she meant until the end of sixth grade.

0269

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Rei's first instinct is to worry it wasn't an accident, so she is careful to ensure it isn't a theft or worse, but if it really is just an accident, she helps them clean up and sends them on their way. Depending on their behavior, she might still some for herself. #AwesomeCharacters #writesky

150

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

8. Temenans speak Archyne, which is an evolved form of High Archyne, which itself evolved from the Ancient tongue as Archyropol grew and spread beyond its original walls. The Temenan version reflects the city's history of trade and shipcraft, and there are two distinct-- 🧵 #Septopolis #writesky

120

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Before the events of the WIP, Rei couldn't rely on anyone but herself. Her life literally ended when her trust in Rahai proved unfounded. During the course of the story, she finds herself turning to Aulus for normal bad and Thadis for 'oh shit' bad. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

341

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Rei received the best education as an Ombrantine (a child sold to the priesthood as a potential Morside). She is literate at a high level, can write both common Kythene and the Ancient script, and has knowledge of plantlife and anything else the priesthood deemed worthy. #AwesomeCharacters #writesky

150

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

7. Temena is second only to Archryopol itself for population, with several hundred thousand people housed within both its walls and the farmland surrounding it. It has a balanced population of genders, runs younger than Archyropol as its economy relies on being able-bodied-- 🧵 #Septopolis #writesky

130

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Best style? Unintentionally, Aulus. The robes of a priest of Dux go hard, especially one with battle experience. But Grip is the one who always catches everyone's eye. He isn't wealthy, but he knows what he's doing with a needle. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

1110

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

3. Temena lies SW of Archyropol, on what was never a natural harbor. As it exists at a natural juncture of sea trade routes throughout the Salbyssan, the Ancients carved it into existence, effectively rewriting nature to do so. They divided rivers to irrigate the land and-- #Septopolis #writesky 1/2

151

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I love quiet moments over drinks of some sort. The ritual of making the drink (tea, coffee, etc), the comfort of conversation, what it says about who offers and who accepts, etc. I always have a character who feeds people when in crisis. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

150

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Post-Bacchanal hangovers are the worst, even if you are a witch. #WIPSnips #writingcommunity #writesky

Beren shuddered, realizing how cold it was now she’d left the warm embrace of the pile. Even with her mantle, she couldn’t escape the bite of the wind against her skin. She rubbed her torso, vaguely recalling some old advice that it was better for keeping warm, and picked her way among the still-sleeping mob. Even now, without the roar of instruments and the crackling of flames, a symphony of human sounds played over the clearing. Some of the snoring was loud enough to scare away the animals. Beren willed them to remain asleep, to ease from the drunken to the healthful, to pass through their pains and into repose. Just because she felt like shit didn’t mean any of them had to.

Her hand brushed against a rough edge within her dress, and Beren searched her pocket for whatever she’d felt. She pulled out a small card and peered at it. Vaguely recalled slipping it into the dress before heading for the clearing the night before. There had been a plan, hadn’t there? She was meant to be doing something. The sigil on the card was hers. It wasn’t a subtle working. Hadn’t Dionysus told her once her spells lacked refinement? She could see what he meant now. Still, it was effective, and she sensed temperance within its lines. Apparently, she had brought something to deal with the aftermath.

Raising the paper to her mouth, she pressed the sigil against her tongue and let it dissolve.

Sobriety hit her so hard, she missed her next step and nearly crashed head-first into the nearby tree.

2222

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Rei in three verbs? Survive, sacrifice, defend. I think that probably covers her in a nutshell. For someone determined to keep her head down and simply fulfill her bargain with Thadis, she ends up fighting on others' behalf a lot. #AwesomeCharacters #writingcommunity #writesky

170

C Alexandra @nerdcactus.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

2. I'll be working mostly on a city called Temena, within the demesne of Archyropol. It is home to the Archyne shipyards, once unrivaled until Kythene shipwrights mastered their own craft. With the dip in custom, the port has given rise to the most unsavory trade: slavery. 1/3 #Septopolis #writesky

160

Reposted by C Alexandra

🌱🫜 Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta 🦊🪻 @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

September 2nd – button Av’ry was supposed to deliver some news, but he might have gotten distracted. #DawnsBlood #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

“You think anyone would miss us if we just took the day off?” He brushed his lips across hers, teasing.
She began unbuttoning his shirt as she replied. “Oh, I don’t know. Jade might.”
Av’ry’s eyes widened, and he jumped back like she’d just drenched him in cold water. “Shit! Jade!”
For a moment, Mikiva was offended that the mere mention of another woman would have such an effect, and then she remembered, too. “Do you think she is awake?”
“It’s already afternoon.” He grimaced. “She’ll have been awake for hours. I am such an asshole.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I guess this means we have to go, doesn’t it?” Mikiva was already kneeling to retrieve her top.
Av’ry’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, then he sighed and began fixing his shirt.
“As much as I want to stay, she needs to know what I learned. I should have been there as soon as she woke up.”
“Do you want me to come?” Mikiva sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on socks.
“Yeah. I think you’ll want to hear this.” Av’ry sighed. “It… Well it explains some things.”

97010

Reposted by C Alexandra

PJC Cahill @pjccahill.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#WIPSnips -Blood Price (TaMB 4)- The on-page introduction of Faustine Bellange, main villain of the story, Sulaf's ex, and full of her own importance XD My Books: pjccahill.carrd.co

Waiting ahead of that desk, still at the top of the stairs, was a woman so full of her own importance Zhi immediately assumed she was Faustine.
Once close enough to really see the woman, there was no denying her beauty. Her skin was the beautiful form of pale, flawless and just pink enough. Her frame was tall, her poise flawless and confident, her face elegant and not too sharp.
She had platinum blonde hair, kept short, but voluminous for the length it had. The strands curled artfully around her neck and forehead.
She wore a full suit, mostly a silvery white, with gold and ruby details in the different layers, buttons, and seams. Specifically, the jacket was off her arms, only draped over her shoulders like a cloak, and she stood with one hand casually sunk into one pocket, the other swirling a gold-wreathed brandy glass full of crimson fluid that left a thick coating in the wake of its motion.
Zhi knew how blood looked inside glass all too well from her daily feedings of Sulaf.
The ghostly twins split to either side, remained on ground level with their 'guests,' and faced them with stoic focus.
Sulaf moved directly to the start of the steps, so Zhi drew closer as well, though she lingered a few paces behind.
Close enough, Zhi could make out Faustine's eyes, which were a unique, metallic purple, with the fully slitted pupils. She wasn't hiding her nature that moment.
"I see your tastes are as garish as I remember," Sulaf greeted, her manner flat and cold.
Zhi widened her eyes at the back of Sulaf's head for starting so sharply, but she didn't speak up.
Faustine 'smiled' with a wince. "And I see you're as insufferable as I remember, dearest."
Zhi cringed for the hissed epithet. Faustine's voice was silky and strong, so her nearly spitting the sound was like a physical strike.

7378

Reposted by C Alexandra

L.M. du Plessis 📚💙 ‪✨Writing TLC Sequel✨ @smoking-gnu.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

G'morning #WIPSnips! Yay, I get to post this snip again! It's one of my favorite human-like character designs! #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

“Whoa, hey wait a minute! Sister? Who are you looking for?” I ask, but facts are ticking into place at the same time as more details of this person trickle in.
The general theme of this woman is orange, just like her flame-headed spear. Her armour is an interlaced and overlapping pattern of orange leaves reaching down to below the belly button, moves with every movement with her body like a second skin and meets a black leather armour skirt with more metal leaves embedded in it down to mid-thigh. She has pauldrons and knee armour resembling orange pumpkin rinds interlacing with more leaf armour on the arms and legs. Her eyes are a deep glowing orange, as is her long orange hair which doesn’t hang down like hair usually does, but hovers in the air behind her as if suspended in water. She wears what looks like a combination of a circlet and half a helmet on her head, covering half her face with more orange metal while two black bat wings emerging up from the circlet over her head. Cobwebs are tattooed to the corners of her eyes, black on her remarkably pale skin. Her orange lips are curled back in a snarl, and I can see a few shallow scars on her face, presumably from blade cuts judging by how thin they are. Her ears poke out from behind the metal helm plates, pointy at the tips like an elf or something, but further observation has to wait as she advances more towards me.

0298

Reposted by C Alexandra

Jan Karlsson @jangoeswriting.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

From: ‘Soulstice’ Prompt: ‘Button’ #WiPSnips

“Death?” The pause after Gammer had spoken seemed like it needed filling and Flirty could think of nothing else to fill it with. She filled it with a little more. “Trouble?”

With her knees pressed against her chest, the stool about the size more commonly used by children, or to place feet on to fasten boots, Flirty tried to look around without making it look as though she were judging Gammer’s workspace. She had no room to judge. Her workspace was, effectively, her living room, kitchen, bedroom, by use of a carefully placed curtain, and sometime laboratory. Though, in recent days, she hadn’t had much time to do any research.

Every so often, Flirty got the impression that Gammer, through some kind of witchly, esoteric method, stared at her through the back of her head. She couldn’t explain it if she tried, but she definitely felt that Gammer had already worked out everything about her. That she wasn’t a witch, for a start. Not really, though she had been forced to take up certain village duties expected of a witch. Just the simple stuff. Most of it simply entailed working out what stupidity a villager was engaged in and giving them a good glare. That seemed to work with worrying ease.

“Aye. Trouble. Ye think it merely an affectation that she chooses to appear as a wee child? Nay. She knows exactly what she’s doing. She’s a mischief, that one. Like witches, she’s not supposed to interfere, but she does like sticking that wee button nose into things that are not her province.” With the last ingredient carefully placed in the bowl, Gammer Goodhiding looked inside and then waved toward Flirty. “Best be giving ye a wee bit of tutoring. Come over here, girl, and tell me what ye see.”

0252

Reposted by C Alexandra

Amanda Bryana @amandabryana.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Wolf and Leo are going to Benji's charity karaoke night, as friends... from the "For the love of all things, Wolf, will you sort your shit out and get on with it," phase of their story (with a fun background cameo from Steel and Tristan). #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity

I was tired, bored to distraction, and running late by the time Leo arrived. I hadn’t even had a shower.

I was still dealing with the final call of the day when I let him in, so I just opened the door, mouthed, sorry, and went back to my office. Ten minutes later, I finally put the work phone on out of hours and shut down the computers.

My eyes nearly fell out of my head when I walked into the living room.
He’d changed out of his leathers and the soft stretchy black jeans and black button through shirt that clung gently to his body, was a winning combination. He really was a very beautiful boy.

‘Are you wearing eyeliner?’

‘Yes. Tristan showed me how. Amazing difference, right?’

‘You look hot. I think I might be getting that cab back on my own tonight.’

‘We’ll see.’ Shifty brat again.

‘Ok. I’m running hopelessly late.’

‘I haven’t eaten. I’m guessing you haven’t either. Have you got eggs?’

‘I have.’

‘Want me to make omelettes with whatever else I can find in the fridge, while you have a shower and get ready?’

‘You’re a superstar.’

He beamed under my praise, and I contemplated making the shower a cold one.

Thanks to Leo’s speedy culinary prowess, we were fed and ready a full five minutes before the cab arrived. He got increasingly fidgety as it got closer to time to sing. He kept running off to help Benji or talk to Tristan. The three of them were adorably tight. I’d helped him find some friends if nothing else.

We got a bit of light relief watching Steel try to cope with the results of Tristan singing Baby One More Time. He got fighty when the whole bar was drooling at his husband and there was no way he was letting him off leash anytime soon. I had a sneaking suspicion the pretty boy was getting hit way more than one more time when Steel got him home.

Leo looked like he was about to sit an exam the next time he checked in.

0193

Reposted by C Alexandra

Nicole "Ashrah" Hidalgo 😈🧄 @sayaashrah.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#WIPSnips 2. "Button" I've shared most of this before, but it's such a cute moment for #Xiuly (yeah, I'm making the ship name and hashtag official!) 💜 #ChroniclesOfTheRealms #BattlemageAskaly #XiuyingCotR #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #QueerWriters

In that rhythm, it took Askaly around three hours to finish the tattoo; admittedly, she had worked more slowly. To better enjoy the music, of course. During that time, she was distantly aware of the gong calling for another duel, but Xiuying made no mention of standing, either, so there they remained. The cryomancer would hum along to the melodies or drum her fingers on her lap now and then, no longer flinching when Askaly brushed a finger or blew on her skin.

“And we’re finished!” she announced.

Xiuying paused the song, moved across other screens, and passed the phone to Askaly. “Take a picture so I can see it.”

Askaly squinted at the screen. “Which button do I press?”

The cryomancer frowned at her. “Don’t you have phones in Vaeternus?”

“We do, but not like this, and not to take pictures. This doesn’t even have buttons!” She looked from the strange and small device to the other girl’s befuddled expression. “Ỏma has a camera, though!”

“One that still uses film, I suspect.” Xiuying rolled her eyes and pointed at the big grey circle. “Just aim and click here.”

8308