iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

No "petal", but I thought "flower" in this context was close enough. I always love writing Saevel and Elm, they're so cute... 💚 #WipSnips #WriteSky #BookSky #WritingCommunity #Fantasy #QueerRomance

Text reads:

Almost as soon as they’d stepped through the doorway, Elm had launched himself bodily off of the sofa and barreled into Saevel’s legs. Dusk quickly dared to put a hand behind his master’s back, to ensure he wouldn’t topple.

“Hey!” Elm said, as blunt as he usually was - Saevel’s influence, probably, alongside a bit of a feral past. He looked up, ungluing himself from Saevel’s legs, and extended one small fist up to reveal a flower. “Look. It’s all yellow, like that bit in Mister Arowyth’s eyes,” he declared.

Saevel plucked the flower up, herding the boy further away from the door. “Hm, it is a little like that,” he agreed, and stooped down to tuck the stem behind Elm’s ear - the boy’s wild hair easily holding it in place. “Good eye. Are your hands washed?”

“… Yes,” Elm said, pouting even as he leaned into Saevel’s attention. A beat passed, and Saevel looked up, across the room.

“Pell,” he called. “Did he wash his hands?”

“Hey!” Elm protested, yanking at Saevel’s sleeve.

“He did not, Master Saevel,” Pelleas said, smiling.

“D-Don’t listen to that old guy!” Elm whined. “I don’t need to wash my hands. I’m a dragon!”

“Dragons can still get sick,” Saevel hummed. “Some plants can be bad for you, so you need to wash your hands after touching any plant you don’t know.” He shooed the boy. “Go on now, go wash up. It won’t be good for you to eat if you don’t.”

Elm huffed an unhappy breath, producing a miniscule wisp of smoke, and dragged his feet all the way to the bathroom.

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

My favorite unstable guy <3 (From my current first-draft WIP, a high, epic, dark fantasy M/M romance, "Grace For Liars") #WriteSky #WipSnips #BookSky #WritingCommunity #QueerRomance

Text reads:

… Dusk pushed gia into his legs, marching forcefully through the shin-high snow, and sped up. His injured leg was shaking now, though it was past the point of pain. Instead, there was an unpleasant, sporadic spasm that shot up from the bandaged gash in his calf to his hip with each step. He pushed more gia into the injury anyway. Whatever it cost him later, he’d worry about it then.

He stuck, for the time being, to the faint, wispy trail. It was difficult to keep track of, and he knew the odds weren’t in his favor. Likely, he’d lose them within another day. Every piece of evidence grew fainter by the hour, and he was very aware of his body reaching its limit. His stomach was beyond hunger, aching dully instead. His mouth was dry, and the cold air made swallowing and breathing alike sore. He was in bad shape, and any man with sense would’ve stopped long ago, but he had no intention of stopping.

Dusk wasn’t much of a man with sense. He was a man with a destroyed village behind him and nowhere to go. Even if he had decided to stop, what would he have done? There was no place for him, now. Soon, he thought, he’d find something.

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Me, every time I'm writing super well: "This is just normal stuff" Me, every time I get writing block: "Oh god, I've lost my touch. I'll never write again. My dream is over. This is the end." #WriteSky #BookSky #WritingCommunity #WriterLife #WritingMemes

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

No "meltdown" in my WIP, but here's two alternatives. Dusk crashes out (one of many) and then immediately is distracted by his gay feelings for Saevel, lol From my current WIP, a high, epic, dark fantasy M/M romance, Grace For Liars #WriteSky #WipSnips #BookSky #WritingCommunity #QueerRomance

The background image is of a sparse, snowy forest. The words "collapsed" and "crumbled" are highlighted in dull blue and dull red respectively. The text reads:

It was, immediately and blatantly, the same pattern. The destroyed building, reduced to ash, without so much as a wilting leaf directly beside it. Another of the guards - Respen - came up alongside him, and they wordlessly searched the rubble. The smell was worse up close. He breathed through his mouth and kept moving. But the ashes had already cooled, and there was no sign of a perpetrator to be found. Too late. Damn it. Damn it!

Dusk kicked one of the collapsed bricks, and it cracked at the impact, scattering ash. The smell of sulfur was making him nauseous. His hands itched to draw his sword - to fight something, to kill something - but there was nothing to do. His jaw was clenched so tightly he could hear his teeth grinding.

“… What a horrible smell,” a soft, musical voice murmured, somewhere behind Dusk, and he spun urgently. The fury crumbled, and vicious concern bubbled up to replace it.

“M-Master Saevel, you shouldn’t be out here,” Dusk gasped, rushing to his side.

“I didn’t think you would be standing around if there was danger nearby,” Saevel said, simply. He was bundled up in a heavy cloak, and he was holding one of his handkerchiefs to his nose, expression unhappy.

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Dusk is an ex-mercenary, a prolific killer, violent and volatile and dangerous. He is also hilariously down bad like 5 minutes after meeting his very pretty strategist/royal advisor Master. #WipSnips #WriteSky #QueerFantasy #FantasyAuthor #BookSky #WritingCommunity #DarkFantasy #Romance

The text is laid atop a moody, autumnal picture of yellow and orange flowers. The word "stream" is highlighted in a pale-ish red. The text reads:

“We took you by carriage,” Saevel said, light and easy. “I called for my aides and they carried you to our camp - Pelleas here was one of them.” He gestured to the ichari as he spoke. “Did you two introduce yourselves, actually?”

“Uh…” Dusk glanced at the ichari, and back at Saevel. “Y-Yes.”

“Not by name,” Pelleas added, mild and snake-like, “but yes, Master Saevel.”

“Well,” Saevel said, peering over his shoulder at Pelleas, “you know his name now.”

“You are right, of course.” Pelleas smiled, and looked back at Dusk. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Dusk.”

Liar. Two-faced trash. Killer.

“… Likewise,” Dusk lied.

Saevel, seemingly satisfied, promptly continued. “Are you hungry, Dusk? Thirsty?”

“A…” Not at all, really. But he could drink happily, if he had water. “A little.”

“That’s to be expected.” Saevel nodded. “Some of the healers will come by soon, now that they know you’re awake. They’ll have heard us talking.” Ichari did have sensitive hearing. It made sense that-

Dusk’s stream of thought was promptly abandoned as Saevel turned, facing partially towards the doorway and shifting his weight onto one foot. As if he was going to leave. Was he going to leave? That would be fine, of course, but Dusk still had questions, and-

“M-My weapons!” he blurted. Saevel stopped, looking back at him with a confused, curious gaze.

“… Your weapons?” Saevel echoed. Dusk cleared his throat. Maybe he did need some water.

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Trying to explain to someone that I write "he would kill anyone for the love interest but would rather die than hurt him" dark romance and not "he abuses the love interest sometimes" dark romance, looking like this #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #LGBTQBooks #QueerFantasy #QueerRomance #EpicFantasy

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Writing a very intelligent character is hard because he is MUCH smarter than me. Writing a very socially intelligent character being clueless about another character's feelings is harder, because now he's a fool 💀 #BookSky 📚💙🪐 #LGBTQBooks #QueerFantasy #QueerBooks #EpicFantasy #AmWriting #WriteSky

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Coming back after months of inactivity with a new ~127k, high, epic fantasy, (agonizingly slow) slow-burn M/M romance novel. Feeling like this: #WriteSky #BookSky 📚💙🪐 #AmWriting #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife #QueerFantasy #QueerBooks #EpicFantasy

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Me: Okay, this book will have a lot of chapters, so each one can't be longer than 3k if we want ~100k total! Me, 5 chapters in, all of which are 4-6k words: #WriteSky #BookSky 📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

~20k words into my latest WIP, and unfortunately I have fallen head-over-heels in love with these characters. I should be focusing on getting ready for finals, but... I can't think of anything else 💀🪦 #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Trying to write books while coming up with new ideas constantly is insane... the latest ones: arranged marriage polyamory, fallen god x king, fae romance with a cult, supernatural romance horror, gay polyamorous cowboys... #WriteSky #BookSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Update: Hello! I know I have been inactive for ages, but this account is not abandoned. I had to be in the hospital for a while, and then life just sort of kept mauling me, but I do plan to come back to this all soon! 💚🤞 #Writesky #Booksky 📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #Writerlife #LGBTQBooks

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Update: I cracked 💀 sorry to WIP#1, but I am putting it aside for now and working on this new idea, because it was gnawing at my brain so bad I could barely think about anything else 😅 ##WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! I really do love a good confession of undying faith and trust...these three make me so giddy 😅💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! When living in a nation with no horses, meeting a pony is a pretty big deal. I can't blame Veavyr, honestly. It helps that he's adorable. #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of of some orange-colored berries. The text says:

‘No. He would have bitten you by now, if you did,’ he said flatly, rewarded with the sylviannin’s ears pinning back for a moment. Cien reached back out and carefully maneuvered Veavyr’s hand to sit on Dog’s nose instead. The ssuronan stared, looking delighted, and hesitantly pet the pony’s muzzle.

‘Just like that,’ Cien said with a nod, his own hand petting Dog’s neck. ‘He likes you. He would have backed up, if he didn’t.’ Veavyr’s ears quivered - out and spread again, seemingly exceedingly happy.

(The word "nose" is highlighted in a sort of orange-brown tone.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

There is absolutely nothing as frustrating as being a solid way through a WIP and then getting a new idea that is so compelling you can't stop thinking about it no matter how hard you try...help 💀🪦 #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Writing Veavyr's pov is always most fun at times like this, when I get to really play with the concept of him hearing the trees "sing." The descriptions are very enjoyable to write 💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of coiling, interlocked driftwood-looking branches on a dark background. The text says:

They would need to head home soon, that much was clear. Veavyr had been offering his own gia to his weaker patrol-friends, so they could last longer and heal further, but he felt he was running dry too. He had no doubt in his mind that his father would scold him for pushing so far, but it was his duty - and not one he was keen to shun.

He continued to sing and hum for multiple more hours, dancing - soaked by the rain - among the branches and feeling the song around him gradually soften into something broadly less miserable. It was fulfilling to hear the tune change, even as his voice grew hoarse and he tasted blood against the back of his tongue. He pressed his hands and lips to the most pained of the trees, resting his forehead against their bark and leaves and whispering to them. Smears of blood were left from his fingertips, and he hoped the lingering gia would do some good.

(The word "broadly" is highlighted in a sort of red-brown tone.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Contrary to yesterday's post, today I...didn't write 😅 instead, I went all the way back through my outline and changed like half of it. So...productive day anyway, I guess? #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! I do love me a good dragon (or two), even if it does make things more difficult in terms of writing when the characters in-world wouldn't know to call them that... #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Chapter 5 first draft for the latest WIP done! I'm trying to get as much finished as possible before uni starts up again, because I know I'm immediately going to get SWAMPED...💀😅 #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! The sweetest baby boy ever + clear distress + maybe sort of (very) hot guardian to fanboy over = Veavyr contemplating running off on an ill-advised adventure. Understandable. #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Chapter 4 of the latest WIP done! It feels so good to get back into the groove. I have a medical procedure tomorrow that will take most of the day, but I'll definitely start up again the next day💚🫡 #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! I rarely write "evil" people, because I find it difficult at best and ill-suited to my themes and messages at worst, but I do love me a homicidally senile old king trope...😌💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Today, I wrote chapter 3 of my newest WIP. I always forget how much I love writing when I take a break, and then I start up again and it is the best feeling in the world 💚 #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Not a single instance of "career", so I hope "job" will suffice. One of the most challenging and fun parts of this book is chapters in Cien's POV - writing children is hard, but rewarding! #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! I'm finally back! Uni is starting soon, so posts may still be fickle, but I'm definitely here now. No "trap", but I did find "entrapped", so...😅💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Dropped off the face of the earth for a while, but man has my wifi been fickle lately...I'll try to upload when I can for now, and will come back fully in a week or so! 💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

#WritingPrompt fill from my first book, which I'm busy editing! Cien is the sort of titular MC of the trilogy, though there are many other POV characters that are equally important 😌💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Zee Whitaker @zeewhitaker.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

#promosky #booksky #writer #writingcommunity #writing I'm so excited to be working on my first ever book! It's a m/m romantasy between a midwife witch who speaks with the element of water to work as a healer, and a necromancer's thrall clinging to the scraps of a life he lost. ↻ + ♡︎ appreciated!

My name is Farley Clearbrook, and I know what naiun means.
In the language my witchmother taught to me, naiun is one of many words with no precise translation. It's the prey animal word, the idea of tomorrow never coming. You find it in the eyes of lambs when their legs don't work. In absence. Rarely, but too often still, a woman in the birthing pool gets naiun, when I tell her to push and she can't hear me, because she knows before I do that I've failed them both.
I'm grateful for it; it's a very valuable tool for witches. It lets you know when to give up. It's never wrong. To try and fight it would waste a lot of resources and risk further harm. One of my apprenticekin, a girl two years older than me, once spellcast herself into a week-long coma trying vainly to save a baby girl who was naiun. She couldn't accept that she was already gone, heart beating, eyes empty, her mind as clear as our sacred pond. I think it's a defense that saves your final moments, sent from the Black Fawn to protect your mind from what you're about to go through and allow you peace instead. It's mercy. It's a sanctuary you want more than anything.
It's the way I feel every time Caspen takes a breath. But I get to shake it off and come back to my senses after a moment. I think Caspen exists in naiun. Moving. Sometimes breathing. A heartbeat slow, a stillpond mind, eyes shrouded by the gauze of the veil. But still here. Not yet gone, though he should be. The Black Fawn ran East and left him behind.
You see, Caspen is not alive.

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Little late, but trip wifi is unpredictable 😅 also, the Veavyr curse returns (only kidding, I adore him). I equally adore making my cities very elaborate and culturally significant 💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a body of water with vividly yellow ginkgo leaves. The text says:

Most of the root-layers of Lazruradell were entirely open to all people, and places that were more restricted only truly existed on the higher layers of the city. The communion chamber was among these restricted places, and was, indeed, the highest level of Lazruradell.

The lower stories of the city were more cluttered, and the glowing golden paint produced using the leaves of the Yirlae decorated houses and streets alike in elegant and flowing patterns, lighting the space enough for visibility to be maintained even in the dead of night.

The homes were largely composed of either wood or stone, and it created a lovely contrast when combining the dark wood, pale stone, and ethereal golden paint. Inexplicably, now that he thought about it, it almost reminded Veavyr of Sin’aeleh - the dark and the light and that unplaceable sense of power.

(The word "streets" is highlighted in a sort of golden yellow tone.)

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! I do love myself some monster creation 😌 and, finally, a WIPSnip that isn't from a Veavyr chapter! It's a miracle, lol 💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

The wifi around here is spotty, which makes it difficult to post. As a small mercy, I can still edit, and it doesn't make it particularly easy to do anything else...built in distraction block? 😅💚 #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! I don't have any trash, but I do have some "waste", so...acceptable compromise, I think. Yet again, Veavyr wins the snippet gamble. He's got to be cheating somehow... #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a forest at night with a large campfire in the middle. The text says:

He prepared to wrap them back up when Arowyth caught his hand gently and stopped him.

‘At least allow me to offer you clean bandages,’ the ranger said, sounding almost amused. ‘You may be a sylvian, but you are not immune to infection.’

‘There is no need to waste your resources,’ Veavyr shook his head. ‘I will heal in a matter of only a day or two. My gia will tend to the wound, as it has tended to far worse.’

‘It is not a waste of resources,’ Arowyth retorted immediately, still keeping his hand in place. ‘You are an archer. It would be a shame for you to lose a finger, let alone two - even if the ssurona do produce wonderful prosthetics.’ The ranger pulled his hand closer. ‘And, regardless. I refuse to let anyone suffer preventable injury, while in my care. It goes against the doctrine of the rangers.’

‘...If you insist, I will use clean bandages,’ Veavyr murmured, his gaze focused on Arowyth’s hidden features. He wished, as he so often did, that he could see the ranger’s full face.

(The word "waste" is highlighted in a rich, red-orange sort of tone.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Continuing the trend of Veavyr chapters being the chosen excerpt sources...🤔 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a dark forest at night with a few beams of moonlight filtering onto pale grass. The text says:

He was, admittedly, distracted by gazing at the ranger, and so he was slightly caught off-guard when someone tapped his shoulder. He raised his gaze to see the culprit, and found one of the junior guardsmen. For a moment, he was mortified - had he sunken so deep into his mind that he’d lost track of the rotation times? - and he breathed a sigh of relief when the younger ssuronan pointed towards the doors.

‘I apologize for the disruption, Sir Veavyr.’ The guard said, voice quiet and hard to hear with the music and rabble of the festivities. ‘The Prince has asked for you. He awaits you just beyond the doors, Sir.’

‘There is no need for apologies.’ Veavyr assured immediately, patting the younger guard’s shoulder. ‘Thank you for the news. I will go immediately.’

With a formal salute from the junior guard and a responding signal to be at ease from Veavyr, he turned and left. The new guard took his place at the guard post, and Veavyr was free to exit without worry. He cast one last look at Sin’aeleh, and dismissed it as his imagination when he felt as though he was being looked right back at even though the ranger’s head was turned away.

(The words "apologize" and "apologies" are highlighted in a light, greyish green.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Sometimes, I worry that people will laugh when I talk about my writing. My central theme is: "Recovery is always possible." My stories grow around the belief that people can heal, that kindness matters. That love is strong enough to change things. That choosing goodness is not naive but brave. (1/3)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Does this count...? I'm choosing to interpret that this counts. On another note, I'm noticing that Veavyr is somehow the one that gets quoted most often for these. I wonder why...🤔💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a forest in autumn, with rich yellow and orange tones interspersed with greyish trunks. The text says:

A wide circle of wood and stone tables decorated the slightly raised, stone platform, each table occupied by some number of ssurona who had come to join in the festivities. Most were younger, and many were members of the guard, but some came to join in merely for the sake of fun and merriment.

The music was produced by one such group that had joined simply for fun, sitting opposite the entrance upon benches of warm brown wood and playing various instruments. Two played apens, a ssuronan type of flute, a third enthusiastically played the bail - an instrument fairly similar to depictions of drums Veavyr had seen in books in the past; two hollow wooden barrels with an animal hide stretched thinly across the open top that the player beat rhythmically to produce a deep and reverberating sound.

The melody came together with the singing of nearly twenty ssurona, and the uniquely bird-like voices of the sylviannins blended beautifully and sweetly as they sang an old ssuronan folk song. Veavyr himself did not join in the singing; he was not allowed to do so on orders of Elre for the sake of allowing his throat to heal properly. Instead, he sat and swayed along to the music, his ears spread wide and low with relaxed appreciation.

(The word "bail" is highlighted in a sort of orange-yellow tone.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Got a solid four chapters edited today, which is great, because I won't get to edit much (if at all...) tomorrow 😅 hoping to get at least one chapter in...! #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! If there is one thing I like more than elaborately designed worlds and settings, it's when their descriptions can be done in narrative character! #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a dark series of desert dunes with a cloudy, yellow-grey sky. The text says:

From the crest of the dune, Kirngalir’s walls appeared like a dark, hollow fortress, guarding the pass between the mountains. Yet, within its depths, from all the tales Halulinael, Arowyth, and Arilien had told them, the city thrived. A hidden core to the desert where the stone and sweltering heat were softened by the vibrant life tucked away in cool shadows. Veavyr was excited to see it, honestly, though he feared it at the same time.

Looking at Halulinael - and recalling the other hhunromar they’d met on the day when they saved the council-prince and his retinue - Veavyr felt that he would…stand out, for lack of a better descriptor. He was, in all fairness, nearly twice the height of Halulinael. He idly thought to himself that he’d probably stick out among all the hhunromar in a similar - if less grandiose - way to how the Yirlae stuck out among the canopy of Lazrulae.

(The word "thrived" is highlighted in a sandy sort of orange-red tone.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Today, I felt like dirt. As a disabled writer, slack like this was something I had a hard time coming to terms with. Some days are rest days, and that's okay. I'll make up for it soon enough 💚 #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Writing more tense, action-packed scenes was a big roadblock for me. Now, my style lets me work with them by following the characters internally more than anything else, and I absolutely adore it 💚💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a mossy forest floor with clear beams of light and shadow cast by dark tree trunks. The text says:

Linked as such, he did not have to put much effort into pushing gia into Luurellan’s withering vessel. It slipped into her, like how water would flow naturally from a higher to a lower point when merely granted the opportunity. All he had to do was to keep his gia synced with Queriilya - to keep his breathing and pulse steady even as the loss of what little gia he had left burned through his veins like thorns tearing at his insides.

He had done this before, Veavyr reminded himself distantly, and this was a pain he could manage. This was a pain he could bear - would bear.

The slip of the gia sped up as Luurellan strengthened, her body greedily pulling more in as it recovered enough to seek the steadying energy. It hurt terribly, but Veavyr simply continued to breathe and to keep those passages fully open. He felt her chest rise and fall more and more strongly beneath his scraped, bloodied palms, and it soothed him to know she would be well even as the pain sharpened.

(The word "insides" is highlighted in a vivid but soft shade of green.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

I am on an absolute roll today! Fully edited 5 chapters total, even between hours of visiting various beautiful places! Now to keep this momentum up...😅 #WriteSky #BookSky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #FantasyBooks #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Cien and Sin'aeleh are so dear to me. The found family trope has my whole heart, and I love when a gruff man suddenly finds himself the guardian of a cute kid 😌💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a close-up picture of a patch of daisies. The text says:

That thought drew his eyes up to the boy’s face once again.

His blonde hair was messy and matted, and he decided that he would brush it out later - after he tended the minor wounds. If he was going to keep the boy healthy and clean, it would only be logical to do so thoroughly. His skin was fair and pink. Sin’aeleh mentally decided he was likely not of Eadukya, as the nuair there were typically somewhat darker in tone. He had a pale smattering of freckles over the bridge of his nose, no doubt a child who was outside often.

His eyes were closed, and Sin’aeleh had not gotten a very good look on the occasions he had seen them open - with firelight and then the tears -, but he believed they were a warm brown color; quite common in all the nuair nations. His cheeks were soft and pudgy with lingering baby-fat. Sin’aeleh distantly hoped that he would not lose that trait to the harshness of the trail.

(The word "minor" is highlighted in a pale, sage-like green.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

#WritingTips 2: When creating a character, some of the most important things to know are what they like, what they dislike, and their greatest fears. Everyone has at least one fear - it says a lot! #WriteSky #BookSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #FantasyBooks #LGBTQBooks

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Injuries happen often, in my writing - it is epic fantasy, after all. For passable accuracy (it's still fantasy), I have googled some truly concerning things (and talked tons to my poor MD friend) 😅💚 #WriteSky #Booksky📚💙🪐 #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a woven basket full of herbs and various foraged plants. The text says:

‘Add three of the leaves and mix it again.’ Arowyth said when the grinding sound stopped, nearly finished with the inner stitching of the wound - the bleeding slowing somewhat as he worked. More rustling, another short while of grinding. Arowyth tried to focus.
‘Done!’ Veavyr called, and he shuffled closer slightly.
‘Good. There are shallow cuts upon his legs and stomach. Spread the poultice upon them thoroughly but thinly. It should stop the bleeding.’ Arowyth did not look up as he spoke, instead tying off the last of the inner stitches and cutting the string very carefully with the tip of his dagger.
He took a breath, looking down, and paused to briefly pour more alcohol upon his hands, the needle, and the injury - rinsing away much of the blood and cleaning it again.

(The word "needle" is highlighted in a pale, dusty, greyish tone of brown.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Do any other writers get like...possessed? I randomly got the inspiration to fill in a massive plot hole perfectly on the bus. Then, when I sit down normally to write, my brain is empty😅 #WriteSky #BookSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #FantasyBooks #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife

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Reposted by Quill A.M. Aster || Author

Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! I don't have a single instance of "certify" in my text, sadly, so I compromised with "assure"(d). As always, I absolutely adore these three. They are everything to me 💚 #WriteSky #Booksky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a forest canopy from below at night. The text says:

‘Rest well, friend. You need the energy.’ Veavyr said, voice soft. Irbis smiled back at him, giving a little nod.
‘I will. You as well, Veavyr.’ He murmured, and the ssuronan smiled so widely his eyes squinted shut for a moment before he stood and - pausing to briefly run his fingers through Arowyth’s dark hair - moved around the fire to lay down on the one remaining bedroll. With him gone, Arowyth’s attention focused entirely on Irbis again.
‘Are you in any pain, still?’ The ranger asked, reaching forward to lightly rest a hand on the lower edge of Irbis’ ribs - strong and sprawled out, careful not to touch any wounds.
‘No, none.’ Irbis assured quietly, inhaling and feeling the ranger’s hand rise and fall with the motion.
‘Good. Do you feel sick at all? Nauseous, feverish, the likes?’ Arowyth pushed, and Irbis thought he understood why Veavyr had said the ranger might fuss somewhat.
‘No. Just tired.’ He said quietly, and Arowyth smiled - the smallest uptick of his lips, almost invisible to Irbis’ eyes.

(The word "assured" is highlighted in a pale, periwinkle sort of blue.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Finding time to work between all the busy periods of travel is hard, but I'm doing what I can! Three more chapters edited today 😌 #WriteSky #BookSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #FantasyBooks #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife #Travel

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! Polyamory is a huge part of my writing, and I love making the characters involved truly seem smitten and in love in an equal, balanced, healthy way. No crazy love triangles or bitter jealousy here! 😌💚 #WriteSky #Booksky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a forest with a field of purple flowers in front of it; the sky is purple and blue and the moon shines clearly through. The text says:

Like this, holding one another and pressed together, Irbis felt that he was watching something truly rapturous. Light and dark hair fell together slightly, pale skin against darker tones - both tinted blue by the light of the moon. One taller and incredibly slim and the other shorter and more broad, both of their eyes closed - long and soft lashes of contrasting color nearly pressed together. Irbis’ heart pounded in his chest, and he swallowed hard. They were beautiful. They were so beautiful it left him dizzy.

(The word "moon" is highlighted in a desaturated sort of lavender tone.)

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Two more chapters edited, even between all of the mess and activity that it takes to travel. I'm doing pretty good, I'd say 😌💚 #WriteSky #BookSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy #FantasyBooks #LGBTQBooks #WriterLife #Travel

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Quill A.M. Aster || Author @quillsandasters.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

#WIPSnips of the day! I love writing found family, and the accidental child acquisition trope is one of my favorites. I'm sure nobody can tell...(not). Anyways, Cien is my baby and I adore him. 💚 #WriteSky #Booksky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #QueerFantasy #EpicFantasy

An image with a snippet of text from a book WIP. The background is a picture of a forest at night. The text says:

The little one - Cien - shifted again to stay pressed snug against the ranger’s side, and the cloak slipped open to reveal one bandaged knee. Blood already spotted through the fabric, and Veavyr’s ears pinned back a little.

‘You are…’ He paused, searching for the word, woefully out of practice in the common tongue. ‘You are wounded. Why?’ The boy’s eyes widened at his words, and he glanced up at Sin’aeleh with pursed lips. He did not respond until the ranger settled a hand lightly upon his back, at which point the boy took a breath and relaxed a little.

(The word "searching" is highlighted in a dark, blueish-green.)

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