iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Today is National Public Lands Day, and since we love wild spaces, we wanted to shout out one that’s in Ms. Melissa's travel queue--Acadia National Park. 🏞️ To learn how to support public lands near you, check out this helpful guide from The Wilderness Society: www.wilderness.org/take-action.

Acadia National Park. Below a vivid cerulean sky, verdant foothills surround a glistening blue-green lake. The lake’s shallow waters are dotted with large, rough boulders. Photo by thedesigndept on pixabay.com.

Acadia National Park. Sloping, rocky cliffs jut into shimmering bay waters that stretch to a bright, hazy horizon. Atop these cliffs are dark evergreens variegated with occasional splashes of yellow and red. Photo by ArtTower on pixabay.com.

Acadia National Park. A calm, steely blue lake and cornflower sky contrast with the riot of autumnal color that is its shoreline thicket. Photo from pixabay.com.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Delighted to discover Salty Pages while passing through Cambria, CA. With its inviting cottage vibes, Salty Pages features a curated book collection, cozy reading corners, and a lovely gathering space for book clubs and author readings. What's your favorite indie bookshop?

A-frame chalkboard sign with an Easter egg blue border reads: “PSST! We just read your mind. You need a new book. This way.” Around this text are decorative drawings that include a fortune teller’s crystal ball and a directional arrow pointing to the right.

Close-up of two bookshelves. Some of the featured authors on the left-hand shelf include Julia Alvarez, Harper Lee, Betty Smith, and Sylvia Moreno-Garcia. The right-hand shelf includes Matt Dinniman, Hugh Howey, TJ Klune, Ann Leckie, and Ursula K. Le Guin, among others.

Vibrant red, orange, and purple flowers cover an outdoor mural painted on a wooden privacy fence. In front of the mural sits a stone bench and a bougainvillea bursting with vivid pink flowers.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

It's Agatha Christie’s birthday. What's your fave Christie mystery? 🔍📖 Ms. Lee just reread The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and enjoyed it as much as she did the first time. For Ms. Melissa, the image of a sun bather turned murder victim in Evil Under the Sun was her intro to Agatha Christie.

Background illustration is abstract shapes in varying shades of warm, rich grays and light greens. The vibe is intense and dramatic. The overlaid text reads: Happy birthday to the Queen of Crime! Here are a couple of book recommendations in honor of Dame Agatha Christie. To the right of the text is a small, oval image of an old fashioned typewriter.

Background illustration is abstract shapes in varying shades of warm grays and light greens. The overlaid text reads: Do you want blackmail, murder, and a shocking plot twist? The Murder of Roger Ackroyd broke the rules of traditional mystery, permanently influencing the genre. To the right of the text is an image of the book cover.

Background illustration is abstract shapes in varying shades of gray and light green. The overlaid text reads: Want a cleverly plotted whodunit where everyone is a suspect? Evil Under the Sun gives summer-holiday vibes and deceptive alibis that keep you
guessing. To the right of the text is an image of the book cover.

Background illustration is abstract shapes in varying shades of warm, rich grays and light greens. The overlaid text reads: Follow for more book recommendations. Share with other mystery readers. Comment with your fave whodunit.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Frances Liardet’s Think of Me is a great read for fans of #HistoricalFiction. Spanning decades, this novel follows one couple’s poignant journey through war, love, and loss. 👇Please comment with your historical fiction reading recs. Ms. Melissa is looking to add to her TBR. 📚

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#WordOfTheDay: Transmogrify 🧵 Let's do a micro-fiction thread. Use "transmogrify" in a single sentence below. We’ll start: Icy liquid splashed her face as the gleaming apple at her lips transmogrified into a swirling sphere of sloshing water.

A gleaming red apple sits beneath a stormy sky and atop a vast ocean of dark, churning water. The apple appears to be mid-transformation with the lower right half made of swirling water that retains its original round shape. An opaque vertical textbox on the right-hand side of the image reads: Transmogrify (tranz-MAH-gruh-fy) v. to transform in a surprising, magical, or bizarre manner.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

It’s been a busy summer with limited time for writing, but a recent trip to Capitol Reef National Park was a great way to relax and refocus. While our novel isn’t set in red rock country, maybe the next one should be. #WriterLife #CapitolReef #RedRockCountry #StoriesInStone #ExploreUtah

Rugged, red-rock cliffs and hardy green trees ascend to an expansive afternoon sky where streaks of cerulean peek through a patchwork of grey and white clouds.

A series of humanoid petroglyphs etched onto a smooth, sun-baked cliff face appear to be ascending stacked layers of rock that form the base of the red-hued mountain.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Attended a Writer’s Digest University Fantasy Writing Conference and walked away feeling energized and inspired. Here are a few worldbuilding and plotting takeaways we’re adding to our writing routine. Want to elevate your craft? Check out future courses at: writersdigestuniversity.mykajabi.com

Close-up of an old typewriter, black with cream-colored keys. A text box vertically spans the right of the image and reads: Worldbuilding & Character Design: Tips for Fantasy Writers. Key insights from the 2026 Writer’s Digest University Fantasy Writing Conference.

Text over a dark gray background reads: Prompts to Build Your Characters & World. Are there recognizable objects with an alternate history or function? What objects specific to your characters matter to them and why? What do your characters notice first when entering a new space? What does that reveal about them? What are the rites or rituals surrounding death in your world? What are the beliefs around an afterlife? Are there holidays and holiday traditions unique to your world? Session: “What Makes Magic is the Mundane” with Roshani Chokshi

Text over a dark gray background reads: Suggestions to Keep Your Magic Mysterious. Incorporate different ideas for how the magic works but don’t confirm which, if any, are true. Make space for lost knowledge. Use poetic devices, indirect language, and time slowing to communicate the difficult and to create a sense of mystery and immersion. Session: “Decolonizing Magic in Fantasy Writing” with Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Text over a dark gray background reads: Gaming Concepts That Structure Exposition & Character Growth. Cut Scenes, or non-interactive sequences, can provide details your character doesn’t know. Literary example: The video journals in Ready Player One. Leveling Up, or character acquisition of skills and knowledge, can guide plot development. Increasing character capabilities as the story progresses can: Steer how your character responds to events and ensure your character is not too powerful or too weak for events. Session: “Mapping the Story: Using Game Structures in Your Fantasy Plotting” with Jeff Somers

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

“You should be writing.” That’s what this stoic fox sculpture seemed to say to Ms. Lee as she strolled past it while shopping in a sun-dappled brick alley. #CitySculpture #UrbanArt #FoxStatue #FoxArt

Bronze fox statue standing and looking to its left. Its nose and ears appear to be tipped in a burnished yellow. The fox is standing between large planters and in front of a mottled turquoise background.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

One year of writing with a partner–what we actually learned: www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/co-writ... Save this post for the next time you dive into #CoAuthoringFiction! Photo by Bessi on pixabay.com #FictionWritingPartners #PlottingWithACoAuthor #CollaborativeWritingTips #Booksky

Solitary autumnal tree stands on a hill, reflected in a calm lake under a starry night sky, creating a serene and symmetrical scene. The text box overlaid on the photo reads: Co-Authoring a Novel: Behind-the-Scenes Realities. What one year of writing with a partner taught us about pacing, process, and plot.

Text box reads: PACING. Crucial Takeaways: We spend a lot of time talking and making decisions together. As a result, we’ve been able to identify and include small nuances about our world and characters that are often missing in a first draft. Even so, it would help if we checked in with each other more often. Some of our rewrites could have been avoided if we’d just had a conversation. Same background photo as previous image: Autumnal tree, reflected in a calm lake.

Text box reads: PROCESS. Crucial Takeaways: Our work process helps us have a consistent tone and authorial voice. It also allows us to leverage each other’s natural writing strengths. Additionally, we’ve found this workflow lets us be more fluid with our story structure–we can change POVs depending on chapter content instead of adhering to a strict alternating outline structured around who’s writing next. Same background photo as previous image: Autumnal tree, reflected in a calm lake.

Text box reads: PLOT. Crucial Takeaways: Reading how-to books and articles has helped a lot. We’ve also created character sheets, family trees, and genre-specific plot diagrams that we continue to reference. Especially helpful is a table with three sets of genre-based plot beats laid out side-by-side for easy visual analysis. Whenever we talk about our plot, we do so with these beats in mind. Same background photo as previous image: Autumnal tree, reflected in a calm lake.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Sharing in honor of one of SciFi’s most iconic couples. May the 4th be with you, everyone! Photo by zacoolcrafter on pixabay.com #starwarsday #maythe4thbewithyou #princessleia #hansolo #moviequotes

Star Wars action figures, Princess Leia and Han Solo. Photographed from the waist up, they are facing each other with Han’s hand on Leia’s shoulder. Leia is wearing a white dress with her hair in side buns. Han is wearing a charcoal vest and shirt. Image reads: “I love you.” “I know.”

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

A while back we posted about the sounds a fox makes. We’re editing the scenes that inspired that post and wanted to share what we learned about the other animal in those scenes--a bobcat. Photo by Miller_Eszter on pixabay.com #bobcats #wildlife #todayilearned #til #didyouknow #booksky

Bobcat pictured amidst a dense grove of pine trees. It has a mottled tan coat with white along the chest. The image reads: What sounds does a bobcat make?

Image reads: Studies have identified 8 distinct sounds produced by bobcats, including: Barks - short and raspy cough-bark used when threatened and warning of danger; bird-like chirping used to communicate with kittens.

Image reads: Growls - low, deep, guttural noise used when threatened and intending to protect territory. Squalls - yowling sound occurs when pained or alarmed. Screams/Howls - shrieks, often human-sounding, used for mating.

Image reads: Some of these sounds are similar to those made by domestic cats: Purrs - occurs when relaxed or content. Hisses - used when threatened and warning of attack. Meows - used to communicate with kittens.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Jane Eyre, is a fave for rereading. In celebration of Charlotte’s birthday, wanted to share a few best-loved quotes. Photo by MonicaVolpin on pixabay.com #charlottebronte #janeeyre #quotes #readingcommunity #bookcommunity #booksky

Two-story manor house built of light grey stone surrounded by a wide lawn dotted with thick, rotund trees of varied green hues. The sky is grey and overcast with text that reads: “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you—and full as much heart!” --Jane Eyre

Same photo as previous image but zoomed in close to the two-story manor house. The text below the house reads: "I can live alone, if self-respect, and circumstances require me so to do. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss." --Jane Eyre

Same photo as previous image but with the manor house a little more in the distance and positioned to the right. On the left is a group of thick, rotund trees. The sky is grey and overcast with text that reads: "I ask you to pass through life at my side—to be my second self, and best earthly companion." --Edward Rochester

Same photo as previous image. The manor house is positioned a little in the distance on the lower right and a tall, shadowy tree fills the left side of the image. The text that spans an overcast sky reads: "All my heart is yours, sir: it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever." --Jane Eyre

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Celebrating International Haiku Poetry Day with: a fox on the prowl this cold, bitter, spring night dried grasses rustle –Kobayashi Issa What's your favorite animal haiku? #internationalhaikupoetryday #internationalhaikuday #nationalhaikupoetryday #nationalhaikuday #haiku #foxes

Water color-style illustration features a fennec fox among tall grasses with a moon rising in the background. The image reads: a fox on the prowl; this cold, bitter, spring night; dried grasses rustle –Kobayashi Issa

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

As we’ve been developing the romance between our MCs, we’re reflecting on what makes a romance feel authentic. An element we want to be sure to include is moments when their connection transcends passion. #amwriting #characterdevelopment #romancereader #romantasy #booksky

A woman is pictured from behind. She is seen from the shoulders up and has auburn hair pulled back in a loose braid with a small, dangling earring in her right ear. A text box is overlaid on the left side of the photo and reads: The characters whose relationships we root for the most have a connection that transcends passion. For example, enjoy this excerpt from Hannah Whitten’s For the Throne. Book cover of For the Throne is visible in the lower left corner.

Same background photo as previous image: A woman pictured from the shoulders up with auburn hair pulled back in a loose braid. Above the text box that overlays the lower third of the photo is a caption that reads: Love a Quiet Moment that Builds Intimacy. Inside the text box is the following excerpt from Hannah Whitten’s For the Throne: The rough familiarity of Eammon’s hands on the nape of her neck brought her mind back to the present. Lost in thought, she’d paused in the braiding of her hair, and he gathered it in his palms, picking up where she’d left off.

Same background photo as previous images: A woman’s auburn hair pulled back in a loose braid. A text box is overlaid on the right side of the photo and reads: “Something new troubling you?” His voice was low and morning-graveled. “Or the same?” “The same,” she murmured. A soft noise of affirmation. The braid he made was lumpy, but he tied it off tight, gave it a slight tug so her neck craned up to see him behind her. He dropped a kiss on her forehead. --Hannah Whitten, For the Throne

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Our story is told from two POVs with characters who aren't fully human, so this article was a great read. It offers tips for ensuring characters' unique worldviews are reflected in narrative details.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Ms. Lee read Cary J. Griffith’s Wolf Kill, a great choice for lovers of atmospheric mysteries. It featured a tenacious wolf expert, a capable reporter, and a pack of dangerous wolf-dog hybrids. What’s your fave mystery thriller? #mysterythriller #booksky #readingcommunity #bookrecommendations

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

National parks aren’t the only option for stunning views, wild spaces are found in urban areas too. Enjoyed visiting Exploration Green, a nature preserve/recreation area that helps with flooding in SE Texas. What’s your fave city park/green space? #GreenSpace #NatureLovers #UrbanNature #ParkLife

Landscape centered around a pond. Billowy clouds drift across a vivid blue sky. A patch of pink and white flowers are in the foreground.

Close-up of a golden-yellow flower. It has four rows of translucent, strap-shaped petals, as well as brown and yellow stamens.

Five back-and-tan ducks sit on the grassy bank of a pond. Tall grasses and small yellow flowers dot the shoreline in the foreground. Bushes with arching, leaf-covered branches fill the background.

A black bird with a patch of red and orange on its wing sits in a tree with barren, spindly branches. The clouds in the background are grey and dense.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Great research tips. Finding an expert and asking what's "plausible" and "possible" has been incredibly helpful.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Ms. Lee explores using folklore to develop our fantasy characters: www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/using-f.... What’s your fave paranormal creature trope? Photo credit: kafemik on pixabay.com #amwriting #writingprocess #fantasywriter #urbanfantasy #characterdevelopment #worldbuilding #booksky

A stack of hardcover books with covers in varying shades of green. On top of the stack is a silver skeleton key with a hemp cord looped through the key hole. A text box overlaid on the photo reads: Using Folklore to Create Paranormal Characters. Four steps for developing unique characters while honoring existing folklore:

Same background photo as previous image: Stack of books with green covers. On top of the stack is a silver skeleton key. A text box overlaid on the right side of the photo reads: Step 1 - Research the folklore that already exists. Step 2 - Decide which folkloric tropes to adopt, adapt, or abandon.

Same background photo as previous images: Stack of books with green covers and silver skeleton key on top. Overlaid text box reads: Step 3 - Define which perspectives are unique to your world and create new rules. Step 4 - In the narrative, take time to illustrate the reasoning behind altered and abandoned tropes.

Same background photo as previous images: Stack of books with green covers and silver skeleton key on top. Overlaid text box reads: Read full blog at storiesbymelissalee.com. Follow for more writing tips. Share with other fantasy writers. Comment with your fave strategy for character development.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Ms. Lee just purchased her annual National Parks pass. We’re writing about the Virginia mountains, but based on the pass’s Recollection Project protective sleeve, it looks like she might be dreaming of Yellowstone. What National Parks are on your bucket list? #nationalparks #findyourpark

National Parks pass in a protective sleeve. The sleeve features a vintage-style illustration of bison in Grand Teton National Park. The park pass is laying on a wooden tray that looks like a tree slice. It’s surrounded by greenery and multi-colored rocks.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Exited a beachside metro station to this larger-than-life reminder of one of the characters in our book. He’s a bobcat shifter and a fave. Looking forward to the day when you can meet him. #streetarteverywhere #streetartlovers #bobcat #booksky

Colorful street art at the Oceanside, CA, metro stop. Features the face of a black and tan bobcat against an orange and yellow background.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Ms. Lee just read Nina de Gramont's The Christie Affair, an engrossing murder mystery set against the backdrop of Agatha Christie’s 1926 disappearance. Do you have a favorite historical mystery novel? Share below. #historicalmysterybooks #mysterybooks #mysteryreader #revengeplot #bookish #booksky

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Wishing fellow enthusiasts a fun-filled Puzzle Day! Enjoyed putting together Readers Paradise (pictured here). What’s your go-to jigsaw puzzle artist or theme? #nationalpuzzleday #jigsawpuzzle #bookcommunity #readingcommunity #booksky

Close-up of completed jigsaw puzzle featuring the interior of a book store with shelves full of books and a display table of books as well. Overlaid on the image is a text box that reads: Happy National Puzzle Day!

Pulled-back view of jigsaw puzzle featuring the interior of a book store with shelves full of books and a display table of books as well.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

A trip to Death Valley National Park inspired our #wordoftheday : Ephemeral Like Death Valley’s Badwater Basin, China’s Chaka Salt Lake (pictured here) is an ephemeral wonderland. Photo credit: newtjitsu on pixabay.com #travel #words #landscapephotography #naturephotography #booksky

Chaka Salt Lake in Qinghai Province, China. Overlaid on the image is a text box that reads: Ephemeral (ē-fem-er-uhl) adj. lasting for a very short time.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Ms. Lee’s most recent travel bookshelf with a couple of titles from In Bloom Bookery in Temecula, CA. Romance readers in particular will love this store and its staff. What’s your favorite indie bookshop? #romancebooks #romancereader #indiebookstore #independentbookstore #bookish #booksky

Two books: Jaymin Eve’s Spell Caster and Lana Ferguson’s The Fake Mate. Books are displayed among dark wooden snowflakes and pink and green flowering plants.

Table display filled with books. Some featured titles include: Lauren Palphreyman’s The Wolf King, Jessica Thorne’s Crown of Darkness, and Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

#todayilearned it’s the first full moon of 2026, also known as the Wolf Moon. In honor of the wolf pack in our novel, thought it would be fun to share a bit of Wolf Moon history. Illustration credit: Imstudio1989 on pixabay.com #wolfmoon #wolves #wildlife #til #didyouknow #booksky

Illustration of a wolf howling. The wolf is in silhouette on a rock outcropping with a large full moon in the background. Image is done in varying shades of blue and black. Text reads: What is a Wolf Moon?

Text on a blue background reads: The first full moon of the year, occurring in January, is known as the Wolf Moon by some European and North American cultures. It was named after the evocative howling of wolves during this wintry season. These cries allow wolves to locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, define territory, and coordinate hunting. While wolves are nocturnal and howl to communicate, they do not actually howl at the moon itself, but will often point their heads upward to make the sound travel farther.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

What’s your fave novel or series with a cool magic system? Ms. Melissa liked Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson. It’s an ode to art and creativity and a race to save two worlds from ruin. #fantasybooks #fantasyreader #dualworlds #magicsystem #bookish #booksky #readersofbluesky

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Great writing note. Definitely appreciate a story with varying levels of tone and intensity.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Happy birthday to the marvelous Jane Austen. In her honor, wanted to share this lovely quote from Pride and Prejudice. What's your fave Austen quote? Photo credit: Albertfotofilms on pixabay.com #janeausten #prideandprejudice #quotes #quoteoftheday #booksky #readerscommunity #bookish

Snowy forest landscape seen through a large wood-framed window. Filmy curtains are pulled back on each side while a fluffy pillow and lanterns with candles line the bottom of the window. Overlaid on the image is a text box that reads: “Give a loose rein to your fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible flight which the subject will afford." —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Happy St. Nicholas Day to all who celebrate. Ms. Lee’s family traditions include St. Nicholas leaving oranges, small gifts, and, of course, books in and around family members’ shoes. Do you have any St. Nicholas Day traditions? #stnicholasday #bookishgifts #holidayspirit #sinterklaas #booksky

Black ankle boots, an orange, and a St. Nicholas figurine sit atop eight books. In the boots are small, festively wrapped gifts.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Working on a scene where our shifters in animal form need to communicate, so #todayilearned a lot about the sounds foxes make. Relying on body language and animal noises has really brought home how integral dialogue can be to a narrative. #foxes #redfox #wildlife #til #didyouknow #booksky

Red fox with a black-furred face and paws walking down a dirt and gravel path. The path is lined with tall grasses. The image reads: What sounds does a fox make?

Image reads: Studies have identified 12 distinct sounds produced by adult foxes and 8 by their kits, including: Barks and yips - high-pitched "ow-wow-wow" sounds used for communication and identification. Text is bordered by the edges of the previous photo so portions of tall grass and a dirt and gravel path are visible.

Image reads: Gekkering - chattering, clucking, and rasping sounds used when playing. Screams - shrieks, often human-sounding, used for territorial warnings and mating. Text is bordered by the edges of the first photo so portions of tall grass and a dirt and gravel path are visible.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Today is #nationalillustrationday, so shout out to illustrators everywhere. Like these whimsical sketches from Arthur Rackham, known for how he envisioned many of our folktales. Comment below with your favorite illustrator or folktale. #folklore #folktales #illustration #artcommunity #booksky

Illustration by Arthur Rackham for Aesop’s The Tortoise and the Hare. Features a group of animals in waistcoats and other formal attire. Animals include a tortoise, hare, mouse, fox, mole, and two birds.

Illustration by Arthur Rackham for Aesop’s The Bear and the Fox. A large bear stands on two legs, towering over a tiny fox who is looking up at him. To their left is a tree with a carrion bird.

Illustration by Arthur Rackham for Aesop’s The Fox and the Crow. The crow is perched on a tree branch with a piece of cheese in its beak. The fox is sitting at the base of the tree beneath the crow.

Sketch by Arthur Rackham entitled The Parrot and the Cat. Created for “Good-Night (Buenas Noches)” by Eleanor Gates.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

What’s your favorite cozy fantasy romance? Ms. Lee just read and enjoyed The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. Music credit: Oscar Merlo #fantasyromance #cozyromance #fantasyreader #fantasybooklover #booksky #readersofbluesky #bookish #bookcommunity

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Ms. Lee explores using facts to enhance our fantasy worldbuilding: www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/using-f.... What worldbuilding elements help you create or feel fully immersed in a story? Photo: BrandeePember, pixabay.com #amwriting #writingprocess #writingcommunity #fantasy #booksky

A glass ball on wet ground reflects sunset, clouds, and trees. In the background is a blurred orange and blue sky. A text box overlaid on the photo reads: Using Facts to Ground Our Fantasy. How do we keep the supernatural elements of our paranormal fantasy from feeling too vague or far-fetched?

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

It's I Love to Write Day. Celebrate by writing something–whether it’s the next chapter in your manuscript or the first sentence of the story you’ve always wanted to compose. Photo by Pexels at pixabay.com #amwriting #writerslife #writingprocess #creativewriting #writingcommunity #booksky

Below a close-up photo of a typewriter is the quote: “If something inside of you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work.” —Anne Lamott

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Love being able to use our #wordoftheday in our manuscript: Crepuscular “As a fox, her vision was best in the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk. In bright light, it was easy to overlook things.” Photo credit: Dan-Reyes on pixabay.com #animals #nature #words #amwriting #writingcommunity #booksky

A dog or wolf is shown sitting on the side of a road beneath a large overhanging tree. The photo is backlit and looks like it was taken at dusk. Written on the right in a lightly transparent vertical band are the words: Crepuscular (krepuh-sky-ulur) adj. 1. resembling twilight (just after the sun sets or before it rises), 2. occurring or active during twilight.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Ms. Lee enjoyed reading Holly Black's The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, a creepy "what if" about cultish fandoms, reality TV, and vampire infection. Music: Oscar Merlo Photo: Pixxel_Worx, pixabay.com #bookish #booklife #bookcommunity #readerlife #readingcommunity #reading #readersofbluesky #booksky

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Love exploring local independent bookstores when visiting new places. Here’s Ms. Lee’s most recent travel bookshelf with a couple of titles from Turtle Town Books & Gifts in Nisswa, MN: www.turtletownnisswa.com. #bookish #booklife #bookcommunity #readerlife #reading #readersofbluesky #booksky

Four books: Kate DiCamillo's "The Puppets of Spelhorst", Benedict and Nancy Freedman's "Mrs. Mike", Cary J. Griffith’s “Cougar Claw”, and Yuval Noah Harari’s "21 Lessons for the 21st Century”. Books are displayed on an outdoor porch railing. They are visible against the backdrop of a shadowy pine tree and the sun setting behind a glistening lake.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Enjoyed the originally posted NYPL article on gothic horror and then went down the rabbit hole of gothic romance: www.nypl.org/blog/2018/10.... Faves on this list were Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and Nine Coaches Waiting. Will have to try some of the newer titles recommended. --M

nypl.org

A Brief History of Gothic Romance | The New York Public Library

If you like stories of independent women and dark brooding men, amid creepy castles and a gloomy atmosphere, you'll want to check out these…

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Ms. Melissa shares her thoughts on developing both a likeable team and a believable cast of suspects in our romance/mystery mash-up: www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/likeabl... Photo by: karosieben at pixabay.com #amwriting #writerslife #writingprocess #creativewriting #writingcommunity #booksky

Four friends chatting while sitting atop a rough rock wall. They are positioned in the bottom right of the photo with the rest of the image being a cloudless blue sky. The text box overlaid on the photo reads: Creating a Likeable Team vs. a Cast of Suspects. How do we develop enduring characters our readers want to root for while also offering a believable list of crime suspects?

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Been writing scenes featuring wild spaces and wanted to share that Saturday, September 27, is National Public Lands Day. Entrance fees to national parks are being waived-- www.nps.gov/findapark #deathvalley #nationalparks #nationalparkphotography #landscapephotography #naturephotography #booksky

Photo of Death Valley National Park. Landscape with a cloud-shrouded mountain range in the background and Badwater Basin, a floating, saltwater lake, in the foreground. A faint reflection of the mountain range can be seen in the water.

Photo of Death Valley National Park. Featured are scraggly trees with interestingly contorted branches set against the backdrop of a hazy mountain skyline. Photo credit: ArtTower on pixabay.com.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Our novel features magical shifters, so we’ve spent time researching forest animals. Here’s a shout out for National Fox Day. These creatures play an key role in our environment, folklore, and manuscript. Photo by: ambquinn at pixabay.com #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #fox #booksky

Close-up of the face and torso of a red fox. Only the right half of the fox is visible behind two lichen-covered tree trunks, which form the frame of the photo.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Love our #wordoftheday : Diaphanous The butterfly's diaphanous wings seemed to catch the sunlight as it balanced on a cluster of flowers. Photo credit: nvd9612 on pixabay.com #botanical #nature #booksky

Photo depicts a butterfly with blue and orange wings balancing on a cluster of yellow flowers. In the upper left corner of the image are the words: Diaphanous (dī-a-fe-nes) adj. sheer and light, delicate, translucent.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

For those who find literary inspiration in wild spaces, just a reminder that entrance fees to national parks are being waived on August 4th in celebration of Great American Outdoors Day. #nationalparks #nationalparkphotography #shenandoah #landscapephotography #travel #naturephotography #booksky

Photo of the Shenandoah National Park. In the foreground are treetops, a large sculpted boulder, and the side of a polished cliff face. On the horizon are green-covered mountains and above them is a light blue sky with scattered clouds. Photo credit: Josh Huber.

Photo of the Shenandoah National Park. In the foreground are treetops and bushes, large sculpted boulders, and the side of a polished cliff. In the distance, atop one of the boulders, is a hiker. On the horizon are green-covered mountains and valleys, and above them is a cloudy sky. Photo credit: Josh Huber.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

What do we do with sentences we don’t need now but might want to use later? Ms. Lee shares some thoughts on using a "dump list": www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/benefit... Photo by: StockSnap at pixabay.com #amwriting #writerslife #writingprocess #creativewriting #writingcommunity #booksky

Photo of three stacked suitcases. The suitcases are old fashioned and one has a variety of travel-related stickers displayed along its sides. The text box overlaid on the photo reads: Benefits of a Dump List. What do we do with sentences we don’t need now but might want to use in the future?

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Just had a conversation about newsletter sign-up ideas, so loved seeing this article in the feed.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Delighted by this random happiness of reading decal. It was on a window overlooking the tarmac at the Guadalajara International Airport. 📚💚 #readingcommunity #readerscommunity #readers #readerlife #readmorebooks #readersofbluesky #booksky

La alegría de leer, or happiness of reading, decal on a window overlooking the Guadalajara International Airport tarmac.

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Are the events and characters in our manuscript evolving realistically? Ms. Melissa shares some thoughts on using timelines to help with continuity: www.storiesbymelissalee.com/post/timelin.... #amwriting #writerslife #writingprocess #creativewriting #writingcommunity #booksky

Photo of a monthly calendar, an old-fashioned alarm clock, and several push pins scattered around. The text box overlaid on the photo reads: Timelines and Continuity. How do we ensure the events and characters in our manuscript evolve realistically?

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Melissa Lee @storiesmelissalee.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

An updated look at Ms. Lee’s travel bookshelf. Una Sed Cruel was purchased at the Librerías Gonvill in Guadalajara, Mexico. And, yes, we are still plotting. #bookcommunity #readerlife #bookish #bookaddict #booklife #readersofbluesky #booksonbluesky #booksky #bookishbestie #bestiebookshelf

Three books: “Una Sed Cruel” by Angela Montoya, “All of It Singing” by Linda Gregg, and “Romancing the Beat” by Gwen Hayes. Books are displayed on an embroidered fabric covered in vibrant florals.

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