iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Valerie Storm 📚

Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton would have wanted you to read a book. Go make her proud today. Go read a book Consider donating to imagination library: imaginationlibrary.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTiu...

youtube.com

@DollyParton 's Imagination Library

YouTube video by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

120285

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

This is so funny, the kids still draw these lol

120

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Dude and Rune Factory is so good 😭😭😭

120

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Damn these look so fucking cool ❤️‍🔥

120

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

"it's a lonely abyss" is such a pretty phrase

110

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Simultaneously the best and worst feeling lol

110

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Kari was, she realized, #ashamed of crying in front of this boy. That was why she couldn't meet his eye anymore. In turn, Ari did not ask for her attention. He simply sat, quietly solid beside her. #vss365

051

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

🥹 Thanks! A lot of the time I struggle with that lol

010

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Screams echoed the crash of wood-and-thatch rooves caving in; shouted commands rang; and beneath it all was the crackle of flames. Blazing #chaos had spread across the quaint village; and for a moment, all Kari could do was stare at the flares of red and orange amongst trails of dark smoke. #vss365

1112

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

#WIPSnips for today, apparently only have #coherent in the whole thing once and it's ~in~coherent lol

When she was close enough to dip her fingers in, she collapsed, her head thunking against the hard shore. Something slimy and cold brushed against her fingertips. Fish. She couldn’t summon the energy to reach for one.
Pathetic, she thought to herself with a groan. Pathetic to let a simple burn do this to me.
She heard Kiki’s laughter and felt blessedly pleased for such a sound.
“You can’t even break a rock!” her voice called from somewhere in the distance, echoing and quiet.
“I could,” Kari mumbled. The voice spoke again, closer and deeper, the words incoherent. She swirled her fingers in the water and edged a little closer, the water rushing over her burns and providing an intense wave of relief that gave way to blessedly dreamless slumber.

061

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

There is #temptation in grief. Kari hadn't paid much attention to it when Kiki died; or maybe there hadn't been a better alternative than to run. Now, facing Lord Ari's home, she felt a tug. A desire to stay with the man who had tried to save Vivianne. Instead, Kari turned to the forest. #vss365

072

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Lord Ari approached - Kari had already learned the #cadence of his steps. She tilted her head as he entered Vivianne's room. "Did you stay up all night?" Kari rubbed a hand over her face. "Yes." The boy-lord said nothing for a few beats. "Roland made venison stew. Will you join us? Please?" #vss365

082

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

😂😂 it's so bad how much this cracked me up

020

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

#WIPSnips #unfazed today! From Chapter 1, which I still need to fix lol 🥲

As her gaze took in the sight of snow dotted with specks of blood, she faltered. She’d seen animal blood before; her mother’s shiny snout was still flecked with it from their dinner. Something about the sight of this blood was different and filled her gut with squirming worry. Steam wafted as it melted through the snow, sinking deeper, shining as it did so. Starkly bright and crimson against such crisp, clean whiteness. It was a common sight for one who hunted, yet Kari struggled to tear her gaze away.
Near the edge of the clearing laid a still human body, facedown. Four more of them, three male and one female, were crowded away from her father, their weapons raised to keep him at bay. The massive black wolf, his teeth bared with his snarl, lunged at them. He danced in and out of range, never making the same move twice; unfazed by the bloody gash on his side.

161

Reposted by Valerie Storm 📚

K Lykkebo 🖤 Fantasy author @karenlykkebo.com · 19/07/2026

🌟 Sunday Spotlight 🌟 Demon Storm by @valeriestorm.bsky.social is a dark, action-packed YA fantasy (romance?) series about a wolf demon with lightning powers. It's a complete series just waiting for you to dive in! www.karenlykkebo.com/post/birth-of-… 📚💙

karenlykkebo.com

Birth of the Storm (Demon Storm #1)

A dark YA fantasy with shadow monsters, a wolf demon, and lightning magic.

061

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Late #WIPSnips for #next, a rewrite of a scene I've kept for many, many drafts lol

Kari dropped her shoulders. Her tail—wolfish and golden-brown, just like her ears—drooped too. “It wasn’t enough.”
“What are you talking about?!” Kiki hopped over to the rock and pointed at it. “See! There!”
Kari joined Kiki and squinted at the stone. “It’s just gray,” she said.
“There’s a mark!” Kiki insisted. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement as well as the cold. Her excited breaths came out in little gray puffs.
Kari snorted, then laughed. “Alright, alright.”
“Should we practice fighting next?” Kiki put up her fists. “I’m not a great opponent, but since we know you can’t break rocks with your fist…”
Kari smirked. “We could have a race instead. Unless you’re afraid of losing again…”
Kiki narrowed her blue eyes and lowered her hands. “Anyway…” She perked up, smile returning in an instant. “It’s the 29th day of the cold months!”

071

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

For #WIPSnips today. #Extra doesn't always have a lot of importance but this scene was a nice rewrite 🥹

“Actually, this is good, because I wasn’t sure you’d like the birthday present I made you.”
With that, Kiki pulled a folded leather something free. When she held it out, it flopped open into a stitched leather cap. Kari took it, heart warming as she ran her fingers over the soft leather.
“You made me a hat,” she said softly.
“Yes! Took me weeks to tan the leather, and another week to learn the proper stitches. Pa got frustrated with me, wasting so much good leather.” She giggled.
Kari pulled the hat on. It sat snuggly, cupping her head but not pressing on her ears as much as she was used to. She flicked her ears, pleased with the extra room.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Kiki pulled her into a one-armed hug. “I love you, my friend, and I can’t wait to see the world with you.”

071

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

She had never been #embraced like this. His arms were warm around her. Not too tight; secure. He held her close as she stiffened...then relaxed. "This isn't for me," she wanted to say. Instead, she lifted her arms and placed them shakily around him. #vss365

072

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

He placed his hand on hers. His fingers were calloused yet soft, the weight of his hand not oppressive, but #tenderly comforting. Kari yanked her hand back. "What are you doing?" Surprise, then something softer than guilt crossed his face. "I'm sorry. You looked sad." #Vss365

273

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Motivation is for sure my hardest. I could be jamming to some awesome song and imagine a scene in my head, then I get home and my brain is like "but y write" 😭😭😭 #SummerofStories

030

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I'll never forget when I learned the term "Crack Jenny's Teacup" and I was like "oh. Yes. This does suit me" Might as well stick Val's on there too! 😈

020

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Loooove that at first I tricked myself into thinking this wasn't murder, it's just a cute little fire show, and then I went "haha oh wait" 😂😂

110

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Suuuuuper spoilers for Fate of the Storm lol but this is scene always made me so giddy to write (and even made me tear up on my own character for the first time...) #SummerofStories

Aza stepped forward, lifting her hands to her hood. "You see, the originals of us—the ones who were freed straight from Yutemi—cannot die by a blade. How useless we would be as pieces for our lord. When you struck me down, I waited...and received a new body."
She flipped her hood back, revealing the shapely, girlish face Kari had known for years. Waves of walnut hair cascaded over her shoulders and to her waist, the ends flowing in the slightest breeze. Eyes as blue as a nighttime sky, usually narrowing at the sight of Kari. Sharp cheek bones, always tinted by color whenever Ari was nearby.
It was the face of Julia.

060

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Writing has saved my life, hands down. It gave me a place to put my darkest feelings and process them when I was ready. Kari's journey was a proxy for my own healing 😂 #SummerofStories

150

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

No no I appreciate the advice lol everything has a weird learning curve and I'm happy to learn 🥹

020

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I'm trying! 😭 I want Birth to get some eyes by the time I do a republish thing... I'm excited you're on the Good Thyme Inn again 🥹

120

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I prefer opening lines that grab the reader's attention, whatever that entails, but also gives insight into the character. Though I struggle to find a balance between "interesting" and "info dump" lol 😭 #SummerOfStories

1113

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The steampunk fantasy vibe is such a sweet spot

120

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

For #knock... Going back to Birth of the Storm has been a treat 😂 #WIPSnips

“Good. It appears Greglin will move up to a training position soon. Other than that, it’s smooth sailing until the hunt in a few weeks. Linus is preparing some new men for it now, but he wants to have the ceremony for Wilcoth’s promotion first. I have to help him plan that tomorrow—”
A series of loud, sharp knocks interrupted him. Kari’s head shot to the hall.
“I’ll see who it is,” Ari said with a frown.
She stood from the table as he left, her ears flickering when the front door opened.
“Lord Ari,” a breathless voice said.
“Whoa,” Ari replied. “What is it?”
Kari left the kitchen and entered the hall. Ari stood in the doorway facing Wilcoth. He was bent over, hair matted to his head with sweat. He smelled of salt and blood.
“What happened?” she asked sharply.
Ari glanced at her. Wilcoth lifted his head to look at them.
“Something in the forest,” he gasped. “Men are hurt—scouts—there was so much blood. You have to come.”

071

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

That is such a fun opening line 👀

110

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

She gets spotted by some humans, which is Super Bad, and runs to tell her parents 🥲

010

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Hi! I'm Valerie Storm (also called Jen lol). I published my first series, Demon Storm, a couple years ago and now I'm fiddling around trying to finish other projects...like giving book 1 a work over. I write exclusively fantasy with a pinch of romance and a pile of trauma 😌 #SummerofStories

091

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The man's anger made Kari freeze. A web of #apprehension caught any words before they left her mouth; instead of defending herself, she gaped stupidly. Her paralysis only broke when the man pulled the string of his bow back to his chin, then let loose his arrow. #vss365

071

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Kari is introduced as a small child from another's point of view in her prologue, then Chapter One opens with her running from something tenish years later lol

220

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

" #Carrion will do well to feed your need for hearts?" "They're not my favorite." Valeris shrugged. "But if that's all there is for miles--" "Then there will plenty of scraps for you. My shadows will see to that." #vss365

082

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Yeah, I'd forgotten last time I went to post and went "fuck!" Lol

000

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

This is such a good question 😂 generally it automates to wherever I'm at in their writing, but sometimes it'll be "End of Their Arc" so I can imagine things completely plot free lol

110

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I'll try my best 😂 it's hard to pull documents on my phone but I'm gonna give it my damndest

120

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Aw that sounds like a good day though 🥰

010

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Recently got some art drawn by @ginkajack.bsky.social for some tattoos...and they're coming out so freaking good ❤️‍🔥 time for color soon!

Tattoo of a character with a bow on an arm

021

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

It's your birthday! Happy birthday 🥹 I hope you've got some good plans today

110

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Root! Though soon this will all be rewritten... #WIPSnips

2102

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

"The #grain is collected from the fields and processed by our bakers. Telda makes excellent bread-" "You pick the grain?" Kari asked, incredulous. Ari laughed. "No, but Telda makes me help knead the dough sometimes." #vss365

062

Reposted by Valerie Storm 📚

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Today's SSP #authorspotlight goes to @Douglasjern.bsky.social, Douglas Jern! Douglas Jern was born in Lund, Sweden and lives in Nagoya, Japan, where he makes his living as a translator and writer. He’s still not sure how a decidedly indoors person like himself ever managed to leave his hometown,

SSP Author Spotlight
Life After Dark

Featuring:
Douglas Jern

132

Valerie Storm 📚 @valeriestorm.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I've missed you guys so much 😭 it's been hard to get back into social media

110