iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Final part of my book 1 cover art series. The completed cover for A Fractured Song: The Broken Melody as done by www.artstation.com/quietvictories! But we're not done yet, the next part is typography and one thing I learnt is that not all artists can do typograhy. #booksky #🪐📚

Version e10 Book cover of A Fractured Song: The broken melody. Featuring a y oung girl standing by a tree holding a glowing wand

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

P. 1 As a straight, cisgender man, who supports lgbtqia2s+rights I've had a long thought about how to represeent people of those communities in my works such as "A Fractured Song." My answer was to just casually have lgbtqia2s+ characters in my books b/c they are people. #pride #writing #booksky

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

One of my favorite scenes from my WIP webnovel serial "The Lost Princess" Rowena, (the lost princess now no longer a lost princess b/c she was rediscovered), is a super super dumb lesbian who finally confesses to her best friend Jess, and is pleasantly(?) surprised. #PrideMonth #booksky #Yuri

Passage from Webserial "The Lost Princess"

“Wena, I’m in love with you. I have been, for a very very long time.”
Rowena’s mind went utterly blank. She realized it belatedly but her hands had went to hold onto Jess’s. They were knocking knees together, so close that if the carriage bumped, they would be pushed together.
“Wait, how long?”
“At least since we were thirteen, before when you first told me that you were in love with me,” said Jess.
Rowena spluttered. “I—What? I confessed? When?”
Jess pulled back, still holding onto Rowena’s hands. “Right after you had the vision that made you realize you were the Lost Princess you dummy! You ran out of my chambers, telling me that you loved me but you couldn’t tell me about the vision!” she whined.
Rowena sat up straight, feeling her cheeks flush with searing hot embarrassment as the memory, long buried, came flooding back into the forefront of her mind.
“Oh Gods I did say that. Why didn’t you—Oh nooooo I forgot! I completely forgot!”
Jess could barely speak, she was guffawing so hard. “Yes you did! So I could only hold out hope that you’ll remember someday! Except you didn’t despite all the hints I kept dropping and all the times I kept trying to get your attention! To get you to look at me!”
Rowena shook her head as another realization clonked her over. “Wait, you mean, the touches, the clothing, the hugging—that was all to get my attention? To show me that you were interested? I thought you were just being flirty!”
“AAAAhh, Rowena, I’m only ever flirty with you!” Jess wailed.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

These three are without a doubt my favorite wallpaper images from #nebulousfleetcommand 's new introductory cinematic. The conference scene one with the mural on the back in particular tells so much about the world with symbolism it's gorgeous. Fantastic example of art telling a story #scifi

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Sometimes you only need a *little* color to set the scene. Papapanda's art is why I'm really really eager for #nebulousfleetcommand for this reason and the campaign coming out on friday.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

One of the tricks I use while #writing is to listen to songs I know, but are in different languages. The #lesmiserables Japanese cast is a favorite of mine and it so happens the original cast of the Japanese version featured Takeshi Kaga. yes #IronChef Kaga. youtu.be/rFKSVpkP4qg

Takeshi kaga, Iron Chef original japanese presenter, eating a pepper.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

The Sojourn's worldbuilding and the variety of influences they draw on are incredibly immersive. In one 5 minute breakdown, they introduce several characters, company culture, discuss political and socioeconomic factors. If myu writing could be as succint I'd be very happy. #scifi #writing

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

One thing I have to challenge myself when #writing is to pick it up anytime I have time, or make time. It's... quite easy to procrastinate on writing in exchange for watching a tv series or in my case playing a game.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

So I was listening to the 2022 Mariel of Redwall Audibook to try to figure out how Brian Jacques did his dialogue tags. After 20 minutes of getting sucked in and forgetting I was doing research, I realized that he was actually insanely good www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BDSG13P... #redwall #writing

amazon.ca

Mariel of Redwall

Mariel of Redwall (Audible Audio Edition): Brian Jacques, Brian Jacques, a full cast, Recorded Books: Amazon.ca: Audible Books & Originals

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Watched Project Hail Mary recently. It was a deeply sincere movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. The one thing that bothered me about the film though was why did it frame that Grace + Rocky had to be working together to solve the film's conflict? I suspect this is probably explained in book however.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

While on my trip to China I visited and swept the graves for my late grandfathers and grandmothers, and also visited the grave for my Great grandfather. It was deeply meaningful and sad, but I was also very glad i was afforded the privilege to do so.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Of course the author of atmospherically creepy “The Old Kingdom“ series plays call of Cthulhu, why am I susprised omg.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

One of my relatives was asking me about how close an adaptation needs to be canon to be considered an adaptation, a really good question. I kind of had to say that if an adaptation isn't close to the original work, then what's the point of one? The media company should just go original then.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

An inspiration for "A Fractured Song" was the Redwall series by the late Brian Jacques, specifically the detailed food descriptions! I could never master Jacques prose, but I think I did a good job with this unique drink called Hearthsange! www.amazon.com/gp/product/B... #booksky

Cover of Redwall by Brian Jacques featuring main character Matthias a mouse holding a sword and shield

$section of prose from a fractured song: Frances wasn’t sure what liquid she was holding. It was an orange-colored drink that sent grey smoke trailing into the air. Edana had made it after boiling water and adding some orange pellets to it. “Master, what is this?” “Hearthsange. It’s good. Just be careful. It’s really hot,” said Edana, giving her mug a sip. Frances eyed the orange drink. “I’m sorry. It’s just… We don’t have this from where we come from.” Edana’s eyebrows shot up, and she grinned. “You are in for a treat then, Frances.” Frances took a small sip and her eyes widened. It tasted nothing like an orange. The nearest equivalent to it was a hot malt drink like Ovaltine, but with a deep cinnamon spice flavor to it. And even though she drank just a little, she felt the heat run down her throat, into her stomach, and then into her arms and legs. Bruises that still hadn’t healed, and had swollen from when she’d flailed in her dream were soothed by the heat and tense muscles she didn’t know were tight seemed to uncoil. “It’s amazing… like hot chocolate,” said Frances.$

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

p.1 Continuing on with my book cover series, one reason I will never use AI art is because www.artstation.com/quietvictories kinda blew my mind with his work on "The Broken Melody's cover. To help get the textured effect of the cover, he actually hand-drew and hand-inked the artwork #🪐📚

Pencil line art drawing of young girl (Main character of A Fractured Song) standing by a tree wielding wand.

$water and ink painting of A fractured Song main character Frances standing by tree$

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

... I pre-ordered this so hard. I think it's the only book I ever pre-ordered lol

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

p. 1 One of the weirdest things I've recently learnt as a writer is that your side characters can have stories, very personal secrets that they just don't tell the main character even if they are close friends. It's not like a plot ending secret but it's intriguing #writingcommunity #booksky

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

P. 1 Book cover E10 was the final version that I went with. The leg problem from E7 was fixed by having Frances stand against the tree, one hand braced, giving her a grounded pose. In this way she looked like a heroine setting out on her adventure www.artstation.com/quietvictories #booksky #🪐📚

A Fractured Song book cover concept e10 version by Fedor titov, featuring a young girl (Frances main character) standing against a tree with her wand raised and glowing

Lineart for a Fractured Song book cover concept e10 version by Fedor titov, featuring a young girl (Frances main character) standing against a tree with her wand raised and glowing

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

One thing that isn't talked about much in writinng circles is the writer's day job, which occupies most of their time, and yet keeps the food and rent coming. I'm *very* lucky and privileged to have a job that provides for my needs, and I try to give thanks to that every day #writingcommunity

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Pt. 1 A month ago a popular writing youtuber did a video that fanfiction destroyed modern writing. I'm not going to shout them out b/c I don't have the wherewithal to do a 1 hour explanation of why they're absolute bs, but I owe a lot of my practice of writing to fanfiction. #writingcommunity

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Another varriation of the first cover E9 by www.artstation.com/quietvictories. It flips the character from E7, removing the lean against the tree, and lending to a more aggressive pose, which didn't really suite Frances' more kind and shy nature. This didn't make it #booksky #🪐📚

Young girl with a wand facing to the cover left. Standing on a gnarled tree. The wand is glowing

$A fractured song draft cover e7, featuring main character frances leaning against a tree wand raised$

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

I was using this as inspiration while writing last night :D #🪐📚

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

There's a lot of writing advice, some are very good (most of Brandon Sanderson's lectures) but some are **REALLY** sus and generally you know they are sus when they sell themselves as the only way to write. People are unique, writers create their own style, find your writing style #booksky

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Pardon for the silence, but I was working very hard on reworking the opening to my Book 4! Which I've had a really productive time editing after I hosted a writer's workshop at the @vanhooverpe.bsky.social ! I'm very happy on what I came out with. #🪐📚 #booksky

Chapter 1 of book 4 of the "A Fractured Song series" where the convict-soldier Ginger is badly hurt by a "punish" command from an abusive senior officer.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

*Stressing writing *goes onto Bluesky *who did I follow OH! *relaxes to paintings of pretty trains.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

As my artist www.artstation.com/quietvictories worked on the cover he laid out a number of posture changes. E7 was what we started with and E8 was the alternate. I didn't like E8 as it was dynamic but was quite unconventional and postured strangely. I had issues however with E7 #🪐📚 #booksky

A Fractured Song book cover version e7 featuring a young girl holding a magic wand standing in front of a tree. Left foot forward, right foot bent.

A Fractured Song book cover version e8 featuring a young girl holding a magic wand leaning back against the tree, left foot crunched up and right foot extended

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

So as I moved forward with the book cover for "A Fractured Song" my artist www.artstation.com/quietvictories kept me updated with different versions as he added more details. At this point, no decisions had to be made, but there would be an important choice in the future #🪐📚 #booksky

Young girl holding a wand in gambeson holdoing onto a tree. Book Cover draft art version e2, with added leaves on tree

Young girl holding a wand in gambeson holdoing onto a tree. Book Cover draft art version e3, with added bark on tree

Young girl holding a wand in gambeson holdoing onto a tree. Book Cover draft art version e4, high contrast version

Young girl holding a wand in gambeson holdoing onto a tree. Book Cover draft art version e5, alternate high contrast version

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

I need to start tracking my progress just so I can have the material and wherewithal to do an end of the year recap like this!

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

I got a really nice comment today on “A Fractured Song’s” serial version from a reader that re-read it. Honestly it made my day. Authors live for positive feedback. so comment on those books you love! #booksky #fantasy

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Day 21 My MC Frances very carefully tailors her gifts to each of her friends, whether they be gifts or acts of service. She does tend to leverage her cooking and skills with magic to create enchantments or very tasty treats! #FantasyIndiesDecember #🪐📚

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

So between my writing I’m playtesting for this super cool game :D who doesn’t love spaceships and story?

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

:D the long awaited teaser to one of my longtime writer/game dev pals. The demo is fantastic and I can’t wait for the full game to come out

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Day 13 Saturday Snippet So funnily enough, the scene from this snippet was written during Book 1's editing process and tied into Book 1's cover by Quietvictories. I wanted to insert the cover's even into the book in some way, even if it was dramaticized slightly. #FantasyIndiesDecember #🪐📚

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Day 10 I want to read my fellow Chinese-Canadian author @xiranjayzhao.bsky.social 's Iron Widow by the end of this year but if I'm being honest, there's no way I can. The hilarious thing is I think she is literally on the west coast like me! #FantasyIndiesDecember #🪐📚 www.amazon.ca/Iron-Widow-X...

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

p.1 Book 1 Cover Art series. Ver. E became the basis for book 1's cover b/c of a combination of factors. This concept by www.artstation.com/quietvictories was by far the most dynamic, had good space for title text, and had Frances in the best action pose. The wand was also incredibly striking #🪐📚

Sketch cover of "A Fractured Song" featuring a young girl steadying herself by a gnarled tree, holding up a shining bright wand

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

So her commissions aren't open yet but I commissioned @earthnashes.bsky.social a number of portrait busts and character concepts years ago and I've never been disappointed!

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Day 7 Frances does struggle with her anger, but she is 100% on he nice list. An abuse survivor, now heroine-mage, Santa would note she saves civilians, fights evildoers and loves cooking for her friends. #FantasyIndiesDecember #🪐📚 Concept art courtesy of: @earthnashes.bsky.social

Commission of a young brown haired female main character with a wand, in a gambeson,dress and boots by https://www.deviantart.com/earthnashes

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Day 2 "Holidays in WIP" The Winter Tournament is a national event that occurs in book 3 "The Erlenberg Saga": www.amazon.com/gp/product/B.... Both contest, holiday, it features duels between young mages coupled with celebrations and a carnival atmosphere #FantasyIndiesDecember #🪐📚

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Reposted by @vren55.bsky.social

Catsuka @catsuka.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

"The Art of K-Pop Demon Hunters" artbook (physical) is coming in 2026. In the meantime, here's the free digital version. >> theartofkpopdemonhunters.com

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Day 28 pt. 1 Free Friday The 7th cover concept of "A Fractured Song" by quiet-victories. This was rejected b/c it's angle, while making it unique, also restricts the view of Frances' (Female Lead) face! You can get the book here: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B... #🪐📚 #FantasyIndiesNovember

A Fractured Song book cover. Main character, a young girl with wand in a gambeson fighting an armored figure with a sword. Top-down view

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Day 26 pt.1 For book titles I just pick the central theme of the book eg. "Broken Melody" is because my MC is hurt by her abusive parents and needs to learn the song-based magic of her new world Series title "A Fractured Song" was really hard tho as it had to be weighty #🪐📚 #FantasyIndiesNovember

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Day 23 To be blunt, I remind myself that if certain books/tv shows that I will not name, get published/made and get tons of money thrown at them, then I cannot be possibly as screwed as I think I am. That and I remind myself that writing is a journey not the end point #🪐📚 #FantasyIndiesNovember

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

It is very funny the day @just-write-studios.itch.io 's my good friend (check her game out) commented that I have 69 followers that I gain an additional one and lose that status lmao

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Day 16 I'm a plantser. I generally try to outline as much as I can but while writing I usually do end up making off the cuff/spontaneous decisions depending on where the scene takes me. This is usually because as I write my draft, I'm still getting ot know the story. #🪐📚 #FantasyIndiesNovember

#fantasyindiesnovember prompts 31 of them

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Day 15 Saturday Snippet The snippet I attached is a recently edited short scene featuring two side characters, Martin and Ginger. He's a noble knight, she's a convict and a bit of a fixer-upper. They fall in love b/c that's life and they're freaking adorable #🪐📚 #FantasyIndiesNovember

Fantasy Indies 31 prompts by ChsneyInfalt and L.v.russell

Martin wondered how long it had been since he had met Ginger. It seemed like an age, but he already couldn’t imagine his life without her. Perhaps part of it was his hormones or feelings speaking, but the knight hated seeing the vivacious woman he’d grown to love over the last few days looking so broken.
And he hadn’t been able to do anything. He wasn’t there when she was hurt. He hadn’t been able to heal her. Magicless, mundane, Martin could just hold Ginger’s hands, scarred by hours of labor and battle.
“Hey.”
Martin opened his eyes, wondering if he was dreaming, but he could feel his hand being squeezed back.
“Ginger. You’re…”
“I feel like shit. Elizabeth… Ayax… are they safe?” she asked.
“Yes, because of you. Why did you do that?”
Ginger yawned, wincing as she shifted slightly. “I didn’t want to disappoint. Sorry. I… I wanted to do the right thing.”
Groaning, Martin leaned over, hand touching Ginger’s face. His fingers trailed across her cheek. His vision was blurring again. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t there. I…”
“It’s all good. I’m sorry too. I think I got a bunch of new scars,” Ginger stammered, wincing as she did so.
Martin swallowed. He could hear the hurt behind those words. He knew how self-conscious Ginger could be about her appearance. “I don’t care. I’ll have fun kissing them.”
“… you know they tickle!” she spluttered, blushing.
They were laughing and crying. There was too much pain and sorrow unsaid, but they held each other, trying to find a semblance of joy as the rain pattered against the fabric of their tent.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Day 10: The favorite line i've written is from Book 2 of of my series www.amazon.com/gp/product/B... "I deserve help,” Frances thought to herself. “I deserve to make mistakes and learn from them. I deserve to be cared for. I deserve to be loved. To love." #🪐📚 #FantasyIndiesNovember

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Day 4 Inspiring Authors My series "A Fractured Song" was directly inspired by two authors who I continue to look to for inspiration. They are the late Brian Jacques and his Redwall Series and the still active @garthnix.bsky.social (books pictured below) #🪐📚#FantasyIndiesNovember

Picture of Brian Jacques Pearls of Lutra (book) and Garth Nix's Lirael.

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vren55.bsky.social @vren55.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Day 24 Free Friday 4th concept cover for "A Fractured Song: The Broken Melody" (www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...) by Quietvictories, ft. MC and her mentor. This wasn't chosen b/c it was too zoomed out and didn't capture the MC's appearance! #🪐📚 #FantasyIndiesSpooktober

Charming forest house with river runing besdie it. Female MC sits on steps whilst mentor character stands by doorway

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