#WritersCoffeeClub 5.1 — Intro and update: Introduce yourself and / or update us on your writing journey since your last intro.

Hi everyone, I'm Hannah (not my official name).

I'm a German writer of fantasy (sometimes SF), writing mostly in English. I prefer feel-good stories with a good ending, although my heroes do get mangled quite a bit until they get there.

I also often write about underdogs and people fighting for what is right. I write mostly series.

#WritingCommunity


nostr:npub1t22ezsps7a7hredz249naq3s9d3csytmrzyf0yhqw94pklxk8ggq6x3ddy

Heartbreaking.

And so infuriating. They are fighting for all of us, and we are deserting them.


#WritersCoffeeClub 3.12 Do you agree with Ray Bradbury, who said, "Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things you're doomed"?

"Doomed" may be a little overblown, but I like to see writing as a craft. And like every craft, writing needs practice and challenges.

So there is a relationship between how much you write and how fast you get better at it.

I'm sure that learning curve is very different for everyone, though.

#WritingCommunity


#PhantastikPrompts 12.3. Wo und wie schläft deine Hauptfigur am Anfang der Geschichte? Und am Ende?

Am Anfang schläft Sun in seinem House, im Sacred Square, dort wo er sein Leben lang gelebt hat. Er sollte dort auch sterben (genauer, auf der Sun Pyramid), aber daraus wurde dann nichts.

Am Ende schläft er in seinem Bett in seinem neuen Zuhause, ziemlich glücklich. 😉 Und mit einer neuen Aufgabe.

Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire 3
(WiP)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


Hannah Steenbock

German Author, Dreamer and Dragonlover.

Writing Fantasy (in English) about underdogs with happy endings. Looking for fellow writers and interested readers.

Cares about people, the world and the climate. Hugs trees. Talks too much.

Pronouns: she/her

Avatar: Stick figure horse I drew myself.
Background image: Four book covers on a star field - my series starters. Dorelle's Journey, Decoy, A Wolf's Quest, South Breaks.

#actuallyautistic #horses #EFTTapping #Mandalorian


nostr:npub15wtkkf7yxmea8g4mstwjlu4hsm40luj6f65m99hqjyjh7nes8eqstl7rek

Thank you!

And thanks for the boost. ❤


nostr:npub1ths0gxwtxvwdtmwruxjttyqgas6e7cqxcuzsrv2ry3tjfv9m7v2q59ddnd

Congratulations! ❤


nostr:npub1mfgp8vr0d2kgcd5jq4a8eme4javl2pvk7qxp6w3ekpxsw9vpnwsq97zv6k

Still waiting for it to get through all servers. It should be up on Amazon.

Google has a glitch, and Apple etc. will take a little longer. I'm chatting with Google Support right now.


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

*hugs back*


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

Thank you. ❤

I'm strangely not really excited. This has taken such an effort to get it all done.

And I'm not really trusting myself a lot right now.


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

Kinda sorta. It should be live on Amazon. Google is throwing up an error message.
D2D is still pushing it through to Apple etc.

I'm starting to collect the links.

This has where it's live now. Will add more links as they come in. And I'll do a full announcement tomorrow morning when it should all be settled.

https://books2read.com/EarthPillarsEmpire


#WritersCoffeeClub 7: Have you ever seen a TV show or movie so close to one of your ideas you wished you'd written it?

Not really.

I do dream of seeing my Wolves turned into TV serials. I actually started writing the screenplay for A Wolf's Quest. Got some good comments for it.

That one would have three episodes, to cover what happens in the book. I can see it so clearly - but let's be honest and face that it has a snowball's chance in heaven to work.

#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifters


nostr:npub163ar0p8u3kzemzfrkcmc96lh7zqj2tluw738vx475q7c9yx95wss3dt5jr

I'm so sorry. *sending you a mountain on hugs*

Glad she was a happy cat always.


#WordWeavers 10/7 — How does your MC handle strong emotion?

Earth gets overwhelmed and shuts down.

She's used to the people in her House, but not at all used to keeping a secret. A secret dear to her heart.

When it gets found out, she almost crumbles.

And then she throws herself into the next best distraction who happens to be Sky Bear.

Earth Splits, Pillars of the Empire Book 1
(Live on Amazon and Google Play Store as of now. Links coming.)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g

Glad it was worth it for you.

And don't feel bad about not liking South. That's fine. It's why I make it free, so people can try the series with no risk.


#PennedPossibilities 94 — What is your MC or SC's biggest secret?

Earth has someone she cares about, outside of her House.

That is a huge, huge act of rebellion. She is supposed to serve the Empire with all of her magic and all of her heart.

But her secret man is everything the Priests are not... and she cannot let him go. He's the one bright spot in her life right now.

Earth Splits, Pillars of the Empire Book 1
(It's going live today!)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g

Yes, there's a redirect on the first link that your browser probably blocks. I hope you can still grab some of those books for free.

(Mine definitely still is.)


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

*sending all the hugs*

Sometimes, we pay money to learn things - and sometimes, those things are not what we thought we would learn. Alas.

I always chalk that up to "Lehrgeld".


nostr:npub1d62z0nl8twfw37nrdr3cfrr66pq8a3nclmmkqp6prrtqgjjen85spvtshf nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw nostr:npub1a0vscjy9v8t8gzwn5mkre8c4mqera8wqe4hzefytnys29lu9js5sjpw6h9

One of the very first short stories I wrote features an MC who does not reveal their gender.

Name is Max, and I avoided pronouns in the entire story. Most people don't even notice.

("Sequoia" - a short story, published in 2013)

Writing that wasn't easy, but Max consistently refused to tell me their gender. Might be my first genderfluid character.

Max is also very likable, even if I say so.


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Ugh. That sounds awful.

I stay away from Instagram and TikTok. Yes, I know a lot of authors sell books through those channels, but I cannot bring myself to wade into those cesspools.

Maybe only with a burner laptop I only use for that stuff. The spying isn't cute at all.


Gute Nacht, Freunde!

Unproductive day.

I did run my Mastermind this morning, and we plotted the new Wolf story, among other things.

And then the day got away from me, I lost myself in books and played Titan Quest.

I promise, I'll get Earth to you soon... (Yes, I feel bad about that.)

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g

Ah, I'm sorry.

The page is working for me.

Let me give you another link:
https://frompagestoportals.substack.com/p/fantasy-free-for-all


#WordWeavers 6: Has your MC ever done anything contradictory to their values?

Earth went against her orders at one point, by not killing someone they had been sent to kill. Instead, she saved him.

Disobeying the Priests is very much against everything she has been taught.

And yet... she rebelled. And she kept rebelling, quietly, carefully, until the day she... didn't.

Earth Splits, Pillars of the Empire Book 1
(Release any day now)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


The Fantasy Free-For-All is LIVE!

Grab and choose from 130+ books that are all FREE today.

Link: https://fantasyfreeforall.com

You'll find South there, but also The Warrior (dark fantasy) by a friend of mine. Definitely recommend that if you like the genre. Grab Tenets in the Tattoes (by another friend of mine), as well.

Stuff your eReader!

Please boost. Let's give readers plenty to read.

#fantasy
#freebooks
#ReadersOfMastodon
nostr:npub1kt3hutklgrma64ykjwk4trxq9rtyfnxhkjz729g4pd9xl7hzhrjse75004

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/187/366/538/740/654/original/3be1ae45b18805a0.jpg


nostr:npub163ar0p8u3kzemzfrkcmc96lh7zqj2tluw738vx475q7c9yx95wss3dt5jr

Hey. I only read one of your books so far, and I really liked it.

*hugs*


#WritersCoffeeClub 10.6 — Are you self-published or trad-published? How's it going?

Self-published.

I started out working with small press, then I got represented by a German literary agency. They never did anything for me, but trapped me in writing in German.

After I cancelled the contract, I started writing novels in English and entered self-publishing in 2013.

By now, I have self-published about 20 books. I'm not getting rich that way, but I won't go back, either.

#WritingCommunity


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Fortunately, I haven't experienced it that much myself (being a German author), but then, I decided to write fantasy in English, after giving up representation by a German literary agency.

Being part of an English-language bubble has made me more aware of racism and bigotry, strangely enough.

And yes, it's quite prevalent here in Germany. Very sad to see. We could know better...


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Wrote 400 words for the new Wolf story (A Wolf's Christmas).

Went to work at the office, walked home in beautiful weather (a squall passed harmlessly to the south), sat on the balcony and read another romance (yummy), and chatted with the Creative Writing Club. (Left when they pulled Dad jokes.)

I'm feeling a LOT better and I really hope I can rebuild my writing speed and get books out.

Earth Splits upload tomorrow!

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#WiPQuote

*We like to invite you to Christmas*, I read and frowned.

Turning the envelope around, I found the sender’s address and realized with a start that it had come all the way from Germany. Now I knew why the stamp had seemed so unfamiliar. I went back to reading the cursive handwriting.

*We look forward to see you, and maybe you can help us with a small problem.*

A Wolf's Christmas (Wolves of the South Book 7)

#WritingCommunity
#UrbanFantasy
#WolfShifters


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

Awwwwwwwww. ❤


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Yay! *happy dance*


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

*hugs back lots and lots*


For all the Fantasy lovers among my friends:

There's a big event coming:

FANTASY FREE-FOR-ALL

But it only happens tomorrow, on October 6th. Sign up for reminders below:

FantasyFreeForAll.com

Over 130 titles, for free, for you to grab. (Including one of mine.)

Deal? Hit that link. And boost the heck out of this.

#Fantasy
#ReadersOfMastodon

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/183/590/403/114/796/original/49d574c481cc1d44.jpg


nostr:npub1k74466y2tpe60apupsjv2cttajs72wyjs43mdca8xvkjf9nytmxqh8dmux

It has quickly become my favorite place online. Wonderful, kind and fun community.

I'll never leave.


nostr:npub1wwch2y8ema6khz7yewg8rxlwqp4p7fpckc27c5vhm5n7pt0jy5ps2d8xnt

Here's hoping. I have been working through burnout and depression for most of this year, and I'm just getting back on my feet.

But the Wolves are my bestselling series, and I love writing them, so adding a couple of more books to it will actually mean income.

(And A Wolf's Christmas will take place in Germany. 🙂 )


nostr:npub1gx6r07sddez6je69xhwyc4g6g4c6t5spx96sg3xxeqyvf7ww72dqcxxcqu

I'm one of those pantsers who do not plan their books in detail.

Yes, I have some landmarks I need to hit (and there are more the deeper I get into a series!), but I need the discovery of writing while I go to finish a book.

Mine are also fairly short (50-70k), so if (big IF!) I manage to write at NaNo speed, I can get one written in 4-6 weeks, putting in an hour or so a day.

I do not rewrite. I do edit them myself. And I self-publish. That's how I do it.

Not easy. But doable.


#PhantastikPrompts 5 — Leben der Hauptfigur, wenn es kein Abenteuer gegeben hätte.

Ohne das Abenteuer wäre Earth jetzt tot.

Sie und alle anderen in ihrem Haus sind dazu bestimmt, zur Wintersonnenwende ihr Leben zu geben. Ihre magische Energie, die bei ihrem rituellen Tod frei wird, erhält den Schutzschirm über dem Heiligen Reich - zumindest dient das als offizielle Rechtfertigung.

Earth Splits, Pillars of the Empire Book 1 (auf Englisch)

#WritingCommunity
#DeutscheAutoren
#EpicFantasy


#WritersCoffeeClub 10/5: What are your writing project goals?

1) Publish Earth Splits (next few days)

2) Write "A Wolf's Christmas", so I can publish it end of November 2023.

3) Complete and edit "Sky Falls", so I can publish it in January 2024.

4) Write another Wolf book - "A Wolf's Hacker".

5) Write and finish "Sun Burns".

6) Long term: Bring back other series, polish them and finally publish them.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife
#Fantasy


nostr:npub13vquk7d3a9zur5n0zjwxgpcxc2fcpkpep9pgc5l09ac2petpl8ds05cct8 nostr:npub15dztzj6u7nnkuncjj9598zhwzcvhah50jfsc8p2qdhrkpuweekaqjehthf

Wow. What an awesome review indeed! ❤


nostr:npub1gx6r07sddez6je69xhwyc4g6g4c6t5spx96sg3xxeqyvf7ww72dqcxxcqu

Yes! My sister recommended them to me - she read the German books. Of course, I had to get the English version.

Compared to indie books, those are expensive, though! (At least they were published through TOR, that is one publisher I do not mind supporting.)


#WordWeavers 10/5. How often do you discuss your writing with your real-life friends and family?

Practically never.

My family does not like/understand fantasy. They also don't understand writing/publishing.

None of the very few real-life friends are interested in my writing, either.

It does get very lonely at times. I am glad I have some good online friends who are also writers. And of course, the Mastodon community is awesome.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Recovery day - and office day. Both together means not getting much done. And that's okay, because self-care is really important.

Read the Murderbot book 1, and that was very well done and quite a good read. Not indie, alas.

Also read some comfort books, sat on the balcony for a bit, ate left-overs and played some Titan Quest. All good stuff.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub1kslexypzhz2a24k2x08ye0waw5yl4g5u2xr6a3ch6c9xfnpd6lssuzvnkc

I have a middle-aged woman as main character in my dragon fantasy tale "Dragon Prey". She's also disabled.

And yeah, Sidren does get shit done once it's clear she has to lead. 🙂

Maybe we need to find a way to tell more readers about all these books.

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/177/497/113/516/079/original/cb8172d402bc4ccc.jpg


#pennedpossibilities 91 — How do your characters want to be seen by others? What image do they wish to portray?

Earth wants to be seen as friendly and competent. It does make life easier with the Priests who watch over her House.

When her life suddenly changes beyond her imagination, she wants to be... valued. And possibly loved.

(Can't talk about others, because of spoilers.)

Earth Splits, Pillars of the Empire Book 1
(Coming soon.)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


#WordWeavers 4/10. Character development, world-building, plot—how much attention to each?

Of all three, I focus on character development and plot. World-building happens as the character walks through their world.

Yes, it's different for each series/novel. Yes, there are limits imposed by the world itself.

I'm mostly a pantser, I do not plan much ahead. Even so, I like setting some framework while I think about a story. It's very fluid.

#WritingCommunity
#Fantasy


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g

Yes and no.

Being autistic, going back to my routines is calming and good. But it's also lonely, and that is not good.


nostr:npub1vw9m2drg9259yu5cnk9wxfe5mfzq86usncx3u203hnnt9u59fcuqrv8nq8

That looks pretty much par for the course - they are using a system for typesetting, not people.

I don't really like using "justified" for that very reason.


nostr:npub1gx6r07sddez6je69xhwyc4g6g4c6t5spx96sg3xxeqyvf7ww72dqcxxcqu

Awwwww, thank you. ❤


nostr:npub1gx6r07sddez6je69xhwyc4g6g4c6t5spx96sg3xxeqyvf7ww72dqcxxcqu

It was. I'm so glad she came to spend the weekend.

I appreciated her support with the admin stuff on Saturday, and I'm glad I could give her some much needed time away from everything.

Put her on the bus to the train station this morning (had to go to work), and right now, I miss her. Heh.

Such is life.


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

You know how I use chapter images in the Winds books?

*takes deep breath*

A while ago, Atticus eliminated their "backmatter" area in order to be able to offer easy formatting of boxed sets.

Which meant that the chapter graphic showed up in the backmatter pages.

I had to convert those pages to "chapters", and then I could check "hide chapter image", and all was well. They still work as templates.

Easy fix. Very happy with it.


#Atticus

Yesterday afternoon, I ran into a problem while formatting Earth Splits with Atticus.

I emailed support.

Found an answer this morning, only had the time to work through it just now and wow.

Easy fix, worked exactly as they said it would, and now the file looks great.

I am so glad I bought Atticus for formatting. Makes my life so much easier.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

I took it myself, through Zoom. Heh.

Thank you! ❤


#PennedPossibilities 90 — Do any of your characters have disabilities? Can you relate to them on some level?

I have a character who has a clubfoot and deals with it - Sidren, the MC of Dragon Prey.

Others may or may not be neurodivergent.

I can relate because I'm autistic, often depressed and overreact to histamine.

I admire authors with disability who still manage to write and publish books - because it's so much harder.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#WritersCoffeeClub 03: Should a writer have a face shot on their book cover or within their book?

Yes and no.

Too many people judge the competency of people by their looks. If a writer isn't pretty or handsome, that can backfire.

On the other hand, it's nice to relate to a writer beyond their book.

Having said that, yes, I have a head shot in my books, in the back.

See me in all my aged, grayed glory. Yes, that's Ember sitting on my shoulder.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/171/729/433/956/001/original/bbd82bfc01cf7045.jpg


#WordWeavers 10/3: How do you convey characters' emotions?

I usually write close third person or first person POV, and that means being in the mind of that person.

So I like to show how their thoughts wander, what they associate with things that happen, how they react or plan.

WIP:

I closed my eyes, swallowed against the lump in my throat and pulled the door close. With trembling fingers, I locked it, turned and stepped away.

A Wolf's Christmas

#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifters


Gute Nacht, Freunde!

Back from a lovely afternoon and evening out, meeting with friends at an Italian restaurant, great food, good talks, just back.

This is very much a vacation, and definitely something I absolutely needed.

So happy my sis is here and we do these wonderful things together.

Also made great progress with Earth until I ran into a snag with Atticus while formatting. But I'm very close to a release!

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#WritersCoffeeClub 10/2. How often do you write in a typical week? How do you find the time?

For a very long time, the answer was: "Every day."

Then I fell into burnout.

I want to get back to writing every day. But there is also editing, admin work (and a pesky day job). Right now, maybe two/three days a week.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

That is a generous cat indeed. 😂


One of my friends over on FB has a new series out, Pride's Children. Two books are done, she's plotting the third.

If you like literary, mainstream, full-length novels with a disabled main character, do check out Alicia Butcher Erhardt' books:

Purgatory: https://www.amazon.com/PRIDES-CHILDREN-PURGATORY-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B017AZLTLG

Netherworld: https://www.amazon.com/PRIDES-CHILDREN-NETHERWORLD-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0BFQBCB7M

#Novel
#Literary
#DisabledMC
nostr:npub1kt3hutklgrma64ykjwk4trxq9rtyfnxhkjz729g4pd9xl7hzhrjse75004


#WritersCoffeeClub 9/30: What dumb things do people say when you tell them you're a writer?

"Oh! I have this awesome idea! You write the book and we split the royalties."

"Where do you get all your ideas from?" (Not the same person as #1, obviously.)

"Really? When will you get a movie contract?"

At least there are always a few who think it's cool and who actually ask reasonable questions about self-publishing.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#PennedPossibilities 89 — Do your characters believe in happy endings?

My Winds and Pillars do not.

I mean, they grow up knowing they will die the year they turn 25. They will have their throats cut on top of a pyramid, feeding their energy to the Veil that protects the Holy Empire.

No happy ending there, unless they can frame it as the culmination of their service to the Empire.

Earth Splits, Pillars of the Empire Book 1

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g

Danke! ❤


nostr:npub16eccsg7f0u05z4ak796acyhufwjqtz0hknyt9dy47a73v52hsscqd7rt8s

Danke schön! Schlaf gut.


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Happy day with my sis.

Walked down to the water, hopped on a ferry to Laboe, strolled through town, caught a ferry back home just before the rain started.

Rode it to the main station (yes, there is a place for ferries to stop nearby), grabbed a bus home and chilled for the rest of the evening, mostly reading.

A very good day, and I'm off to bed now. All that pure oxygen, you know. 😉

More ideas about my Wolves...

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub16eccsg7f0u05z4ak796acyhufwjqtz0hknyt9dy47a73v52hsscqd7rt8s

Doch, wobei die Dünen unter'm Ehrenmal mit das Schönste waren.


nostr:npub16eccsg7f0u05z4ak796acyhufwjqtz0hknyt9dy47a73v52hsscqd7rt8s

Sis und ich waren heute Mittag in Laboe. Vor dem Regen. 🙂


A friend of mine has an Amazon Daily Deal on Amazon UK today.

If you like historical fiction with a dark and twisted MC, "At the Kings Command" is for your.

It's book 1 of the Mowbray Chronicles, set in the time of Richard II.

Check it out here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Q2H2QLH

#HistoricalFiction
#ReadersofMastodon
nostr:npub1kt3hutklgrma64ykjwk4trxq9rtyfnxhkjz729g4pd9xl7hzhrjse75004


nostr:npub1kh2skgd59qhz0htcvq04hf6uevf3p29anct7hkq0tdwk7cp6akyqyn228y

Hach, ich leben ihn ja schon zum Teil: Indie Author, schreibe Fantasy-Bücher - und träume, davon leben zu können...


#WritersCoffeeClub 10/1 - Shameless self-promo. What's your WIP? What's it about?

This month, I want to talk about Earth Splits. That's the book I need to give a final editing pass and get it published asap.

It's book five in my Winds and Pillars series. Earth is, in fact, the first Pillar who is an MC in that series. As her name indicates, she has Earth Power, working with dirt, plants and everything in the ground.

Earth Splits, Pillars of the Empire Book 1

#WritingCommunity
#Epic


#WritersCoffeeClub 10/1: What's your WIP and what's it about?

Okay, my WiP is called " A Wolf's Christmas", it's an adventure/romance tale featuring wolf shifters (nope, no alpha nonsense). Two American Wolves are sent to Germany to spend Christmas with her family, but things are not going to go well.

I want to finish this by November and get it published in time for the holidays. I hope I can keep it within novella scope, but... well. We'll see.

#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifters


Guten Morgen!

Full of energy today, and it feels great. We're planning a day of walking and riding the ferries in the fjord (but there will be rain, too, alas).

Writer Brain is coming up with a host of new Wolf ideas - so yah, I'll be writing in the world for years to come.

And I'll do my best to get Earth out this coming week, so she'll be the focus of my October writing Games.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

That sounds like a wonderful memory! ❤

They made me "pre-pay" for this year's taxes, so I do expect to get a LOT back. I'll see how that goes.

Maybe I should be spending some of it on a nice dinner. But it won't really be fun alone.


nostr:npub17zfhrl8t3xt03cp3kn86390t2jwjp763x98uqw4ycupjm2c2kc7qt4frz0

Danke!

Mindestens einmal Dampferfahren ist angesagt.


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

*hugs back*

I do have a fairly good prep system, sis actually complimented me on it. But it's still nerve-racking!


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

Thank you.

(Yes, it was the tax declaration.)


Gute Nacht, Freunde!

Big, dreadful, horrible admin task is all DONE.

I'm grateful that my sister is here and was "holding hands" with me for the final, nerve-racking part of filling in files online and sending them off.

This means I am FREE to enjoy life with my sister for the long weekend here in Germany. (I may not be around as much.)

Such relief. (It's still sinking in.)

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


Last day to grab some free books in Fantasy and SF. Yes, they are free to download from all stores. No email necessary.

Hop on over and stuff your eReader!

https://dashboard.bookfunnel.com/bundles/board/aqmwsfdk9n

nostr:npub1kt3hutklgrma64ykjwk4trxq9rtyfnxhkjz729g4pd9xl7hzhrjse75004
#Fantasy
#scifi

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/155/359/471/877/517/original/2a821010f84dae04.jpg


nostr:npub1gx6r07sddez6je69xhwyc4g6g4c6t5spx96sg3xxeqyvf7ww72dqcxxcqu

Thank you!

Yes, Beba is an awesome reviewer.


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

No writing. Stressing, reading, and making good progress with the admin stuff.

Final sprint tomorrow morning. Wish me luck.

Looking forward to my sister coming over for the long weekend ahead of us.

And then... I'll be writing. I have even more Wolf ideas, but Earth will be a priority next week.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub175l80yqmw7jrh79385lpcdaqdgwvxm25leflgqqedmjpkalphvnqyv55we

Thank you. It took a bit of an effort to get the eyes of this particular reader on it - but I am so glad they loved it once they did get around to it.


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Dankeschön!


nostr:npub125d06fkh36yp7lqzp29wg935qxvkrlrtkqmgvutge6gxl787wz6squyray

Thank you! ❤


nostr:npub1htrp8qve6gsq76scne4hrrjtaeqhwntsp4wsxupp82hh0746e8eqd6zk7q

It has. Got some stuff done and had the best Mastermind meeting in quite a while.

Exciting ideas and yet another series spark. (Wolves of the Past - and Writer Brain is firing up.)


#WordWeavers 29/9. Who in your story gives the most pep talks?

Goswin. Easily.

Thing is, Goswin has very little to loose. He can leave any time, the only thing that keeps him in Lar Elien is the missing sword that he forged - and that kid growing into a young man right under his eyes.

Add to that much more life experience than anyone else has in that place, and he's the natural choice for advice.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub13vquk7d3a9zur5n0zjwxgpcxc2fcpkpep9pgc5l09ac2petpl8ds05cct8

*sending a mountain of hugs*

Objectively, 30 sales are nothing to sneeze on for a newly published author. I know it can feel like a failure, I've been there.

But that's 30 readers who cared enough to buy your book. If that isn't something...

*more hugs*


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Yay for a looooong weekend. Hope you can enjoy it fully.

*hugs*


#writerscoffeeclub 9/29. How do you format scene breaks in your writing?

In the manuscript, I use 3 stars ( *** ).

When I format my books in Atticus, this automatically transforms into a scene break image of my choosing.

I try to pick something that has a similar feel to the story and the font I use for the chapter headings. Theoretically, I could commission graphics for that - but I can't quite justify the expense just yet.

#WritingCommunity


nostr:npub1htrp8qve6gsq76scne4hrrjtaeqhwntsp4wsxupp82hh0746e8eqd6zk7q

Not really. I have a very, very hard deadline to meet, and I should have made better  progress.

Will have to hustle today... and the day is starting out with a headache.


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Today turned into a recovery day.

Reading comfort books, mostly. Sorted through some papers, had sweets for lunch, did very little.

Back into the fray tomorrow.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#WritersCoffeeClub Sept 28: Do you practice "kill your darlings" in your work?

I have a different take on this: It's not about literally killing characters.

It's about taking a good look at parts of your writing that you love and want to happen. Those might not be in the best interest of the story.

This is why I sent North's love interest away after a third of the book. That was a darling I had to kill. It made the story better.

North Shatters, Winds of Destiny Book 4

#WritingCommunity


#PennedPossibilities 85 — SC POV: Tell us a quick love story. The story must end badly.

Count Willomar: "I saw her at a tournament. My boys were still too young to compete, but I wanted them to meet their peers.

"Those grey eyes... I think I feel in love almost on the spot. And when she decided she liked me enough to come to Lar Elien... I've never been so happy."

*wobbly smile*

"She died about a year later."

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub1zh0d3090h75ggqwavajrelk6cs49kkhclwshqs5rq2ea74f9p7xqx495kv

I am a simple gal. I use LibreOffice for writing and LibreCalc for spreadsheets where I keep series info. I tried a Wiki, but I'm too lazy to keep it all updated.

However, there are tools that have been created specifically for writers. Scrivener is one of the best known, but there are more that let you write in the App and have systems for collecting information, as well.

Plottr is a system for keeping track of plot, and yes, it has character lists and all that, as well.


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g nostr:npub19lt4284mghqxekzm6n5njxurnxrxhqhrva2leusdsuu5ja5jeycq66qfjk

Thank you! Yes, I loved your review enough to share it on my website.

I don't know what's wrong with the links to #6, will check that, but you should find it here:

https://books2read.com/WolvesSouthPeril


#WordWeavers 27: Do any children under two or older people factor into your story?

Well, there is a newborn in the prologue...

Goswin is about 200 years old, but still in middle-age for his race.

Older people are Count Willomar and the medic, an herb woman. Oh, and a very crotchety archivist... Andert's nemesis.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Moin!


#PennedPossibilities 84 — Did your SC fit in with the family they grew up with? If not, why?

Goswin? Yes, he totally fit in. He is a dwarf and he grew up in a large dwarven city (inside a mountain, of course). He became a mastersmith, which is a very honorable occupation in dwarf society.

It's only when he is forced to live with humans in the castle of Lar Elien that he has problems fitting in. It bothers him.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub1gx6r07sddez6je69xhwyc4g6g4c6t5spx96sg3xxeqyvf7ww72dqcxxcqu

Thank you. ❤


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

More admin work. This will continue all week, and then my sister will come over for a long weekend.

Yes, I'll be scarce. Apologies.

I also won't be writing a lot, because this admin work makes me need a lot of self-care and soothing. That is my life for now.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub10vekd03ckhtngghmq6aqttaf6xku9fxa8lr7z6hv24svrlk07dsqkw0r5d

Hey, it looks cool. 🙂

The best worst hat in Baldur's Gate (not a spoiler, just dramatic)


#WordWeavers 9/26. Is your antagonist or protagonist more fashionable?

Well, Count Willomar is definitely more fashionable that his third son Andert. That's because he has an image to maintain, after all, he is the ruler of Lar Elien. When he holds court, he dresses accordingly.

He doesn't care that much about fashion, though. He'd gladly give up all the finery if he could have the love of his life back...

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub13vquk7d3a9zur5n0zjwxgpcxc2fcpkpep9pgc5l09ac2petpl8ds05cct8

That is pretty awesome. Congratulations!


#WritersCoffeeClub Sept 26: Have you used a MacGuffin in your writing? Be honest.

Yes, I wrote a story for an anthology (Drachen, Diebe und Dämonen) which was all about an item being handed from one MC to the next. That counts, right?

And of course, the magical sword in the Lar Elien series is also part of the plot, and thus possibly another MacGuffin.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


#PennedPossibilities 83 — SC or MC POV: What keeps you awake at night?

Taril: "Mostly nightmares. Going on monster hunts and losing your best friend can do that to you."

*shrugs*

"Aside from that, I always worry about Andert. That kid is so determined to be the best, and not for a good reason. I know he's going to do something really stupid or really heroic, and chances are he'll get himself killed that way."

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub1qspp8rskm9j8hvv6p3nh5ne96dkncchfhauzxu0ppq4eusuu57cslxxyhn

Thanks!

#WritePhant

Today, I would like to share a free book with you, the first in my epic fantasy series about mages who are kept separate from the world - and how those who escape manage to find a new life for themselves.

Four books are out, five to follow (most are written). Start with South Breaks, which is free in all stores including Google Play Store, Apple and of course, Amazon (where it depends on the store, 99ct, if not).

https://books2read.com/SouthWindsofDestiny

#EpicFantasy

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/129/962/920/246/079/original/795053c0980db8a1.jpg


nostr:npub1gx6r07sddez6je69xhwyc4g6g4c6t5spx96sg3xxeqyvf7ww72dqcxxcqu

I have a very hard deadline on my tax declaration on October 2nd (Monday).

But my sister wants to come on Saturday, and that... is an incentive to get it down asap. I do hope we can celebrate getting it done together.


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

No writing today. And that's okay because after dealing with panic attacks in the morning, I managed to buckle down and actually get quite a lot of the urgent admin stuff done.

It started out incredibly stressful (had to work hard to get necessary data), but I got it all sorted. In fact, I hope that I can get the biggest batch done tomorrow, and from then, it'll be smooth sailing.

Planning to be done with it all soon. And then.... Earth.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#WritersCoffeeClub 9/25 What keeps you striving concerning your writing goals?

Two things:

1) The stories in my head want out. The characters nag me, send me scenes, throw me into emotional turmoil until I write it all out.

2) My readers. I know they want more stories, that they are waiting for the next Winds and Pilllars tale, that they want more Wolves and more dragons.

Yes, sometimes, that amounts to pressure and feelings of guilt.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#WordWeavers 9/25 Your antagonist gives a spontaneous speech. What is it about?

Well, Count Willomar is not a spontaneous person. As a member of nobility, his days are planned well ahead.

He might launch into a speech lauding a hunter after a particularly intense and gratifying hunt. That's one of the few fun things he still allows himself.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Another slow day, much self-care, reading on the balcony, playing a bit of Titan Quest, refilling the well.

I did write 500 words for Sun (another difficult scene for him), it just took a while to find the way into it.

Yes, I am neglecting admin stuff, which causes low grade anxiety. Will have to put in some hours over the weekend - very hard deadline on some stuff.

It'll be okay. I always manage.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#PennedPossibilities 78 — How does your MC feel about the place where they live? Is there something they are particularly attached to or repelled by?

Andert loves Lar Elien, he's proud of his home, the castle, of the country that his father rules.

He even has quite a few good friends there, and they make it all bearable. He just wishes his father would accept him. Sometimes, he wants nothing more than to leave.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


Today, I'm going to do a little self-promo here.

You see, I have this Wolf Shifter series out which is basically adventure/romance (with a HEA) and which follows different members of a family of Wolves (and a pack).

I really dislike the whole Alpha trope, so you won't find anything like that in them. My characters also refused to be watched in bed, so it's not steamy.

First book is free!

A Wolf's Quest:
https://books2read.com/WolvesSouthQuest

#UrbanFantasy
#WolfShifters
#FreeBook
#WritingCommunity

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/102/105/378/672/475/original/46096f5ca97cf2b6.png


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

A good day.

I wrote 1500 words for Sun. (Not really what I planned, but they wanted out, and I'm not complaining.)

Read on the balcony. Made some food. Talked to my sister on the phone.

Colored some more - the image is starting to look nice. Also ran a few more sheets off the printer, so I'll have many more images to work with.

Ordered a print of beautiful art showing a Wolf's head. Can't wait to see it on the wall.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/082/175/012/407/710/original/a5d4d3bf62c7db5d.jpeg


nostr:npub1eeuda68pptpk52ddtkhm27euhplf8jm8nya524k2vzkvpszq88hqtt4aku

Yeah, I scored a subscription which is much cheaper than their current prices, so I'm keeping it for now.

Jeffrey is awesome indeed, but I can see he's struggling, too.


#WritersCoffeeClub 9/17 How do you promote your writing?

I have a website where people can find my books, and a newsletter.

I share books through BookFunnel promotions, either offering downloads in exchange for signing up to my newsletter or simply listing my permafree book.

Every second month, I pay for an email promo by the Fussy Librarian (although that is getting diminishing returns).

The very best promo are the writing games here on Mastodon - fun and interesting.

#WritingCommunity


#WordWeavers 9/17. Do you mention makeup, hair and beard styles in your work?

Sometimes.

I mean, this is fantasy, my characters are going through difficult times in their lives - and I do not write court intrigue.

In other words, fashion means little while survival means everything. So makeup is rare, and hair and beards end up being very unstyled more often than not.

Kinda like me. (Minus the beard.) 😂

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub1cpzcvvkg2w04dsu5cvdqzr2cawq7vd90grrqxrvlcalsm9grzvcsfkfhdc

Just bought a print. ❤

I write Wolf Shifter stories (not steamy), and your art just spoke to me.


nostr:npub1vj0xvszhnkk8x5gkm22n92r229a8d7yn2gz9syv7pewkje233khs4lwj4w

He has earned himself quite impressive scars.

Powerful.


Guten Morgen!

Today, I wrote before jumping on social media, and did an easy 1k words. Have a few.

***

“I’m Sun Snake.”

“It’s perfect,” the Guardian breathed. “You are perfect. The gods must have sent you to me. Tell me. Sun power is fire, right?”

“Fire and heat, yes.” Sun nodded.

“Sun Burns,” the Guardian whispered before drawing in a hissing breath. “Tell me, are there others?”

***

Sun Burns, Pillars of the Empire Book 3

#WiPQuote
#EpicFantasy
#WritingCommunity


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Wrote a little for Sun. I have three intense scenes for him in mind, but it's hard to slide into the story. But I wrote!

Also colored some more, took a nap, read a comfort book.

It's one of the last days of summer here, so I also sat on the balcony and plan to do more of that tomorrow.

More writing tomorrow.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Aber wenn ich nochmal hinkomme, werden mich Maius, Caombh und die anderen dort begleiten.

Freue mich irgendwie drauf.


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Ich war vor Jahren mal da.

Ist leider ein ganzes Stück von Kiel entfernt.


#PennedPossibilities 73 — SC (Side Character) POV: Describe the way a friend supported you when you needed it most.

Fulchar: "Andert came to my rescue when three other guards were beating me up because I wasn't a good enough servant to them.

"He just jumped into the fray, made them go away and dragged me off to Taril's salle. I was a bit out of it, but...

"That was the beginning of a new friendship and my career as an archer."

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (German)

#WritingCommunity


#WordWeavers 9/16. How are people like your antagonist viewed in your world?

Count Willomar is one of several regional rulers in the kingdom. His position is undisputed, feudal rulers are the norm.

In fact, he is actually seen as benevolent, he is fair, protects his people and does his best to see them prosper.

Others are less diligent, but their existence is seen as normal and possibly goddess-given.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


A clever friend of mine suggested that I share the YouTube channel I made a while ago (two years, ahem, sorry) to stream myself playing Titan Quest.

So if you want to see a tiny bit of the amazingly beautiful world you can discover in that game (and if you want to see me play and sometimes panic), hop on over.

And once I get OBS and Twitch all set up again, I might add more video. Should I?

https://www.youtube.com/@titantourist4174

#TitanQuest
#VideoGames
#AutisticObsession

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/073/677/650/861/879/original/cbd2e0a2a76eaabc.jpg


nostr:npub1ek8rajnxu0djzdm7p0eww7h0g8xd2wh07wqc05hw98j32rnwjlqqvlt2en

I love those questions, mostly because they give people a voice that are usually quiet and not on screen.

Those questions really make me think. Keep bringing them!


#WritersCoffeeClub 9/16. Do you have prologues in any of your writing? How do you feel about them?

I do them once in a while. Usually, however, I jump right into a story and bring in backstory by other means.

Unless they are well done, they seem to be a little cop-out - it's more fun to discover backstory while reading the book.

Having said that, writing a little prequel reader teasers for my newsletter list is also something I do.

#WritingCommunity


nostr:npub1k3q53czct94qu2lkq73rkulupcdp4zwljjefv7qa9ejvhw9l2ses0hl2nx

I've not missed a single election in my life, and I'm almost 60.

I hope you are right, and we'll overcome this wave of fascism and danger. I can put energy into the vision of a new world that has found a better balance and values life much more than this one currently does.

I wish I had a good term to rally around. Humanism doesn't quite carry it, but I'd love to live in a society where the good for the people and nature matters more than profit.

We have fallen for Mammon.


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Calling it a day rather early - practicing more self-care.

No writing today. Again.

Read comfort books, went to participate in a climate march (which wiped me out for a while), and did some work for my bookkeeping.

Tomorrow, I really want to write some Sun, before the scenes fade away. They will involve a black cobra (or better a red one?). We'll see.

Someone bought Wolf audiobooks today. Yay! (Google store, AI-narrated, fair warning)

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


And now for something completely different: I'm playing with some coloring pages to de-stress. There is something soothing about laying down color - although I have to fight my perfectionism to a degree.

This is how far I've gotten. (In about three sessions, not just tonight.)

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/070/481/546/839/611/original/c9a24cc93ba9ca04.jpeg


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g

Thank you. 🙂

Yes, I'm a full person with a life beyond my writing. I hope that people actually like seeing more than a cardboard Instagram version.

And you're right. People need to own their responsibility for their timeline.

❤


Apologies for boosting so much German politics.

I'm very unhappy about the state of things. And I feel rather helpless, to be honest. I'm not a person who will start fights on social media. I do not want to be at the center of a shit storm. (Yes, I'm a coward, but I'm also neurodivergent and can't handle stress well.)

So wish us luck here in Germany, may enough people team up to keep the fascists at bay and shift society into a post-carbon life.

#ClimateChange
#FckAFD


#PennedPossibilities 72 — MC POV: Describe a recent dream.

Andert: "I was riding out in the forest, on my new black stallion. He was a bit nervous, but I thought that was because we weren't yet completely familiar with one another.

"Suddenly, something jumped on me, tossing me out of the saddle.

"I woke up when I hit the ground. I always do. Fortunately."

*sigh*

"Never mind. Old nightmare. That's all."

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1(German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


#WordWeavers 9/15 — Is your MC neat or messy?

Andert is neat.

Thing is, he was always under much scrutiny, by his nanny, his brothers, and eventually Taril, his weaponsmaster and friend. All his life he tried to be good enough for his father.

Neatness has been trained into him. He takes care of his things.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1 (in German)

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy


nostr:npub16mjv0crlfwmgvsfy60sqehz2765el9c4k676dpsq92ed2msdycnqwpalcf

My grandmother used to say:

"You can run away from a fire. You cannot run away from water."

She grew up near Hamburg.


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Survived the office day. Got groceries, took a nap and then...

read more books.

Instead of writing. *sigh*

How is this my life now?

#WritingCommunity


#PennedPossibilities 71 — Was your MC ever bullied as a child? If so, why?

Oh, yeah.

Andert's two older brothers utterly hate him, especially Ingur, the oldest.

He has never forgiven the fact that their father, Count Willomar, took a second wife after their mother's death. And Andert is the living reminder of that betrayal.

So they pick on him, denigrate him, push him away wherever they can.

Laivin, the middle brother, is less bad.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1

#WritingCommunity


#WordWeavers 9/14 Does your antagonist have any likeable or redeemable qualities?

Count Willomar is generally a fair man, ruling not with an iron fist at all. He tries to make Lar Elien a good home for its people. He actually cares.

He even tries to make amends to Andert after treating him very, very badly, but... he fails. Again. And he hates himself for that, not that he would tell anyone.

Grief can do that to a person.

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy
#GermanBook


#WritersCoffeeClub 9/14 — Have you ever written about an ex-partner and changed their name?

No, and I never would.

It feels... unfair. I mean, those were people I loved once, and even if we're no longer together or in contact, I wouldn't put them into a story. That just wouldn't end well.

Having said that, I have written a nasty teacher into a story, and yes, that was a bit of revenge...

And sometimes, I put people I see into stories, they serve as body inspirations.

#WritingCommunity


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Quite a long day. Of course, it was also an office day. I survived. Took the bus home instead of walking because of rain that the forecast wasn't predicting...

Sent out my Hannah newsletter, Ember Alert. Made it simple and didn't write a review for it.

No other writing, although Sun is really, really badgering with me a scene or two. (Not easy ones for him, alas.)

Tomorrow.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


#PennedPossibilities 70 — Is your MC making the world a better place?

Andert is, as much as he can.

As a little kid, that's not a lot. He manages to comfort Goswin, he cracks Taril's emotional defenses, and helps both become better men.

Later, he's doing more, befriending others, supporting them. And of course, once he becomes a knight, he's officially a force for good. Especially since... there will be magic.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy
#GermanBook


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Gute Nacht!

*sei gedrückt* Hoffe es ist diesmal nicht so schlimm.


nostr:npub12nm5cjxe4t7ldf0fflvujmawt0p83yjzl6v09ynw7v79dvlf6s2qmwwh2s

And that is why we need to end the religion of money...


nostr:npub1cj92tqzzazrr02v7grt9hxdkwufx3qp8wckemtfjgg2fsq9rerhqe9s25q

Awwwww. ❤ ❤ ❤


nostr:npub1u7jph9wphe3gfnxg7ye203wrgt779tg37sw6la5kj2ufjy60x5ash89taq

I can't stand cilantro - so I get what you mean. Tobacco kind of makes me gag. Weed less so, but I still find it rather annoying.


#WritersCoffeeClub 9/13: Do you derive joy from your writing? In what way?

Writing is awesome. Having written is even better. 😉

I do get a lot of joy from playing with my characters, from watching them do stupid things and heroic acts, from building a world and leaving it a better place at the end of a story.

I write the stories I love to read. That's it.

#WritingCommunity


nostr:npub1ggch8ujt6fr6d8ak0ts37uqnysjlcsmauq4xrp326lrp5hzae0eq0awpew nostr:npub1mewd58tz390gcnw0ml99alkzzgcuj2yg9tdsjwt45zga54rtsj8qketau6

I feel similar - as if the symptoms are getting worse.

However, I'm quite sure that this is really just being more aware of it all.

I mean, I am more aware of how unpleasant the tags in t-shirts are (and cut them off), but then I remember that as I child, the worst thing was being forced to wear woolen hose. That was pure torture (mom couldn't even understand why it was a problem). I've never been able to wear wool happily.

Yeah. Awareness.

#ActuallyAutistic


#WordWeavers 9/13 — What animal would you like as a muse and why?

A crow.

They are smart, curious and can fly to spy on people. What more would you want?

(I have two crow friends in the park who get a few pieces of cat kibble when I see them. They are very cute.)

#WritingCommunity


#PennedPossibilities 68 — MC POV: What is the best pick-up line you know?

Andert: "A what?"

*ME explains*

"Oh. Oh. I... have no idea. I've never... I mean, there was... but she..."

*blushes fiercely*

"She... married someone else."

*walks away*

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy
#GermanBook


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Lazy day. Spent most of it reading comfort books, and that was a good decision. Feeling calmer now.

Also finally ditched Chrome and shifted stuff to Firefox.

Tomorrow is the last day of the heat wave in Germany. At least today wasn't so bad up here in the north. Still, this is scary stuff.

Tomorrow, I also hope to write more Wolves, edit Earth and generally get stuff done.

Who am I kidding?

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g nostr:npub15axslcpkj56yfdtzs4pp5zhtd3ecv3uavpfchsched0r4x0cjl2qwplqq5

Ah, sorry. Literal mind here. ☺

Yeah, I can't quite see a crossover, sadly. I love writing both series.


nostr:npub1js45luyx9g8fatxu7eyjnspctwtxcfwheqyy0fn34am6mj9q6pqqmmckm2

Wow, a beginner's POV?

I think writing really good 1st person is hard. Because you have to have a clear plot while being limited to a single person's eyes and experiences. You have to keep it interesting, hide their past until you're ready to reveal it.

Definitely not a simple thing to write well.


nostr:npub12rwse898adw7ed00uk00t7959ecfdjefgdx949gnw32yzvfycp3saw9x8g nostr:npub15axslcpkj56yfdtzs4pp5zhtd3ecv3uavpfchsched0r4x0cjl2qwplqq5

A joke.

The series I'm publishing right now is called Winds of Destiny. (The mages in it are Winds, using air.)

The one I'm pivoting to because it's my bestselling series and I'd like to sell more books is called Wolves of the South, shape shifter adventure/romance.

Paul turned it into a joke. 🙂


#WritersCoffeeClub 9/9. Have you ever abandoned a writing project that wasn't working? What was wrong?

I have so many unfinished stories on my hard drive... *wails*

Nothing went wrong with those. I just lost interest, needed to finish something else first, got slapped with a new idea...

Once, I wrote a short story for an anthology that fell apart. *shrugs* I published the story myself, and those few who find it love it.

Pu'ukani's Song

#WritingCommunity
#LowFantasy


nostr:npub163ar0p8u3kzemzfrkcmc96lh7zqj2tluw738vx475q7c9yx95wss3dt5jr

*offers lots of hugs*

I'm so sorry. She does look happy in those images, and I'm sure she had a very good life.


nostr:npub1e8acdqhk09ksn57n0cnumff73x7njfeufupl0uwtuzwqltmguvnswmywn3

My goodness. Hope they can get home soon.

Glad they were not affected, but ugh. Scary indeed.


#PennedPossibilities 66 — Describe in detail one item that your MC would want to inherit from a relative or has inherited.

There is one item in the story that has Andert interested - but he has no illusions about ever owning it.

You see, Goswin has forged a magical sword. It's black, with silver wire inlaid in the hand guard. But it's lost, after he and his mage friend were ambushed, on the way to deliver it....

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy
#GermanBook


nostr:npub10huv4cfdpe09afrn6fs3glgrxlj3x3sqm7pz5uua6x9fr5g0taxq8uua5j nostr:npub1h3szaxn9zkvvc7dkvvw62updjz4eakw6kw3pa6dh5p43u9cl0r6qw4pyx0

Love Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. I think I still own the paperback.

I hate it when teachers restrict students. They are supposed to encourage learning, not gatekeep.


nostr:npub15axslcpkj56yfdtzs4pp5zhtd3ecv3uavpfchsched0r4x0cjl2qwplqq5

Yeah... friend of mine is asking for more shifter books.

I may do mustangs in one series. Bears/lynxes in another. Maybe with a moose shifter thrown in.

But first, I need to take care of all those other series I started.


nostr:npub15axslcpkj56yfdtzs4pp5zhtd3ecv3uavpfchsched0r4x0cjl2qwplqq5

That would be fun, but... no. Sorry.


Guten Morgen!

Lost myself in a book last night, and then just crawled into bed.

I did write 600 words for the new Wolf book, which feels good. First step is getting them to Germany, and then I will get them into trouble.

Mwuahahhahaha.

It does take quite a mental effort to shift from the Winds to the Wolves (and yes, I'm still polishing Earth and getting that book ready).

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub1htrp8qve6gsq76scne4hrrjtaeqhwntsp4wsxupp82hh0746e8eqd6zk7q nostr:npub13vquk7d3a9zur5n0zjwxgpcxc2fcpkpep9pgc5l09ac2petpl8ds05cct8

You're allowed to read (and have fun with the hashtags), even if you're not a writer. 😉

I cannot imagine life without reading, to be honest. And I believe that writers should read extensively - it's how we learn about storytelling.


#WordWeavers 9/8. What do you pay attention to when describing your characters’ surroundings?

I try to appeal all senses - if my MC has the time to notice all those things. I especially like to add smell because it's such a direct sense.

Having said that, I don't often go all out on detail. I don't want to bog down a story, so I stick to the bare necessities for a reader to visualize a scene.

I just read through my old German book, and had much more description in there.

#WritingCommunity


#WritersCoffeeClub 9/8. Did you like to read as a child? Which books did you read?

I learned to read very quickly and soon read everything I could get my hands on. In 6th grade, I routinely read 5-10 books every week (access to a library...).

That changed to reading every English-language book I could lie my hands on after turning 15. (Wasn't easy in the 1980s. Dad brought home thrillers.)

During my exchange year in the US, I discovered fantasy for real. Never looked back.

#WritingCommunity


#PennedPossibilities 65 — MC POV: Write about a time you broke something.

Andert: "I don't break things. I'm careful with them." *glares*

""Oh. You meant bones. Well, I had some of my bones broken that one time when... I got trapped and beaten up by three former guards.

"That wasn't fun at all. But it taught me that I can survive a lot if I just focus on staying alive."

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy
#GermanBook


nostr:npub13vquk7d3a9zur5n0zjwxgpcxc2fcpkpep9pgc5l09ac2petpl8ds05cct8

😂 🤣 ❤

Yes, let's do that. Totally fair share, right?


nostr:npub13vquk7d3a9zur5n0zjwxgpcxc2fcpkpep9pgc5l09ac2petpl8ds05cct8

Thank you!

I do have a rough plot in mind, and yes, it'll have a very happy ending. 🙂


Oh, my goodness.

I just wrote the first (short) chapter of my new Wolf shifter novella, A Wolf's Christmas.

And yep. It totally made me cry...

Yes. Yes, it's a seasonal thing and I want to get it out end of November. We'll see if it actually stays a novella. Wish me luck.

#WritingCommunity
#WolfShifters


nostr:npub1p52f5zz3gayauxcsmsg8z70lm7d796rgpgx5l4en08yry3rv2xesrp6plk

That's rather cool and monstery.

(Add an Alt-text to the image and I'll share it.)


Gute Nacht, Freunde.

Another slow day. Office days do that to me, but at least the heat was less and I wasn't entirely done in when I came home.

Read a lot. Chatted with the Writing Club. Renewed my soul.

That is also important.

Back to the grind tomorrow, and it'll be good.

#WritingCommunity
#AuthorLife


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

So glad to hear he's doing better. *hugs*

And also glad you can do a business trip while he's in good hands. ❤


#PennedPossibilities 64 — Break up your MC's life (thus far) into 3 chapters and give each of them a title.

1) The Unwanted

Andert is a burden, but at least he's taken care of.

2) The Apprentice

Andert finds his first friends and begins training as a warrior. A brutal test of his mettle happens.

3) The Knight

As a new knight, Andert is sent on his first quest by his father - a suicide mission. Can he survive?

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy
#GermanBook


#WritersCoffeeClub 7: Share an image of a favorite book cover design.

In another post, I already mentioned Taire, my book cover designer. She also did the cover for a book by my friend, M.H. Milrem.

It's complicated, epic and very dark fantasy, and the cover totally represents all of that. I'll definitely recommend the tale for lovers of that genre.

#WritingCommunity
#DarkFantasy
#EpicFantasy

https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/111/023/685/201/996/345/original/e77e2d5c020e0b93.jpeg


nostr:npub1xn6yra9w0m4gem804lxt2smtrv5yunratwer73mx83j8yyt3u5hqnqlyx3

It does! I have a stack of the Winds' books on my desk.


nostr:npub1xn6yra9w0m4gem804lxt2smtrv5yunratwer73mx83j8yyt3u5hqnqlyx3

I love that you have a "brag shelf".

I wake up to mine every morning, and it really helps to see myself as an author.


nostr:npub1xn6yra9w0m4gem804lxt2smtrv5yunratwer73mx83j8yyt3u5hqnqlyx3

Thank you!

My cover designer is Taire Morrigan (https://www.tairelei.com/).

I designed the symbol, gave her a rough sketch and she ran with it. I love her covers and they are totally worth the money.


nostr:npub15axslcpkj56yfdtzs4pp5zhtd3ecv3uavpfchsched0r4x0cjl2qwplqq5

Typos. The bane of our existence. 😂


#WordWeavers 9/7 — Why did your villain become a villain?

Count Willomar is a good man and not truly a villain. However, he is not handling Andert very well.

You see, he fell hoplessly in love with this beautiful woman a few years after his wife died. When she agreed to become his new wife, he was beyond happy.

She died in childbirth. The child lived - and every time Willomar sees him, his heart breaks anew.

Der Ritter von Lar Elien Buch 1

#WritingCommunity
#EpicFantasy
#GermanBook


nostr:npub15axslcpkj56yfdtzs4pp5zhtd3ecv3uavpfchsched0r4x0cjl2qwplqq5

You do that within Firefox, on the about:profils page.

Set the profile you need as "default".


nostr:npub1k24sy39zjs7pccfcafcfghn0tcl96wht85tf7ygv3tv2cqa7kezqum26zw

*hugs*


I've published several books so far and am on my fourth series. So here's a little list:

1) The Cloud Lands Saga / Beginnings:
Dragons and dragonriders. A fight between traditionalists and dragon-friends.

2) The Franssisi Four Chronicles:
SF, Human slaves fight for freedom. Steamy.

3) Wolves of the South:
Non-steamy wolf shifters family saga.

4) Winds of Destiny/Pillars of the Empire:
Epic fantasy, magic system. Some steam.

Full list: https://www.hannah-steenbock.de/