R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
LightNews LightNews
banner
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
@abysmalauthor.bsky.social
400 followers 940 following 780 posts
He/Him
🚫AI🚫 - Support Human Artists
Author-in-the-making!
Currently working on: Daughter of the Sword (Draft 3!) Fantasy Novel
Follow for posts about comics, books, movies, games, and WIPsnips
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️ @abysmalauthor.bsky.social · 7d
Good morning BluePit!
For your consideration: DAUGHTER OF THE SWORD, a high fantasy tale of swords, sorcery, betrayal, and war.
I'm Rob, ADHD writer based in the UK, currently working on the third draft of this book, with a hope to get it published this year!

#BluePit📖
#YA #A #NA
#F #HS
#W
#ND
A mood board - from left to right, top to bottom, the images are: Top left: a viking-esque helmet sat atop a chainmail shirt beside a sword Top middle: a dark, heavy anvil and set of tongs, as in a blacksmith's forge Top right: a spell book with images of pentagrams and arcane symbols, surrounded by pieces of chalk Bottom left: scenes of a mountain and clouds Bottom middle: a young woman with dark hair and a sword, apparently after a battle; there is dirt and blood on her face, she looks weary but determined Bottom right: an historical piece of art, depicting skeletal undead warriors riding into battle upon horses, fighting against armoured knights Short Pitch: When Bronwyn becomes the apprentice of the last Wizard of the Great Houses of Magic, a Necromancer threatens to restart the war which plunged the continent of Riviera into chaos. When her teacher refuses to answer the call to battle, it's up to Bronwyn herself to go in his place, and in the process she becomes entangled in a world of magic, secrets, and death. Can she survive the responsibility being placed on her young shoulders? A reader's summary: Imagine a medieval world of magic: Then a new age dawns, where rifles and muskets put power back in the hands of the non-magical. Blasting through the defences of the wizards, the magical ruling class is brought low in a continent-spanning war. Left in the ashes is Bronwyn, orphaned by battle, and apprentice to one of the last remaining wizards. She is a young woman whose existence asks the question: what do you do with knowledge that makes you into a target? Are you inherently dangerous? Should magic ever be learnt again? (Thanks to Ellie, my only reader, for this summary!) She turned on the spot again, and the candlelight fell over a corpse. Grey, desiccated skin on the verge of sloughing away from pale bones. Rotted lips peeled away from jagged shards of teeth protruding directly from bone, and black eyes more like those of a cave-dwelling fish than a human being stared out at the world with unmistakable hunger. The corpse had not been there before. Bronwyn was certain of it. Hesitantly she approached, every nerve on edge, her heart pounding in her ears. She reached the toe of one boot forward to nudge it – and the corpse twitched.
Reposted by R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
smoking-gnu.bsky.social
I'ma gonna cheat and give three comps for Cavern Clipper:
#WritingPrompt (1/3)
1) Treasure planet: The feel and the aesthetic of the RLS Legacy is what I hope to mirror with my own ICS Silverbrow (Independent Cavern Ship)
January 20, 2026 at 3:32 PM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon) by Christopher Paolini, The BBC TV series Merlin, and (to a lesser degree) Star Wars.
For all, because it is a fantastical world in which magic exists, but is persecuted or has been forgotten; the Jedi are outlaws, as are dragon riders, as are sorcerers, as is magic.
cometkins.bsky.social Ian Haramaki 🏳️‍⚧️✨ @FurCon @cometkins.bsky.social · 9h
What are two piece of media that work as comp titles for your book/wip? What aspects of that media most relate to your book? #WritingPrompt
January 20, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
joannechocolat.bsky.social
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 6:
Having a day job doesn’t mean you’re not a proper writer. Writing for children doesn’t mean you’re not a proper writer. Being unpublished doesn’t mean you’re not a proper writer.
Oh, and there’s no such thing as a proper writer. Only writers, and those who don’t.
January 20, 2026 at 12:44 PM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
Bronwyn visits the dark chambers beneath the Temple-Tower for the first time; a dark place full of hidden dangers, and dead things crawling sightlessly through endless tunnels...

#WriteSky
#WritingCommunity
#WritingPrompt
All the nights she had dreamed of what would be beyond the iron door, Bronwyn had never imagined it would be like this. The narrow passage was dark as pitch, and rather than a lantern, Hal brought only a small candle to light the way. The light it gave was flickering and indistinct, casting long and jagged shadows against the close walls.These were not the familiar worked stone, tile, and pavings that she was used to in the rest of the Temple: the walls were rough like a cave or a mine, and so close as to feel claustrophobic. The low ceiling even caused Hal to bend forward in some places, and the floor angled ever down, sometimes in steps, sometimes just at an incline, and every turn they took made Bronwyn feel like she was descending down the throat of the living mountain beneath them.
January 20, 2026 at 11:22 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
It's ALL ABOUT THE SWORDS!
Swords are, of course, a HUGE part of the story. A sword tells a lot about a person; what kind of sword they favour gives you an idea of their preferences, their style, even their personality.
kiraofthewind.com Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 19h
Hey there, #JanuaryWorldbuilders! Yesterday I asked about ranged weapons, so today is for melee/close-range weapons! Whacha got for me? Are people using swords and maces? Got any cool polearms? Or are your characters conducting business with their fists, teeth, and claws?
MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #JanuaryWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 3: Weapons/Armor 20. What kind of melee weapons are used in your world? The background image shows a blurred magic tree with a waterfall coming down between two halves of its trunk. It’s nighttime and the night sky is magical with lots of blues and pinks and purples
January 20, 2026 at 10:20 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
A snip from some of my writing last weekend — a rare glimpse at Bron's backstory, something I will try not to post too much of to avoid spoilers 😉

#WriteSky
#WritingCommunity
#WIPsnips
Her clothing was heavy with rainwater, her exposed skin stinging from the cold, and by the time she stopped running she was shivering so hard her teeth chittered uncontrollably. She had never felt colder in her life — would not feel colder, until the climb up the mountain years later.
January 20, 2026 at 8:37 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
Originally I was using a name for Bronwyn which I'd kept a hold of for a FMC name for years — but changed it in the third draft after some feedback from a friend.
Rehara on the other hand is a name I've used before in an RP character, and I wanted to use that personality to guide my writing.
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social ❄️Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta ☃️ @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 1d
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

Writing technical question!

Do you name your characters right away or do you use placeholder names?

Are the placeholders descriptive or just filler names you'll change?

Has a placeholder ever grown on you?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 20, 2026 at 8:32 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
Muskets (or musket-lances) were the changing technology which ended the mage war; putting potent ranged killing ability into the hands of ordinary, even untrained people, the force with which lead shot is propelled by gunpowder is sufficient to overwhelm defensive magic;

#WriteSky
#WritingCommunity
A wheel locking musket
January 19, 2026 at 12:12 PM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
The whole "post yourself in 2016 versus now" has made me realise how much of a baby face I had then compared to now. Beard and glasses age me 20 years, not just 10.
January 19, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Reposted by R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
nehayazmin.bsky.social
when your BFF is far too good at being your fake boyfriend

#WIPsnips: ‘drain’
#writesky #writingcommunity #romancebooks #booksky #YA #YAlit
Every now and then, Ryhan drops a kiss on my shoulder, slides a hand down my back, or tucks stray locks of my hair behind my ears. His fingers linger against my skin to make the others think he can't stop touching me. I grit my teeth so not to shiver at his touch. Still, my breaths don't keep their usual rhythm and my voice trembles if I speak when Ryhan's being particularly affectionate. This is a torturous kind of pleasure. Afterwards, Aaron, Ryhan, and I enjoy our hot chocolates in the massive lounge while the others drain the wine and beer bottles they opened at dinner. Moodboard for ALL YOUR QASAMS with a quote from the novel reading ‘You are madness incarnate’ and five images: picture of a hot chocolate drink and heart-shaped cookies, a couple embracing during a boat ride, a young south Asian girl in south Asian bridal wear and jewellery smiling down at her maroon outfit, a close-up of a young man kissing the forehead of a young woman, a close-up the joined hands of a south Asian bride and groom, a young man in an aesthetic library reading a hardcover text book. The moodboard has the premise of the story written above it, which reads: “17-year-old Kavi thinks this year is her last chance to meet a boy and fall in love—due to a certain Qasam—and is out to find a boyfriend. Enter Aaron Mirza. He’s perfect, smitten. So, she must be perfect too. Her childhood best friend Ryhan will show her the ropes and become her Practice Boyfriend, right? But Ryhan has a secret, which could ruin everything. And if Kavi’s strict grandfather learns about her boyfriends, the real one or the fake, he’ll crush her dreams of moving to Scotland for her Medicine Degree.”
January 19, 2026 at 9:57 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
I was worried I wouldn't find anything for "Drain", but turns out it's linked to several very emotional moments for poor Bron already, so I had a hard time choosing which one would be best!

#WIPsnips
#WriteSky
#WritingCommunity
Simmering fury died away to mere heat – and then the anger drained from her altogether. All at once, all Bronwyn wanted to do was cry – tears welled in her eyes, and her next breath was a choked sob.Not paying attention to where she had been going, only that she was climbing high into the tower structure away from the underground chambers were the Forge lay, she realised she was in a part of the temple she had never been in before. A long, narrow corridor along the outer wall, where shattered windows let in frigid air from without.
January 19, 2026 at 9:24 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
I spent a LOT of time working with HEMA friends to work out exactly what armour Bron wears, so I'm really glad this came up!

When she's travelling very lightly, Bron wears only a gambeson, with hard leather boots. Both to save on weight and not make herself a target.

#WriteSky
#WritingCommunity
kiraofthewind.com Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 2d
#JanuaryWorldbuilders Heya! I can't let it ONLY be weapon talk this week! What kind of armor do your characters wear? Or what kind generally is made in your world? What material is it made from?
MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #JanuaryWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 3: Weapons/Armor 18. What kind of armor is used in your world? The background image shows a blurred magic tree with a waterfall coming down between two halves of its trunk. It’s nighttime and the night sky is magical with lots of blues and pinks and purples
January 18, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
kathyravyn.bsky.social
Been looking forward to this one. The last line is one of my favorites from draft one — I hope you like it as much as I do! I remember really liking it the day I wrote it.

#WipSNIPS #WritingCommunity #writing #amwriting #writesky #authorsky #writingprompts
Change. Change was right. Everything seemed to be happening so fast. It all started when Mitali moved in. All this stuff. This gnawing feeling, that I should know more about my other half. And I felt something truly scary. I felt the layers of my carefully constructed mask slowly peel away. The remains sitting at my feet, as I wondered, what laid beneath that mask?
January 18, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
natania.bsky.social
Please, never be shy telling an author you loved their books.

It’s seriously what gets us through.
January 18, 2026 at 1:41 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
The Remaining Wizards, in today's snip; Hal tells Bronwyn the origin of the Mage War, and tells her of Malachi, the wizard who turned on his peers and comrades in the name of pursuing his dark magic...

#WIPsnips
#WriteSky
#WritingCommunity
His eyes closed, and Hal clenched his wrinkled hands into trembling fists. “Aware that their will was being defied, the remaining Great Houses came together, and decided that for the safety of all, for the sanctity of magic itself, Malachi had to be stopped. In our arrogance, we kept the truth of this conflict away from the leaders of the nations, thinking that the allure of power and the dead returned to life would only entice them to join the enemy. So, not understanding, they believed the war was an ideological schism only, a difference in opinion writ large by Wizards who did not value the lives of ordinary people. They were, in truth, correct.”
January 18, 2026 at 11:14 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
Bron is a TERRIBLE shopper. She cannot cook to save her life. Has never had to. As a child her meals were provided by guardians, and as an apprentice, Hal did all the cooking; alone, she buys meals. She would know to buy meat, potatoes, maybe something like rice and a simple vegetable like carrot.
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social ❄️Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta ☃️ @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 3d
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

Silly hypothetical today! Your character is going grocery shopping! What are they getting and what kind of shopper are they?

Organized list-maker? Impulse buyer? Forgets half the ingredients and has to go back?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 17, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Reposted by R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
pinkzombierose.bsky.social
Word of mouth is the way. It’s the only thing that will make any real difference for a title. That’s why I get so excited when I share a book and you guys buy it. I know how much of a game changer it can be. Have you heard about this book called Pink Zombie Rose: Major Arcana Vol I?
January 17, 2026 at 1:39 AM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
Another couple thousand words added to my WIP today, as well as a little editing and revisiting, so after some dinner it's time to unwind with a nice glass of wine...

And DOOM.
a video game character with spiked armor and a helmet that says ' doom eternal ' on it
Alt: THE DOOM SLAYER.
media.tenor.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:16 PM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
Bronwyn makes a lot of promises - to herself, to the people she cares about - keeping them is something she strives to do in a difficult world. She commits without thinking, even if it's difficult, and against all odds she does her best to keep her word.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social ❄️Charlie (Chelizabeth) Delta ☃️ @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 4d
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

Let's talk promises! Does your character make them easily, or does it take a lot to get them to make a promise? Does it depend on the promise, or the person?

What would it take to make them break that promise?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
January 17, 2026 at 5:34 PM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
I was excited to see this come up on snips today, since Bronwyn's eyes are (under a certain light) gold; they're really a very pale brown, but gold in the sun. Today's snip features something of a description of how she looks, too, which is always a bonus!

#WIPsnips
#WriteSky
#WritingCommunity
Staring at her reflection, Bronwyn wondered – not for the first time – whose features were looking back at her. How much of people she didn’t know was hidden in her own face? Did she have her mother’s dark hair, or her father’s? Were her cheekbones sharp like his, or was it her mother’s face she wore? Father’s dark skin, (though that had been reddened by the burns) like teak wood? Mother’s eyes, pale brown as though gold in the sun, or father’s, umber in the shadows?
January 17, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
avantris.bsky.social
D&D Animated: The DM Has CRAZY Sound Effects! 😱

#dnd #ttrpg #dnd5e
January 16, 2026 at 11:04 PM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
I want it to feel like the first part of a greater journey; satisfying and fulfilled in and of itself, but with burning questions still to answer.
shadowsparkpub.bsky.social Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · 4d
Happy Friday!! We made it!

Alright, this one is for writers: What do you hope a reader feels when they reach the final page of your story?

#WritingQ #booksky #writesky 🪐📚💙
Friday Writerly/readerly Question ?
January 16, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by R.J.M. — Writer — DRAFT 3! 📖🎮🎥🤖✍️🦸🏻‍♂️
adwills.bsky.social
💘💫💘　 🌝💘💫
🌝　　 💫 🌈　　 🌈
🌈 people who say 🌝
💫 nice things about 💘
　 🌝 my characters 💫
　　 🌈　　　 🌈
　 💫 🌝
　　　　　 💘
January 16, 2026 at 6:16 PM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
My wife is visiting her grandparents, so with the house to myself, I've cooked a delicious seafood pasta (she hates seafood of any kind so I don't cook it when she's here) and settled in to watch Wake Up Dead Man with a glass of wine, with whiskey to follow! 😁
January 16, 2026 at 8:12 PM
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
...ummm, not to alarm anyone, but according to Star Trek...
Though so far we've not had the Irish Reunification or Bell Riots in 2024, so maybe we're in the evil timeline from Picard or the Mirror Universe...
January 16, 2026 at 2:50 PM