Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
@alyssavisscher.bsky.social
Passionate about D&D, TTRPGs, embracing messy middles, faith, and the power of story.
Impressively terrible at small talk.
🏳️🌈 AuDHD ♿ Parent of 4 🇨🇦
Freelance writer.
alyssavisscher.com/about-me/
Impressively terrible at small talk.
🏳️🌈 AuDHD ♿ Parent of 4 🇨🇦
Freelance writer.
alyssavisscher.com/about-me/
Pinned
Hey new followers! I'm thrilled to meet you here!
I'm an ADHD, Autistic, queer disabled writer and designer. I consulted on D&D's 2024 DMG, with a focus on making it friendly for new and neurodivergent DMs. I also write adventures, and the occasional article for D&D Beyond.
I'm an ADHD, Autistic, queer disabled writer and designer. I consulted on D&D's 2024 DMG, with a focus on making it friendly for new and neurodivergent DMs. I also write adventures, and the occasional article for D&D Beyond.
I've been offline the last few days but the news of Alice Wong's death felt like a punch to the gut, for reasons that are hard to articulate. Best I can fit into words right now is: no one values the lives of disabled people except we who are disabled, so losing each other always hurts all the more.
November 16, 2025 at 5:21 AM
I've been offline the last few days but the news of Alice Wong's death felt like a punch to the gut, for reasons that are hard to articulate. Best I can fit into words right now is: no one values the lives of disabled people except we who are disabled, so losing each other always hurts all the more.
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
My bluesky mentions are constantly a stream of people who have low to no reading comprehension but think they are the exception.
What's more, I believe "knowing I am not the audience for this and should skip this" is very much a part of reading comprehension. And bsky fails this one. Constantly.
What's more, I believe "knowing I am not the audience for this and should skip this" is very much a part of reading comprehension. And bsky fails this one. Constantly.
Oh my god. I just looked it up. Suddenly a lot of...everything...is coming into focus. People have no reading comprehension because they can't read but think they can?!
November 11, 2025 at 10:42 PM
My bluesky mentions are constantly a stream of people who have low to no reading comprehension but think they are the exception.
What's more, I believe "knowing I am not the audience for this and should skip this" is very much a part of reading comprehension. And bsky fails this one. Constantly.
What's more, I believe "knowing I am not the audience for this and should skip this" is very much a part of reading comprehension. And bsky fails this one. Constantly.
This is SO WILD, I'm stunned. Like holy shit, no wonder we've got a media literacy crisis: we've been teaching the fundamentals of even basic literacy so completely wrong.
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't kno...
www.apmreports.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
This is SO WILD, I'm stunned. Like holy shit, no wonder we've got a media literacy crisis: we've been teaching the fundamentals of even basic literacy so completely wrong.
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
ever since I learned about three-cueing I've developed infinitely more patience for replies on social media. mfers literally do not know how to read. people are walking around conjuring random meanings into words they don't know, and they don't know a lot of words. it's crazy
November 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
ever since I learned about three-cueing I've developed infinitely more patience for replies on social media. mfers literally do not know how to read. people are walking around conjuring random meanings into words they don't know, and they don't know a lot of words. it's crazy
I just displayed an inappropriate amount of gratitude towards my pharmacist and their staff, because after MULTIPLE YEARS of having to play DOUBLE dispensation charges for both 45mg and 55mg capsules, they FINALLY could get the 100mg Foquest capsules.
My "act normal" filter was very late to kick in
My "act normal" filter was very late to kick in
November 4, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I just displayed an inappropriate amount of gratitude towards my pharmacist and their staff, because after MULTIPLE YEARS of having to play DOUBLE dispensation charges for both 45mg and 55mg capsules, they FINALLY could get the 100mg Foquest capsules.
My "act normal" filter was very late to kick in
My "act normal" filter was very late to kick in
There's a particular type of worldbuilding happening in the new-ish genre of cozy, contemporary paranormal romance novels, of towns and communities built to serve the wildly diverse needs of their different species, and I need to know that people are studying this for Crip models of accessibility—
November 3, 2025 at 2:17 AM
There's a particular type of worldbuilding happening in the new-ish genre of cozy, contemporary paranormal romance novels, of towns and communities built to serve the wildly diverse needs of their different species, and I need to know that people are studying this for Crip models of accessibility—
A retired Bishop preached at my Anglican church, teaching about Jesus' "woes". After a little entomology lesson comparing "woe" to a frustrated groan, he invites suggestions for modern substitution.
After the service ends I, very helpfully unironicly suggest the word he's looking for is "fuck."
After the service ends I, very helpfully unironicly suggest the word he's looking for is "fuck."
November 3, 2025 at 1:52 AM
A retired Bishop preached at my Anglican church, teaching about Jesus' "woes". After a little entomology lesson comparing "woe" to a frustrated groan, he invites suggestions for modern substitution.
After the service ends I, very helpfully unironicly suggest the word he's looking for is "fuck."
After the service ends I, very helpfully unironicly suggest the word he's looking for is "fuck."
One of my best data points for my longer-term mental health is the family monthly chalkboard. When I'm doing well it gets updated every month. When I'm not... well BEHOLD the calendar on this day of our lord October 27...😂
(It's been a rough couple of months but I think we've found some stability?)
(It's been a rough couple of months but I think we've found some stability?)
October 27, 2025 at 7:46 PM
One of my best data points for my longer-term mental health is the family monthly chalkboard. When I'm doing well it gets updated every month. When I'm not... well BEHOLD the calendar on this day of our lord October 27...😂
(It's been a rough couple of months but I think we've found some stability?)
(It's been a rough couple of months but I think we've found some stability?)
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
Since I have a lot of rural Alberta folks who follow me: the Edmonton police are looking for anyone with property with an old well north of Edmonton to contact them (more details in the video). It's for a cold case.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtRo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtRo...
Cold case: Edmonton police searching for remains of Ruth Clarke who has been missing since 1990
YouTube video by CTV News
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Since I have a lot of rural Alberta folks who follow me: the Edmonton police are looking for anyone with property with an old well north of Edmonton to contact them (more details in the video). It's for a cold case.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtRo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtRo...
One of my kiddos has a complete meltdown this morning because... Their roblux background was set to dark instead of light...
Clearly we're dealing with week 3 of the teachers' strike SO WELL 🫠😂
Clearly we're dealing with week 3 of the teachers' strike SO WELL 🫠😂
October 21, 2025 at 4:38 PM
One of my kiddos has a complete meltdown this morning because... Their roblux background was set to dark instead of light...
Clearly we're dealing with week 3 of the teachers' strike SO WELL 🫠😂
Clearly we're dealing with week 3 of the teachers' strike SO WELL 🫠😂
The other day I saw a tiktok that acknowledged scrolling social media for the continual drip-dripping hits of dopamine is a perfectly acceptable form of self-medicating pain-relief for those of us with chronic pain and illnesses, and let me tell you, I have not been able to stop thinking about it.
October 16, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The other day I saw a tiktok that acknowledged scrolling social media for the continual drip-dripping hits of dopamine is a perfectly acceptable form of self-medicating pain-relief for those of us with chronic pain and illnesses, and let me tell you, I have not been able to stop thinking about it.
Reddit is such a fun place because you'll be on the Critical Role subreddit and someone will post a picture of Liam taking notes with a multicolour pen (the classic BIC) and some [probably autistic] person will go "excuse me, I know of a better multi-pen", because OF COURSE and now I need this pen.
October 15, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Reddit is such a fun place because you'll be on the Critical Role subreddit and someone will post a picture of Liam taking notes with a multicolour pen (the classic BIC) and some [probably autistic] person will go "excuse me, I know of a better multi-pen", because OF COURSE and now I need this pen.
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
In the years between my higher ed job and Paizo, I was getting by as a freelancer, which is HARD. More than once mutual aid kept me housed and fed. Folks turned up for me when I needed it most.
Let's do the same for @oregonthedm.bsky.social ! Please boost and, if you have a bit to give, please do.
Let's do the same for @oregonthedm.bsky.social ! Please boost and, if you have a bit to give, please do.
October 14, 2025 at 11:09 PM
In the years between my higher ed job and Paizo, I was getting by as a freelancer, which is HARD. More than once mutual aid kept me housed and fed. Folks turned up for me when I needed it most.
Let's do the same for @oregonthedm.bsky.social ! Please boost and, if you have a bit to give, please do.
Let's do the same for @oregonthedm.bsky.social ! Please boost and, if you have a bit to give, please do.
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
The "AI" responses that Google gives about me and my work are consistently error-prone, which I know because I am me. If I know Google's "AI" responses give incorrect answers about things I know about, I can't trust it to give correct answers about things I don't know. So, no, I don't use it.
I’m surprised you don’t use ai answer engines in research you currently do with Google
October 2, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The "AI" responses that Google gives about me and my work are consistently error-prone, which I know because I am me. If I know Google's "AI" responses give incorrect answers about things I know about, I can't trust it to give correct answers about things I don't know. So, no, I don't use it.
Gosh I forgot how cold fingers get in -1 weather. I need new mittens.
October 13, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Gosh I forgot how cold fingers get in -1 weather. I need new mittens.
Look, I just think D&D's Giant Octopus stat block should better reflect their, like, independent tentacle brains.
I don't know HOW, I just know that it SHOULD.
I don't know HOW, I just know that it SHOULD.
October 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Look, I just think D&D's Giant Octopus stat block should better reflect their, like, independent tentacle brains.
I don't know HOW, I just know that it SHOULD.
I don't know HOW, I just know that it SHOULD.
Every so often I'm hit with the very firm reminder that I grew up in a very rural Canadian prairie.
Today, it's a scene in a contemporary romance where the man takes the woman on a date at the "skating rink" and I reread eight pages three times, confused until I remember rinks without ice do exist.
Today, it's a scene in a contemporary romance where the man takes the woman on a date at the "skating rink" and I reread eight pages three times, confused until I remember rinks without ice do exist.
October 9, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Every so often I'm hit with the very firm reminder that I grew up in a very rural Canadian prairie.
Today, it's a scene in a contemporary romance where the man takes the woman on a date at the "skating rink" and I reread eight pages three times, confused until I remember rinks without ice do exist.
Today, it's a scene in a contemporary romance where the man takes the woman on a date at the "skating rink" and I reread eight pages three times, confused until I remember rinks without ice do exist.
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
We are one week closer to the release of OMENS OF CHAOS, and the glorious return of Magic the Gathering long-form fiction!
October 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM
We are one week closer to the release of OMENS OF CHAOS, and the glorious return of Magic the Gathering long-form fiction!
I spent my miraculous 2 work hours today writing a scathing letter to everyone responsible for the Albertan teachers strike (ie all the government officials), and brainstorming a new D&D campaign. The latter might not sound like a good use of time, but it's my first joyful creative spark in months.
October 8, 2025 at 11:38 PM
I spent my miraculous 2 work hours today writing a scathing letter to everyone responsible for the Albertan teachers strike (ie all the government officials), and brainstorming a new D&D campaign. The latter might not sound like a good use of time, but it's my first joyful creative spark in months.
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
repost this if an editor has ever saved you from yourself
An actual hot take: Too many authors are afraid of editors watering down their voice or whatever and not afraid enough of editors letting you put any old slop on the page.
October 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
repost this if an editor has ever saved you from yourself
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
Because it feels relevant as we continue to evaluate the media and our representatives’ statements, my favorite way to identify the active vs. passive voice.
![A post by Rebecca Johnson:
“I finally learned how to teach my guys to ID the passive voice. If you can insert "by zombies" after the verb, you have passive voice.”
A tumblr respond from mightymur:
“The final, brilliant word on passive voice.
"She was killed [by zombies.]"<--passive
"Zombies killed [by zombies] her." <-- active”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kfrqgupz2gfe4fnqs7tunewt/bafkreih7pn6bwnhxtkd6xpfcck6gnwiqsuuixc4suhzfo4qi7djweo3ggm@jpeg)
October 7, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Because it feels relevant as we continue to evaluate the media and our representatives’ statements, my favorite way to identify the active vs. passive voice.
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
TODAY'S THE DAY! Making Enemies: Monster Design Inspiration for Tabletop Roleplaying Games, with cover illustration by @kroovv.bsky.social and interior illos by @jencmars.bsky.social, is now on shelves!
Get it at your friendly local game store or through one of these links: spyandowl.com/making...
Get it at your friendly local game store or through one of these links: spyandowl.com/making...
October 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
TODAY'S THE DAY! Making Enemies: Monster Design Inspiration for Tabletop Roleplaying Games, with cover illustration by @kroovv.bsky.social and interior illos by @jencmars.bsky.social, is now on shelves!
Get it at your friendly local game store or through one of these links: spyandowl.com/making...
Get it at your friendly local game store or through one of these links: spyandowl.com/making...
Reposted by Alyssa Visscher (she/they)
"It’s a beast. A monster. A behemoth. But it’s a behemoth of the very best kind. It’s a CR 30 epic boss of a book with a treasure hoard of inspiration. I don’t know what you expected from Keith Ammann, but it was probably this."
Read the @scrollforinit.bsky.social review: scrollforinitiative....
Read the @scrollforinit.bsky.social review: scrollforinitiative....
October 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
"It’s a beast. A monster. A behemoth. But it’s a behemoth of the very best kind. It’s a CR 30 epic boss of a book with a treasure hoard of inspiration. I don’t know what you expected from Keith Ammann, but it was probably this."
Read the @scrollforinit.bsky.social review: scrollforinitiative....
Read the @scrollforinit.bsky.social review: scrollforinitiative....
Random thought: I really wish all video games had an accessibility setting to turn scrolling/unfolding text into instant-appearing text because wowow the unfolding text makes my eyes hurt and my head dizzy.
October 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Random thought: I really wish all video games had an accessibility setting to turn scrolling/unfolding text into instant-appearing text because wowow the unfolding text makes my eyes hurt and my head dizzy.
Look what came in the mail today! It's @themonstersknow.com's new book! I'll dig deeper into it, but I already love how this book is about so much more than just D&D. He has specific advice in each section for Pathfinder, Shadowdark, Cypher System, and Cal of Cthulhu, in addition to 2014/2024 D&D.
October 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Look what came in the mail today! It's @themonstersknow.com's new book! I'll dig deeper into it, but I already love how this book is about so much more than just D&D. He has specific advice in each section for Pathfinder, Shadowdark, Cypher System, and Cal of Cthulhu, in addition to 2014/2024 D&D.