Cat Burgess
@catburgess.bsky.social
Romance writer, horticulturist, and ironically, allergic to cats. she/her
November 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
I have three scenes left to write in this first draft of my new WIP. Think I can finish it by the end of the week? 🤞
#amwriting
#amwriting
October 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I have three scenes left to write in this first draft of my new WIP. Think I can finish it by the end of the week? 🤞
#amwriting
#amwriting
I told myself I couldn't hyperfocus on the draft of this MS. One scene per day for an estimated 9 weeks should do it.
But I'm currently on track to finish before then. Within 8 weeks. It might be a skinny first draft for this chronic over-writer, but I'm pretty proud of myself for getting it done.
But I'm currently on track to finish before then. Within 8 weeks. It might be a skinny first draft for this chronic over-writer, but I'm pretty proud of myself for getting it done.
October 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I told myself I couldn't hyperfocus on the draft of this MS. One scene per day for an estimated 9 weeks should do it.
But I'm currently on track to finish before then. Within 8 weeks. It might be a skinny first draft for this chronic over-writer, but I'm pretty proud of myself for getting it done.
But I'm currently on track to finish before then. Within 8 weeks. It might be a skinny first draft for this chronic over-writer, but I'm pretty proud of myself for getting it done.
I just entered #RevPit #10Queries. Enter now for a chance to win free feedback on your query and 1st 5 pages.
Wish me luck! 🤞
#amquerying #writesky
Wish me luck! 🤞
#amquerying #writesky
October 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
I just entered #RevPit #10Queries. Enter now for a chance to win free feedback on your query and 1st 5 pages.
Wish me luck! 🤞
#amquerying #writesky
Wish me luck! 🤞
#amquerying #writesky
Reposted by Cat Burgess
💃THREE more days! 💃
Submissions open in three(!) days for your opportunity for FREE feedback from our lovely editors on your query letter + first pages.
Question of the day: have you queried this manuscript before? What's your journey been like? #amquerying #amwriting #writersky #writersofbsky
Submissions open in three(!) days for your opportunity for FREE feedback from our lovely editors on your query letter + first pages.
Question of the day: have you queried this manuscript before? What's your journey been like? #amquerying #amwriting #writersky #writersofbsky
October 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
💃THREE more days! 💃
Submissions open in three(!) days for your opportunity for FREE feedback from our lovely editors on your query letter + first pages.
Question of the day: have you queried this manuscript before? What's your journey been like? #amquerying #amwriting #writersky #writersofbsky
Submissions open in three(!) days for your opportunity for FREE feedback from our lovely editors on your query letter + first pages.
Question of the day: have you queried this manuscript before? What's your journey been like? #amquerying #amwriting #writersky #writersofbsky
The thing about #amquerying is you get excited to hear back from someone, even if it's a rejection. And then you have to pause and remind yourself, oh yeah, I'm supposed to be sad about that. 🤦♀️
I'm thankful, though, for the agents who give quick, kind rejections. My spreadsheet thanks you, too. 🫶
I'm thankful, though, for the agents who give quick, kind rejections. My spreadsheet thanks you, too. 🫶
October 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The thing about #amquerying is you get excited to hear back from someone, even if it's a rejection. And then you have to pause and remind yourself, oh yeah, I'm supposed to be sad about that. 🤦♀️
I'm thankful, though, for the agents who give quick, kind rejections. My spreadsheet thanks you, too. 🫶
I'm thankful, though, for the agents who give quick, kind rejections. My spreadsheet thanks you, too. 🫶
I gave into that impulse to kiss her without asking, without warning, and I scared her. God, I can’t stand the thought of her being uncomfortable around me. I have to put us back on safe footing, even as my heart pounds against my ribs that it’s an enormous step backward.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
The #WIPSnips word for October 7th is "safe"
Sorry to those who expect an earlier post, there was a scheduling issue.
#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WriteSky
Sorry to those who expect an earlier post, there was a scheduling issue.
#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WriteSky
October 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I gave into that impulse to kiss her without asking, without warning, and I scared her. God, I can’t stand the thought of her being uncomfortable around me. I have to put us back on safe footing, even as my heart pounds against my ribs that it’s an enormous step backward.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
“I thought the hotel changed some things between us.” His brows are drawn down.
“Nope,” I say way too quickly, and take a step back. I do not want to hear what he has to say about that night. I can’t bear to think about the way he’d held me like he was afraid I would disappear any second.
#WIPSnips
“Nope,” I say way too quickly, and take a step back. I do not want to hear what he has to say about that night. I can’t bear to think about the way he’d held me like he was afraid I would disappear any second.
#WIPSnips
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips
The words for September 29th is "bear"
(While inspired by Fat Bear Week, as always, synonyms, variations and ✨vibes✨ are fine, so it doesn't have to be a literal bear.)
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The words for September 29th is "bear"
(While inspired by Fat Bear Week, as always, synonyms, variations and ✨vibes✨ are fine, so it doesn't have to be a literal bear.)
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
September 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
“I thought the hotel changed some things between us.” His brows are drawn down.
“Nope,” I say way too quickly, and take a step back. I do not want to hear what he has to say about that night. I can’t bear to think about the way he’d held me like he was afraid I would disappear any second.
#WIPSnips
“Nope,” I say way too quickly, and take a step back. I do not want to hear what he has to say about that night. I can’t bear to think about the way he’d held me like he was afraid I would disappear any second.
#WIPSnips
Guilt twists in my belly when I think about the last couple weeks. His tenderness when I burned my hand, and the way I’d melted into his touch, absorbing the glow of his attention like it was a ray of sunshine after weeks of rain.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Guilt twists in my belly when I think about the last couple weeks. His tenderness when I burned my hand, and the way I’d melted into his touch, absorbing the glow of his attention like it was a ray of sunshine after weeks of rain.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
His fingers slip under my shirt leaving a trail of fire everywhere & I arch into his touch, letting him tilt my head as he leaves a hot line of kisses over my collarbone. He skims down my back & around my ribcage, thumbs gently stroking the underside of my breasts & I whimper into his lips
#WIPSnips
#WIPSnips
September 24, 2025 at 5:10 PM
His fingers slip under my shirt leaving a trail of fire everywhere & I arch into his touch, letting him tilt my head as he leaves a hot line of kisses over my collarbone. He skims down my back & around my ribcage, thumbs gently stroking the underside of my breasts & I whimper into his lips
#WIPSnips
#WIPSnips
The vineyard uses fake plants for decor. That’s ironic. My eyes snag on a pothos on the end of a floating shelf. Maybe that one’s real. A patron brushes it on their way to the bathrooms and I watch the vine wave too stiffly.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The vineyard uses fake plants for decor. That’s ironic. My eyes snag on a pothos on the end of a floating shelf. Maybe that one’s real. A patron brushes it on their way to the bathrooms and I watch the vine wave too stiffly.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
I had been this close to losing her. I’d been beating myself up for it, imagining her on a Hawaiian beach with the wrong man when I’d come into the greenhouse and frozen at the sight of her red puffy eyes, and felt my heart start to beat again.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I had been this close to losing her. I’d been beating myself up for it, imagining her on a Hawaiian beach with the wrong man when I’d come into the greenhouse and frozen at the sight of her red puffy eyes, and felt my heart start to beat again.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
Today's weather reminded me of living in Dublin, walking beneath woolly clouds as a cool breeze carried my hair. And getting that whiff of cigarette smoke as I passed one house just really put the finishing touch on the scene. Real authentic experience. 👌
September 17, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Today's weather reminded me of living in Dublin, walking beneath woolly clouds as a cool breeze carried my hair. And getting that whiff of cigarette smoke as I passed one house just really put the finishing touch on the scene. Real authentic experience. 👌
I change in the bathroom & run my hands under the water. A twenty minute car ride with Mackenzie shouldn’t make my hands shake. I spend forty hours alone in a greenhouse w/ her every week, for crying out loud, why is this different?
You know why, a small voice in my head says.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
You know why, a small voice in my head says.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 17, 2025 at 12:52 PM
I change in the bathroom & run my hands under the water. A twenty minute car ride with Mackenzie shouldn’t make my hands shake. I spend forty hours alone in a greenhouse w/ her every week, for crying out loud, why is this different?
You know why, a small voice in my head says.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
You know why, a small voice in my head says.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
But because Collin’s watching me and our competition is clearly still on, I lift my chin. “I wouldn’t be so sure.” Okay, I’ve had better lines, but kissing this man has put me out of practice.
His smirk deepens like he knows just looking at him scrambles my brain now.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
His smirk deepens like he knows just looking at him scrambles my brain now.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 16, 2025 at 6:56 PM
But because Collin’s watching me and our competition is clearly still on, I lift my chin. “I wouldn’t be so sure.” Okay, I’ve had better lines, but kissing this man has put me out of practice.
His smirk deepens like he knows just looking at him scrambles my brain now.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
His smirk deepens like he knows just looking at him scrambles my brain now.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
“One of us has to leave,” I say instead.
“Leave where? You’re at my house, if you’ll remember.”
“I mean Potting Around.”
The only sound from the bathroom is the faucet’s slow drip. “Why?” he finally asks.
“Because we’re the worst functioning team there ever was."
#WIPSnips #amquerying #booksky
“Leave where? You’re at my house, if you’ll remember.”
“I mean Potting Around.”
The only sound from the bathroom is the faucet’s slow drip. “Why?” he finally asks.
“Because we’re the worst functioning team there ever was."
#WIPSnips #amquerying #booksky
Happy FriYAY!
The #WIPSnips word for September 12th is "worst"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The #WIPSnips word for September 12th is "worst"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
September 12, 2025 at 12:18 PM
“One of us has to leave,” I say instead.
“Leave where? You’re at my house, if you’ll remember.”
“I mean Potting Around.”
The only sound from the bathroom is the faucet’s slow drip. “Why?” he finally asks.
“Because we’re the worst functioning team there ever was."
#WIPSnips #amquerying #booksky
“Leave where? You’re at my house, if you’ll remember.”
“I mean Potting Around.”
The only sound from the bathroom is the faucet’s slow drip. “Why?” he finally asks.
“Because we’re the worst functioning team there ever was."
#WIPSnips #amquerying #booksky
“He looks happy with her.”
Collin takes a half step closer, hands wrapping around both my arms. I go still, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. “He would’ve been happy with you if he knew what was good for him,” he says so firmly that my vision blurs. “Do you hear me, Mackenzie?”
#WIPSnips #amquerying
Collin takes a half step closer, hands wrapping around both my arms. I go still, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. “He would’ve been happy with you if he knew what was good for him,” he says so firmly that my vision blurs. “Do you hear me, Mackenzie?”
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
“He looks happy with her.”
Collin takes a half step closer, hands wrapping around both my arms. I go still, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. “He would’ve been happy with you if he knew what was good for him,” he says so firmly that my vision blurs. “Do you hear me, Mackenzie?”
#WIPSnips #amquerying
Collin takes a half step closer, hands wrapping around both my arms. I go still, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. “He would’ve been happy with you if he knew what was good for him,” he says so firmly that my vision blurs. “Do you hear me, Mackenzie?”
#WIPSnips #amquerying
It feels like I'm doing a lot of waiting around these days. Waiting to hear back from agents. Waiting to hear back about competitions, about that short story that was going to be pubbed ages ago. And all of it is out of my control. Best I can do is find something else to do.
#amquerying #amwaiting
#amquerying #amwaiting
September 10, 2025 at 7:02 PM
It feels like I'm doing a lot of waiting around these days. Waiting to hear back from agents. Waiting to hear back about competitions, about that short story that was going to be pubbed ages ago. And all of it is out of my control. Best I can do is find something else to do.
#amquerying #amwaiting
#amquerying #amwaiting
The sounds from the deck are a low hum outside, and this is the first time I’ve been alone with her all evening.
“Mind if I join?” I ask with an up-nod.
She offers me a small smile. “Sure.”
I sink into the sofa and inhale more of that heavenly floral scent I’ve been missing.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
“Mind if I join?” I ask with an up-nod.
She offers me a small smile. “Sure.”
I sink into the sofa and inhale more of that heavenly floral scent I’ve been missing.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
The sounds from the deck are a low hum outside, and this is the first time I’ve been alone with her all evening.
“Mind if I join?” I ask with an up-nod.
She offers me a small smile. “Sure.”
I sink into the sofa and inhale more of that heavenly floral scent I’ve been missing.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
“Mind if I join?” I ask with an up-nod.
She offers me a small smile. “Sure.”
I sink into the sofa and inhale more of that heavenly floral scent I’ve been missing.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
Very disappointed to report that, despite exhaustive planning and plotting, this first draft is still destined to be a shitty first draft.
Someone remind me it's SUPPOSED to be terrible the first time, and that I should have expected this all along. 🤌
#amwriting #writesky
Someone remind me it's SUPPOSED to be terrible the first time, and that I should have expected this all along. 🤌
#amwriting #writesky
September 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Very disappointed to report that, despite exhaustive planning and plotting, this first draft is still destined to be a shitty first draft.
Someone remind me it's SUPPOSED to be terrible the first time, and that I should have expected this all along. 🤌
#amwriting #writesky
Someone remind me it's SUPPOSED to be terrible the first time, and that I should have expected this all along. 🤌
#amwriting #writesky
Her hair is loose, falling over her shoulder in a cascade of blond curls, and her cheeks are rosy. Those blue eyes are hooded with drowsiness, and there’s a sudden pressure on my chest as I realize this is what Mackenzie looks like when she wakes up.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Her hair is loose, falling over her shoulder in a cascade of blond curls, and her cheeks are rosy. Those blue eyes are hooded with drowsiness, and there’s a sudden pressure on my chest as I realize this is what Mackenzie looks like when she wakes up.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
“I can put on a bandaid, you know. I don’t need you to —”
“Just … let me,” Collin says in a pained kind of voice I’ve never heard before.
Surprise dries up my retort.
I don’t recognize this version of Collin who’s developed a psychic ability to tell when I’m upset or hurting.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
“Just … let me,” Collin says in a pained kind of voice I’ve never heard before.
Surprise dries up my retort.
I don’t recognize this version of Collin who’s developed a psychic ability to tell when I’m upset or hurting.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips
The word for September 8th is "ability"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The word for September 8th is "ability"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
September 8, 2025 at 1:59 PM
“I can put on a bandaid, you know. I don’t need you to —”
“Just … let me,” Collin says in a pained kind of voice I’ve never heard before.
Surprise dries up my retort.
I don’t recognize this version of Collin who’s developed a psychic ability to tell when I’m upset or hurting.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
“Just … let me,” Collin says in a pained kind of voice I’ve never heard before.
Surprise dries up my retort.
I don’t recognize this version of Collin who’s developed a psychic ability to tell when I’m upset or hurting.
#WIPSnips #amquerying
Nothing like drafting a new WIP to take your mind off your #amquerying MS! Even if it's only until you finish a scene and then check your inbox ✨just in case.✨
One week in, and I'm at 17K words and getting excited for this new story 🥰
One week in, and I'm at 17K words and getting excited for this new story 🥰
September 5, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Nothing like drafting a new WIP to take your mind off your #amquerying MS! Even if it's only until you finish a scene and then check your inbox ✨just in case.✨
One week in, and I'm at 17K words and getting excited for this new story 🥰
One week in, and I'm at 17K words and getting excited for this new story 🥰
Collin’s hand closest to me twists in the sheets and he clears his throat. “And after an event like solstice I’d settle you into my couch with blankets and a show, get takeout, and keep my arm wrapped around you when you fell asleep even if it went numb.”
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
September 5, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Collin’s hand closest to me twists in the sheets and he clears his throat. “And after an event like solstice I’d settle you into my couch with blankets and a show, get takeout, and keep my arm wrapped around you when you fell asleep even if it went numb.”
#WIPSnips #amquerying
#WIPSnips #amquerying
I #amquerying these days, so I'm really enjoying how the #WIPSnips make me pull out little bits of my MS & remind me how much I love this story. How even when I get a rejection, I still have something beautiful here, & it makes me proud. It's motivating me to keep trying.
#booksky #writingcommunity
#booksky #writingcommunity
September 4, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I #amquerying these days, so I'm really enjoying how the #WIPSnips make me pull out little bits of my MS & remind me how much I love this story. How even when I get a rejection, I still have something beautiful here, & it makes me proud. It's motivating me to keep trying.
#booksky #writingcommunity
#booksky #writingcommunity