Ches
@chesj.bsky.social
I write and read urban fantasy. I live in London. Sometimes, I code. I (re)watch a lot of telly.
Until my niblings get older, I have to find reasons why a teenage character doesn't use slang. So far I've used posh and brought up in an isolated magic commune, or relied on situational appropriate mirroring. But it's limiting.
I made an mdb thesaurus for London slang from my era. Beautiful relic!
I made an mdb thesaurus for London slang from my era. Beautiful relic!
May 23, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Until my niblings get older, I have to find reasons why a teenage character doesn't use slang. So far I've used posh and brought up in an isolated magic commune, or relied on situational appropriate mirroring. But it's limiting.
I made an mdb thesaurus for London slang from my era. Beautiful relic!
I made an mdb thesaurus for London slang from my era. Beautiful relic!
Just got round to reading The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett. Bit weird I haven't yet, but it's nice having more to read. He's been a (very)long-time inspiration - I'm hoping this refresher might help drive my next novel. Got a plot and characters, but felt a bit flat, and now I have some oomph!
May 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Just got round to reading The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett. Bit weird I haven't yet, but it's nice having more to read. He's been a (very)long-time inspiration - I'm hoping this refresher might help drive my next novel. Got a plot and characters, but felt a bit flat, and now I have some oomph!
I'm really enjoying @alethearlyons.bsky.social's The Somnia! So happy to be back in that world with those characters. Gripped from chapter one!
I chose this book first after moving house (and associated packing and unpacking) 😁
I chose this book first after moving house (and associated packing and unpacking) 😁
April 27, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I'm really enjoying @alethearlyons.bsky.social's The Somnia! So happy to be back in that world with those characters. Gripped from chapter one!
I chose this book first after moving house (and associated packing and unpacking) 😁
I chose this book first after moving house (and associated packing and unpacking) 😁
Reposted by Ches
I’m creating several starter packs for indie writers – one for each genre – that I then would regularly post links to. If interested in being in a starter back, please reply with your genre.
#Indieauthor #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #authorsofsky #booksky
#Indieauthor #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #authorsofsky #booksky
April 18, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I’m creating several starter packs for indie writers – one for each genre – that I then would regularly post links to. If interested in being in a starter back, please reply with your genre.
#Indieauthor #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #authorsofsky #booksky
#Indieauthor #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #authorsofsky #booksky
I finished reading the Alex Verus series (Benedict Jacka) and was not disappointed. The final book was impressively action-packed and satisfying. Everything that went before built to it - amazing (and enviable!) planning behind that.
April 16, 2025 at 3:58 AM
I finished reading the Alex Verus series (Benedict Jacka) and was not disappointed. The final book was impressively action-packed and satisfying. Everything that went before built to it - amazing (and enviable!) planning behind that.
I finished editing and publishing a 9-book series, and weeks later found book 10 on the harddrive. I forgot I wrote it. Had it printed and read it, and blimey is it slow and dull. No loss there! Series ends at 9 😄
Some you trunk, some you plain forget.
Some you trunk, some you plain forget.
April 5, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I finished editing and publishing a 9-book series, and weeks later found book 10 on the harddrive. I forgot I wrote it. Had it printed and read it, and blimey is it slow and dull. No loss there! Series ends at 9 😄
Some you trunk, some you plain forget.
Some you trunk, some you plain forget.
Woah, someone in Australia bought one of my novels! How on earth did they find it? I don't do marketing 😄
I hope they liked it, and that it made them smile as much as their £2.46 did me!
How the hell did they come across it? Baffling. Maybe they'll get the rest of the trilogy. The other 15 books...😄
I hope they liked it, and that it made them smile as much as their £2.46 did me!
How the hell did they come across it? Baffling. Maybe they'll get the rest of the trilogy. The other 15 books...😄
March 11, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Woah, someone in Australia bought one of my novels! How on earth did they find it? I don't do marketing 😄
I hope they liked it, and that it made them smile as much as their £2.46 did me!
How the hell did they come across it? Baffling. Maybe they'll get the rest of the trilogy. The other 15 books...😄
I hope they liked it, and that it made them smile as much as their £2.46 did me!
How the hell did they come across it? Baffling. Maybe they'll get the rest of the trilogy. The other 15 books...😄
Editing this latest book was a pain. Past me was very indecisive about word choices, and left me options, thousands of them. Maxed 20 pages a day, usually fewer, but I've chugged through and today, it's done! Do a little every day, and you get there in the end.
March 8, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Editing this latest book was a pain. Past me was very indecisive about word choices, and left me options, thousands of them. Maxed 20 pages a day, usually fewer, but I've chugged through and today, it's done! Do a little every day, and you get there in the end.
Reposted by Ches
See you in a few hours. Links below.
March 4, 2025 at 12:43 PM
See you in a few hours. Links below.
The third book of my prize came!Just released, The Somnia by @alethearlyons.bsky.social - very exciting. There's a launch party online tomorrow, I believe: that's how new it is! Gorgeous cover, intriguing blurb 😁
Thanks, @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, this is brilliant ☺️
Thanks, @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, this is brilliant ☺️
March 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The third book of my prize came!Just released, The Somnia by @alethearlyons.bsky.social - very exciting. There's a launch party online tomorrow, I believe: that's how new it is! Gorgeous cover, intriguing blurb 😁
Thanks, @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, this is brilliant ☺️
Thanks, @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, this is brilliant ☺️
I received two of my prize books from @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social and am duly excited. (Still can't believe I won something 😄 ) They look beautiful and I can't wait to read them. Top of my to-read stack!
Thanks again, @alethearlyons.bsky.social ☺️
Thanks again, @alethearlyons.bsky.social ☺️
March 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I received two of my prize books from @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social and am duly excited. (Still can't believe I won something 😄 ) They look beautiful and I can't wait to read them. Top of my to-read stack!
Thanks again, @alethearlyons.bsky.social ☺️
Thanks again, @alethearlyons.bsky.social ☺️
Do you get flashbacks to scenes you've written (or read)? There's this one (bloody awful) book I wrote, and I often see scenes from it at random mundane moments. I can't work out why that story, above others. Why that character. It's bizarre but been going on years, so now kinda comforting 😄
February 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Do you get flashbacks to scenes you've written (or read)? There's this one (bloody awful) book I wrote, and I often see scenes from it at random mundane moments. I can't work out why that story, above others. Why that character. It's bizarre but been going on years, so now kinda comforting 😄
@buffyrevamped.bsky.social is a very funny one-man show recapping the series from Spike's point of view. My cheeks hurt from laughing. Beautifully done, with plenty for the experts & my less expert friend was just as entertained. The energy is incredible - don't know how he does it! Recommended.
February 24, 2025 at 11:33 PM
@buffyrevamped.bsky.social is a very funny one-man show recapping the series from Spike's point of view. My cheeks hurt from laughing. Beautifully done, with plenty for the experts & my less expert friend was just as entertained. The energy is incredible - don't know how he does it! Recommended.
Gentle, magic story about life, aging and death. Bisexual, kind cast; no romance; occasional sex; lots of tea. #urbanfantasy in English countryside. Nothing much happens in a nice way. Kinda funny. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DXDBCZWV
February 16, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Gentle, magic story about life, aging and death. Bisexual, kind cast; no romance; occasional sex; lots of tea. #urbanfantasy in English countryside. Nothing much happens in a nice way. Kinda funny. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DXDBCZWV
Blimey! I just won three books from @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social through this platform. Incredibly unexpected. Bluesky has hugely increased my to-read pile, and now in a new way 😄
Also thanks @alethearlyons.bsky.social for mentioning the competition (and writing the books I want 😁 )
Also thanks @alethearlyons.bsky.social for mentioning the competition (and writing the books I want 😁 )
February 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Blimey! I just won three books from @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social through this platform. Incredibly unexpected. Bluesky has hugely increased my to-read pile, and now in a new way 😄
Also thanks @alethearlyons.bsky.social for mentioning the competition (and writing the books I want 😁 )
Also thanks @alethearlyons.bsky.social for mentioning the competition (and writing the books I want 😁 )
My process is very papery. I've just sent 3 novels off for wirebound printing. The markups I make are part of a penultimate edit, then I get a paperback & write edits in a notepad. I notice different things in print. Plus no screens at bedtime.
Only a small part of why I often need more bookshelves!
Only a small part of why I often need more bookshelves!
February 1, 2025 at 7:06 PM
My process is very papery. I've just sent 3 novels off for wirebound printing. The markups I make are part of a penultimate edit, then I get a paperback & write edits in a notepad. I notice different things in print. Plus no screens at bedtime.
Only a small part of why I often need more bookshelves!
Only a small part of why I often need more bookshelves!
Every time I travel through London (proper), I'm reminded of Kate Griffin's exceptional descriptions (Midnight Mayor series) and that I could do better - very inspiring. Her description of the square mile predawn is etched into my memory, so familiar from traipsing home after a club night!
January 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Every time I travel through London (proper), I'm reminded of Kate Griffin's exceptional descriptions (Midnight Mayor series) and that I could do better - very inspiring. Her description of the square mile predawn is etched into my memory, so familiar from traipsing home after a club night!
I tend to sample a new series buying secondhand. I feel guilty about the lack of royalties, but good about the re-use aspect. That the secondhand book I just got is signed has added complexity - feels like an undeserved win!
January 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I tend to sample a new series buying secondhand. I feel guilty about the lack of royalties, but good about the re-use aspect. That the secondhand book I just got is signed has added complexity - feels like an undeserved win!
Just finished The Hiding by Alethea Lyons. I'm not the best at reviewing but here's a few reasons I liked it. Very atmospheric with an interesting, modern alternative York. Has a believable sibling relationship centrally & strong side characters. I loved Harper's development, heart & convictions.
January 15, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Just finished The Hiding by Alethea Lyons. I'm not the best at reviewing but here's a few reasons I liked it. Very atmospheric with an interesting, modern alternative York. Has a believable sibling relationship centrally & strong side characters. I loved Harper's development, heart & convictions.
It's a good job I don't care about selling my novels, coz I'm not sure how you'd sell a cosy book about death & life. Bi MCs with polyamory, but no romance just a couple of sex scenes. It's friendly & funny, but doesn't tick any marketing boxes 😄 I love it & now I have it in paperback, so yey ☺️
January 8, 2025 at 10:13 PM
It's a good job I don't care about selling my novels, coz I'm not sure how you'd sell a cosy book about death & life. Bi MCs with polyamory, but no romance just a couple of sex scenes. It's friendly & funny, but doesn't tick any marketing boxes 😄 I love it & now I have it in paperback, so yey ☺️
Wrote all yesterday and a little of today, and my bodyclock's gone wonky. This is breakfast time! Terry's Chocolate orange counts as fruit at this time of year, right?
December 26, 2024 at 11:39 PM
Wrote all yesterday and a little of today, and my bodyclock's gone wonky. This is breakfast time! Terry's Chocolate orange counts as fruit at this time of year, right?
Reposted by Ches
"it’s my signature move to slip a single scifi story into these magic-focused articles"
mythcreants.com/blog/six-fan...
mythcreants.com/blog/six-fan...
Six Fantastic Uses of Magic in Popular Stories
The real magic is designing a perfect, fantastical twist.
mythcreants.com
December 7, 2024 at 11:06 PM
"it’s my signature move to slip a single scifi story into these magic-focused articles"
mythcreants.com/blog/six-fan...
mythcreants.com/blog/six-fan...
Books/Author & what they taught me: 2
Seanan McGuire incryptid - giving MCs a hobby/obsession (which helps them, affects easy they act/think or plot) makes characters very memorable, distinguishing siblings easily (along with other traits obvs!). As story progresses, I forget my chars have hobbies 😄
Seanan McGuire incryptid - giving MCs a hobby/obsession (which helps them, affects easy they act/think or plot) makes characters very memorable, distinguishing siblings easily (along with other traits obvs!). As story progresses, I forget my chars have hobbies 😄
November 26, 2024 at 4:09 AM
Books/Author & what they taught me: 2
Seanan McGuire incryptid - giving MCs a hobby/obsession (which helps them, affects easy they act/think or plot) makes characters very memorable, distinguishing siblings easily (along with other traits obvs!). As story progresses, I forget my chars have hobbies 😄
Seanan McGuire incryptid - giving MCs a hobby/obsession (which helps them, affects easy they act/think or plot) makes characters very memorable, distinguishing siblings easily (along with other traits obvs!). As story progresses, I forget my chars have hobbies 😄
Reposted by Ches
"For instance, when Eleanor tells Chidi that she’s giving him a gift by pronouncing his name correctly, he tells her that’s not a gift – it’s basic human decency."
mythcreants.com/blog/narrati...
mythcreants.com/blog/narrati...
Narrative Pushback Can Make the Jerks You Write Palatable
Audiences are much less angry when the story addresses their concerns.
mythcreants.com
November 22, 2024 at 8:55 PM
"For instance, when Eleanor tells Chidi that she’s giving him a gift by pronouncing his name correctly, he tells her that’s not a gift – it’s basic human decency."
mythcreants.com/blog/narrati...
mythcreants.com/blog/narrati...
Wondering how long it took to shake media's heteronormative indoctrination, I made a spreadsheet to track increasing queerness % of main chars. 2nd novel, 16yo, 25% - not as brainwashed as I thought, then 😄 (and in the days of section 28 (awful UK school policy).)
November 25, 2024 at 3:49 AM
Wondering how long it took to shake media's heteronormative indoctrination, I made a spreadsheet to track increasing queerness % of main chars. 2nd novel, 16yo, 25% - not as brainwashed as I thought, then 😄 (and in the days of section 28 (awful UK school policy).)