MechaniChris
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chrisakins.bsky.social
MechaniChris
@chrisakins.bsky.social
2K followers 320 following 3.9K posts
Writer, illustrator, comic book reader, movie enjoyer

Author of the novel: GRIM PORTENTS (available now on my website or anywhere books are sold)

Website: ChristianAkins.com
Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/FfI1
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chrisakins.bsky.social
MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · Oct 23
Do you like horror? Comedy? Fantasy? Road trips? Ghosts and the paranormal? Satire of government institutions and stories about hope in the face of overwhelming adversity?

Well that’s a lot, but luckily, I have JUST the book for you!

Order Grim Portents today!

#writingcommunity #writesky #booksky
Grim Portents — Christian Akins
www.christianakins.com
chrisakins.bsky.social
Now just imagine if she had recorded all to a cassette tape or burned it to a CD. Now THATS an intimate gesture

#writingcommunity #wipsnips #writesky
After dropping off Zach, Noah and Cleo sat in relative silence for the rest of the drive, with only the sound of the radio playing at a volume too low for either of them to have been listening. It hadn't always been like this between them. Usually they could spend hours in the same space without feeling the least bit awkward. Lately however, Noah had been turning his head whenever Cleo glanced in his direction, pretending he had been looking elsewhere. Whether consciously or not, both felt that the other was aware of these averted gazes, resulting in the recent trend of uncomfortable silences. Then came the real kicker. Just a few days earlier, Cleo sent Noah a link to a customized playlist on a shared music app called Juke. While she may have meant it innocently, Noah couldn't get the idea out of his head that making an entire playlist just for him was a deeply intimate gesture. It wasn't as all of the songs were intrinsically romantic-that would be too obvious—but some of the songs were. It was enough to drive him mad thinking about the intent behind each song choice. EARTHLINGS! By Christian Akins
January 6, 2026 at 2:36 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Another 500 words down and that brings me to 10k total! We’re cookin now!
chrisakins.bsky.social MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 4d
Puts me at about 8.5k words so far, and my aim is to for this book is about 70k. I’m hoping to write at least 500 words a day this year until the first draft is done, so I should finish some time around May if I keep it up. That leaves the rest of the year for revisions and editing!
January 4, 2026 at 9:09 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
I guess people back in the home world all dress like cartoon characters

#writingcommunity #writesky #wipsnips
Being a second generation Mu Araen meant that Cleo's entire life had been spent on earth, being raised fully immersed in the native culture by parents who had already acclimated to the local customs. As such, being forced to spend an entire weekend alone with a citizen of the home world was jarring in ways she'd never expected. After all, these two girls were the same age and heritage. Surely they had to have something in common. Not once during the weekend did Lana give any indication that she had any interests outside of her mission. Even her luggage was entirely practical gear, with not so much as a second outfit packed. When Cleo explained that she would need to wear different clothes to school every day, Lana looked at her in profound confusion. She could not imagine the purpose of such excessive variety in decorative apparel. Cleo considered taking the girl shopping, but offered her own wardrobe instead, fearing the taste of someone so out of touch with even the concept of style. EARTHLINGS! By Christian Akins
January 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Haha yeah that would be CRAZY right? Anyway let’s change the subject immediately

#writingcommunity #wipsnips #writesky
"Come on," Zach chimed in. "She's a little strange, but she wasn't that bad." "Zach's had a crush on her since day one." Ashley smirked. "Well that's... besides the point." "Remember when Aaron Diaz bumped into her in the hallway and she pinned him to the wall?" Noah asked. "Oh my God, yes!" Ashley said. "I thought she was gonna rip his head off and eat it like a praying mantis. In fact I wouldn't be shocked if she was actually an alien in disguise." All three of the others went wide eyed and immediately started laughing a little louder than normal. Their eyes darted from one to another. "Well, let's not be too harsh on Zach's true love." Noah said when they calmed down. "What did you think of the movie?" EARTHLINGS! By Christian Akins
January 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Another 700 down on day 2
chrisakins.bsky.social MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 4d
First day of the year, 800 words written for my WIP. Not a bad start!

#writingcommunity #wip #writesky
January 2, 2026 at 8:15 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Cover for the Star Wars episode 1 visual dictionary
January 2, 2026 at 3:57 AM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Uh oh, this is the year that Arishem will make his 50 year judgement on whether or not earth will be allowed to exist, Hope it goes well…
"I ALSO KNOW THAT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT ARISHEM, MIGHTIEST OF THE CELESTIALS, STANDS ATOP TWIN PYLONS IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS CITY... ...AND THAT HE AND HIS KIND ARE HERE TO RENDER A FIFTY-YEAR JUDGMENT WHICH WILL DECIDE, IN 2026 A.D., HETHER THE EARTH LIVES OR DIE.١٠مم
January 1, 2026 at 7:23 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Also, I got to write one of my favorite planned reveals to end chapter 4 and I’m very excited about it. This is my first attempt at a YA story, but I couldn’t help sneak in some horror moments, just for fun, you know?
chrisakins.bsky.social MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 4d
First day of the year, 800 words written for my WIP. Not a bad start!

#writingcommunity #wip #writesky
January 1, 2026 at 6:25 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
First day of the year, 800 words written for my WIP. Not a bad start!

#writingcommunity #wip #writesky
January 1, 2026 at 6:18 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Not to be a curmudgeon, but I’m with Zach. Everybody shush

#writinhcommunity #wipsnips #writesky
In his office, the President of the United States prepared to address the nation when he received a call on the red phone. He shakily brought the phone to his ear. More ships had arrived, enough to cover every major city in the world. Now the real invasion would begin. "Can't they just leave the cities?" Ashley whispered to Cleo. "I would just get on a boat and head out to sea." "I think there'd be too much traffic if everyone tried to evacuate at once," Cleo replied. "It took that first ship, like, three days to finally get in position. I could walk out of the city by then." Noah, who sat to the left of the two girls, leaned over and whispered. "I doubt it will take as long for the other ships to attack. The first was probably just a test run. Now they know exactly what to do." "Unless it takes the weapon that long to power up," Cleo retorted. "Zapping that many people has got to take a lot of energy." "True, but you would think they'd start powering" "Guys," Zachary leaned over Noah so they could all hear him. "Can we talk about all this after the movie?" EARTHLINGS! By Christian Akins
January 1, 2026 at 3:55 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
My gaming app doesn’t give me stats 😠 but based on my review dates, I know that I beat 82 games in 2025, my first being Diablo 4 and my last Metroid Other M.

Unlike my movies, this is easily the most games I’ve EVER played in one year and probably won’t be topped this coming year, but we’ll see
January 1, 2026 at 6:28 AM
chrisakins.bsky.social
My #Letterboxd stats for the year! I watched 229 movies (a low for me), my most watched actor was Tom Cruise (because of mission impossible) and my most watched director was Amy Heckerling!
January 1, 2026 at 6:17 AM
chrisakins.bsky.social
So in addition to logging every movie, game, and restaurant I encounter, this year I will finally start logging every book I read on StoryGraph!

Finished making my profile logging all books that I own that I have read or intend to: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/mech...
Sign In | The StoryGraph
app.thestorygraph.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:39 AM
chrisakins.bsky.social
It worked well last year so here’s my Goals for 2026!

• Finish writing my second novel
• Draw all Gen 3 Pokemon
• Finish (existing) Game backlog
• Read at least 30 new books (50 ideally)
• Collect all Super7 retro Power Rangers

More manageable than last year I think, but the novel is the BIG one
December 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
I probably don’t hold the world record for most tortillas eaten in a life, but I’m definitely in the top 1%
December 31, 2025 at 3:09 AM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Beggars can’t be choosers but I probably would have grabbed the shotgun rather than the beverage

Also, just TWO DAYS left to vote for Grim Portents in the #indieinkawards! Every vote counts!

indiestorygeek.com/a/indie-ink-...

#writingcommunity #wipsnips #writesky #booksky #indiebooks
The demon didn't seem to be listening. Sonny tried shouting at it again, stepping closer to the beast. Without looking, it lashed out its arm and sent Sonny flying into one of the shops across the street. I looked around for anything I could use to defend myself. Littered among the broken glass, I spotted the shotgun, the accompanying box of shells, some road trip snacks that fell from the console, and a shaken-up Dr. Pepper. I grabbed the bottle. "It's over, human." The demon stood tall over me on its hind legs, blotting out the sun from my view. "I was hoping you could take part in your fiancée's torture, but you've been enough of an irritant. You'll just have to imagine the horrors. Now, do the world a favor and stay dead this time!" I removed the bottle cap as the demon lifted its enormous clawed foot over me. Fizz erupted from the soda and I whipped it at arm's length, sending most of its contents upward. Steam bubbled from where the liquid made contact and the beast fell backward, howling in pain.
December 30, 2025 at 2:43 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
I did in fact publish my novel this year which was my big goal, so for the new year, my goal is to see if I can finish my next one before years end!
weeknightwriters.bsky.social Weeknight Writers @weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 7d
Good morning! As 2025 comes to a close, we want to know: what are you most proud of accomplishing this year?

And yes, surviving counts
Close-ups of snowflakes on a night sky background overlaid with the words "Good morning! What are you most proud of accomplishing this year? And yes, surviving counts"
December 30, 2025 at 2:24 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
I’m nearly done reading a book about a play write turned film writer, so yes please
cmdrsue.bsky.social Sue London @cmdrsue.bsky.social · 7d
Well, now I'm an English professor...
December 30, 2025 at 1:48 AM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Actually have a real question for you readers, do any of you use a book logging app? I know Goodreads exists but I don’t love the interface.

I’m looking for an app like Letterboxd for books. The closer to that interface and functionality the better

#booksky
December 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Has anyone played that Avatar Frontiers of Pandora game? Is that worth checking out?
December 29, 2025 at 6:57 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
We decided to see the new Avatar in that weird Screen X format where it plays on 3 screens enveloping you, INSANE looking. Kind of fascinated to rewatch because I feel like I saw SO MUCH MORE than a normal cropped screen and I want to see the difference
December 28, 2025 at 10:45 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
I’ve done it! These were my goals for 2025, and today I just finished.

- Published my book on 10/9
- Read the final comic TODAY
- Obtained last retro fig a few weeks ago
- Drew every Gen 2 Pokemon back in April
- Read all the unread books that I had (at the the time)
- Finished Zelda in summer
chrisakins.bsky.social MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · Jan 1
Genuine goals for the year:
- Publish book (somehow)
- Read all marvel comics 1980-1985
- Obtain all current Star Wars retro figs
- Draw all gen 2 pokemon
- Read remaining unread books on my shelves
- Finish unplayed mainline Zelda games

I think that’s a good start. I can do that
December 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
chrisakins.bsky.social
Annnnnnd that’s a wrap on Metroid Other M. Not as bad as its reputation, but definitely one of the weaker entries of the franchise. Only 3 games left: Samus Returns, Metroid Dread, and Metroid Prime 4!
December 28, 2025 at 4:10 AM
chrisakins.bsky.social
I made a bunch of goals for the year last new years and I’m about to finish my last one. I’ve been reading every Marvel comic in publication order and this year I wanted to to get halfway through the 80s (Jan of 80 to Dec of 84)

I have 1 more issue to read and I’ll have done it!
December 28, 2025 at 1:17 AM
chrisakins.bsky.social
I’d say this is a particularly chaotic scene, but it’s really par for the course in this book

Which is why you should vote for it in the #indiespiritawards! (Sorry I’m gonna keep asking that until the 31st)

indiestorygeek.com/a/indie-ink-...

#writingcommunity #WIPsnips #writesky #booksky
"It's been two seconds," I said. "Can you give me a minute?" "We may not have a minute." "Why?" "Because the cops are down the street, looking at our car." "What? Shit!" I exclaimed. Widdick and I ran over to the window and peered between the boards where I immediately spotted a police cruiser behind our stolen sedan down the street. "What's going on here?" Widdick asked. "Are you two fugitives?" "Well, Bill might be," Sonny said. "I think I'm a little outside of their jurisdiction." "It's not like that," I protested. "We got caught escaping the hospital when I was supposed to be dead. I didn't think they'd send the cops after me." "You did punch a doctor in the face," Sonny added. "Not helping, Sonny," I said. "And you stole a car." "Still not helping." "You carjacked a doctor?" Widdick asked "No, a different guy," Sonny said. "Guys!" I yelled. "What are we going to do?" "Just hurry up and find the information we need," Sonny said. "I'll rip your soul out of Herman's body and we'll portal over to Texas and find you a new one." "And leave the dead body on the floor for the cops to find? What do you think they'll do to Professor Widdick after we frame him for murder?"
December 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM