Diane Youngblood
@dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Indie adult fantasy author. Disabled. Knitter. Wife. Doggie mama. Desert dweller. Former accountant, data and BI analyst. She/her. INTP. LGBTQ+ ally
🚫 GenAI
https://linktr.ee/dmyoungblood
🚫 GenAI
https://linktr.ee/dmyoungblood
Pinned
🔹Keeper of the Sphere trilogy: contemporary fantasy with magic, trolls, and ancient gods; available at Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/B088FGNKTP
🔹Current project: first draft of historical fantasy series about the Oracle of Delphi; expected to be 8 books, ~1450 BCE to ~400 CE; currently on Book 6
🔹Current project: first draft of historical fantasy series about the Oracle of Delphi; expected to be 8 books, ~1450 BCE to ~400 CE; currently on Book 6
Fascinating.
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Fascinating.
Reading Roller's Historical and Topographical Guide to the Geography of Strabo, I thought this was a great paragraph. Hilarious, even.
#WritingCommunity #HistoricalFiction
#WritingCommunity #HistoricalFiction
November 13, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reading Roller's Historical and Topographical Guide to the Geography of Strabo, I thought this was a great paragraph. Hilarious, even.
#WritingCommunity #HistoricalFiction
#WritingCommunity #HistoricalFiction
Day 13 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I am privileged to write in a dedicated home office, with my research books close at hand.
#WritingCommunity
I am privileged to write in a dedicated home office, with my research books close at hand.
#WritingCommunity
November 13, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Day 13 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I am privileged to write in a dedicated home office, with my research books close at hand.
#WritingCommunity
I am privileged to write in a dedicated home office, with my research books close at hand.
#WritingCommunity
Day 12 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Good writing advice: try different tools and processes and do what works for you
Bad writing advice: 🤐
#WritingCommunity
Good writing advice: try different tools and processes and do what works for you
Bad writing advice: 🤐
#WritingCommunity
November 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Day 12 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Good writing advice: try different tools and processes and do what works for you
Bad writing advice: 🤐
#WritingCommunity
Good writing advice: try different tools and processes and do what works for you
Bad writing advice: 🤐
#WritingCommunity
Day 11 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Genres:
I write fantasy.
I read sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction; and a metric shit-ton of historical nonfiction.
#WritingCommunity
Genres:
I write fantasy.
I read sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction; and a metric shit-ton of historical nonfiction.
#WritingCommunity
November 11, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Day 11 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Genres:
I write fantasy.
I read sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction; and a metric shit-ton of historical nonfiction.
#WritingCommunity
Genres:
I write fantasy.
I read sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction; and a metric shit-ton of historical nonfiction.
#WritingCommunity
Bad dreams last night. I was bleeding to death, but cause unknown (as it goes in dreams, I suppose). Might have something to do with an anniversary: loss of a fetus 21 years ago today.
Shoulder still hurts. Might be time for a brace.
Shitty week.
Sigh.
Shoulder still hurts. Might be time for a brace.
Shitty week.
Sigh.
November 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Bad dreams last night. I was bleeding to death, but cause unknown (as it goes in dreams, I suppose). Might have something to do with an anniversary: loss of a fetus 21 years ago today.
Shoulder still hurts. Might be time for a brace.
Shitty week.
Sigh.
Shoulder still hurts. Might be time for a brace.
Shitty week.
Sigh.
Day 10 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I do not have a single favorite line I've written. Not one.
#WritingCommunity
I do not have a single favorite line I've written. Not one.
#WritingCommunity
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Day 10 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I do not have a single favorite line I've written. Not one.
#WritingCommunity
I do not have a single favorite line I've written. Not one.
#WritingCommunity
Day 9 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I have bookcases/shelves in every room of the house, not all are presentable for viewing. Here's part of my office bookcase, with only a few of the reference books for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP.
#WritingCommunity
I have bookcases/shelves in every room of the house, not all are presentable for viewing. Here's part of my office bookcase, with only a few of the reference books for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP.
#WritingCommunity
November 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Day 9 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I have bookcases/shelves in every room of the house, not all are presentable for viewing. Here's part of my office bookcase, with only a few of the reference books for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP.
#WritingCommunity
I have bookcases/shelves in every room of the house, not all are presentable for viewing. Here's part of my office bookcase, with only a few of the reference books for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP.
#WritingCommunity
Day 8 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Another unedited snippet from Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. (Catchup: had a migraine yesterday)
#WritingCommunity
Another unedited snippet from Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. (Catchup: had a migraine yesterday)
#WritingCommunity
November 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Day 8 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Another unedited snippet from Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. (Catchup: had a migraine yesterday)
#WritingCommunity
Another unedited snippet from Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. (Catchup: had a migraine yesterday)
#WritingCommunity
I've never even looked at a ChatGPT screen, nor any other "AI tool" out there. Never will. It's all theft. (Also a stubborn Taurus here.)
Hands up if you've never used Chat GPT ✋
(I feel like Dozer and Tank in The Matrix right now - at first I didn't use it because, rather ironically, I'm lazy and stubborn (peak Taurus energy there) - literally no, don't make me use the new thing I don't wanna. Now I'm glad I didn't 😅)
(I feel like Dozer and Tank in The Matrix right now - at first I didn't use it because, rather ironically, I'm lazy and stubborn (peak Taurus energy there) - literally no, don't make me use the new thing I don't wanna. Now I'm glad I didn't 😅)
Probably a good way to tell right now if the job you’re applying for is run by absolute dumbfucks is to ask if they’re using AI.
November 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I've never even looked at a ChatGPT screen, nor any other "AI tool" out there. Never will. It's all theft. (Also a stubborn Taurus here.)
I *love* this thread. 🤣
I'm sorry what? I was born with these bay leaves and so help me god I'll die with these bay leaves
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I *love* this thread. 🤣
Watched @realgdt.bsky.social 's Frankenstein this evening. Wow. What a masterpiece. (Another in a long line of masterpieces by this supremely talented man.)
Bravo, sir. Bravo.
Bravo, sir. Bravo.
November 9, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Watched @realgdt.bsky.social 's Frankenstein this evening. Wow. What a masterpiece. (Another in a long line of masterpieces by this supremely talented man.)
Bravo, sir. Bravo.
Bravo, sir. Bravo.
Day 7 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Ambient-type music, reading, and a beer or wine help me to relax. Also petting/snuggling my doggies, knitting, and playing certain video games.
Happy Friday! 🎉
#WritingCommunity
Ambient-type music, reading, and a beer or wine help me to relax. Also petting/snuggling my doggies, knitting, and playing certain video games.
Happy Friday! 🎉
#WritingCommunity
November 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Day 7 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Ambient-type music, reading, and a beer or wine help me to relax. Also petting/snuggling my doggies, knitting, and playing certain video games.
Happy Friday! 🎉
#WritingCommunity
Ambient-type music, reading, and a beer or wine help me to relax. Also petting/snuggling my doggies, knitting, and playing certain video games.
Happy Friday! 🎉
#WritingCommunity
There's a lot of stuff hidden by default in the new settings, so it's worth it to check it out. (I found a bunch of stuff hidden that I didn't want hidden.)
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
November 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
There's a lot of stuff hidden by default in the new settings, so it's worth it to check it out. (I found a bunch of stuff hidden that I didn't want hidden.)
Day 6 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I can only list what works for me as writing tools: Scrivener for first drafts, Word for edits. Thesaurus for brain fog, One Note for research notes. External hard drive for copious backups of manuscripts.
#WritingCommunity
I can only list what works for me as writing tools: Scrivener for first drafts, Word for edits. Thesaurus for brain fog, One Note for research notes. External hard drive for copious backups of manuscripts.
#WritingCommunity
November 6, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Day 6 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I can only list what works for me as writing tools: Scrivener for first drafts, Word for edits. Thesaurus for brain fog, One Note for research notes. External hard drive for copious backups of manuscripts.
#WritingCommunity
I can only list what works for me as writing tools: Scrivener for first drafts, Word for edits. Thesaurus for brain fog, One Note for research notes. External hard drive for copious backups of manuscripts.
#WritingCommunity
Day 5 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
🔹 Last read: The City of Sun and Stars by @stumbleine44.bsky.social (5⭐ by the way)
🔹Current read: Empire of Ashes by Nicholas Nicastro
🔹Next read: not sure; probably Tides of War by Steven Pressfield
#WritingCommunity
🔹 Last read: The City of Sun and Stars by @stumbleine44.bsky.social (5⭐ by the way)
🔹Current read: Empire of Ashes by Nicholas Nicastro
🔹Next read: not sure; probably Tides of War by Steven Pressfield
#WritingCommunity
November 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Day 5 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
🔹 Last read: The City of Sun and Stars by @stumbleine44.bsky.social (5⭐ by the way)
🔹Current read: Empire of Ashes by Nicholas Nicastro
🔹Next read: not sure; probably Tides of War by Steven Pressfield
#WritingCommunity
🔹 Last read: The City of Sun and Stars by @stumbleine44.bsky.social (5⭐ by the way)
🔹Current read: Empire of Ashes by Nicholas Nicastro
🔹Next read: not sure; probably Tides of War by Steven Pressfield
#WritingCommunity
I've got a bit of a dilemma with my #PythiaFeltDoll. Using felt for a chiton, peplos, or himation will not give it the necessary drape. But I don't have suitable fabric (and no fabric stores to go to, either). Hmm.
November 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I've got a bit of a dilemma with my #PythiaFeltDoll. Using felt for a chiton, peplos, or himation will not give it the necessary drape. But I don't have suitable fabric (and no fabric stores to go to, either). Hmm.
Are we in a time loop? I could've sworn Cheney was already dead. 🤔
November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Are we in a time loop? I could've sworn Cheney was already dead. 🤔
Day 3 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I don't have a playlist for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP - or any WIP. I listen to ambient radio while I write.
#WritingCommunity
I don't have a playlist for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP - or any WIP. I listen to ambient radio while I write.
#WritingCommunity
November 3, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Day 3 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I don't have a playlist for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP - or any WIP. I listen to ambient radio while I write.
#WritingCommunity
I don't have a playlist for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP - or any WIP. I listen to ambient radio while I write.
#WritingCommunity
Day 2 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I started writing in grade school. I wrote a poem that my teacher loved. But I didn't start writing "for reals" until 2014, and I revised that book 6 times before publishing it in 2018. That was "Legacy: Book 1 of the Keeper of the Sphere."
#WritingCommunity
I started writing in grade school. I wrote a poem that my teacher loved. But I didn't start writing "for reals" until 2014, and I revised that book 6 times before publishing it in 2018. That was "Legacy: Book 1 of the Keeper of the Sphere."
#WritingCommunity
November 2, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Day 2 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
I started writing in grade school. I wrote a poem that my teacher loved. But I didn't start writing "for reals" until 2014, and I revised that book 6 times before publishing it in 2018. That was "Legacy: Book 1 of the Keeper of the Sphere."
#WritingCommunity
I started writing in grade school. I wrote a poem that my teacher loved. But I didn't start writing "for reals" until 2014, and I revised that book 6 times before publishing it in 2018. That was "Legacy: Book 1 of the Keeper of the Sphere."
#WritingCommunity
My right shoulder has been causing me significant pain for over a week now. Hell if I know what I did to it. I guess it's just the Old Age thing again. Heating pad, ice pack, and topical analgesic cream didn't help. I really don't want to make a doc appt for this. But I don't know what else to do. 😫
November 2, 2025 at 3:58 PM
My right shoulder has been causing me significant pain for over a week now. Hell if I know what I did to it. I guess it's just the Old Age thing again. Heating pad, ice pack, and topical analgesic cream didn't help. I really don't want to make a doc appt for this. But I don't know what else to do. 😫
Aw man no.
Excellent series, Jays. We love you.
Excellent series, Jays. We love you.
November 2, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Aw man no.
Excellent series, Jays. We love you.
Excellent series, Jays. We love you.
LET'S GO BLUE JAYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 2, 2025 at 3:13 AM
LET'S GO BLUE JAYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 2, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Day 1 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Hi again, I'm Diane, and I'm still working on Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Historical fantasy covering roughly 2000 years of ancient Greek culture and events. I'm only 3 chapters away from starting Book 8.
Happy November! 🎉
#WritingCommunity
Hi again, I'm Diane, and I'm still working on Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Historical fantasy covering roughly 2000 years of ancient Greek culture and events. I'm only 3 chapters away from starting Book 8.
Happy November! 🎉
#WritingCommunity
November 1, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Day 1 of #FantasyIndiesNovember
Hi again, I'm Diane, and I'm still working on Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Historical fantasy covering roughly 2000 years of ancient Greek culture and events. I'm only 3 chapters away from starting Book 8.
Happy November! 🎉
#WritingCommunity
Hi again, I'm Diane, and I'm still working on Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Historical fantasy covering roughly 2000 years of ancient Greek culture and events. I'm only 3 chapters away from starting Book 8.
Happy November! 🎉
#WritingCommunity