Erica
@ericasff.bsky.social
Fantasy writer. Fan of historical textiles, Pictish material culture, and other rabbit holes too numerous to count. Learning the lyre. She/her.
(Image: a scribe writing under an arch filled with swirls - a clip from the early medieval Vespasian Psalter
(Image: a scribe writing under an arch filled with swirls - a clip from the early medieval Vespasian Psalter
Current two hardest parts of reverse outlining:
1) the growing list of problems to solve 😬
2) resisting the urge to just keep reading and reading and not slow down to write down pesky things like summary and problems to solve. 😂
It's good I still love this book, flaws & all! 🦇🥰
1) the growing list of problems to solve 😬
2) resisting the urge to just keep reading and reading and not slow down to write down pesky things like summary and problems to solve. 😂
It's good I still love this book, flaws & all! 🦇🥰
November 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Current two hardest parts of reverse outlining:
1) the growing list of problems to solve 😬
2) resisting the urge to just keep reading and reading and not slow down to write down pesky things like summary and problems to solve. 😂
It's good I still love this book, flaws & all! 🦇🥰
1) the growing list of problems to solve 😬
2) resisting the urge to just keep reading and reading and not slow down to write down pesky things like summary and problems to solve. 😂
It's good I still love this book, flaws & all! 🦇🥰
I 100% thought on first reading that this was about pitching books to agents and waiting for them to make contact with a reply which then segued into a baseball metaphor about it. And I love that the paragraph works beautifully either way. 😂 #writerslife #booksky
Did not expect one of the best paragraphs I’d read about baseball would come from an Irish newspaper
www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...
www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...
November 2, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I 100% thought on first reading that this was about pitching books to agents and waiting for them to make contact with a reply which then segued into a baseball metaphor about it. And I love that the paragraph works beautifully either way. 😂 #writerslife #booksky
Last weekend I stuffed my head full of writing tips & topics. This weekend it's all #Pictish history and art! Got up 5:30am to hear some exciting lectures spanning metalworking and material culture at Rhynie and Burghead, Pictish (re)use of Roman-period silver, and clues to Pictish weaponry. 🔨⚔️
October 4, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Last weekend I stuffed my head full of writing tips & topics. This weekend it's all #Pictish history and art! Got up 5:30am to hear some exciting lectures spanning metalworking and material culture at Rhynie and Burghead, Pictish (re)use of Roman-period silver, and clues to Pictish weaponry. 🔨⚔️
Wow my brain is so full! Just finished a wonderful 3-day con with @flightsoffoundry.bsky.social . I'd highly recommend for any sci fi / fantasy creatives to watch out for next year.
I simultaneously feel like I need to dive into doing/revising/writing All The Things...and also sleep for a week! 😂📚
I simultaneously feel like I need to dive into doing/revising/writing All The Things...and also sleep for a week! 😂📚
September 29, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Wow my brain is so full! Just finished a wonderful 3-day con with @flightsoffoundry.bsky.social . I'd highly recommend for any sci fi / fantasy creatives to watch out for next year.
I simultaneously feel like I need to dive into doing/revising/writing All The Things...and also sleep for a week! 😂📚
I simultaneously feel like I need to dive into doing/revising/writing All The Things...and also sleep for a week! 😂📚
This weekend I declared draft 1 of the WIP done! It has a beginning, a middle and an end!! 🎉😂
Now, for draft 2: structural edits and better villains! 😅
Structural edits intimidate me, but I still love these characters (40-somethings fantasy romance 🦇⛰️🥰) so let's do this. 💪
Now, for draft 2: structural edits and better villains! 😅
Structural edits intimidate me, but I still love these characters (40-somethings fantasy romance 🦇⛰️🥰) so let's do this. 💪
September 3, 2025 at 12:13 AM
This weekend I declared draft 1 of the WIP done! It has a beginning, a middle and an end!! 🎉😂
Now, for draft 2: structural edits and better villains! 😅
Structural edits intimidate me, but I still love these characters (40-somethings fantasy romance 🦇⛰️🥰) so let's do this. 💪
Now, for draft 2: structural edits and better villains! 😅
Structural edits intimidate me, but I still love these characters (40-somethings fantasy romance 🦇⛰️🥰) so let's do this. 💪
I'm looking for a wide sampling of examples of early #medieval (earliest to 10th c) accounts of abbesses and female founders of religious communities. Vitae would be great, but a brief aside in another work is fine too. If anyone has done an actual study of this, even better!? Any leads welcome. 📜📚
February 19, 2025 at 1:37 AM
I'm looking for a wide sampling of examples of early #medieval (earliest to 10th c) accounts of abbesses and female founders of religious communities. Vitae would be great, but a brief aside in another work is fine too. If anyone has done an actual study of this, even better!? Any leads welcome. 📜📚
I'm at the "stitch it together" phase of non-linear puzzler drafting, ok? I found a good place to braid story strands together, tying up 2 loose threads in a nice bow. Yay! Only to start writing it and have the character be like "I can't go over there. This is a stand my ground moment." #Amwriting 🙃
January 27, 2025 at 6:48 AM
I'm at the "stitch it together" phase of non-linear puzzler drafting, ok? I found a good place to braid story strands together, tying up 2 loose threads in a nice bow. Yay! Only to start writing it and have the character be like "I can't go over there. This is a stand my ground moment." #Amwriting 🙃
Reposted by Erica
BEST HEX EVER X LATE BLOOMER
Georgie will do anything to protect the women in her family from a love curse—even give up her own happiness. But when unexpected feelings bloom for her sister's wedding planner, Georgie must accept herself and break the curse if she wants an HEA.
#P2Pit #R #LGBT #OS
Georgie will do anything to protect the women in her family from a love curse—even give up her own happiness. But when unexpected feelings bloom for her sister's wedding planner, Georgie must accept herself and break the curse if she wants an HEA.
#P2Pit #R #LGBT #OS
January 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Erica
#p2pit #A #uw #F #lgbtq
Scotland, 1925: a retired thief, a sorceress, and a demon hunter travel to England to steal a demonic grimoire before it can start a 2nd apocalypse.
The thief wants glory. The sorceress wants respect. The hunter wants an end to a lifetime of fighting.
They're all in love.
Scotland, 1925: a retired thief, a sorceress, and a demon hunter travel to England to steal a demonic grimoire before it can start a 2nd apocalypse.
The thief wants glory. The sorceress wants respect. The hunter wants an end to a lifetime of fighting.
They're all in love.
January 17, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by Erica
BRIDGERTON X ATLA
A hero's side quest is a life-shattering experience for someone else. When a legendary hero crashes into a young lady's life, she finds herself questioning everything she ever knew as the two try to save her town from a mystical murderer.
#P2Ppit #Q #A #RF
A hero's side quest is a life-shattering experience for someone else. When a legendary hero crashes into a young lady's life, she finds herself questioning everything she ever knew as the two try to save her town from a mystical murderer.
#P2Ppit #Q #A #RF
January 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Erica
Reposted by Erica
#P2Ppit
Following her target through the years, Glenna’s killed God-born target Bentham more times than she can count. A decade in, her contract is up. She’s tired of the grind, and wants out. The only problem is, she wants to get Bentham out, too.
#Q #A #R #T #Gods #Reincarnation
Following her target through the years, Glenna’s killed God-born target Bentham more times than she can count. A decade in, her contract is up. She’s tired of the grind, and wants out. The only problem is, she wants to get Bentham out, too.
#Q #A #R #T #Gods #Reincarnation
January 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Erica
When I was young it never occurred to me that I'd live to see the humanities come under siege. Or that banning books and persecuting librarians would make an ideological comeback. Thus, I've never experienced a time when the illuminating power of storytelling was needed more than today.
Some thoughts about the value of fiction in troubled times.
A String of Beads
In stressful times, with so many suffering immense loss and or steeling themselves for imminent chaos, I wonder whether I’m being selfish sitting in my office spending a chunk of my day writing fiction. I do other things, volunteering, gardening, but a good part of my life is writing, researching, thinking about what I’m going to write, a little marketing.
candacerobbbooks.com
January 14, 2025 at 11:32 PM
When I was young it never occurred to me that I'd live to see the humanities come under siege. Or that banning books and persecuting librarians would make an ideological comeback. Thus, I've never experienced a time when the illuminating power of storytelling was needed more than today.
Reposted by Erica
If you’re a transfeminine writer of kidlit or YA, check out this cool scholarship opportunity from none other than Highlights Magazine! www.highlightsfoundation.org/trans-women-...
Trans Women Write Scholarship - Highlights Foundation
www.highlightsfoundation.org
January 15, 2025 at 1:14 AM
If you’re a transfeminine writer of kidlit or YA, check out this cool scholarship opportunity from none other than Highlights Magazine! www.highlightsfoundation.org/trans-women-...
Reposted by Erica
I know I just dropped an entire actual full TTRPG yesterday, but I was feeling inspired...
January 14, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I know I just dropped an entire actual full TTRPG yesterday, but I was feeling inspired...
Definitely need to bring back the word 'uhtcearu'. Unfortunately, it would be very useful in day to day use. 🤣😭
"You know how it goes--uhtcearu cost me sleep this morning, and now I just want to latibulate, but I have too much to do."
"You know how it goes--uhtcearu cost me sleep this morning, and now I just want to latibulate, but I have too much to do."
Word of the Day is ‘uhtcearu’ [ucht-kay-aru, with the 'ch' as in the Scottish ‘loch']:
Old English for ‘the sorrow before dawn', when you lie awake in the darkness and worries crowd your mind.
Old English for ‘the sorrow before dawn', when you lie awake in the darkness and worries crowd your mind.
January 10, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Definitely need to bring back the word 'uhtcearu'. Unfortunately, it would be very useful in day to day use. 🤣😭
"You know how it goes--uhtcearu cost me sleep this morning, and now I just want to latibulate, but I have too much to do."
"You know how it goes--uhtcearu cost me sleep this morning, and now I just want to latibulate, but I have too much to do."
So X is to Bluesky what FB is to ____? Do we have a viable alternative yet? I'm mostly on FB for the groups--history groups, allergy groups. Discord just doesn't work as well for some of those discussions. There are a few old-school message boards left but it's hard to get ppl to them. Suggestions?
January 8, 2025 at 2:46 AM
So X is to Bluesky what FB is to ____? Do we have a viable alternative yet? I'm mostly on FB for the groups--history groups, allergy groups. Discord just doesn't work as well for some of those discussions. There are a few old-school message boards left but it's hard to get ppl to them. Suggestions?
"This book is about fighting despite the odds.... It’s about love and kindness and different kinds of bravery and how important community is." 🌈🐲🥰
30 hours left! and only $500 CAD/$350 USD left to go. almost at 100 supporters!! keep boosting! we got this ✨
Do you love the Mandalorian? Think HTTYD is awesome? Want more dragon-riding sapphics? Even better if they’re aroace? Check out my Kickstarter and help me bring this book to life! Only 60 hours left! #romancelandia #WritingCommunity #BookSky 🌈📚 💙📚
www.kickstarter.com/projects/vri...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/vri...
January 1, 2025 at 11:35 PM
"This book is about fighting despite the odds.... It’s about love and kindness and different kinds of bravery and how important community is." 🌈🐲🥰
🐲🥰🌈📚
"Sapphic Mandalorian with a baby dragon".
This book sounds so fun!
"Sapphic Mandalorian with a baby dragon".
This book sounds so fun!
My ace romantasy Kickstarter is live! Go check it out and consider backing early (there's even an early bird reward!). The more momentum this gets now, the better chances of success. And please share with all your dragon-loving friends! 🌈📚
www.kickstarter.com/projects/vri...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/vri...
The Dragon Next Door: an LGBTQ+ romantasy novel
This standalone in the Fireborn universe is like sapphic Mandalorian with a baby dragon. Friends to lovers but asexual.
www.kickstarter.com
December 17, 2024 at 7:11 PM
🐲🥰🌈📚
"Sapphic Mandalorian with a baby dragon".
This book sounds so fun!
"Sapphic Mandalorian with a baby dragon".
This book sounds so fun!
Oooo...last minute addition to the Holiday Wishlist. 😂😅 This book looks fantastic and I want to read it all...
The Cambrians would like to congratulate our former President, Professor Nancy Edwards, on the shortlisting of her book ‘Life in Early Medieval Wales’ for the Current Archaeology Book of the Year 🎉
The winner will be decided by a vote closing on February 10.
👉 archaeology.co.uk/awards/book-...
The winner will be decided by a vote closing on February 10.
👉 archaeology.co.uk/awards/book-...
Book of the Year 2025 – Nominees - Current Archaeology
Below are some of the publications we feel most deserve to be recognised for their contribution to the field – the nominees for the Book of the Year award. Voting closes on 10 February and all the win...
archaeology.co.uk
December 14, 2024 at 12:45 AM
Oooo...last minute addition to the Holiday Wishlist. 😂😅 This book looks fantastic and I want to read it all...
There are enough additional plots suggested in the comments to have an entire Reference Section Romance Mini-series and I want to watch it!
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Hit us up @hallmarkchannel.bsky.social @netflix.com 🙏
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Hit us up @hallmarkchannel.bsky.social @netflix.com 🙏
December 11, 2024 at 9:09 PM
There are enough additional plots suggested in the comments to have an entire Reference Section Romance Mini-series and I want to watch it!
Libraries are VITAL.
They're packed full of knowledge, wonder, & glimpses into the wider world. For free.
Librarians are amazing & connect people to everything from practical resources to esoteric answers to their next favorite book.
And libraries are a rare public space were people can just *be*.
They're packed full of knowledge, wonder, & glimpses into the wider world. For free.
Librarians are amazing & connect people to everything from practical resources to esoteric answers to their next favorite book.
And libraries are a rare public space were people can just *be*.
December 1, 2024 at 7:20 AM
Libraries are VITAL.
They're packed full of knowledge, wonder, & glimpses into the wider world. For free.
Librarians are amazing & connect people to everything from practical resources to esoteric answers to their next favorite book.
And libraries are a rare public space were people can just *be*.
They're packed full of knowledge, wonder, & glimpses into the wider world. For free.
Librarians are amazing & connect people to everything from practical resources to esoteric answers to their next favorite book.
And libraries are a rare public space were people can just *be*.
If you could go back in time and preserve one smallish item that would otherwise be lost/destroyed at the moment of its destruction, what would it be? (Don't overthink! Fun answers here!)
I'd nab a manuscript written in Pictish. Bonus points if I could find one that was literature or history!
I'd nab a manuscript written in Pictish. Bonus points if I could find one that was literature or history!
November 30, 2024 at 3:56 AM
If you could go back in time and preserve one smallish item that would otherwise be lost/destroyed at the moment of its destruction, what would it be? (Don't overthink! Fun answers here!)
I'd nab a manuscript written in Pictish. Bonus points if I could find one that was literature or history!
I'd nab a manuscript written in Pictish. Bonus points if I could find one that was literature or history!
I do tend to make a long playlist for each WIP. Grabbing a handful from this one🦇:
"I Am Not Nothing" - Beth Crowley
"Every Ending is a Chance" - Claire Wyndham
"Fools" - Lauren Aquilina
"Remembrance" Tommee Profitt & Fleurie
"I Am Not Nothing" - Beth Crowley
"Every Ending is a Chance" - Claire Wyndham
"Fools" - Lauren Aquilina
"Remembrance" Tommee Profitt & Fleurie
#SFFchat Q2: What would be on the soundtrack to your story or WIP?
Share a song, artist, or even whole playlist if you like!
Share a song, artist, or even whole playlist if you like!
November 29, 2024 at 3:56 AM
I do tend to make a long playlist for each WIP. Grabbing a handful from this one🦇:
"I Am Not Nothing" - Beth Crowley
"Every Ending is a Chance" - Claire Wyndham
"Fools" - Lauren Aquilina
"Remembrance" Tommee Profitt & Fleurie
"I Am Not Nothing" - Beth Crowley
"Every Ending is a Chance" - Claire Wyndham
"Fools" - Lauren Aquilina
"Remembrance" Tommee Profitt & Fleurie
Cozy. While I do put a fair amount of hope in my fiction, I think it would be fun to go all the way to cozy fantasy at some point.
Also maybe mystery? I use mystery subplots, but it would be fun to lean in and make it the main plot at some point.
Also maybe mystery? I use mystery subplots, but it would be fun to lean in and make it the main plot at some point.
#SFFchat Q3: What's a genre/subgenre you've never written in & would love to?
November 29, 2024 at 2:47 AM
Cozy. While I do put a fair amount of hope in my fiction, I think it would be fun to go all the way to cozy fantasy at some point.
Also maybe mystery? I use mystery subplots, but it would be fun to lean in and make it the main plot at some point.
Also maybe mystery? I use mystery subplots, but it would be fun to lean in and make it the main plot at some point.