Monissa
@islandhopping.bsky.social
Takes lots of photos
Writes lots of fantasy
Tries to write other stuff. Not very successfully
Grows killer plants
Autistic
Cranky.
www.monissa.com
Note: Some posts auto-post from Mastodon & the formatting/threading is odd. I'm learning to do it better.
Writes lots of fantasy
Tries to write other stuff. Not very successfully
Grows killer plants
Autistic
Cranky.
www.monissa.com
Note: Some posts auto-post from Mastodon & the formatting/threading is odd. I'm learning to do it better.
Pinned
Monissa
@islandhopping.bsky.social
· Feb 14
A thread of islands.
#Tasmania is actually a group of islands. The name refers to both the whole group and the big island in the middle. (To differentiate, you can say "mainland Tasmania" or "the big island in the middle".).
Photo: near Launceston airport, September 2017
#LotsOfIslands #FromAPlane
#Tasmania is actually a group of islands. The name refers to both the whole group and the big island in the middle. (To differentiate, you can say "mainland Tasmania" or "the big island in the middle".).
Photo: near Launceston airport, September 2017
#LotsOfIslands #FromAPlane
"Experienced? That's a double-edged compliment." I tossed my half-eaten carrot onto the road. "So what's the pay?"
"Bed and board, and a share of power in the new government."
I laughed. "I'm done with working for promises. Come back to me when you have cold hard coin to offer."
#WIPsnips "percent"
"Bed and board, and a share of power in the new government."
I laughed. "I'm done with working for promises. Come back to me when you have cold hard coin to offer."
#WIPsnips "percent"
December 2, 2025 at 12:10 PM
"Experienced? That's a double-edged compliment." I tossed my half-eaten carrot onto the road. "So what's the pay?"
"Bed and board, and a share of power in the new government."
I laughed. "I'm done with working for promises. Come back to me when you have cold hard coin to offer."
#WIPsnips "percent"
"Bed and board, and a share of power in the new government."
I laughed. "I'm done with working for promises. Come back to me when you have cold hard coin to offer."
#WIPsnips "percent"
My cacti are flowering very enthusiastically, so I'll share some photos this week.
My oldest plant. I have no idea what it is*. It doesn't flower very often and the flower only lasts a day but it's spectacular enough visitors were taken to see it.
#Cacti #Bloomscrolling
My oldest plant. I have no idea what it is*. It doesn't flower very often and the flower only lasts a day but it's spectacular enough visitors were taken to see it.
#Cacti #Bloomscrolling
December 1, 2025 at 7:43 AM
My cacti are flowering very enthusiastically, so I'll share some photos this week.
My oldest plant. I have no idea what it is*. It doesn't flower very often and the flower only lasts a day but it's spectacular enough visitors were taken to see it.
#Cacti #Bloomscrolling
My oldest plant. I have no idea what it is*. It doesn't flower very often and the flower only lasts a day but it's spectacular enough visitors were taken to see it.
#Cacti #Bloomscrolling
I shake the cup and throw out the dice. A six falls out. A second six. And then a third.
Mohindra snorts. "We might as well all go home now."
"Rek doesn't just flirt with luck," Vachir says. "This day he takes it to a dark corner and makes it his lover."
#WIPsnips "third"
Mohindra snorts. "We might as well all go home now."
"Rek doesn't just flirt with luck," Vachir says. "This day he takes it to a dark corner and makes it his lover."
#WIPsnips "third"
November 19, 2025 at 10:42 AM
I shake the cup and throw out the dice. A six falls out. A second six. And then a third.
Mohindra snorts. "We might as well all go home now."
"Rek doesn't just flirt with luck," Vachir says. "This day he takes it to a dark corner and makes it his lover."
#WIPsnips "third"
Mohindra snorts. "We might as well all go home now."
"Rek doesn't just flirt with luck," Vachir says. "This day he takes it to a dark corner and makes it his lover."
#WIPsnips "third"
Done, at 50,000 words (yes, exactly).
1.02 new WIPs created
50 stickers added to laptop lid
2.25 blocks of dark chocolate eaten
Lots of tea drunk
#Nanowrimo #Novelember
1.02 new WIPs created
50 stickers added to laptop lid
2.25 blocks of dark chocolate eaten
Lots of tea drunk
#Nanowrimo #Novelember
November 17, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Done, at 50,000 words (yes, exactly).
1.02 new WIPs created
50 stickers added to laptop lid
2.25 blocks of dark chocolate eaten
Lots of tea drunk
#Nanowrimo #Novelember
1.02 new WIPs created
50 stickers added to laptop lid
2.25 blocks of dark chocolate eaten
Lots of tea drunk
#Nanowrimo #Novelember
Plod. Plod. Plod. To 42,506 words.
The end is just ahead, at the top of the light tower sticking out of the fog on the island on the other side of the rock channel.
#Nanowrimo #Novelember
The end is just ahead, at the top of the light tower sticking out of the fog on the island on the other side of the rock channel.
#Nanowrimo #Novelember
November 15, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Plod. Plod. Plod. To 42,506 words.
The end is just ahead, at the top of the light tower sticking out of the fog on the island on the other side of the rock channel.
#Nanowrimo #Novelember
The end is just ahead, at the top of the light tower sticking out of the fog on the island on the other side of the rock channel.
#Nanowrimo #Novelember
She looks over us again. "You'll have to carry your own bags up the stairs."
"Stairs," Varek says, almost a sigh.
He is able to climb unaided, but his progress is slow. He stops every few steps to rest.
#WIPsnips "progress"
"Stairs," Varek says, almost a sigh.
He is able to climb unaided, but his progress is slow. He stops every few steps to rest.
#WIPsnips "progress"
November 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
She looks over us again. "You'll have to carry your own bags up the stairs."
"Stairs," Varek says, almost a sigh.
He is able to climb unaided, but his progress is slow. He stops every few steps to rest.
#WIPsnips "progress"
"Stairs," Varek says, almost a sigh.
He is able to climb unaided, but his progress is slow. He stops every few steps to rest.
#WIPsnips "progress"
The pantry gives up a box of carrots. I select the smallest one, wash it and offer it to Meri. He throws it to the floor.
"Want Mama."
Alin picks up the offending vegetable. "I think you need to cut it into strips, and have something to dip it in."
#WIPsnips "burger"
Not much food. A lot of tea 😃
"Want Mama."
Alin picks up the offending vegetable. "I think you need to cut it into strips, and have something to dip it in."
#WIPsnips "burger"
Not much food. A lot of tea 😃
The #WIPSnips word for November 11th is "burger"
Don't have a burger? Just show us another culinary delight from your WIP!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Don't have a burger? Just show us another culinary delight from your WIP!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The pantry gives up a box of carrots. I select the smallest one, wash it and offer it to Meri. He throws it to the floor.
"Want Mama."
Alin picks up the offending vegetable. "I think you need to cut it into strips, and have something to dip it in."
#WIPsnips "burger"
Not much food. A lot of tea 😃
"Want Mama."
Alin picks up the offending vegetable. "I think you need to cut it into strips, and have something to dip it in."
#WIPsnips "burger"
Not much food. A lot of tea 😃
Just over 2000 words, good
OK 2500 words a day is a nice amount.
Let's be realistic "Better than yesterday's average" it is.
Ah, this is creeping up to--
NOT 3000 WORDS A DAY. Seriously.
Maybe I'm the only person who's ever done #Nanowrimo & worried about wrting too many words a day
#Novelember
OK 2500 words a day is a nice amount.
Let's be realistic "Better than yesterday's average" it is.
Ah, this is creeping up to--
NOT 3000 WORDS A DAY. Seriously.
Maybe I'm the only person who's ever done #Nanowrimo & worried about wrting too many words a day
#Novelember
November 11, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Just over 2000 words, good
OK 2500 words a day is a nice amount.
Let's be realistic "Better than yesterday's average" it is.
Ah, this is creeping up to--
NOT 3000 WORDS A DAY. Seriously.
Maybe I'm the only person who's ever done #Nanowrimo & worried about wrting too many words a day
#Novelember
OK 2500 words a day is a nice amount.
Let's be realistic "Better than yesterday's average" it is.
Ah, this is creeping up to--
NOT 3000 WORDS A DAY. Seriously.
Maybe I'm the only person who's ever done #Nanowrimo & worried about wrting too many words a day
#Novelember
Ral is busy drawing. He shows me his pictures and points out the important bits. The house, the yard and the dead man asleep in the yard. He was a little disappointed when we went out last night to find the dead man gone. I was not.
#WIPsnips "little'
#WIPsnips "little'
November 8, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Ral is busy drawing. He shows me his pictures and points out the important bits. The house, the yard and the dead man asleep in the yard. He was a little disappointed when we went out last night to find the dead man gone. I was not.
#WIPsnips "little'
#WIPsnips "little'
We had an open garden today. My mother's garden, to raise money for my sister's dog training club. Busy, busy all day, but I managed my minimum, giving me 21434 words for the month.
(Photo: my puppy-nieice Jess who showed off her scent work skills today.)
#Novelember #NaNoWriMo
(Photo: my puppy-nieice Jess who showed off her scent work skills today.)
#Novelember #NaNoWriMo
November 8, 2025 at 11:16 AM
We had an open garden today. My mother's garden, to raise money for my sister's dog training club. Busy, busy all day, but I managed my minimum, giving me 21434 words for the month.
(Photo: my puppy-nieice Jess who showed off her scent work skills today.)
#Novelember #NaNoWriMo
(Photo: my puppy-nieice Jess who showed off her scent work skills today.)
#Novelember #NaNoWriMo
In the lane behind the house, the young Enforcer is sitting at the table. Head resting on his hand. He looks bored. I glance at his gameboard. Move one piece so it takes another off the board. He frowns at me. I smile. He frowns more.
#WIPSnips "movement"
#WIPSnips "movement"
November 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
In the lane behind the house, the young Enforcer is sitting at the table. Head resting on his hand. He looks bored. I glance at his gameboard. Move one piece so it takes another off the board. He frowns at me. I smile. He frowns more.
#WIPSnips "movement"
#WIPSnips "movement"
Day 6 brings me to 16019. I seem to have gained a thousand there.
How about a #WritingTip?
First thing in the morning, before anything else, write a sentence or two. It gets you thinking about what you're going to write, and when you do sit down, you'll have already started
#Novelember #NaNoWriMo
How about a #WritingTip?
First thing in the morning, before anything else, write a sentence or two. It gets you thinking about what you're going to write, and when you do sit down, you'll have already started
#Novelember #NaNoWriMo
November 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Day 6 brings me to 16019. I seem to have gained a thousand there.
How about a #WritingTip?
First thing in the morning, before anything else, write a sentence or two. It gets you thinking about what you're going to write, and when you do sit down, you'll have already started
#Novelember #NaNoWriMo
How about a #WritingTip?
First thing in the morning, before anything else, write a sentence or two. It gets you thinking about what you're going to write, and when you do sit down, you'll have already started
#Novelember #NaNoWriMo
"It fell," he said, and points up at the shelf above him. A flour-covered stool tells the rest of the story.
"That is naughty," says Ral. He grabs his offending brother and pulls him over to the sink, leaving a trail of floury footprints behind them.
#WIPsnips "trail"
Some first draft-ness :)
"That is naughty," says Ral. He grabs his offending brother and pulls him over to the sink, leaving a trail of floury footprints behind them.
#WIPsnips "trail"
Some first draft-ness :)
November 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
"It fell," he said, and points up at the shelf above him. A flour-covered stool tells the rest of the story.
"That is naughty," says Ral. He grabs his offending brother and pulls him over to the sink, leaving a trail of floury footprints behind them.
#WIPsnips "trail"
Some first draft-ness :)
"That is naughty," says Ral. He grabs his offending brother and pulls him over to the sink, leaving a trail of floury footprints behind them.
#WIPsnips "trail"
Some first draft-ness :)
November 4, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Ral comes to sit beside me. He was kneeling on a stool, looking out the window. "They have black horses," he says.
I ruffle his hair. "That's good."
#WIPsnips "nice"
Shiny new first draft doesn't have a lot of words to choose from yet.
I ruffle his hair. "That's good."
#WIPsnips "nice"
Shiny new first draft doesn't have a lot of words to choose from yet.
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips
The word for November 3rd is "nice"
Regular reminder to put Alt Text on your graphics!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The word for November 3rd is "nice"
Regular reminder to put Alt Text on your graphics!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 3, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Ral comes to sit beside me. He was kneeling on a stool, looking out the window. "They have black horses," he says.
I ruffle his hair. "That's good."
#WIPsnips "nice"
Shiny new first draft doesn't have a lot of words to choose from yet.
I ruffle his hair. "That's good."
#WIPsnips "nice"
Shiny new first draft doesn't have a lot of words to choose from yet.
Eight years ago, I finished #Nanowrimo on this day, 3 November (20K, 18K & 12K words, if you're wondering). I don't recommend trying this without a lot of practice.
Today, I'm at 7783, a nice place to be. Although sometimes I miss the days when writing was easy.
#Novelember #NotNaNoWriMo
Today, I'm at 7783, a nice place to be. Although sometimes I miss the days when writing was easy.
#Novelember #NotNaNoWriMo
November 3, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Eight years ago, I finished #Nanowrimo on this day, 3 November (20K, 18K & 12K words, if you're wondering). I don't recommend trying this without a lot of practice.
Today, I'm at 7783, a nice place to be. Although sometimes I miss the days when writing was easy.
#Novelember #NotNaNoWriMo
Today, I'm at 7783, a nice place to be. Although sometimes I miss the days when writing was easy.
#Novelember #NotNaNoWriMo
Day 2 brings me to 5169. I think 2500 words a day is a nice amount. (I've had problems in the past writing want to write too much each day. (Seriously.))
Even better, MC has found a voice and a temporary motivation.
#imwritinganovelinnovember #Novelember #NotNaNoWriMo
Even better, MC has found a voice and a temporary motivation.
#imwritinganovelinnovember #Novelember #NotNaNoWriMo
November 2, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Day 2 brings me to 5169. I think 2500 words a day is a nice amount. (I've had problems in the past writing want to write too much each day. (Seriously.))
Even better, MC has found a voice and a temporary motivation.
#imwritinganovelinnovember #Novelember #NotNaNoWriMo
Even better, MC has found a voice and a temporary motivation.
#imwritinganovelinnovember #Novelember #NotNaNoWriMo
So the first day of #November has come and gone, and I wrote 2406 works.
I'm not doing 50K this year. I've had over twenty years of doing that. Now I just want to write a first draf ms at however long it is. It's a sequel to a novella so I'm hoping it's not too long.
#NeedAHashTag #Nanowrimo
I'm not doing 50K this year. I've had over twenty years of doing that. Now I just want to write a first draf ms at however long it is. It's a sequel to a novella so I'm hoping it's not too long.
#NeedAHashTag #Nanowrimo
November 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
So the first day of #November has come and gone, and I wrote 2406 works.
I'm not doing 50K this year. I've had over twenty years of doing that. Now I just want to write a first draf ms at however long it is. It's a sequel to a novella so I'm hoping it's not too long.
#NeedAHashTag #Nanowrimo
I'm not doing 50K this year. I've had over twenty years of doing that. Now I just want to write a first draf ms at however long it is. It's a sequel to a novella so I'm hoping it's not too long.
#NeedAHashTag #Nanowrimo
Photo "memories" on that other place. Now I want to go to visit Cornwall, Meh.
Chysauster Village, on a foggy day. Best way to visit. Cut off from the rest of the world. Just me and the houses.)
Chysauster Village, on a foggy day. Best way to visit. Cut off from the rest of the world. Just me and the houses.)
October 22, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Photo "memories" on that other place. Now I want to go to visit Cornwall, Meh.
Chysauster Village, on a foggy day. Best way to visit. Cut off from the rest of the world. Just me and the houses.)
Chysauster Village, on a foggy day. Best way to visit. Cut off from the rest of the world. Just me and the houses.)
Tom's on the fast track in London's civil service. But the great dome city is to be closed. Its population can be relocated. His boss disagrees. So to save their home, they're off to the moon to find a zombie king & his sleeping knights.
This wasn't in Tom's job description.
#DVpit #A #F #SF #MH
This wasn't in Tom's job description.
#DVpit #A #F #SF #MH
October 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
When Tyche sees Prince Nikolas, it's love at first sight but he's very rich & she's very poor, so it's not happening. Until she finds a basement of treasure. guarded by a centuries-dead magician. Now the wedding is on. But does she really need a prince to-- Wait, Nikolas has disappeared
#DVPit #A #F
#DVPit #A #F
October 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The man who crossed the room stops in front of me. "Not so tough now, are we?"
Tough? He sent three men to subdue me, and now I'm injured and bound, he feels it's safe to gloat at me. Which of us is tough?
#WIPsnips "safe"
Tough? He sent three men to subdue me, and now I'm injured and bound, he feels it's safe to gloat at me. Which of us is tough?
#WIPsnips "safe"
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 10:35 AM
The man who crossed the room stops in front of me. "Not so tough now, are we?"
Tough? He sent three men to subdue me, and now I'm injured and bound, he feels it's safe to gloat at me. Which of us is tough?
#WIPsnips "safe"
Tough? He sent three men to subdue me, and now I'm injured and bound, he feels it's safe to gloat at me. Which of us is tough?
#WIPsnips "safe"
Now I can't prove that this one has been altered but what do you think?
The Brussels International Exposition, 1910 where a large fire ripped thorugh last parts of the site. (There's a longer account of it here: history-in-your-hands.com/432postcards...)
#ModfiedPostcards #PrePhotoshop #Belgium
The Brussels International Exposition, 1910 where a large fire ripped thorugh last parts of the site. (There's a longer account of it here: history-in-your-hands.com/432postcards...)
#ModfiedPostcards #PrePhotoshop #Belgium
October 6, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Now I can't prove that this one has been altered but what do you think?
The Brussels International Exposition, 1910 where a large fire ripped thorugh last parts of the site. (There's a longer account of it here: history-in-your-hands.com/432postcards...)
#ModfiedPostcards #PrePhotoshop #Belgium
The Brussels International Exposition, 1910 where a large fire ripped thorugh last parts of the site. (There's a longer account of it here: history-in-your-hands.com/432postcards...)
#ModfiedPostcards #PrePhotoshop #Belgium
Two postcards from Clovelly, in Devon, showing a trio of donkeys going up the steep high street. Same donkeys and men show in each picture, but look closely at the buildings, especially the ones on the left and the New Inn.
(Publisher Valentine, coloured image 1900s, B&W 1920s)
(Publisher Valentine, coloured image 1900s, B&W 1920s)
October 5, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Two postcards from Clovelly, in Devon, showing a trio of donkeys going up the steep high street. Same donkeys and men show in each picture, but look closely at the buildings, especially the ones on the left and the New Inn.
(Publisher Valentine, coloured image 1900s, B&W 1920s)
(Publisher Valentine, coloured image 1900s, B&W 1920s)
The Merry Maidens, of Cornwall.
They were turned into stone for dancing on Sunday. Their pipers are in a paddock on other side of the road.
#StandingStoneSunday #LandscapePhotography
They were turned into stone for dancing on Sunday. Their pipers are in a paddock on other side of the road.
#StandingStoneSunday #LandscapePhotography
September 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
The Merry Maidens, of Cornwall.
They were turned into stone for dancing on Sunday. Their pipers are in a paddock on other side of the road.
#StandingStoneSunday #LandscapePhotography
They were turned into stone for dancing on Sunday. Their pipers are in a paddock on other side of the road.
#StandingStoneSunday #LandscapePhotography