Lester D. Crawford
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Lester D. Crawford
@lesterdcrawford.com
61 followers 91 following 210 posts
Writer of stories involving dragons, mostly, that use themes of love, loyalty, friendship, kindness, acceptance, family of origin, and family of choice.

www.LesterDCrawford.com

Related Bluesky accounts:
@thedragonuniverse.com
@dracotation.com
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Lester D. Crawford @lesterdcrawford.com · Nov 20
"The Dragon Universe Utopia Origins" is available on bookseller websites. I recommend purchasing it through your local independent bookstore, or use Bookshop.org to credit your local independent bookstore.
Book cover for The Dragon Universe Utopia Origins showing a child having a picnic with a dragon in a forest
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips November 12 - shirt
Manipulating gender expression using clothing.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Mister Emery said, "Gender is a complex continuum, but as actors, we're only interested in one aspect: gender expression -- how someone outwardly presents themselves using society's gender stereotypes. Our lessons will concentrate on using those stereotypes to manipulate people into assuming your gender to be the gender you want them to assume." He went on to discuss clothing and how privileged people dressed flamboyantly with obvious differences, such as men wearing pants and shirts while women wore frocks. In contrast, to blend into the crowd, riffraff men and women dressed alike wearing farm-dirt brown pants, shirts, and hats. However, because of the range in body shapes and sizes, the cut of people's clothing often provided gender expression cues, meaning that by using cut and padding, clothing can be made to present as masculine or feminine. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
November 12, 2025 at 6:48 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
The dragon said, "You on my back would be humiliating. I will not be subordinate to you."

"We will be Dragon and Rider. See how dragon comes first."

"We will be Dragon Rider and his jackass."

"I think you mean 'mount.'"

"Whatever."

#AmWriting #Dragons
November 11, 2025 at 11:09 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips November 10 - local
The local artesian well provides safe drinking water.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Hope put away her daggers, washed in her makeshift washroom, ate a couple of carrots and an apple from school, a piece of dried meat from her food cache, and drank her fill of water. Later in the evening, when the only people on the street would be a few riffraff on their way to a work-shift, she would visit the local artesian well and refill her drinking water containers. For now, though, she would read the history book. According to The History of Tossal, the world used to be different. It had been friendly, safe, smart, and with social equality and rights for everyone. She jumped to the end to see how the world came to be broken, but the book ended before explaining it. Yet, this history did explain Mister Emery's play I Will Be a Symbol, which was about bringing back that different world. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
November 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips November 9 - picture
A talented artist, actor, musician, and dancer teaches Hope those skills. He also teaches her fighting and weapons. She wonders why he knows those things. His backstory is a mystery, even to the author.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: When finished with sparing practice, the rest of their scheduled time was spent practicing drawing. When Hope finished her picture, Mister Emery said, "Excellent. What is the creature?" "He's a dragon ... like, what's in story books." "It looks like a real creature. I like how the wings are spread in a horaltic pose." "Baby doesn't always do that. Normally, he keeps them closed, folded tight to his body, but that doesn't look dramatic." He gave her a sideways glance. "Indeed." — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
November 9, 2025 at 7:43 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips November 8 - little
I use little a lot! I need to do a little editing.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: "It's time for sleep. Go walk circles." The baby dragon tilted his head and said, "Why walk circles?" "You always walk circles, and do little marching steps, before you lie down for the night." "I do not." He snorted, went to the sleeping place, walked half a circle, stopped, stared at Hope, and plopped himself down. He wiggled. He squirmed. He fidgeted. Then he stood, walked two circles, made little marching steps, lay down facing away from Hope, and snorted again. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
November 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips November 7 - movement
Does a dragon look funny doing that?
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: While making her way back to the cave lair, Hope ducked into a secure hiding place to concentrate on her connection with the baby dragon. He had stopped exploring the forest to do something different that she couldn't figure out without concentrating. She probed the strands that connected to his body and movements. He lay on his back with his wings spread wide and his feet sticking up. Hope whispered, "What are you doing, Baby?" "Light feel good." — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
November 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
Having a dragon is cool, except for the high-maintenance. I did not know a creature so magnificent and powerful could be so needy.

#AmWriting #Dragons
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
My dragon wanted to go flying. The problem was that I was trying to keep him hidden from the neighbors. I didn't think they were ready to know about dragons.

#AmWriting #Dragons
November 5, 2025 at 6:59 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips November 5 - trail
An editorial choice made for this story was to call trails in the forest "animal traces."
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: The trees, ferns, and bushes were abundant enough to make travel difficult had it not been for animal traces that provided paths to follow. She rarely saw the animals — they ran or hid as she approached — but she assumed there were many of them. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
November 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
As I flew with my dragon, I was having a problem.

"How do you keep bugs out of your mouth?"

The dragon said, "I keep my mouth shut." He then started spitting.

"You got bugs in your mouth, didn't you?"

#AmWriting #Dragons
November 4, 2025 at 7:15 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
"People are not food."

The dragon responded, "Blah, blah, blah."

"Where'd you learn blah, blah, blah?"

"Ander told me that was the best way to describe how you constantly complain."

"I wouldn't complain so much if you'd stop wanting to eat people."

#AmWriting #Dragons
November 3, 2025 at 11:17 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips November 3 - nice
A nice treat. I used to occasionally enjoy nice treats, until the price rose to a substantial percentage of an hours pay.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: The aromas coming from the bakery were as wonderful as ever. When she was certain no one was coming and no one watched, she placed two polished gemstones — a blue one and a yellow one — on the stoop then returned to her hiding place. As always, Mister Aviar took the gemstones and placed a paper wrapped package on the stoop. With excitement, Hope opened the package. It contained a loaf of bread, which it always did, and something new: several individually wrapped doughnuts that were missing the hole in the middle. She took a bite of the strange doughnut. Where the hole should have been, it was filled with custard. She had had custard a few times when Mister Stirling snuck containers into her food order. Custard was a nice treat, but Hope did not considered it food — food was things like meat, vegetables, fruits, beans, and things made with grain. However, custard inside a doughnut…. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
November 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
When I finished preening the dragon, I said, "What else may I do for you?"

"You may oil me."

"Oil you? Do you squeak? I agree. Few things are more annoying than a squeaky dragon."

#AmWriting #Dragons
October 31, 2025 at 6:15 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
The dragon and I were on guard duty. Or, more precisely, with his greater powers of hearing, sight, and smell, the dragon was doing the guarding. My role was dragon attendant. But, when the sound of rustling in the bushes came, even I heard it.
#AmWriting #Dragons
October 30, 2025 at 10:21 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips October 30 - spell
I was sure my manuscript did not contain the word "spell". However, in one scene, Hope teaches the baby dragon about writing letters and words. Maybe I used spell there, although that usage of the word would not relate to spells cast during spooky week.
wipsnips.bsky.social ✨#WIPSnips✨ A Daily Writing Share Tag @wipsnips.bsky.social · 13d
🎶 I put a spell on yooouuuu... 🎶

The #WIPSnips word for October 30th is "spell"

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
#WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag October 30 - spell Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine. Support others on the #WIPSnips tag! Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social The image behind the text is a border that is black with stars with an orange rectangle highlighted by a purple line. An illustrated back cat is in the bottom left corner, with a few silhouettes of bats in the right corner and a spider dangling down from the top.
October 30, 2025 at 5:26 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
Riding a dragon is like riding a motorcycle. I learned to wear motorcycle-riding gear. Bugs were an incentive. The clincher, though, was the bird strike.

#AmWriting #Dragons
October 29, 2025 at 6:12 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
"You're hungry, aren't you? Go hunting. I can finish up here."

The dragon said, "I can wait until we are finished."

"A hungry dragon is not a safe dragon."

"I am fine."

"It's not you I'm worried about."

#AmWriting #Dragons
October 28, 2025 at 9:23 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
In the midst of our argument, the dragon furrowed his brow and made a noise that sounded as if it needed to be followed by "excuse me." I was sure it was a dragon language word, and through context I knew he had called me a derogatory name.

"Oh yeah? Well... Your mother was a wyvern."
October 28, 2025 at 6:24 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
I encounter two types of people.
October 27, 2025 at 8:35 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips October 26 - hat
Was the man having an affair?
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: Hope said, "Hide." There was no place to hide. The baby dragon dropped to the ground, curled up, and mantled his wings. Hope froze in place. A man came down the steps, saw her, grabbed the brim of his hat, pulled it down to conceal his face, and said, "Good evening," as he headed down the street as if he didn't want to be there. How had the man not seen Baby? He was right there. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
October 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips October 24 - total
The baby dragon reads for the first time.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: "Try reading Kirik and Mirik's Adventures." The baby dragon's ears drooped. "I don't know all the words." "You know enough to get started. As you find new words, we'll add them to your list." He ran a hand over the book. "There are so many words in the book." "Words are used over and over again, so there aren't as many different words as there are total words. You'll do fine." Opening the book, Baby slowly read aloud: "The mighty dragon Kirik and his friend the indomitable mountain cat Mirik stood on the ridge outside Kirik's cave overlooking the mist-shrouded valley. Something was coming and they were ready to protect their families and community. They just needed to decide what that something would be for today's adventure game." Baby's ears pricked, the tip of his tail wagged, and he softly purred. "I told you you could do it." The words they had practiced were from the beginning of the book, so Hope wasn't suppressed he could read them. Although, she wondered if he had memorized the story as she had and therefore knew what the words would be. — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
October 24, 2025 at 5:20 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
I recommend for all readers the "Wings of Fire" series by Tui T. Sutherland.
#Dragons #WingsOfFire
wingsoffirenews.bsky.social Wings of Fire News @wingsoffirenews.bsky.social · 20d
#WingsOfFireNews!

The Official Cover for Book 16 Has Been revealed!

Art is by @joyang.bsky.social

#WingsOfFire
October 24, 2025 at 12:48 AM
lesterdcrawford.com
Stray Cat Friend died today.
I'm heartbroken.

He was a good friend.
He was the best cat friend I ever had.
Portrait of Stray Cat Friend, May 10, 2019, a tabby cat with black and white tabby patterned fur and a large white spot of fur under his chin, his neck, and chest
October 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips October 22 - charge
Baby dragon scares himself. Inspired by Big Bear bald eagle Sunny practicing with wings while branching. Wind caught wings and tossed her backward into nest bowl. She just sat there, wits scared out of her.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky #Dragons
Text that says: "I can catch you." Hope charged the baby dragon. "You can't catch me." Baby dashed away in a zigzag, occasionally pausing to let her come close, and then dodging while making his goik, goik laugh. Hope, laughing with him, was unable to keep up. Then he stopped, swung around, and said, "I can catch you." She had no doubt he could. She stopped laughing and ran. Behind her she heard the squelching and splattering of his hands and feet on the rain-soaked grass coming closer as he galloped on all fours. They hadn't made rules for this game, so she didn't know what to expect. Her foot caught on the hem of her raincloak sending her tumbling. She curled into a ball and covered her head expecting to be trampled. Through their connection came the feeling of frantic panic, then, the power of Baby's legs as he leapt, his primary wings snapping to full extension, his tail wings fanning out, and the air under both sets of wings. Looking up, she saw his magnificent, wide-spread form glistening from the rain as his wings caught the air to waft him over her, ending in a crash as he scrapped a trench through the grass that spun him around leaving him facing her, his eyes full of terror that matched what was coming through their connection. "Oh my! You flew." She ran to him. "Well, maybe not flew, but you definitely glided a couple of dozen steps. It was glorious. Let's do it again." "Go inside lair now." — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
October 22, 2025 at 5:27 PM
lesterdcrawford.com
#WIPSnips October 21 - second
They were proud of the fear they had instilled.
#AmWriting #AmWritingFantasy #AmWritingScifi #WriteSky
Text that says: Several moments later, a squad of militiamen came into the alley. A second squad approached from the opposite direction. The two squads stopped to talk. Hope withdrew deeper into the hollow's shadows and wished the militiamen would move on so she could continue her survival tasks. The men laughed as they exchanged stories about mentally and physically abusing and traumatizing riffraff; how many they had harassed, humiliated, threatened, or simply chained and hauled away for further investigation, or sent to work camps; how they had forced them into surrender, into submission, into silence; and how much coin reward they received from the City Lords. They were proud of the fear they had instilled, and all with no accountability. They had made the world a grim, miserable place where riffraff hurried along, head down, afraid, paranoid, and subject to being disappeared at any moment. When the militiamen finally left, Hope said to herself, "The world is a dark place." — The Dragon Universe Hope (working title, work-in-progress)
October 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM