Mark Weaver
@markweaver.bsky.social
Author and instigator-in-chief of the scribes. Former professional archivist and records manager. Lives in the Dark Peak with more fountain pens than he realistically needs.
For more details visit scriptoriumscribes.com
For more details visit scriptoriumscribes.com
Pinned
Mark Weaver
@markweaver.bsky.social
· Oct 21
To the new arrivals on Bluesky: I mostly post about the antics of scribes of the priory of St Elno, a wholly fictional place that began life in The Bad Place and was used to take the mickey out of a certain billionaire. See also Musky the dog and references to rockets, cryptocurrencies, etc.
As it has been a while since I last did this, I’m starting the additional illustrations with an easy one. Pencils done; now to outline in black ink. The colour of the leaves will be different as I need a picture of autumn leaves. Seventeen more to do after this.
#ScriptoriumChronicle #BookSky
#ScriptoriumChronicle #BookSky
February 11, 2026 at 9:39 AM
As it has been a while since I last did this, I’m starting the additional illustrations with an easy one. Pencils done; now to outline in black ink. The colour of the leaves will be different as I need a picture of autumn leaves. Seventeen more to do after this.
#ScriptoriumChronicle #BookSky
#ScriptoriumChronicle #BookSky
I’ve come to the conclusion that “The Scriptorium Chronicle” needs a final few illustrations. Have printed out a handful of samples to work from. No need for AI slop when you’ve got inks, brushes and a can-do attitude.
February 10, 2026 at 1:35 PM
I’ve come to the conclusion that “The Scriptorium Chronicle” needs a final few illustrations. Have printed out a handful of samples to work from. No need for AI slop when you’ve got inks, brushes and a can-do attitude.
Age verification? I typed in the code for games from magazines.
Age verification? I installed games from floppy disks.
Age verification? I've had to deal with FoxPro at work.
February 10, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Age verification? I typed in the code for games from magazines.
I don’t want to raise anyone’s hope of spring too early, but these guys are making a brave show that it’s on the way.
February 9, 2026 at 2:48 PM
I don’t want to raise anyone’s hope of spring too early, but these guys are making a brave show that it’s on the way.
Newsflash! I have finally finished the edit/rewrite/extra material/new ending of “The Flipside Of Somewhen”.
Started 35+ *years* ago, I can now see it aside for a little longer before going back for further editing. It feels good to have finally got this monkey off my back.
#BookSky
Started 35+ *years* ago, I can now see it aside for a little longer before going back for further editing. It feels good to have finally got this monkey off my back.
#BookSky
February 5, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Newsflash! I have finally finished the edit/rewrite/extra material/new ending of “The Flipside Of Somewhen”.
Started 35+ *years* ago, I can now see it aside for a little longer before going back for further editing. It feels good to have finally got this monkey off my back.
#BookSky
Started 35+ *years* ago, I can now see it aside for a little longer before going back for further editing. It feels good to have finally got this monkey off my back.
#BookSky
Been there. Got the T-shirt. Worn holes in it. I didn’t get to where I wanted to be, but looking back at it, I’m not sure I’d have been happy if I had got there. Not being able to knock in the nails for a picture hook sucks. Used command strips instead. Life finds a way.
February 5, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Been there. Got the T-shirt. Worn holes in it. I didn’t get to where I wanted to be, but looking back at it, I’m not sure I’d have been happy if I had got there. Not being able to knock in the nails for a picture hook sucks. Used command strips instead. Life finds a way.
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have come up with a new word: doomtrumping. They have a sense of what it means and leave readers to use it in appropriate contexts. These include, but are not limited to breaking wind while playing Doom and scrolling through newsfeeds.
January 30, 2026 at 11:10 AM
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have come up with a new word: doomtrumping. They have a sense of what it means and leave readers to use it in appropriate contexts. These include, but are not limited to breaking wind while playing Doom and scrolling through newsfeeds.
Bread rolls update: Two and a half hours in and there are signs that something is happening. It is so slow that a glacier could probably overtake it.
January 23, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Bread rolls update: Two and a half hours in and there are signs that something is happening. It is so slow that a glacier could probably overtake it.
To have bread rolls for breakfast tomorrow, I needed to make bread rolls today. I mixed the flour, salt and water, kneaded the dough and set it to prove. Only then did I see the yeast on the side, unused.
Adding yeast after the event, so to speak, is more an exercise in hope than anything.
Adding yeast after the event, so to speak, is more an exercise in hope than anything.
January 23, 2026 at 3:24 PM
To have bread rolls for breakfast tomorrow, I needed to make bread rolls today. I mixed the flour, salt and water, kneaded the dough and set it to prove. Only then did I see the yeast on the side, unused.
Adding yeast after the event, so to speak, is more an exercise in hope than anything.
Adding yeast after the event, so to speak, is more an exercise in hope than anything.
Curious if there’s a code phrase for it happening, like “London Bridge is down” when Queenie shuffled off this mortal coil. If there isn’t, I bet the internet could suggest a few.
January 19, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Curious if there’s a code phrase for it happening, like “London Bridge is down” when Queenie shuffled off this mortal coil. If there isn’t, I bet the internet could suggest a few.
Author problem: character has to come up with something clever.
Said author feeling particularly dim today.
Solution: have the other characters come up with an idea.
Not a clue what it is yet, but it buys me some time.
#BookSky
Said author feeling particularly dim today.
Solution: have the other characters come up with an idea.
Not a clue what it is yet, but it buys me some time.
#BookSky
January 19, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Author problem: character has to come up with something clever.
Said author feeling particularly dim today.
Solution: have the other characters come up with an idea.
Not a clue what it is yet, but it buys me some time.
#BookSky
Said author feeling particularly dim today.
Solution: have the other characters come up with an idea.
Not a clue what it is yet, but it buys me some time.
#BookSky
Nuts, berries and fruits. Various herbs, wild garlic. Fungi (ones you can eat more than once). There was the root of something I had when foraging in a forest in Sweden but can’t remember what it was. It had a peppery flavour. See also chanterelles and wild strawberries.
January 19, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Nuts, berries and fruits. Various herbs, wild garlic. Fungi (ones you can eat more than once). There was the root of something I had when foraging in a forest in Sweden but can’t remember what it was. It had a peppery flavour. See also chanterelles and wild strawberries.
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes listened to a discussion on the radio about students using AI to write essays, and teachers using AI to mark them. They can’t help but wonder at what point the actual learning takes place.
January 19, 2026 at 10:12 AM
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes listened to a discussion on the radio about students using AI to write essays, and teachers using AI to mark them. They can’t help but wonder at what point the actual learning takes place.
The Flipside Of Somewhen saga continues. After junking the old ending and adding several more chapters, I find myself at the end again and needing to end it differently. Again. This is not going as planned.
#BookSky
#BookSky
January 15, 2026 at 1:46 PM
The Flipside Of Somewhen saga continues. After junking the old ending and adding several more chapters, I find myself at the end again and needing to end it differently. Again. This is not going as planned.
#BookSky
#BookSky
It’s an attempt at one. I can’t vouch for the accuracy.
January 12, 2026 at 4:22 PM
It’s an attempt at one. I can’t vouch for the accuracy.
Like this? The scribes found one a while back. You can have him if you want.
January 12, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Like this? The scribes found one a while back. You can have him if you want.
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes found out that the TV show with scribes in it is called Fallout, and not Outfall. One is set 200 years in the future after nuclear devastation has ruined the world, and the other is 200 yards away from the privy into the brook. It is also a scene of devastation.
January 12, 2026 at 9:55 AM
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes found out that the TV show with scribes in it is called Fallout, and not Outfall. One is set 200 years in the future after nuclear devastation has ruined the world, and the other is 200 yards away from the privy into the brook. It is also a scene of devastation.
I remember watching Threads and the dread that came with it that all it took was one madman with his finger on the button.
January 9, 2026 at 3:51 PM
I remember watching Threads and the dread that came with it that all it took was one madman with his finger on the button.
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have heard about a TV show which has scribes in it. Naturally, they are interested. Apparently the show is called Outfall, or something like that. They are looking through the telly schedule to find out when it’s on.
January 9, 2026 at 3:34 PM
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have heard about a TV show which has scribes in it. Naturally, they are interested. Apparently the show is called Outfall, or something like that. They are looking through the telly schedule to find out when it’s on.
A Clockwork Terry’s Chocolate Orange
The Mars Bar-tian
Bit of a confectionery theme going on here…
The Mars Bar-tian
Bit of a confectionery theme going on here…
January 8, 2026 at 2:11 PM
A Clockwork Terry’s Chocolate Orange
The Mars Bar-tian
Bit of a confectionery theme going on here…
The Mars Bar-tian
Bit of a confectionery theme going on here…
What’s that quiet, intermittent clicking coming from the computer? Backing *everything* up in case there’s a hard disk crash on the horizon…
January 7, 2026 at 2:28 PM
What’s that quiet, intermittent clicking coming from the computer? Backing *everything* up in case there’s a hard disk crash on the horizon…
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes are putting the finishing touches to their newsletter and will be sending it out in a day or two. Feel free to sign up or visit the website for back issues: scriptoriumscribes.com/newsletter
Newsletter
Subscribe to the scribes’ free monthly newsletter to keep up to date with what’s been going on in the Scriptorium. It also features the “Ask Alexa” advice column and usually…
scriptoriumscribes.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:02 PM
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes are putting the finishing touches to their newsletter and will be sending it out in a day or two. Feel free to sign up or visit the website for back issues: scriptoriumscribes.com/newsletter
Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene III
"Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?"
"Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?"
January 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene III
"Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?"
"Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?"
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have taken down the Christmas decorations. Last to be removed was the wreath on the priory door. Mrs P has been busy baking cakes, and a barrel of ale has been brought up from the cellar. Tonight there will be roistering, revelry and the quoting Shakespeare.
January 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have taken down the Christmas decorations. Last to be removed was the wreath on the priory door. Mrs P has been busy baking cakes, and a barrel of ale has been brought up from the cellar. Tonight there will be roistering, revelry and the quoting Shakespeare.