M Rae MacIver
@mraemaciver.bsky.social
Story Teller.
Author of The Histories of the Noctua.
tiktok.com/@mraemaciver
Author of The Histories of the Noctua.
tiktok.com/@mraemaciver
The fall of the ayatollahs could be the best thing to happen for world peace and specifically Ukraine. It will dry up the supply of drones for Russia. Could be enough to tilt the scales with the current stalemate.
January 9, 2026 at 10:40 PM
The fall of the ayatollahs could be the best thing to happen for world peace and specifically Ukraine. It will dry up the supply of drones for Russia. Could be enough to tilt the scales with the current stalemate.
Is it normal to write something you think is decent, then get grabbed by an idea you think is incredible, and while writing that, get grabbed by an idea so good there aren't enough expletives in the English language to describe how good you think it is? #AmWriting #AmResearching #HistoricalFiction
January 2, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Is it normal to write something you think is decent, then get grabbed by an idea you think is incredible, and while writing that, get grabbed by an idea so good there aren't enough expletives in the English language to describe how good you think it is? #AmWriting #AmResearching #HistoricalFiction
Would you read this?
"Florentine noir: A defrocked priest investigates the mystery of the body in the bonfire, while deciding whether to abandon love or Salvation." #AmWriting #Hook #WritersOfBluesky #HistoricalFiction #Noir
"Florentine noir: A defrocked priest investigates the mystery of the body in the bonfire, while deciding whether to abandon love or Salvation." #AmWriting #Hook #WritersOfBluesky #HistoricalFiction #Noir
December 28, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Would you read this?
"Florentine noir: A defrocked priest investigates the mystery of the body in the bonfire, while deciding whether to abandon love or Salvation." #AmWriting #Hook #WritersOfBluesky #HistoricalFiction #Noir
"Florentine noir: A defrocked priest investigates the mystery of the body in the bonfire, while deciding whether to abandon love or Salvation." #AmWriting #Hook #WritersOfBluesky #HistoricalFiction #Noir
Awkward Googling for Writers, #48
What would Savonarola’s go-to order be at @Starbucks?
Almost certainly a plain black tea - austere, and free from sinful luxury. Milk and sugar would be moral failings; ice or syrup would be heresy.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #Savonarola #Florence
What would Savonarola’s go-to order be at @Starbucks?
Almost certainly a plain black tea - austere, and free from sinful luxury. Milk and sugar would be moral failings; ice or syrup would be heresy.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #Savonarola #Florence
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Awkward Googling for Writers, #48
What would Savonarola’s go-to order be at @Starbucks?
Almost certainly a plain black tea - austere, and free from sinful luxury. Milk and sugar would be moral failings; ice or syrup would be heresy.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #Savonarola #Florence
What would Savonarola’s go-to order be at @Starbucks?
Almost certainly a plain black tea - austere, and free from sinful luxury. Milk and sugar would be moral failings; ice or syrup would be heresy.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #Savonarola #Florence
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XXI
I'm told you must know what kind of music your characters would put on Spotify:
Savonarola - would he be more of a Swiftie, a metalhead, a country boy, or just up for a good old-fashioned rave?
#WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #HistoricalFiction #ResearchNotes
I'm told you must know what kind of music your characters would put on Spotify:
Savonarola - would he be more of a Swiftie, a metalhead, a country boy, or just up for a good old-fashioned rave?
#WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #HistoricalFiction #ResearchNotes
October 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XXI
I'm told you must know what kind of music your characters would put on Spotify:
Savonarola - would he be more of a Swiftie, a metalhead, a country boy, or just up for a good old-fashioned rave?
#WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #HistoricalFiction #ResearchNotes
I'm told you must know what kind of music your characters would put on Spotify:
Savonarola - would he be more of a Swiftie, a metalhead, a country boy, or just up for a good old-fashioned rave?
#WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #HistoricalFiction #ResearchNotes
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XX
"What is a Savonarola, anyway? A Swiss roll made out of soap?"
#AmWriting #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #HistoricalFiction #ResearchNotes #Renaissance #Florence
"What is a Savonarola, anyway? A Swiss roll made out of soap?"
#AmWriting #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #HistoricalFiction #ResearchNotes #Renaissance #Florence
October 5, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XX
"What is a Savonarola, anyway? A Swiss roll made out of soap?"
#AmWriting #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #HistoricalFiction #ResearchNotes #Renaissance #Florence
"What is a Savonarola, anyway? A Swiss roll made out of soap?"
#AmWriting #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #HistoricalFiction #ResearchNotes #Renaissance #Florence
Therapy for Writers, Session I
"Why does it feel like I’m cheating on my novel if I’m querying one and actively plotting another?"
#AmWriting #WritersLife #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying #TherapyForWriters #HistoricalFiction #ExUmbrisLux
"Why does it feel like I’m cheating on my novel if I’m querying one and actively plotting another?"
#AmWriting #WritersLife #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying #TherapyForWriters #HistoricalFiction #ExUmbrisLux
October 5, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Therapy for Writers, Session I
"Why does it feel like I’m cheating on my novel if I’m querying one and actively plotting another?"
#AmWriting #WritersLife #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying #TherapyForWriters #HistoricalFiction #ExUmbrisLux
"Why does it feel like I’m cheating on my novel if I’m querying one and actively plotting another?"
#AmWriting #WritersLife #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying #TherapyForWriters #HistoricalFiction #ExUmbrisLux
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XIX
What is the penalty for arson at the imperial stables?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome #ResearchNotes #ExUmbrisLux
What is the penalty for arson at the imperial stables?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome #ResearchNotes #ExUmbrisLux
September 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XIX
What is the penalty for arson at the imperial stables?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome #ResearchNotes #ExUmbrisLux
What is the penalty for arson at the imperial stables?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome #ResearchNotes #ExUmbrisLux
Latin Grammar, Lesson VII:
agentem quaerere
- to seek an agent
1. agens quaero
2. agens quaeris
3. agens quaerit
4. agens quaerimus
5. agens quaeritis
6. agens quaerunt
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #AmQuerying #ExUmbrisLux
agentem quaerere
- to seek an agent
1. agens quaero
2. agens quaeris
3. agens quaerit
4. agens quaerimus
5. agens quaeritis
6. agens quaerunt
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #AmQuerying #ExUmbrisLux
September 25, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Latin Grammar, Lesson VII:
agentem quaerere
- to seek an agent
1. agens quaero
2. agens quaeris
3. agens quaerit
4. agens quaerimus
5. agens quaeritis
6. agens quaerunt
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #AmQuerying #ExUmbrisLux
agentem quaerere
- to seek an agent
1. agens quaero
2. agens quaeris
3. agens quaerit
4. agens quaerimus
5. agens quaeritis
6. agens quaerunt
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #AmQuerying #ExUmbrisLux
Brevis esse laboro, obscurus fio.
When I try to be brief, I become obscure.
Or, more aptly: In abbreviating, I obfuscate.
- Horace, Ars Poetica 25
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#Horace #Classics #ExUmbrisLux #AncientWisdom
When I try to be brief, I become obscure.
Or, more aptly: In abbreviating, I obfuscate.
- Horace, Ars Poetica 25
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#Horace #Classics #ExUmbrisLux #AncientWisdom
September 25, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Brevis esse laboro, obscurus fio.
When I try to be brief, I become obscure.
Or, more aptly: In abbreviating, I obfuscate.
- Horace, Ars Poetica 25
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#Horace #Classics #ExUmbrisLux #AncientWisdom
When I try to be brief, I become obscure.
Or, more aptly: In abbreviating, I obfuscate.
- Horace, Ars Poetica 25
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#Horace #Classics #ExUmbrisLux #AncientWisdom
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XVIII
In a query letter, is it worse to address an agent as ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or just start with ‘Hey you’?
#AmWriting #WritingCommunity #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #QueryLetter #AmQuerying
#HistoricalFiction #AncientRome #AdventureFiction #ExUmbrisLux
In a query letter, is it worse to address an agent as ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or just start with ‘Hey you’?
#AmWriting #WritingCommunity #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #QueryLetter #AmQuerying
#HistoricalFiction #AncientRome #AdventureFiction #ExUmbrisLux
September 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XVIII
In a query letter, is it worse to address an agent as ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or just start with ‘Hey you’?
#AmWriting #WritingCommunity #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #QueryLetter #AmQuerying
#HistoricalFiction #AncientRome #AdventureFiction #ExUmbrisLux
In a query letter, is it worse to address an agent as ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or just start with ‘Hey you’?
#AmWriting #WritingCommunity #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #QueryLetter #AmQuerying
#HistoricalFiction #AncientRome #AdventureFiction #ExUmbrisLux
I discovered that two of my (unconnected) fictional characters were cousins.
medium.com/@mraemwriter...
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #Cleopatra #AncientRome
medium.com/@mraemwriter...
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #Cleopatra #AncientRome
Discovering that two fictional characters are related.
What do you do when you discover that two apparently unconnected fictional characters in your narrative would have been related in real…
medium.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I discovered that two of my (unconnected) fictional characters were cousins.
medium.com/@mraemwriter...
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #Cleopatra #AncientRome
medium.com/@mraemwriter...
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #Cleopatra #AncientRome
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XVII
Could a respectable #Roman matron in 39 CE conceal a dagger in her clothing without causing a scandal? Which garment would be best suited to hiding it?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #ResearchNotes #ExUmbrisLux #AncientRome
Could a respectable #Roman matron in 39 CE conceal a dagger in her clothing without causing a scandal? Which garment would be best suited to hiding it?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #ResearchNotes #ExUmbrisLux #AncientRome
September 20, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XVII
Could a respectable #Roman matron in 39 CE conceal a dagger in her clothing without causing a scandal? Which garment would be best suited to hiding it?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #ResearchNotes #ExUmbrisLux #AncientRome
Could a respectable #Roman matron in 39 CE conceal a dagger in her clothing without causing a scandal? Which garment would be best suited to hiding it?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #ResearchNotes #ExUmbrisLux #AncientRome
Maxima industria historiae operam dedit, atque etiam scripsit bellorum civilium historiam ac vitam Augusti.
He studied history eagerly, writing of the civil wars and the life of Augustus.
- Suetonius, Divus Claudius 41
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction
#Claudius #Classics #ExUmbrisLux
He studied history eagerly, writing of the civil wars and the life of Augustus.
- Suetonius, Divus Claudius 41
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction
#Claudius #Classics #ExUmbrisLux
September 20, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Maxima industria historiae operam dedit, atque etiam scripsit bellorum civilium historiam ac vitam Augusti.
He studied history eagerly, writing of the civil wars and the life of Augustus.
- Suetonius, Divus Claudius 41
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction
#Claudius #Classics #ExUmbrisLux
He studied history eagerly, writing of the civil wars and the life of Augustus.
- Suetonius, Divus Claudius 41
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction
#Claudius #Classics #ExUmbrisLux
Why My Character Chose Me
medium.com/@mraemwriter...
#HistoricalFiction #AmWriting #AncientRome #Numidia
medium.com/@mraemwriter...
#HistoricalFiction #AmWriting #AncientRome #Numidia
Why my Character Chose Me
It is strange that a young, Nubian woman in Ancient Rome has chosen me, an older white Scottish male to tell her tales. Why would this be?
medium.com
September 15, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Why My Character Chose Me
medium.com/@mraemwriter...
#HistoricalFiction #AmWriting #AncientRome #Numidia
medium.com/@mraemwriter...
#HistoricalFiction #AmWriting #AncientRome #Numidia
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XVI
In ancient Rome, was sending an exceptionally corrupt politician to the lions considered tyrannicide, or just good civic hygiene?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome #Justice
In ancient Rome, was sending an exceptionally corrupt politician to the lions considered tyrannicide, or just good civic hygiene?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome #Justice
September 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XVI
In ancient Rome, was sending an exceptionally corrupt politician to the lions considered tyrannicide, or just good civic hygiene?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome #Justice
In ancient Rome, was sending an exceptionally corrupt politician to the lions considered tyrannicide, or just good civic hygiene?
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome #Justice
Furta quidem fateor; sed amor causam dedit.
Yes, I confess the theft; but love was the cause.
- Ovid, Amores 1.4
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#Love #Thief #Classics #ExUmbrisLux
Yes, I confess the theft; but love was the cause.
- Ovid, Amores 1.4
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#Love #Thief #Classics #ExUmbrisLux
September 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Furta quidem fateor; sed amor causam dedit.
Yes, I confess the theft; but love was the cause.
- Ovid, Amores 1.4
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#Love #Thief #Classics #ExUmbrisLux
Yes, I confess the theft; but love was the cause.
- Ovid, Amores 1.4
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#Love #Thief #Classics #ExUmbrisLux
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XV
What’s the correct adjective for someone from Crete? I don’t want to mix them up with someone who believes everything they see on Facebook.
Answer: one is a Cretan, the other a cretin.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome
What’s the correct adjective for someone from Crete? I don’t want to mix them up with someone who believes everything they see on Facebook.
Answer: one is a Cretan, the other a cretin.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome
September 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XV
What’s the correct adjective for someone from Crete? I don’t want to mix them up with someone who believes everything they see on Facebook.
Answer: one is a Cretan, the other a cretin.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome
What’s the correct adjective for someone from Crete? I don’t want to mix them up with someone who believes everything they see on Facebook.
Answer: one is a Cretan, the other a cretin.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges.
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
Tacitus (Annals 3.27)
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#History #Classics #AncientWisdom #Tacitus
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
Tacitus (Annals 3.27)
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#History #Classics #AncientWisdom #Tacitus
September 5, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges.
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
Tacitus (Annals 3.27)
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#History #Classics #AncientWisdom #Tacitus
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
Tacitus (Annals 3.27)
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Quotes #WritersLife
#History #Classics #AncientWisdom #Tacitus
Latin Grammar, Lesson VI: strophium (≈bra)
Nom - strophium / strophia
Gen - strophii / strophiorum
Dat - strophio / strophiis
Acc - strophium / strophia
Abl - strophio / strophiis
Voc - strophium / strophia
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #ExUmbrisLux
Nom - strophium / strophia
Gen - strophii / strophiorum
Dat - strophio / strophiis
Acc - strophium / strophia
Abl - strophio / strophiis
Voc - strophium / strophia
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #ExUmbrisLux
September 3, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Latin Grammar, Lesson VI: strophium (≈bra)
Nom - strophium / strophia
Gen - strophii / strophiorum
Dat - strophio / strophiis
Acc - strophium / strophia
Abl - strophio / strophiis
Voc - strophium / strophia
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #ExUmbrisLux
Nom - strophium / strophia
Gen - strophii / strophiorum
Dat - strophio / strophiis
Acc - strophium / strophia
Abl - strophio / strophiis
Voc - strophium / strophia
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #ExUmbrisLux
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XIV
Best implement for pigment application to the axilla (oxter) in 1st-century Rome.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome
Best implement for pigment application to the axilla (oxter) in 1st-century Rome.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome
September 3, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Awkward Googling for Writers, Vol. XIV
Best implement for pigment application to the axilla (oxter) in 1st-century Rome.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome
Best implement for pigment application to the axilla (oxter) in 1st-century Rome.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #WritersLife #AwkwardGoogling #AncientRome
Important milestone reached. First third of my text has been line edited. Only ⅔ left to go.
September 1, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Important milestone reached. First third of my text has been line edited. Only ⅔ left to go.
In an empire built on whispers, TresPassus listens louder than anyone.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #ExUmbrisLux #Mystery #WritersLife
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #ExUmbrisLux #Mystery #WritersLife
September 1, 2025 at 8:47 PM
In an empire built on whispers, TresPassus listens louder than anyone.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #ExUmbrisLux #Mystery #WritersLife
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #ExUmbrisLux #Mystery #WritersLife
[elle] dansait, légère, libre, confiante, les pieds nus sur le pavé
-Victor Hugo, Nôtre-Dame de Paris
puella leviter, libere, fiducialiter, pedibus nudis super pavimentum saltabat
she danced, light, free, confident, her bare feet upon the pavement
#AmWriting #Classics #WritersLife #ExUmbrisLux
-Victor Hugo, Nôtre-Dame de Paris
puella leviter, libere, fiducialiter, pedibus nudis super pavimentum saltabat
she danced, light, free, confident, her bare feet upon the pavement
#AmWriting #Classics #WritersLife #ExUmbrisLux
August 31, 2025 at 9:10 PM
[elle] dansait, légère, libre, confiante, les pieds nus sur le pavé
-Victor Hugo, Nôtre-Dame de Paris
puella leviter, libere, fiducialiter, pedibus nudis super pavimentum saltabat
she danced, light, free, confident, her bare feet upon the pavement
#AmWriting #Classics #WritersLife #ExUmbrisLux
-Victor Hugo, Nôtre-Dame de Paris
puella leviter, libere, fiducialiter, pedibus nudis super pavimentum saltabat
she danced, light, free, confident, her bare feet upon the pavement
#AmWriting #Classics #WritersLife #ExUmbrisLux
While I don't believe in psychic ability, certain rumours doing the rounds today would be a wonderful test of psychic manifestation were they to prove true. Probably just having an enema though.
August 30, 2025 at 9:14 AM
While I don't believe in psychic ability, certain rumours doing the rounds today would be a wonderful test of psychic manifestation were they to prove true. Probably just having an enema though.