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
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…
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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?
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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.
Reposted by M Rae MacIver
Trump is not dead. He just smells that way.
August 30, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Trump is not dead. He just smells that way.
Latin Grammar, Lesson V:
corrigere scriptum
1. ego scriptum corrigo
2. tu scriptum corrigis
3. ille/illa scriptum corrigit
4. nos scriptum corrigimus
5. vos scriptum corrigitis
6. illi/illae scriptum corrigunt
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #AmEditing
corrigere scriptum
1. ego scriptum corrigo
2. tu scriptum corrigis
3. ille/illa scriptum corrigit
4. nos scriptum corrigimus
5. vos scriptum corrigitis
6. illi/illae scriptum corrigunt
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #AmEditing
August 29, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Latin Grammar, Lesson V:
corrigere scriptum
1. ego scriptum corrigo
2. tu scriptum corrigis
3. ille/illa scriptum corrigit
4. nos scriptum corrigimus
5. vos scriptum corrigitis
6. illi/illae scriptum corrigunt
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #AmEditing
corrigere scriptum
1. ego scriptum corrigo
2. tu scriptum corrigis
3. ille/illa scriptum corrigit
4. nos scriptum corrigimus
5. vos scriptum corrigitis
6. illi/illae scriptum corrigunt
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #Latin #Grammar #WritersLife #AmEditing
By day, Zama Silvana is the respectable Numidian wife of a Roman general.
By night, she is Noctua, a society thief hungry for a life of adventure.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #AdventureFiction #ExUmbrisLux #WritersLife
By night, she is Noctua, a society thief hungry for a life of adventure.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #AdventureFiction #ExUmbrisLux #WritersLife
August 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
By day, Zama Silvana is the respectable Numidian wife of a Roman general.
By night, she is Noctua, a society thief hungry for a life of adventure.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #AdventureFiction #ExUmbrisLux #WritersLife
By night, she is Noctua, a society thief hungry for a life of adventure.
#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #RomanEmpire #AdventureFiction #ExUmbrisLux #WritersLife