Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Global doesn't appear at all in The Relic in The Fortress, so I've chosen this passage here that discusses a map in Bishop Dredd's office. The world of Nelbrea is quite large, and we've visited very few of the locales on it. This passage, early in book 1, hints at the scope.
#wipsnips
#fantasyauthor

Bishop Eulisses Dredd stared down at his desk. The surface of the ornate wood was pocked with burn marks, scorched around the edges, and coated in a thin layer of soot. A sheaf of paperwork smoldered in a heap on the floor beside it, curling into ash. A thin trail of gray smoke rose toward the ceiling, then drifted lazily out the single open window that overlooked the training yard. Hands clasped behind his back, Dredd’s breathing was deep and measured, and he counted silently as he inhaled, held the breath, and exhaled again.
This was happening more often these days- losing control of his magery, succumbing to the cloying voice in the back of his head that demanded rage from him and nothing more. This was the third desk he’d had hauled up to his office in the past year, and it would need replacing again. Managing his own power was becoming quite a chore for Bishop Dredd.
He turned and stared towards a map, hanging from a fraying length of twine. It was a map of the whole of Nelbrea, from the Western Expanse to the Island Nations, from Frozen Collinglee to Darulia. Parze was a minuscule speck in the Bluegreen Sea, dwarfed by the Gran Sel Sals to the east and an enormous swath of nothing to the west. The map was embarrassingly out of date- Darulia hadn’t been included on a map in ten years, yet this one still showed it, far to the south. The surface of the old wayfinder was pricked with small iron tacks, noting all of the Liminal Order’s holdings across the world, but they too were out of date, over half of the Fortresses across the map now either lay destroyed or in the hands of those who would challenge the Order- the Breakers, the Feullans, or the tenacious Lancers. The Fortress on Parze was denoted by a pin twice as large as the island itself; however, it had rusted in place and bloomed out into a crimson stain on the linen.

November 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

At the end of Book 1, Peter starts assembling his party. The story is an ensemble, even if it takes a while for the whole group to arrive. At the end of the first book, four of the nine are together, and the stakes grow monumentally higher.
#novmemeber
#fantasywip
#foundfamily
#ensemblewriting

November 23, 2025 at 6:10 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Nelbrean firearms, or "magearms" fire bullets propelled by dense affinity infused crystals. Peter's is red, Feummic, and has loud, concussive, damaging slugs. In this scene, we see Peter say the line that inspired this entire section.
#wipsnips
#fantasywriting
#fantasyweapons

"Well, well, well." Peter said, raising his voice. "If it isn’t the Lizard of Crimsa."
"How dare you!" Loren spat, his eyes shooting so wide, Peter thought his eyeballs would roll out of his head. Loren flicked his wrist- Peter drew, and fired. The explosive crack of the Feummic Affinity crystal in the Pioneer further unnerved Loren, and before he could even form a thought past the insult and the gunfire, Peter had nailed him. It was just a flesh wound, but enough to blow Loren’s concentration. Loren fell from his levitation, crashing through a wooden table with a crunch and a thud.

November 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Robby Beaton

@rob.nelbrea.com

Peter is a hugger to anyone he's close to, with a firm handshake to anyone else respectful. If you're rude (or worse), you'll be lucky to even have a friendly nod.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #FantasyBook

Charlie Delta 🦊🐐 @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 4d

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

How does your character feel about physical touch?

Are they fans of a handshake, hug, pat on the back, etc?

Do they prefer to keep their distance?

Does it matter how close they are to the other person?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

November 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Robby Beaton

@rob.nelbrea.com

There is not much better than describing food. One of these days we'll get an in-universe cookbook done. Just gotta actually write out the recipes proper. For now I'll settle for making my own mouth water.

#Writevember #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky

November 22, 2025 at 6:03 AM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Peter is a genuinely nice guy.
#fantasywriting
#wipsnips
#fantasyauthor

November 22, 2025 at 3:21 AM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Robby Beaton

@rob.nelbrea.com

This is such a good character building scene for Peter. The realization that Dredd is not just his "asshole superior", but a man that actively harmed people, specifically his own family, and is the direct reason he is stuck where he is.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #FantasyBook

November 21, 2025 at 10:47 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Utah Carol by Marty Robbins. Peter likes a hero story, and he likes an everyman story, and this song is about a heroic everyman. Peter is also really moved by tragedies, and this song is absolutely tragic.

#fantasywriting

Sage T. Greene, Author @sagetgreene.bsky.social · 5d

#Novmemeber 21

Share a song you think your Main Character would like. This doesn't necessarily need to relate to their story, this is just something you think they would enjoy listening to!

21. A song you think your Main Character would like (purely vibes!)

A prompt game for the month of November, titled #Novmemeber (as in meme). Hosted by @sagetgreene.bsky.social . The bottom says "Have fun, interact, and remember alt text!" There is a silly emoji face with wild eyes and tongue sticking out, and some fall-style leaves in the corners.

November 21, 2025 at 5:28 AM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Peter spends all day making a family style platter of Porc d'Rouj. Sweet, tangy chunks of slow braised pork shoulder glazed in a fiery red pepper based glaze. Smoky, sweet, and comforting, it's served over long grain rice, and crispy fried onions. He scorches the rice.
#awesomecharacters
#fantasywip

Charlie Delta 🦊🐐 @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 5d

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

It is character potluck day! Everyone is gathering for a meal!

What is your character bringing? Do they have a favorite dish/something they make in a pinch?

Bringing ice or crudité is also acceptable!

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

November 21, 2025 at 12:47 AM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

In addition to The Relic in The Fortress, we are quietly working on a cookbook featuring recipes from Nelbrea, titled "The Affinity of The Hearth". The kitchen is a special place to both myself, and @rob.nelbrea.com, when we aren't writing together, we are cooking together.
#WIPsnips
#fantasywriting

The doors to the kitchen were quite grand in comparison to the plain wooden doors found throughout the rest of the Fortress- two large paneled doors, hinged to swing freely in either direction with a push, wide enough to pass two folks abreast through each of them, and tall enough that Peter could carry Paul standing up on his shoulders, and they still would barely brush the top frame. The kitchen held a special significance throughout most of Nelbrea, in many ways considered the most important room in a dwelling. Peter, who bore the burden of an unquenchable sweet tooth, would agree with that sentiment. He pushed the carved wooden doors open and stepped into the warmth of the kitchen. The scope of the room was such that Peter marveled at it every time he visited. The room was a large dome, lit by a persistent magelight at the apex of the ceiling. Against the walls, rows of enormous affinity ovens sat, stoked by the cooks, who channeled their magework into the fires. The sweet smell of burnt sugar, caramel, and arbornuts wafted off of the ovens- the smell of Latiran and Feummic Affinity burning away. The combined Affinity of the cooks and bakers mingled together in the base of the enormous ovens, swirling into a unique type of magery, warm and comforting. It was no surprise that the kitchens were the heart of a Nelbrean home. The Affinity of the hearth soothed anyone who came close enough to it.

November 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

I decided to share the rest of Peter and Auri's conversation today. I think it's a nice moment for Peter, and the punchline makes me laugh every time. Auri is charming.
#fantasywriting
#fantasywip
#writing
#writingexcerpt

November 19, 2025 at 11:53 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

The Road, meets The Gunslinger. There's no hope, nobody is coming to help you, and there's no point in making friends, because they'll all shoot you in the back. There is some backstabbing in #Nelbrea, but the core themes are hope, mutual aid, and the power of your friends. With cowboys.
#novmemeber

Sage T. Greene, Author @sagetgreene.bsky.social · 10d

#Novmemeber 16

Share some ANTI-comps (things that are totally OPPOSITE from your WIP)!

You could also try reframing your WIP as a totally different genre. What would it look like if your romance was now horror?

16. Anti-comps (What's the OPPOSITE of your WIP?)

A prompt game for the month of November, titled #Novmemeber (as in meme). Hosted by @sagetgreene.bsky.social . The bottom says "Have fun, interact, and remember alt text!" There is a silly emoji face with wild eyes and tongue sticking out, and some fall-style leaves in the corners.

November 16, 2025 at 10:38 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

I could write an entire novella about magearms in #Nelbrea, and how they work. Paul's Proclaimator is an antique. This is like someone bringing a colt single action army to a .357 Rhino fight. Paul leans on his heritage, while Peter looks to the future. #guns #fantasyguns #fantasywriting

Robby Beaton @rob.nelbrea.com · 6d

I really enjoy this scene. It's the first big showcase of how firearms work in The Relic in The Fortress, while also being the beginning of another key moment between Peter and Paul (not fully shown here).

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #FantasyBook

November 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

I love Clort so much. Clort and his cousin Ustuc are probably two of the oldest characters conceived of in #Nelbrea.

Robby Beaton @rob.nelbrea.com · 7d

I think Clort would be the one with the most to offer. He's seen enough of the world, and would add some levity to anything I had going on. Goblins always want to throw some song and dance into things.

#writesky #writingcommunity #indieauthor #fantasybook

Charlie Delta 🦊🐐 @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 7d

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

Which of your characters would you turn to for advice?

Does it matter what the advice was on? Relationships? Money? Career? Other?

Is there anyone who's advice you would always do the exact opposite of?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

November 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

This is one of my favorite chapters/exchanges. I've cut it off here before Peter gets really philosophical, but the rest of this conversation is some of our better writing, I think. Peter is not a dogmatic man, and his philosophy deals with the stories folks leave behind.
#WIPSnips
#fantasywriting

November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Self promotion is super awkward for me, too. It's gotten much easier as I'm realizing that our story is worth sharing. I tell people all the time "I don't want to toot my own horn..." when talking about my work, and the general response I get is "toot away". So passing that along. Toot away.

CL Hellisen @clhellisen.bsky.social · 6d

Self promo is my bane; it makes me feel like an immense tit when I post stuff about my writing (thanks to upbringing - never blow your own horn), but it is increasingly apparent that all it means is that I'm utterly invisible as a writer...

So, anyway.

I have books and stories out there.

November 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Did you guys know you can sign up for the #Nelbrea newsletter, and get access to a free short story set in the world? Well, you can, by going to www.nelbrea.com. The first newsletter will be coming out soon, but the story "Echo: A Nelbrea Tale" is available now!
#writing
#selfpromo
#shortstory

NELBREA | Book 1: The Relic In The Fortress Coming Soon

Stay updated on NELBREA series releases, exclusive stories, and news. Sign up to be the first to know and receive a free short story, 'Echo.'

www.nelbrea.com

November 19, 2025 at 4:24 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Robby Beaton

@rob.nelbrea.com

I really enjoy this scene. It's the first big showcase of how firearms work in The Relic in The Fortress, while also being the beginning of another key moment between Peter and Paul (not fully shown here).

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #FantasyBook

November 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Robby Beaton

@rob.nelbrea.com

I think Clort would be the one with the most to offer. He's seen enough of the world, and would add some levity to anything I had going on. Goblins always want to throw some song and dance into things.

#writesky #writingcommunity #indieauthor #fantasybook

Charlie Delta 🦊🐐 @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 7d

Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

Which of your characters would you turn to for advice?

Does it matter what the advice was on? Relationships? Money? Career? Other?

Is there anyone who's advice you would always do the exact opposite of?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

November 19, 2025 at 2:46 AM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

This is a tough one, and not a word that appears in The Relic in The Fortress. I've chosen to use the word "downgrade" here for *vibes*. This is an excerpt from the very beginning, the prologue of the story which sets up the cosmic stakes of Peter's story.
#WIPSnips
#fantasywriting
#writesky

Ephariam and Phaia watched from nearby. Ephariam tilted her head, arms crossed over her chest.
“Where once was a Lancer, now is a…cobbler?”
Phaia did not look away from the table, the glyphs still shifting nearly imperceptibly. “No, my sister. A Chobbler.”
“A Chobbler,” Ephariam repeated.
“Indeed.”
Ephariam frowned, the corner of her lip twitching. She narrowed her eyes at her twin. “That’s not a word.”
“It’s a name, you charlette. By the cosmos, ‘Ephariam’ is no more a word itself, is it? And yet…” He smirked and gestured towards Ephariam with an open hand, as if presenting evidence of his case.
“Well, suppose it doesn’t take?” Ephariam peered over the surface of the table, “There’s but a short window for a new name to find a home.”
“Then it will be erased like the others that didn’t take.” Phaia raised a small brown notebook and scanned the open page, his eyes shifted from purple to blue, to green, the colors breathing in sequence. “Be patient, Ephariam.”
Ephariam exhaled slowly. She tucked a loose strand of blue-black hair behind her ear and rubbed her temples. “It was a Lancer.”
“And now it’s a Chobbler,” Phaia replied simply.
Ephariam waved a hand at the table, her brow furrowing. “That’s a downgrade, surely?”
Phaia scoffed out a laugh but did not answer immediately. He reached up, adjusted his spectacles with the practiced grace of someone who did not, strictly speaking, need to wear spectacles. “In what sense?”
“All of them!”
“You, of course, remember a time when it read ‘Wanderer’,” Phaia said, his voice lowering as he whispered the final word as if he’d been forbidden to say it aloud.
“Don’t remind me.” Ephariam rolled her eyes, dismissing the thought with a wave.

November 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM

Nelbrea

@nelbrea.com

Our website and newsletter are live!

Sign up for the newsletter, and get a copy of the short story "Echo: A Nelbrea Tale", one of our first stories in a planned anthology following Mathis as he tries to return all manner of spirits and specters back to the echo.

#writingcommunity

www.nelbrea.com

NELBREA | Book 1: The Relic In The Fortress Coming Soon

Stay updated on NELBREA series releases, exclusive stories, and news. Sign up to be the first to know and receive a free short story, 'Echo.'

www.nelbrea.com

November 17, 2025 at 6:11 AM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

It can sometimes be difficult to balance the creative aspect, and the marketing/networking aspect of the whole writing process. This week has been great for meeting a lot of authors. And we are getting close to having the newsletter ready to release!
#wip
#writers
#fantasywriting
#selfpublishing

November 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Folks in Nelbrea don't do much running, not yet at least. Peter ambles a lot, and sometimes he moseys. When it's time to fight a gang of Ustaen pirates, though, he thinks about running, at least for a moment.
#WIPSnips
#fantasywriting
#fantasyauthor
#fightscene
#nelbrea

”Now hold a minute, tørn va tørn-” Peter shouted. He was too far away to make any kind of run at the old goblin. He thought diplomacy might defuse the situation, and as he registered the Ustaen language, the chief’s eyes snapped to Peter, and narrowed. Paul seized the distraction, and took aim with his Proclaimator, but when he squeezed the trigger, the chamber turned and clicked- empty. The sound of the dry magearm drew the brute's attention back, and he lunged towards Paul, swinging the saber in a wide, aggressive arc. Paul stumbled backwards, the tip of the blade grazing the hem of his shirt. His feet tangled up in each other, and he tumbled over falling hard onto his back, his head whipping against the ground with a loud, hollow thud. He winced, groaning in pain, and curled into a tight ball, as the Ustaen loomed over him, the saber poised for a decisive strike.

November 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Jonah Sdao

@jonah.nelbrea.com

Make sure to follow @nelbrea.bsky.social for more focused updates on the progress of book 1 of The Effulgence Cycle, The Relic in The Fortress. We also post a lot about different facets of the world, and process.

November 16, 2025 at 6:02 PM

Reposted by Nelbrea

Rebecca E. Reyes

@rebeccareyeswriting.com

The Sarcophagus of Lamia Book 2
Preorder for only 99¢!

amazon.com/dp/B0D7VFKMV9

A valuable reactor core is in a biometrically sealed vault on a ghost ship. As looters, the Magpie's doctor has a macabre solution. Create a survivor.

🚀Firefly x Frankenstein💉

Release: 2025/12/14

The temporary book cover for The Sarcophagus of Lamia Book 2: Soul Survivor, by Rebecca E Reyes

The picture is of a red hexagonal red core against a black background.

Art by Elora Ladd

November 16, 2025 at 5:03 PM

Add to Home Screen

Light up
your news

Add to Home Screen

Light upyour news

Sign in to Lightnews

Sign up to start reading

Connect Bluesky

Connect with Bluesky

Light up
your news