Tim Clare
@timclare.bsky.social
(he/him) Author, podcaster & tabletop games writer. Books: The Game Changers, Coward, The Honours & The Ice House.
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-game-changers-how-playing-games-changed-the-world-and-can-change-you-too-tim-clare/7687024
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-game-changers-how-playing-games-changed-the-world-and-can-change-you-too-tim-clare/7687024
Pinned
Tim Clare
@timclare.bsky.social
· Oct 12
Intro post to pin to profile:
I'm an author & podcaster. I've written 2 gothic Fantasy novels, The Honours & The Ice House, a book on the science of anxiety & panic called Coward, & a book on how boardgames make us human, The Game Changers.
I make a podcast for writers called Death of 1000 Cuts.
I'm an author & podcaster. I've written 2 gothic Fantasy novels, The Honours & The Ice House, a book on the science of anxiety & panic called Coward, & a book on how boardgames make us human, The Game Changers.
I make a podcast for writers called Death of 1000 Cuts.
Reposted by Tim Clare
Just reading about The Game Changers by @timclare.bsky.social and I'm going to quote this whole article at people when they ahem make comments about me playing Scrabble www.theguardian.com/books/2024/o...
The big idea: how games can change your life
To get the most out of play, we should embrace it for what it is, not as a way to hone skills or train our brains
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Just reading about The Game Changers by @timclare.bsky.social and I'm going to quote this whole article at people when they ahem make comments about me playing Scrabble www.theguardian.com/books/2024/o...
My central problem with writing a nonfiction book is that everything is connected to everything else by glowing nodes & if you knock in the right place the wall is hollow & you can step through a trick door that links faeries to the Bank of England or stinging nettles to neuroscience
January 4, 2026 at 1:09 PM
My central problem with writing a nonfiction book is that everything is connected to everything else by glowing nodes & if you knock in the right place the wall is hollow & you can step through a trick door that links faeries to the Bank of England or stinging nettles to neuroscience
Day 4 is up. I'm grateful & delighted so many people are joining in, being adventurous & chill, participating in the intended spirit & basically supporting one another. I choose to take it as a compliment that my podcast listeners I've encountered have been super great people.
Day 3 of our 200 words a day January writing warm up is up on the Discord. It's not too late to join us. We're doing 200 words of creative writing daily. You can do fiction, nonfiction or poetry, on anything, but there's a daily prompt if you're stuck. Join us:
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
Join the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community Discord Server!
Check out the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community community on Discord - hang out with 300 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
discord.gg
January 4, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Day 4 is up. I'm grateful & delighted so many people are joining in, being adventurous & chill, participating in the intended spirit & basically supporting one another. I choose to take it as a compliment that my podcast listeners I've encountered have been super great people.
Reposted by Tim Clare
The next episode of But Why Vikings? Will be out this coming Friday. It's a ludological agony aunt column I host with @timclare.bsky.social and @avalanche.bsky.social. In the meantime check out our first 4 episodes wherever you get your casts.
open.spotify.com/episode/0aRh...
open.spotify.com/episode/0aRh...
Deranged in my Promiscuity
open.spotify.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:20 AM
The next episode of But Why Vikings? Will be out this coming Friday. It's a ludological agony aunt column I host with @timclare.bsky.social and @avalanche.bsky.social. In the meantime check out our first 4 episodes wherever you get your casts.
open.spotify.com/episode/0aRh...
open.spotify.com/episode/0aRh...
Just made the mistake of showing this to my toddler & she *roasted* me. 'Daddy, it's you. Daddy, say "Mackadeemoo"'.
I recently rediscovered this bit from the show Look Around You, and it has been stuck in my head ever since.
Machadaynu
YouTube video by kevinmurphy
youtu.be
January 4, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Just made the mistake of showing this to my toddler & she *roasted* me. 'Daddy, it's you. Daddy, say "Mackadeemoo"'.
Going through my bookshelves for the regular charity shop clearout I found this - picked it up in a secondhand bookshop over a decade ago. Might use it as research to write a ripping yarn (with fantasy/SF elements, natch) but it's delightful, especially the note in the front from 1941.
January 4, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Going through my bookshelves for the regular charity shop clearout I found this - picked it up in a secondhand bookshop over a decade ago. Might use it as research to write a ripping yarn (with fantasy/SF elements, natch) but it's delightful, especially the note in the front from 1941.
'On a Saturday afternoon in winter, when nose and fingers might be pinched enough to give an added relish to the anticipation of tea and fireside, and the whole week-end's reading lay ahead, I suppose I reached as much happiness as is ever to be reached on earth.'
- C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
- C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
January 3, 2026 at 6:31 PM
'On a Saturday afternoon in winter, when nose and fingers might be pinched enough to give an added relish to the anticipation of tea and fireside, and the whole week-end's reading lay ahead, I suppose I reached as much happiness as is ever to be reached on earth.'
- C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
- C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy
Day 3 of our 200 words a day January writing warm up is up on the Discord. It's not too late to join us. We're doing 200 words of creative writing daily. You can do fiction, nonfiction or poetry, on anything, but there's a daily prompt if you're stuck. Join us:
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
Join the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community Discord Server!
Check out the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community community on Discord - hang out with 300 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
discord.gg
January 3, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Day 3 of our 200 words a day January writing warm up is up on the Discord. It's not too late to join us. We're doing 200 words of creative writing daily. You can do fiction, nonfiction or poetry, on anything, but there's a daily prompt if you're stuck. Join us:
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
It's snowing, & I really want to go for a dip in the river. I got the piss ripped out of me for writing about cold water swimming in the garden (& fair enough) but it really does help my anxiety! As long as you do it safely, it can be wonderful. It's not just for douchey wellness bros.
January 3, 2026 at 11:33 AM
It's snowing, & I really want to go for a dip in the river. I got the piss ripped out of me for writing about cold water swimming in the garden (& fair enough) but it really does help my anxiety! As long as you do it safely, it can be wonderful. It's not just for douchey wellness bros.
Reposted by Tim Clare
The prompt for Day 2 of our little 200 words a day January writing reset is up on the Discord, if you'd like to have a go. Lots of folks joining in, reflecting on how the experience was for them & even sharing their work. Come join us:
discord.gg/B4WzX6fVU
discord.gg/B4WzX6fVU
Join the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community Discord Server!
Check out the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community community on Discord - hang out with 292 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
discord.gg
January 2, 2026 at 10:38 AM
The prompt for Day 2 of our little 200 words a day January writing reset is up on the Discord, if you'd like to have a go. Lots of folks joining in, reflecting on how the experience was for them & even sharing their work. Come join us:
discord.gg/B4WzX6fVU
discord.gg/B4WzX6fVU
The prompt for Day 2 of our little 200 words a day January writing reset is up on the Discord, if you'd like to have a go. Lots of folks joining in, reflecting on how the experience was for them & even sharing their work. Come join us:
discord.gg/B4WzX6fVU
discord.gg/B4WzX6fVU
Join the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community Discord Server!
Check out the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community community on Discord - hang out with 292 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
discord.gg
January 2, 2026 at 10:38 AM
The prompt for Day 2 of our little 200 words a day January writing reset is up on the Discord, if you'd like to have a go. Lots of folks joining in, reflecting on how the experience was for them & even sharing their work. Come join us:
discord.gg/B4WzX6fVU
discord.gg/B4WzX6fVU
Hey hey. If you'd like to join us for a very chill warm up programme writing 200 words daily through January, read the post below & come over to the Discord. Would love to have you.
Ok. So here's my introductory post for Day 1 of writing 200 words a day for January. You are very welcome to join us on the Discord server if you would like a bit of community encouragement, the daily prompts all in one place & Google docs links for my rambly sermons:
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
January 1, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Hey hey. If you'd like to join us for a very chill warm up programme writing 200 words daily through January, read the post below & come over to the Discord. Would love to have you.
Reposted by Tim Clare
Right. Today is the day. For January, if you would care to join me, we are doing a 200 words a day creative writing reset, adventure, challenge - whatever you want to call it. Prose, nonfiction, poetry. I'll offer a simple daily prompt if you're stuck but feel free to ignore.
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
Join the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community Discord Server!
Check out the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community community on Discord - hang out with 250 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
discord.gg
January 1, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Right. Today is the day. For January, if you would care to join me, we are doing a 200 words a day creative writing reset, adventure, challenge - whatever you want to call it. Prose, nonfiction, poetry. I'll offer a simple daily prompt if you're stuck but feel free to ignore.
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
Reposted by Tim Clare
Ok. So here's my introductory post for Day 1 of writing 200 words a day for January. You are very welcome to join us on the Discord server if you would like a bit of community encouragement, the daily prompts all in one place & Google docs links for my rambly sermons:
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
January 1, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Ok. So here's my introductory post for Day 1 of writing 200 words a day for January. You are very welcome to join us on the Discord server if you would like a bit of community encouragement, the daily prompts all in one place & Google docs links for my rambly sermons:
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
Ok. So here's my introductory post for Day 1 of writing 200 words a day for January. You are very welcome to join us on the Discord server if you would like a bit of community encouragement, the daily prompts all in one place & Google docs links for my rambly sermons:
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
January 1, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Ok. So here's my introductory post for Day 1 of writing 200 words a day for January. You are very welcome to join us on the Discord server if you would like a bit of community encouragement, the daily prompts all in one place & Google docs links for my rambly sermons:
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
discord.gg/vZSXbUGc
Right. Today is the day. For January, if you would care to join me, we are doing a 200 words a day creative writing reset, adventure, challenge - whatever you want to call it. Prose, nonfiction, poetry. I'll offer a simple daily prompt if you're stuck but feel free to ignore.
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
Join the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community Discord Server!
Check out the Death Of 1000 Cuts Community community on Discord - hang out with 250 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
discord.gg
January 1, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Right. Today is the day. For January, if you would care to join me, we are doing a 200 words a day creative writing reset, adventure, challenge - whatever you want to call it. Prose, nonfiction, poetry. I'll offer a simple daily prompt if you're stuck but feel free to ignore.
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
discord.gg/WmZuTjtRq
- book hit the shelves in paperback
- radio/podcast interviews round the world.
- talks on tabletop games in Copenhagen & UK, including an 'in conversation with' Irving Finkel, which was lovely
- worked on new book
- parented my girls
- diagnosed with ADHD
- had a breakdown
- bon appetit
- radio/podcast interviews round the world.
- talks on tabletop games in Copenhagen & UK, including an 'in conversation with' Irving Finkel, which was lovely
- worked on new book
- parented my girls
- diagnosed with ADHD
- had a breakdown
- bon appetit
Quote this with what you have accomplished in 2025, no matter how big or small
Reading & writing has kept me alive this year.
Somehow, it’s been my most productive year as an author.
Here’s a guide to what I’ve published in 2025, in case you’ve lost track.
Individual links below but it’s all on itch: danifinn.itch.io
And elsewhere: books2read.com/ap/nAApPp/Da...
1/
Somehow, it’s been my most productive year as an author.
Here’s a guide to what I’ve published in 2025, in case you’ve lost track.
Individual links below but it’s all on itch: danifinn.itch.io
And elsewhere: books2read.com/ap/nAApPp/Da...
1/
December 31, 2025 at 10:15 PM
- book hit the shelves in paperback
- radio/podcast interviews round the world.
- talks on tabletop games in Copenhagen & UK, including an 'in conversation with' Irving Finkel, which was lovely
- worked on new book
- parented my girls
- diagnosed with ADHD
- had a breakdown
- bon appetit
- radio/podcast interviews round the world.
- talks on tabletop games in Copenhagen & UK, including an 'in conversation with' Irving Finkel, which was lovely
- worked on new book
- parented my girls
- diagnosed with ADHD
- had a breakdown
- bon appetit
Laura Barton is such a great writer & this is kind of a perfect New Year's Eve piece. Lots of value to resilience, expanding your comfort zone, trying different things - as long as it's all undergirded by: if you don't like it, you're allowed to walk away.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
My big night out: I realised I could leave the house party behind – and everything else that made me feel small
It was New Year’s Eve and there had been fireworks, drinking and dancing. Amid it all, I felt ashen and cold. As I walked out, I felt my first surge of quiet liberation
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Laura Barton is such a great writer & this is kind of a perfect New Year's Eve piece. Lots of value to resilience, expanding your comfort zone, trying different things - as long as it's all undergirded by: if you don't like it, you're allowed to walk away.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Much enjoying C S Lewis' memories of arriving in England as a boy:
'No Englishman will be able to understand my first impressions of England. When we disembarked, I suppose at about six next morning (but it seemed to be midnight), I found myself in a world to which I reacted with immediate hatred.'
'No Englishman will be able to understand my first impressions of England. When we disembarked, I suppose at about six next morning (but it seemed to be midnight), I found myself in a world to which I reacted with immediate hatred.'
December 31, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Much enjoying C S Lewis' memories of arriving in England as a boy:
'No Englishman will be able to understand my first impressions of England. When we disembarked, I suppose at about six next morning (but it seemed to be midnight), I found myself in a world to which I reacted with immediate hatred.'
'No Englishman will be able to understand my first impressions of England. When we disembarked, I suppose at about six next morning (but it seemed to be midnight), I found myself in a world to which I reacted with immediate hatred.'
If you die in the game you diarrhoea in real life
December 31, 2025 at 3:59 PM
If you die in the game you diarrhoea in real life
Hey everyone. Thanks for sticking with me through 2025. I'd love to see more people in 2026. Human connection is supposed to be what it's all about OR SO I'M TOLD. If we meet up next year, what would you like to do together? Let's imagine some things to look forward to.
December 31, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Hey everyone. Thanks for sticking with me through 2025. I'd love to see more people in 2026. Human connection is supposed to be what it's all about OR SO I'M TOLD. If we meet up next year, what would you like to do together? Let's imagine some things to look forward to.
I'm going to be spending NYE with a poorly (but happy & safe!) toddler, & though I'd like sympathy as if this entails personal sacrifice, an excuse to avoid hours of small talk in a noisy environment in favour of sitting in one room reading & being with my child is... pretty great.
December 31, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I'm going to be spending NYE with a poorly (but happy & safe!) toddler, & though I'd like sympathy as if this entails personal sacrifice, an excuse to avoid hours of small talk in a noisy environment in favour of sitting in one room reading & being with my child is... pretty great.
I don't mind pessimistic writers. I can't stand cynical writers. Pessimistic writers might feel our world is a lost cause. Cynical writers feel that way about their readers. Like carnival psychics, they figure out what people will pay to hear & sell it, & they tell themselves that's the job.
December 31, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I don't mind pessimistic writers. I can't stand cynical writers. Pessimistic writers might feel our world is a lost cause. Cynical writers feel that way about their readers. Like carnival psychics, they figure out what people will pay to hear & sell it, & they tell themselves that's the job.
I played A Wild Venture, Soulaween & Embarcadero yesterday. Soulaween is a great little abstract about duelling psychopomps with asymmetric powers. Unfortunately our game of Embarcadero got cut short just before final scoring, but it went down well. It's still very fun.
December 31, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I played A Wild Venture, Soulaween & Embarcadero yesterday. Soulaween is a great little abstract about duelling psychopomps with asymmetric powers. Unfortunately our game of Embarcadero got cut short just before final scoring, but it went down well. It's still very fun.
Ok so just a heads up that I will be starting this on Jan 1. I'll post a link to the Discord for anyone who wants to join, & a reminder each day as well as a gentle prompt for anyone who wants it. It'll be for fiction or nonfiction writers. I'll post a few guiding principles on the first day.
Would anyone like to join me for a 200 word a day creative writing challenge for January? I would offer a bit of framing & an optional prompt but mostly it would be a chance to join in with a bit of gentle community support (we have a little Discord), making something daily.
December 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Ok so just a heads up that I will be starting this on Jan 1. I'll post a link to the Discord for anyone who wants to join, & a reminder each day as well as a gentle prompt for anyone who wants it. It'll be for fiction or nonfiction writers. I'll post a few guiding principles on the first day.