Stephanie Winter
@wintersleep85.bsky.social
Fantasy and historical fiction writer. She/her.
Pinned
NAUSICAÄ X FF7
Hana is sure she’s the chosen one, meant to save the world, even if her magic is resisting her and the previous chosen one insists she isn’t. Pursued by enemies, she must learn if this is her destiny or if it was a mystical mistake. #questpit #F #A #Q #agentguide
Hana is sure she’s the chosen one, meant to save the world, even if her magic is resisting her and the previous chosen one insists she isn’t. Pursued by enemies, she must learn if this is her destiny or if it was a mystical mistake. #questpit #F #A #Q #agentguide
#Febchantment Magic is considered a divine blessing, so the amount of magic is considered ‘mastery’. If someone can effortlessly use all types of magic and not have it drain them, they are believed to be a favorite of the gods. It’s the same for dark magic. (1/2)
#Febchantment Day 12
What does it take to be considered a "master" of your magic system?
Is it about the range of your techniques? The difficulty level? The amount of knowledge in your head? Your ability not to set yourself on fire?
Or perhaps there IS no "mastery"?
#writingcommunity #writesky
What does it take to be considered a "master" of your magic system?
Is it about the range of your techniques? The difficulty level? The amount of knowledge in your head? Your ability not to set yourself on fire?
Or perhaps there IS no "mastery"?
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 12, 2026 at 6:20 AM
#Febchantment Magic is considered a divine blessing, so the amount of magic is considered ‘mastery’. If someone can effortlessly use all types of magic and not have it drain them, they are believed to be a favorite of the gods. It’s the same for dark magic. (1/2)
Hana has a lot of people who are close to her, but the most important conflict is between Hana and her grouchy mentor/friend, Matthias. Hana believes she is the chosen one, and Matthias insists she isn’t. He thinks she’ll die if she pushes her limits to save the world. (1/2)
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
Let's talk about conflict!
What is something your character and the person closest to them fight about?
Is one side clearly in the right, or is it ambiguous?
How do they resolve their dispute? Or do they?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Let's talk about conflict!
What is something your character and the person closest to them fight about?
Is one side clearly in the right, or is it ambiguous?
How do they resolve their dispute? Or do they?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
February 12, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Hana has a lot of people who are close to her, but the most important conflict is between Hana and her grouchy mentor/friend, Matthias. Hana believes she is the chosen one, and Matthias insists she isn’t. He thinks she’ll die if she pushes her limits to save the world. (1/2)
Matthias thinking about someone from his past with brown hair
February 11, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Matthias thinking about someone from his past with brown hair
Only 48. I’m devastated.
James Van Der Beek, who starred in the teen drama series "Dawson’s Creek," has died at 48
February 11, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Only 48. I’m devastated.
Of course I’m realizing two days later that I forgot the MAGIC DRUGS that enhance power!
It’s not like it’s an important plot element or anything. It definitely doesn’t have consequences on the characters. Ugh.
It’s not like it’s an important plot element or anything. It definitely doesn’t have consequences on the characters. Ugh.
#Febchantment No one needs tools to use high magic, as the body is the tool. Crystals and blood can be used, but if someone has magic, they aren’t supposed to need anything. Dark magic might require a consecrated dagger for sacrifice.
#Febchantment Day 9
Let's talk magical tools! What does someone need to do magic in your system? An arcane focus (e.g. wand, staff, orb)? A book of spells? A musical instrument? A bunch of obscure ingredients?
If you have magical companions, they would count here 😁
#writingcommunity #writesky
Let's talk magical tools! What does someone need to do magic in your system? An arcane focus (e.g. wand, staff, orb)? A book of spells? A musical instrument? A bunch of obscure ingredients?
If you have magical companions, they would count here 😁
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 11, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Of course I’m realizing two days later that I forgot the MAGIC DRUGS that enhance power!
It’s not like it’s an important plot element or anything. It definitely doesn’t have consequences on the characters. Ugh.
It’s not like it’s an important plot element or anything. It definitely doesn’t have consequences on the characters. Ugh.
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
HP Lovecraft is dead. Buying his books won't fund his bigotry.
Marion Zimmer Bradley is dead. Buying her books will actually fund a charity to combat abuse.
JK Rowling is not dead. Buying her books will directly help to fund her war on trans folk.
Make your choice how you spend your money.
Marion Zimmer Bradley is dead. Buying her books will actually fund a charity to combat abuse.
JK Rowling is not dead. Buying her books will directly help to fund her war on trans folk.
Make your choice how you spend your money.
a close up of a man with a mask on his face holding a stick .
Alt: a close up of a man with a mask on his face holding a stick .
media.tenor.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:59 AM
HP Lovecraft is dead. Buying his books won't fund his bigotry.
Marion Zimmer Bradley is dead. Buying her books will actually fund a charity to combat abuse.
JK Rowling is not dead. Buying her books will directly help to fund her war on trans folk.
Make your choice how you spend your money.
Marion Zimmer Bradley is dead. Buying her books will actually fund a charity to combat abuse.
JK Rowling is not dead. Buying her books will directly help to fund her war on trans folk.
Make your choice how you spend your money.
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
‘I can’t live without AI!’
Were you born three years ago? Is this your first time experiencing the wonder of human thought and free will?
‘Can’t live without AI’
How embarrassing.
Were you born three years ago? Is this your first time experiencing the wonder of human thought and free will?
‘Can’t live without AI’
How embarrassing.
February 11, 2026 at 12:44 PM
‘I can’t live without AI!’
Were you born three years ago? Is this your first time experiencing the wonder of human thought and free will?
‘Can’t live without AI’
How embarrassing.
Were you born three years ago? Is this your first time experiencing the wonder of human thought and free will?
‘Can’t live without AI’
How embarrassing.
#Febchantment The limitations are that only specific mortal bodies can handle magic. People are blessed with magic by the gods, but the gods stopped blessing centuries ago. Now only a small group of people have magic, and it’s not as powerful as it was in the more ‘high fantasy era’. (1/2)
#Febchantment Day 11
What limitations did you put on your magic system to keep it from becoming too OP? Is power in short supply? Do spells take a physical toll on the body?
Note that this is about magic done RIGHT. Day 13 will be about when magic goes horribly wrong!
#writingcommunity #writesky
What limitations did you put on your magic system to keep it from becoming too OP? Is power in short supply? Do spells take a physical toll on the body?
Note that this is about magic done RIGHT. Day 13 will be about when magic goes horribly wrong!
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 11, 2026 at 6:30 AM
#Febchantment The limitations are that only specific mortal bodies can handle magic. People are blessed with magic by the gods, but the gods stopped blessing centuries ago. Now only a small group of people have magic, and it’s not as powerful as it was in the more ‘high fantasy era’. (1/2)
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
I’m getting really sick of having to remind my fellow millennials who also used to adore Harry Potter that you can leave that shit in the past. You can go find newer and better books and NOT give Joanne money to use to prosecute anyone in the UK who wants to make trans peoples’ lives a bit better
February 10, 2026 at 9:12 PM
I’m getting really sick of having to remind my fellow millennials who also used to adore Harry Potter that you can leave that shit in the past. You can go find newer and better books and NOT give Joanne money to use to prosecute anyone in the UK who wants to make trans peoples’ lives a bit better
#Febchantment Magic is part of them, so they can usually think it into existence. But very powerful magic needs incantations in the language of the gods. And that is a language that not many remember.
#Febchantment Day 10
How is magic actually performed? What kinds of speech or actions are needed to execute a successful spell? An ancient incantation? A hand sign? Martial arts movements?
Or is it enough simply for the caster to THINK their spell into existence?
#writingcommunity #writesky
How is magic actually performed? What kinds of speech or actions are needed to execute a successful spell? An ancient incantation? A hand sign? Martial arts movements?
Or is it enough simply for the caster to THINK their spell into existence?
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 11, 2026 at 12:42 AM
#Febchantment Magic is part of them, so they can usually think it into existence. But very powerful magic needs incantations in the language of the gods. And that is a language that not many remember.
Hana’s first love was a young man from her village named Simon. He was her first everything. Hana believed she would marry him. Then he left her to join the anti-magic forces, and crushed her heart. It didn’t help her fear of abandonment. Hopefully that won’t affect her next relationship too much!
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
It's February, so let's talk about romance just a bit!
Who was your character's first love?
Was it a positive relationship for them or less so?
How did it end (if at all), and how did that affect them?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
It's February, so let's talk about romance just a bit!
Who was your character's first love?
Was it a positive relationship for them or less so?
How did it end (if at all), and how did that affect them?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
February 11, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Hana’s first love was a young man from her village named Simon. He was her first everything. Hana believed she would marry him. Then he left her to join the anti-magic forces, and crushed her heart. It didn’t help her fear of abandonment. Hopefully that won’t affect her next relationship too much!
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
*psst* i have nothing but respect for trad publishing, but i think self published and indie published queer books are so, so important, especially now
#writingcommunity #writerscommunity #queerwriters
#writingcommunity #writerscommunity #queerwriters
February 10, 2026 at 4:57 PM
*psst* i have nothing but respect for trad publishing, but i think self published and indie published queer books are so, so important, especially now
#writingcommunity #writerscommunity #queerwriters
#writingcommunity #writerscommunity #queerwriters
#Febchantment No one needs tools to use high magic, as the body is the tool. Crystals and blood can be used, but if someone has magic, they aren’t supposed to need anything. Dark magic might require a consecrated dagger for sacrifice.
#Febchantment Day 9
Let's talk magical tools! What does someone need to do magic in your system? An arcane focus (e.g. wand, staff, orb)? A book of spells? A musical instrument? A bunch of obscure ingredients?
If you have magical companions, they would count here 😁
#writingcommunity #writesky
Let's talk magical tools! What does someone need to do magic in your system? An arcane focus (e.g. wand, staff, orb)? A book of spells? A musical instrument? A bunch of obscure ingredients?
If you have magical companions, they would count here 😁
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 10, 2026 at 1:28 AM
#Febchantment No one needs tools to use high magic, as the body is the tool. Crystals and blood can be used, but if someone has magic, they aren’t supposed to need anything. Dark magic might require a consecrated dagger for sacrifice.
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
Love this! I like romance but friendship in books that is the focus of the relationship don't come along very often.
Here’s a taste of the friendship between these two, which I’ve described as having a romance-like arc despite being aromantic.
February 9, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Love this! I like romance but friendship in books that is the focus of the relationship don't come along very often.
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
Buy me a coffee! Or the cost for the blog this month!
Support Kelly
Support Kelly
ko-fi.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Buy me a coffee! Or the cost for the blog this month!
Poor Hana’s face is pink in this part
February 9, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Poor Hana’s face is pink in this part
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
Today is an excellent day to support an Indie romance author:
The Demon and The Wish by Rebecca Crunden
The Postman Becomes a Bunny Goddess in Another World by Autumn Wolff
Barrow Maid By Dani Finn
Shadowbeast By Michelle Franklin
Zimanges by MC Burnell
The Demon and The Wish by Rebecca Crunden
The Postman Becomes a Bunny Goddess in Another World by Autumn Wolff
Barrow Maid By Dani Finn
Shadowbeast By Michelle Franklin
Zimanges by MC Burnell
I often share fellow indie author's stuff because EVERY day is a good day to support indie authors and that entire ecosystem economy!
But you know what? Maybe today, check out a romance author in particular. It's not my genre, so I'm not even going to make a suggestion. But go forth and read!
But you know what? Maybe today, check out a romance author in particular. It's not my genre, so I'm not even going to make a suggestion. But go forth and read!
I think today's a good day to support indie authors who don't use AI.
And also to support editors, cover designers, artists, and book coaches who don't use AI and aren't running grift classes.
Small businesses that are struggling and get paid poverty wages.
And also to support editors, cover designers, artists, and book coaches who don't use AI and aren't running grift classes.
Small businesses that are struggling and get paid poverty wages.
February 9, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Today is an excellent day to support an Indie romance author:
The Demon and The Wish by Rebecca Crunden
The Postman Becomes a Bunny Goddess in Another World by Autumn Wolff
Barrow Maid By Dani Finn
Shadowbeast By Michelle Franklin
Zimanges by MC Burnell
The Demon and The Wish by Rebecca Crunden
The Postman Becomes a Bunny Goddess in Another World by Autumn Wolff
Barrow Maid By Dani Finn
Shadowbeast By Michelle Franklin
Zimanges by MC Burnell
Even if AI is being pushed, I don’t EVER have to accept it. And I won’t. I will continue writing and researching without it. And I will never approve of any creatives using it.
February 9, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Even if AI is being pushed, I don’t EVER have to accept it. And I won’t. I will continue writing and researching without it. And I will never approve of any creatives using it.
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
If you wish your magical girl stories hit harder and were gayer, I made The Plight of the Last Paladin for you!
www.patreon.com/collection/1...
www.patreon.com/collection/1...
The Plight of the Last Paladin | Collection from D.D. Ward is Writing | 10 posts
Get more from D.D. Ward is Writing on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:21 PM
If you wish your magical girl stories hit harder and were gayer, I made The Plight of the Last Paladin for you!
www.patreon.com/collection/1...
www.patreon.com/collection/1...
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
Personally speaking, I think everyone should go buy one of my books since my birthday is next week. 😉
But if they do not spark joy, a repost is groovy, too ✨
linktr.ee/rjcrunden
But if they do not spark joy, a repost is groovy, too ✨
linktr.ee/rjcrunden
February 8, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Personally speaking, I think everyone should go buy one of my books since my birthday is next week. 😉
But if they do not spark joy, a repost is groovy, too ✨
linktr.ee/rjcrunden
But if they do not spark joy, a repost is groovy, too ✨
linktr.ee/rjcrunden
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
"I promise I'm a real writer who writes their own stuff, but in my off-time I have a secret identity as a plagiarist" sure is a position
February 8, 2026 at 2:58 PM
"I promise I'm a real writer who writes their own stuff, but in my off-time I have a secret identity as a plagiarist" sure is a position
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
'Opportunistic hack' was me being polite about AI slop in the arts.
And I stand by that.
And I stand by that.
February 8, 2026 at 6:12 PM
'Opportunistic hack' was me being polite about AI slop in the arts.
And I stand by that.
And I stand by that.
#Febchantment Magic, known as the Blessing, was gifted by gods. The Dark Blessing comes from demons or darker deities, depending on who is telling the story.
#Febchantment Day 8
This week we're digging more into the nuts & bolts of your magic system! So let's start with the source.
Where exactly does magic "come from" in your world? Where/when does it originate? Does anyone know for sure, or are there only theories?
#writingcommunity #writesky
This week we're digging more into the nuts & bolts of your magic system! So let's start with the source.
Where exactly does magic "come from" in your world? Where/when does it originate? Does anyone know for sure, or are there only theories?
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 8, 2026 at 1:19 PM
#Febchantment Magic, known as the Blessing, was gifted by gods. The Dark Blessing comes from demons or darker deities, depending on who is telling the story.
Reposted by Stephanie Winter
This Valentine's Day, treat yourself to a sweet romantasy novella 💌
🌼 cozy vibes
😌 a cast to root for
🤫 secret relationships
👨👨👦 family dynamics
💐 flowers
🌈 queer rep
🌶️ spicy yet wholesome
💕 3 couples:
🕯️ slow-burn
🔥 fast-burn
💓 already-burning
✌️ only $2
Choose your retailer: linktr.ee/sagetgreene
🌼 cozy vibes
😌 a cast to root for
🤫 secret relationships
👨👨👦 family dynamics
💐 flowers
🌈 queer rep
🌶️ spicy yet wholesome
💕 3 couples:
🕯️ slow-burn
🔥 fast-burn
💓 already-burning
✌️ only $2
Choose your retailer: linktr.ee/sagetgreene
February 7, 2026 at 11:15 PM
This Valentine's Day, treat yourself to a sweet romantasy novella 💌
🌼 cozy vibes
😌 a cast to root for
🤫 secret relationships
👨👨👦 family dynamics
💐 flowers
🌈 queer rep
🌶️ spicy yet wholesome
💕 3 couples:
🕯️ slow-burn
🔥 fast-burn
💓 already-burning
✌️ only $2
Choose your retailer: linktr.ee/sagetgreene
🌼 cozy vibes
😌 a cast to root for
🤫 secret relationships
👨👨👦 family dynamics
💐 flowers
🌈 queer rep
🌶️ spicy yet wholesome
💕 3 couples:
🕯️ slow-burn
🔥 fast-burn
💓 already-burning
✌️ only $2
Choose your retailer: linktr.ee/sagetgreene