Zen Grabs (they/them)
@zengrabs.bsky.social
Literary editor and writer. As Norton Juster wrote, "There are no wrong roads to anywhere" so grab your towel, stick out your thumb, and enjoy the journey.
Aro/ace/agender.
Now booking for 2025. DM for more information.
Aro/ace/agender.
Now booking for 2025. DM for more information.
Pinned
Rebranded website still under development but ..
Immediate editing slots available!
Any length accepted.
About me: 20 years experience. Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, TTRPG, and more. Msg for portfolio titles.
*Special pre-website launch rates*
#WritingCommunity
Immediate editing slots available!
Any length accepted.
About me: 20 years experience. Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, TTRPG, and more. Msg for portfolio titles.
*Special pre-website launch rates*
#WritingCommunity
"Step right up, folks! Don't miss the chance of a lifetime!"
The crowd gathered around, curious to see what The Wizard of Whispering Gulch had up his sleeve this time.
"Right here, right now, you can get a random bead of magic for the low, low price of two bits." The Wizard held up a gunny sack.
The crowd gathered around, curious to see what The Wizard of Whispering Gulch had up his sleeve this time.
"Right here, right now, you can get a random bead of magic for the low, low price of two bits." The Wizard held up a gunny sack.
February 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
"Step right up, folks! Don't miss the chance of a lifetime!"
The crowd gathered around, curious to see what The Wizard of Whispering Gulch had up his sleeve this time.
"Right here, right now, you can get a random bead of magic for the low, low price of two bits." The Wizard held up a gunny sack.
The crowd gathered around, curious to see what The Wizard of Whispering Gulch had up his sleeve this time.
"Right here, right now, you can get a random bead of magic for the low, low price of two bits." The Wizard held up a gunny sack.
My overcritical ass doesn't like anything I do and overcomplicates everything.
I'm an editor. A good one if I say so myself (which is odd for me). My work speaks for itself and my sample edits are free.
But...
If my website sucks, then my services suck. That's the way business works. Sigh.
I'm an editor. A good one if I say so myself (which is odd for me). My work speaks for itself and my sample edits are free.
But...
If my website sucks, then my services suck. That's the way business works. Sigh.
February 23, 2025 at 6:48 PM
My overcritical ass doesn't like anything I do and overcomplicates everything.
I'm an editor. A good one if I say so myself (which is odd for me). My work speaks for itself and my sample edits are free.
But...
If my website sucks, then my services suck. That's the way business works. Sigh.
I'm an editor. A good one if I say so myself (which is odd for me). My work speaks for itself and my sample edits are free.
But...
If my website sucks, then my services suck. That's the way business works. Sigh.
I learned long, long ago that most people aren't going to necessarily like me...so...why try to be what they aren't going to like anyway? I am who I am no matter where I go (even online). In short, yeah, what you see on social media is what you find in me all the time.
If someone had to learn about you as a person based on your social media posts, would they be able to get to know the real you?
February 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I learned long, long ago that most people aren't going to necessarily like me...so...why try to be what they aren't going to like anyway? I am who I am no matter where I go (even online). In short, yeah, what you see on social media is what you find in me all the time.
Alec plopped on the hay bale and wiped his sleeve across his damp eyes. "You are not worthless. You're not like me."
Midnight nibbled on Alec's hair and snorted.
"Being a #thoroughbred is nothing!" Alec began rubbing Midnight's cheek. "We'll show them." He grabbed his crutch and stood. #vss365
Midnight nibbled on Alec's hair and snorted.
"Being a #thoroughbred is nothing!" Alec began rubbing Midnight's cheek. "We'll show them." He grabbed his crutch and stood. #vss365
February 23, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Alec plopped on the hay bale and wiped his sleeve across his damp eyes. "You are not worthless. You're not like me."
Midnight nibbled on Alec's hair and snorted.
"Being a #thoroughbred is nothing!" Alec began rubbing Midnight's cheek. "We'll show them." He grabbed his crutch and stood. #vss365
Midnight nibbled on Alec's hair and snorted.
"Being a #thoroughbred is nothing!" Alec began rubbing Midnight's cheek. "We'll show them." He grabbed his crutch and stood. #vss365
Fiddler's Grove was in a right fit that morning. Preacher Bill had arrived as usual, set his Bible on the pulpit, and went to quench his thirst.
"The well of wisdom has run dry!" He notified the elders.
Meanwhile, Henry was laughing his ass off. "That been where I puttin' my moonshine for ages."
"The well of wisdom has run dry!" He notified the elders.
Meanwhile, Henry was laughing his ass off. "That been where I puttin' my moonshine for ages."
Prose/dialogue: “The well of wisdom has run dry.” #hbp115
February 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Fiddler's Grove was in a right fit that morning. Preacher Bill had arrived as usual, set his Bible on the pulpit, and went to quench his thirst.
"The well of wisdom has run dry!" He notified the elders.
Meanwhile, Henry was laughing his ass off. "That been where I puttin' my moonshine for ages."
"The well of wisdom has run dry!" He notified the elders.
Meanwhile, Henry was laughing his ass off. "That been where I puttin' my moonshine for ages."
The house rumbled as a dozen feet raced toward John's attic room. High-pitched giggles and loudly whispered dares floated from behind Emilie's door.
Edith glared at me. "In my house--"
"Everything is quiet and proper." I sipped my tea. "I'd rather be a #safe_haven than a museum."
#vss365
Edith glared at me. "In my house--"
"Everything is quiet and proper." I sipped my tea. "I'd rather be a #safe_haven than a museum."
#vss365
February 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The house rumbled as a dozen feet raced toward John's attic room. High-pitched giggles and loudly whispered dares floated from behind Emilie's door.
Edith glared at me. "In my house--"
"Everything is quiet and proper." I sipped my tea. "I'd rather be a #safe_haven than a museum."
#vss365
Edith glared at me. "In my house--"
"Everything is quiet and proper." I sipped my tea. "I'd rather be a #safe_haven than a museum."
#vss365
Biking through farm country is the best morning exercise. The smell of fresh hay and manure always makes my heart sing.
Coffee clashes with stale booze, honking fills my ears, the world is off. I turn my bike toward the barn and slam into the ground. "Oh, yeah, I moved to the city." Sigh.
#hbp110
Coffee clashes with stale booze, honking fills my ears, the world is off. I turn my bike toward the barn and slam into the ground. "Oh, yeah, I moved to the city." Sigh.
#hbp110
Concept: A sudden realization while biking. #hbp110
![Photo: Cyclist on the pavement of Place d'Italie in Paris, on a snowy day. Source: This photo was taken by Roman Bonnefoy ( Romanceor [parlons-en]), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5czgnb5wwkj2jlu7mdqciavg/bafkreihntzeec3x6vm7xbec6oml6byvioweos7yvwfvmvcee7gsdoyjv2a@jpeg)
February 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Biking through farm country is the best morning exercise. The smell of fresh hay and manure always makes my heart sing.
Coffee clashes with stale booze, honking fills my ears, the world is off. I turn my bike toward the barn and slam into the ground. "Oh, yeah, I moved to the city." Sigh.
#hbp110
Coffee clashes with stale booze, honking fills my ears, the world is off. I turn my bike toward the barn and slam into the ground. "Oh, yeah, I moved to the city." Sigh.
#hbp110
Working for two years at a hybrid publisher burned me out in a way. I long to work with writers who care about and want to improve their craft.
If I could silence the "this website looks like crap!" voice in my head, I could reopen my private editing biz. But it's a loud voice :(
If I could silence the "this website looks like crap!" voice in my head, I could reopen my private editing biz. But it's a loud voice :(
February 10, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Working for two years at a hybrid publisher burned me out in a way. I long to work with writers who care about and want to improve their craft.
If I could silence the "this website looks like crap!" voice in my head, I could reopen my private editing biz. But it's a loud voice :(
If I could silence the "this website looks like crap!" voice in my head, I could reopen my private editing biz. But it's a loud voice :(
This week's reading plan...
February 10, 2025 at 10:55 PM
This week's reading plan...
Screams raced by in the dark, marking my non-aloneness. Even in this moment, I couldn't be left alone. The powers that be wouldn't allow it. But I refused to accept it. Falling in darkness to a certain doom is calming, peaceful. Why fight the inevitable? Though, I do wonder why the air is still.
February 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Screams raced by in the dark, marking my non-aloneness. Even in this moment, I couldn't be left alone. The powers that be wouldn't allow it. But I refused to accept it. Falling in darkness to a certain doom is calming, peaceful. Why fight the inevitable? Though, I do wonder why the air is still.
The #7syllablesentence prompt for February 10 is #roll
Write a seven syllable sentence using the prompt word.
Use any tense. No grammar rules.
Please use the #7syllablesentence hashtag when posting a seven syllable sentence so your post can be found in a search.
Have fun! 🐬✨🦋🐳
Write a seven syllable sentence using the prompt word.
Use any tense. No grammar rules.
Please use the #7syllablesentence hashtag when posting a seven syllable sentence so your post can be found in a search.
Have fun! 🐬✨🦋🐳
February 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
"Don't be so #modest," Zach said. "Be proud of what you've accomplished."
Jo sighed. "Fine. I have a PhD, two Masters, two Bachelors, and I have..."
Muttering filled the room.
"Show off..."
"Thinks they're better than everyone..."
"Why are they working here then..."
Silently, Jo sat.
#vss365
Jo sighed. "Fine. I have a PhD, two Masters, two Bachelors, and I have..."
Muttering filled the room.
"Show off..."
"Thinks they're better than everyone..."
"Why are they working here then..."
Silently, Jo sat.
#vss365
February 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
My neighbor is watching the game. Which means I am listening to the game whether I want to or not. I'm thankful to be able to afford an apartment, but lordy, they should not allow wall mounted giant tvs in apartments with thin walls.
February 9, 2025 at 7:01 PM
My neighbor is watching the game. Which means I am listening to the game whether I want to or not. I'm thankful to be able to afford an apartment, but lordy, they should not allow wall mounted giant tvs in apartments with thin walls.
Master chucked the burning contents of his desk out the window, flaming stack after flaming stack. Screams and sounds of agony filled the hallway outside his office. "I thought you #disarmed him!"
"We did, sir." Vincent paused dousing the room. "But..."
"I know. Death can't be stopped."
#vss365
"We did, sir." Vincent paused dousing the room. "But..."
"I know. Death can't be stopped."
#vss365
February 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Rebranded website still under development but ..
Immediate editing slots available!
Any length accepted.
About me: 20 years experience. Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, TTRPG, and more. Msg for portfolio titles.
*Special pre-website launch rates*
#WritingCommunity
Immediate editing slots available!
Any length accepted.
About me: 20 years experience. Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, TTRPG, and more. Msg for portfolio titles.
*Special pre-website launch rates*
#WritingCommunity
February 8, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Rebranded website still under development but ..
Immediate editing slots available!
Any length accepted.
About me: 20 years experience. Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, TTRPG, and more. Msg for portfolio titles.
*Special pre-website launch rates*
#WritingCommunity
Immediate editing slots available!
Any length accepted.
About me: 20 years experience. Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, TTRPG, and more. Msg for portfolio titles.
*Special pre-website launch rates*
#WritingCommunity
February 7, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Austin ran, crushing the pristine white daisies under his bare feet. The once short field of wildflowers grew, elongating into a never-ending nightmare slowly being consumed by the maniacal laughter. Keep running. He had to keep running. He promised. The clown's face appeared in the sky. He stopped.
February 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Austin ran, crushing the pristine white daisies under his bare feet. The once short field of wildflowers grew, elongating into a never-ending nightmare slowly being consumed by the maniacal laughter. Keep running. He had to keep running. He promised. The clown's face appeared in the sky. He stopped.
Fresh from the courthouse, the Grayson trio stood outside their family home. Memories flooded their minds, memories as distressed as that home.
William drew a long breath. "Brick by brick, we're gonna tear it all down." He glanced at the others and smiled. "Then rebuild together.' #hbp104
William drew a long breath. "Brick by brick, we're gonna tear it all down." He glanced at the others and smiled. "Then rebuild together.' #hbp104
Dialogue: "Brick by brick, we're gonna tear it all down." #hbp104
February 7, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Fresh from the courthouse, the Grayson trio stood outside their family home. Memories flooded their minds, memories as distressed as that home.
William drew a long breath. "Brick by brick, we're gonna tear it all down." He glanced at the others and smiled. "Then rebuild together.' #hbp104
William drew a long breath. "Brick by brick, we're gonna tear it all down." He glanced at the others and smiled. "Then rebuild together.' #hbp104
The #7syllablesentence prompt for February 5 is #smart
Write a seven syllable sentence using the prompt word.
Use any tense. No grammar rules.
Please use the #7syllablesentence hashtag when posting a seven syllable sentence so your post can be found in a search.
Have fun! 🐬✨🦋🐳
Write a seven syllable sentence using the prompt word.
Use any tense. No grammar rules.
Please use the #7syllablesentence hashtag when posting a seven syllable sentence so your post can be found in a search.
Have fun! 🐬✨🦋🐳
February 5, 2025 at 8:31 PM
I climbed the stairs one at a time. Why did it have to be this way? It's not right to make me choose between them. No matter up or down, one was gloating, the other angry. I paused in the middle and sat, tears streaming.
"Join me, then." a voice said.
I smiled and faded into the shadows. #hbp102
"Join me, then." a voice said.
I smiled and faded into the shadows. #hbp102
February 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I climbed the stairs one at a time. Why did it have to be this way? It's not right to make me choose between them. No matter up or down, one was gloating, the other angry. I paused in the middle and sat, tears streaming.
"Join me, then." a voice said.
I smiled and faded into the shadows. #hbp102
"Join me, then." a voice said.
I smiled and faded into the shadows. #hbp102
Pip pointed to the presentation slide. "The rise in violence toward some CEOs and the decrease in consumer prices makes my suggestion the best route."
Lincoln shook his head. "I fail to see the #nexus between these two events."
Pip drew a blade from his briefcase. "You will."
#vss365
Lincoln shook his head. "I fail to see the #nexus between these two events."
Pip drew a blade from his briefcase. "You will."
#vss365
February 5, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The little boy traveled the perilous trail with his grandfather daily. Up the mountain, sit by the mailbox, and eat lunch. They would speak of life, nature, and everything. Except the mailbox.
Years pass and the old man takes his grandson up the mountain, hoping to not see the raised flag.
Years pass and the old man takes his grandson up the mountain, hoping to not see the raised flag.
February 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The little boy traveled the perilous trail with his grandfather daily. Up the mountain, sit by the mailbox, and eat lunch. They would speak of life, nature, and everything. Except the mailbox.
Years pass and the old man takes his grandson up the mountain, hoping to not see the raised flag.
Years pass and the old man takes his grandson up the mountain, hoping to not see the raised flag.
The ground quaked as the disembodied voice screamed, "You failed to protect me."
Hope's heart pounded in her chest. She swallowed her words, knowing they were as hollow as ever. "You're right," she whispered. "I didn't protect you when I should have. But this... this is wrong. Please."
"No."
Hope's heart pounded in her chest. She swallowed her words, knowing they were as hollow as ever. "You're right," she whispered. "I didn't protect you when I should have. But this... this is wrong. Please."
"No."
Dialogue: “You failed to protect me.” #hbp101
February 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The ground quaked as the disembodied voice screamed, "You failed to protect me."
Hope's heart pounded in her chest. She swallowed her words, knowing they were as hollow as ever. "You're right," she whispered. "I didn't protect you when I should have. But this... this is wrong. Please."
"No."
Hope's heart pounded in her chest. She swallowed her words, knowing they were as hollow as ever. "You're right," she whispered. "I didn't protect you when I should have. But this... this is wrong. Please."
"No."
My skin burns. Not the good kind of burn but the kind of burn that never subsides, never easily soothed. But I push on. No other choice. I've been here before, Father's stains are barely visible now, barely sting. But Mother's...well, that's another story. Three long months now. Murder burns deep.
February 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM
My skin burns. Not the good kind of burn but the kind of burn that never subsides, never easily soothed. But I push on. No other choice. I've been here before, Father's stains are barely visible now, barely sting. But Mother's...well, that's another story. Three long months now. Murder burns deep.