Amanda Turek💎HorsebackWriter
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acturek.bsky.social
Amanda Turek💎HorsebackWriter
@acturek.bsky.social
860 followers 850 following 2.8K posts
Writes character driven adult fantasy.
WIP: Brother’s Keeper, epic fantasy sibling story
Lives with bipolar disorder - @siegeofthespirit
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Mountain backcountry horsewoman
Every trail’s the one true home.
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #progress

The gang struggles through a storm. Rushak, horribly wounded, is tied onto a drag attached to Weatherlin’s horse. POV: Cerel

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
A threat lurked behind that dead fall heap to the left, he was certain. They traveled far too slowly in this weather. As Lalash examined the steep terrain at her feet, Cerel glanced across the gulch at Theris. The monk was unusually tense. Lalash threw up her head and plunged down into the gulch after Drisal, who in trying to steady the drag had halted Weatherlin's PROGRESS up the opposite slope. The Agent held his gelding in check, waiting, but with urgent gestures. A tight, frigid wind whipped fallen snow into tiny, sharp crystals. Rushak stiffened beneath his blankets. "Don't stop," Cerel said in a low voice. "Drisal, let go. Let Weatherlin drag him up. He'll be no worse for it." Drisal stumbled, but Virgil still supported him. The Agent glanced back. "Come on!" he said under his breath. Behind them the blowing snow coalesced, became a whirling cyclone. And it moved against the wind. "Dru'ach!" Weatherlin cried. "Fly!" Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 15, 2025 at 12:56 PM
acturek.bsky.social
#Novmemeber
Human faces cannot be drawn! That said, I like where this is heading.
The sorceress.
Really bad beginning of a woman’s face with charcoal. Huge eyes, tiny mouth, line suggesting a nose, long black hair
November 15, 2025 at 2:50 AM
acturek.bsky.social
Riding into a golden aspen tunnel on a mountainside. #ForestFriday #forest #trail #trailride #tree #aspentrees
A trail disappears into a tunnel through a forest of golden aspen trees on a steep mountainside sloping down to the right. A trail horse’s white tail and butt are barely visible in the tunnel, in the center of the picture.
November 15, 2025 at 2:15 AM
acturek.bsky.social
#WIPPITStickyNoteQuestions
17. This forest fire plume reminds me of fire in the holy land of Gibil, which is one of the prophesied signs of the enemy’s return. The characters have to go there to investigate if this is true and whether the monks, monasteries and ancient knowledge are safe.
Stoner Mesa Fire plume, (early in the fire) summer 2025. It rises from a green mesa forested with spruce, fir and aspen. The sky above is cloudy. I chose this early pic because the plume is small to emulate how the characters saw the fire in Gibil from a far distance.
November 14, 2025 at 10:42 PM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #week

Rush and Lara are going to have a Talk.
Rush’s brain is doing Rush’s brain things.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
They skirted the lake's edge until it opened to the River, and as they picked their way along the bank, he stubbornly held his peace. She would have to begin, for she had imposed the silence between them. Not the strained, stilted ache of these passing minutes, but rather the long silence of WEEKs tense and drenched with the unsaid, heavy as a mudslide about to dislodge. Now that silence weighted his steps, sucking him into a morass of confusion. At times the aching sparkle of the River threatened to pull him free, and then a shaft of sunlight would set her hair afire. Just when he thought himself slain by the need to touch it, she veered from the sun-drizzled bank into the brooding Forest shadows. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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#Novmemeber
This one’s perfect for both the Chalmalch and the Sorceress. They are a opposed and both sure they have the obvious correct answer.
Q from Star Trek TNG saying: “I don’t understand your specific kind of stupid, but I do admire your commitment to it.”
November 13, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #build

No time to sit and cry. The elders lay out a plan, and it’s an opportunity. A bit of how the Forest works.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
"We cannot afford to waste our time with anger or sorrow. Feel those things if you must, but feeling them, move on with purpose. The oldest and youngest will stay in the Marinell tree-hold. The treeshapers will live among the new trees as we shape them. We will choose assistants to help. The rest of you will BUILD shelters here upon the ground, just as they do at Halanthalas and in Mackery. Express your sorrows however you may, and in the meantime your work to BUILD a future will fill your grieving hearts with purpose. "Think of it! You have a chance no one has enjoyed in centuries. You have the opportunity to BUILD and shape a new felara, experiencing your bond with the Forest to the fullest." Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #shirt

Drisal and Rush are summoned to report to the king in the aftermath of … something.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
"I will not argue," Drisal said. "Drink." He obeyed, draining the pitcher in a few long swallows, and set it down. Drisal was not wrong. In truth it would take more Water than this to steady him. He wiped his mouth on a dirty sleeve. "You look terrible," his brother added. "Oh, thank you very—" Drisal clapped his hand over Rushak's mouth. "You're white as Iryla's Tooth. Don't you realize you might attract the attention of the royal healers again? Bruises and cuts are one thing, but if it's something they can't repair..." He glared at him a moment, then released him. "Sorry." Rushak stripped off his SHIRT, the good one from Rälla Etania, and dropped it. It was ruined. He snatched the clean tunic out of Drisal's hand, tugged it over his head, shook out his hair and spread his arms with a grimace. "Well, now I look better." Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
acturek.bsky.social
Looking north from my house!
#NorthernLights #AuroraBorealis #Colorado #sky
Red night sky with green lit trees. Northern lights
November 12, 2025 at 2:11 AM
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#Novmemeber
Rushak has a feathersona. Several iterations of birdness, beginning from a small songbird … to hawk … to phoenix … to eagle
Drisal: stallion all the way. Powerful, virile, protective, follows imperatives.
Redtail hawk. Wings outstretched in flight against a dark gray sky, feathers missing from one wing. Photo by Amanda Turek White stallion cantering toward the viewer iStock photo
November 11, 2025 at 6:33 PM
acturek.bsky.social
Convining you to read my novel by the first sentence. Share yours if you want!
PROLOGUE - BROTHER'S KEEPER Her child was crying, an abrasive, heartbroken sound. Light crackled through the
November 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
acturek.bsky.social
A snowy ride toward the peak, on my Arabian mare Zil.
#TrailTuesday #trailhorse #trailride #arabianhorse #trail #nationalforest #Colorado
Between the ears view of riding a bay Arabian horse on a snow-covered trail through spruce and fir trees. Sunlight glows through the trees onto the trail in the upper half of the picture. We’re between 10,000 feet and 11,000 feet.
November 11, 2025 at 12:46 PM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #burger -> meat wrap

Things are hectic.
Jer makes sure the brothers get a bite to eat before they go.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
Jer and Maeleth cantered up from the direction of the ovens, the chestnut mare throwing a metallic gleam in the sunshine. Jer tossed a package at him. Rushak nearly fumbled, but caught it, his mouth watering at the aroma. Hot meat and shallots wrapped in bread, two portions, dripping gravy. He handed one to Drisal, and then sank his teeth in. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 11, 2025 at 12:45 PM
acturek.bsky.social
Post a non-religious photo you think of as holy
Snow-covered El Diente Peak as viewed from horseback at 11,500 feet. Mount Wilson in the background
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 AM
acturek.bsky.social
Two loving friends, Sunflower and Marla, at a lunch break on a #trailride. Sun is a half Arabian and Marla is a half Friesian, both mares. Happy Mare-y Monday!
#MareMonday #mare #horse #HorseSky #arabianhorse #Friesianhorse #trailhorse
Two mares face the viewer, the brown one on the left’s face framed by green oak leaves. She is being nuzzled by a golden chestnut half Arabian. They appear to be in the middle of rubbing their whole faces against each other. The chestnut, Sunflower, has a snip on her nose. The half Friesian, Marla, has a tiny star on her forehead. She is wearing a white rope halter and Sunflower is wearing a black rope halter. We are trail riding in the Dolores River valley.
November 11, 2025 at 4:02 AM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #local

A bit of Bráthal backstory. He wanted to become a Druid for … reasons. 🥺

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
The Linduen Druids found him almost worthy enough. Almost. Crushed and bewildered, Bráthal found within himself the strength to insist they did not send him away empty. So instead of initiating him into the Mysteries, they'd agreed to make him a healer, a helper, a LOCAL minister of sorts. They'd trained, conditioned, and sanctified him specifically to save life. After a cycle under their tutelage, Bráthal departed Linduen unable to stand idle and watch someone die. How could Maledin still expect him to be able to destroy? Before the pilgrimage, certainly. Now? He was a fool. By making the pilgrimage, he'd set himself at odds with his God-given purpose. More precisely, the Linduen Druids had. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 10, 2025 at 12:55 PM
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#Novmemeber
~ 60 seconds of typical indecisiveness …
😂 Rush & Drisal are equally main though
Doodles on notebook paper. Upper left a stick figure of Rushak playing a harp on a stump under a tree. Lower right Drisal holding up a gem looking stick figure happy. Lower left a sketch of a mare’s face. If I give that any more time I’ll start trying and we don’t want that! There is also an angry unicorn doodle in the center for no reason.
November 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #picture

Bráthal is in a difficult mental space.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
Drisal reemerged armed with a hatchet, and began chopping at the landing and connecting branches, kicking and heaving what was burning away from what still lived intact. In a few moments Rushak arrived to work beside him, having crossed to that tree Iryla-knew-how. But the flaming pieces only dropped to the landing below them, which was also afire. From where he watched, Bráthal had a clear PICTURE of the two of them alone, insignificant fools on one part of one landing, fire at levels above and below them, battling odds that grew ever more impossible. Soon they would have to run. He seemed to see Rushak's clothing catch fire, that voluminous, stupid-looking linen shirt. He would enjoy watching that— even knowing the thought was absurd—and then would see the rest, would see the flames rise to consume both brothers, he seemed to see it ... and a horror filled him then. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #little

Rushak is riding double with Theris. His body is helpless, but his mind is not.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
"This is our trail. We cannot escape that way. It's impossible, even for ath'kura." "I cannot believe that," Rushak whispered. "Perhaps if we were riding a giant goat," Theris snapped. "Don't argue, enbrátha." Rushak glanced back. The Kudrum were closing. His stomach heaved. He shut his eyes, unable to bear the sight of their advance. "Lean forward a LITTLE and hold tight," Theris said. "I have to let go of you to use my bow. They're going to break our invisibility soon anyway. I'll shoot 'til they come close enough they can see where the arrows are coming from. Then your work will begin. We haven't much time. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 8, 2025 at 12:44 PM
acturek.bsky.social
A random #trailsign skeet in the middle of the night. It’s gonna be so interesting to ride this next year through the burn scar. There will be fireweed! #trailride #trail #nationalforest
New brown plastic trail sign on a wooden post reads: Stoner Mesa Tr. No. 624
November 8, 2025 at 5:08 AM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #movement

Well, they’re trying to get it together, but Rush is in poor shape for escape.

Note: “waiden” is the plural of “waidin,” a little boat.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
"Where's Cerel?" Drisal asked. Rushak glimpsed him sigh and look around, that simple MOVEMENT betraying his fatigue. "He's gone to seek a way for the horses to get around the cave to the ridge top," Theris said. "Shouldn't you be doing that?" "Ideally, but we have to tend to him. We may not have another chance." Theris knelt beside Rushak and eached for his things as Drisal dithered anxiously, finally settling on his other side, andhanded over the basin. "You have wrecked your waiden if you think you're going to touch me again." Rushak lifted an arrow to his eye, testing it for straightness. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 7, 2025 at 12:50 PM
acturek.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity Don’t have the word, but I do have it.

The #penultimate feeding. (Supplies low in the hideout.) Drisal probably wasn’t the right person for the job.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
Five days later the clouds swept over the mountains, oozing a frozen mist. Drisal pulled the stiff, crackling tarp from over the hay. Scooping up half, he pictured the morrow. He'd be scraping the last leaves off the icy ground with his hands. The horses were already going hungry. What would they do—Iryla's tears! His stomach spasmed. It hurt. A ball of iron shards... He nearly crumbled. Lurching toward the horses he broke up his armful of hay, tossing little portions into the corral as he stumbled past in his hurry to reach his brother's side. Zephyr did not hesitate. He yanked his half-trimmed hoof out of Virgil's grasp and raced Shalhra to their sparse breakfast, ears pinned. "Fortune fail you, gemworker! Why didn't you wait?" Virgil cried, brandishing his knife. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
acturek.bsky.social
A bit of Saturday’s ride in the mountains. I didn’t know my phone was no longer muting my music while taking video.At least it sort of goes with an #Arabianhorse! #trailride #trailhorse #HorseSky #trail #horse #forest #nationalforest
Between the ears view of riding a bay horse through the woods.
November 5, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #trail

Cerel struggles to stay in the moment. But shock has the better of him.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
Drisal wrenched himself free of Cerel's gentle grasp. "I have not made this long journey to leavehim." Overhead, a raven swooped through the column of smoke. Thunder came nearer, and falling snow hissed on the fire as Drisal stood, his feet planted in the mud with demented stubbornness, rivulets TRAILing from his uncovered head. It occurred to Cerel to try his explanation again. What was it? The sense of unreality clung to him, surrounding the core idea. *He had been here before. He slogged on cloven hooves through the blood-churned mud around the pit, his horn heavy on his head. His mane stuck to his neck in the oily rain, the frozen rain. Wet hail dropped and melted, washed the blood, while morning sunlight made kaleidoscopes of the mist ... when was it? Words, words, strange in his mind ... he was so sad. The world disintegrated beneath his feet.* Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 5, 2025 at 12:51 PM
acturek.bsky.social
A little late-night #trailride post. Riding my little Sun Bun. Sweet dreams!
#TrailTuesday #trailride #trailhorse #HorseSky #Arabianhorse #trail #horse
#forest #Colorado
Between the ears view of riding a chestnut-orange mare on a trail through yellow and brown- leafed oaks and aspens. An overhead tree limb forms an archway.
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 AM