Abby
@arobertswrites.com
SFF writer and essayist you’ve never heard of. SocDem/progressive. Tolkien nerd. Armchair medievalist. She/her. Header by beloved.moe.
Website: arobertswrites.com
Newsletter: buttondown.email/arobertswrites
Website: arobertswrites.com
Newsletter: buttondown.email/arobertswrites
Pinned
Abby
@arobertswrites.com
· Apr 21
What Lies and Threats — Speculative Insight
Abby Roberts examines the use of national myth-making in JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
www.speculativeinsight.com
For $0.00 you can read what Bret Devereaux (of ACOUP fame) called an "absolute banger of a Tolkien essay" and what my mom (of giving birth to me fame) called "very timely and relevant": "What Lies and Threats: Nationalist Myth-Making in The Lord of the Rings" on @speculativeinsight.bsky.social!
Also, sorry for disappearing, if you’ve messaged me I’ll get back to you, I’m just overwhelmed with things and needed a break.
August 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Also, sorry for disappearing, if you’ve messaged me I’ll get back to you, I’m just overwhelmed with things and needed a break.
Went to a rally last night (supporting the county’s decision to stand up for trans rights) and saw more backbone from county and school board members than I have from some state/federal electeds.
August 22, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Went to a rally last night (supporting the county’s decision to stand up for trans rights) and saw more backbone from county and school board members than I have from some state/federal electeds.
Anthropologists make a distinction between witchcraft (abilities believed to be inherent) and sorcery (abilities believed to be learned) so the concept of inherited magic is widespread enough to get its own cross-cultural category.
The notion of magic being something you're just born with is very old in fantasy literature and probably predates fantasy qua fantasy, let alone JKR. If one wishes to levy a criticism of this trope they probably shouldnt start with her no matter how much a cow she is.
August 16, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Anthropologists make a distinction between witchcraft (abilities believed to be inherent) and sorcery (abilities believed to be learned) so the concept of inherited magic is widespread enough to get its own cross-cultural category.
Reposted by Abby
[writing the constitution]
Benjamin Franklin: Write down "no dumb fucks as president"
Alexander Hamilton: Stop saying that
Benjamin Franklin: I'm tellin' you. You're gonna regret not writing that down
Benjamin Franklin: Write down "no dumb fucks as president"
Alexander Hamilton: Stop saying that
Benjamin Franklin: I'm tellin' you. You're gonna regret not writing that down
August 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
[writing the constitution]
Benjamin Franklin: Write down "no dumb fucks as president"
Alexander Hamilton: Stop saying that
Benjamin Franklin: I'm tellin' you. You're gonna regret not writing that down
Benjamin Franklin: Write down "no dumb fucks as president"
Alexander Hamilton: Stop saying that
Benjamin Franklin: I'm tellin' you. You're gonna regret not writing that down
Anyways I did some drafting tonight.
August 16, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Anyways I did some drafting tonight.
It is time to be Abby again.
August 16, 2025 at 2:11 AM
It is time to be Abby again.
Haha is it too American to describe people “hollering” in my story where realistically everyone would be speaking Old Irish and not English at all.
August 16, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Haha is it too American to describe people “hollering” in my story where realistically everyone would be speaking Old Irish and not English at all.
Reposted by Abby
Again. Real happy about California Redistricting fight.
But I would rather vote for the Northern Virginia public school districts for prez
But I would rather vote for the Northern Virginia public school districts for prez
If you need good news: five public school districts in Northern Virginia are committing to protecting their trans students in defiance of the Department of Education.
DEVELOPING: APS holds firm to transgender policy, defying Dept. of Education
www.arlnow.com/2025/08/15/d...
www.arlnow.com/2025/08/15/d...
August 15, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Again. Real happy about California Redistricting fight.
But I would rather vote for the Northern Virginia public school districts for prez
But I would rather vote for the Northern Virginia public school districts for prez
Reposted by Abby
it's me, i'm the goat
August 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM
it's me, i'm the goat
My weather app just gave a notification that “rip current threat looms” and my brain is so addled that I parsed it as “RIP, current threat looms” (“rest in peace, presently existing looms used for weaving threats”)
August 15, 2025 at 11:54 PM
My weather app just gave a notification that “rip current threat looms” and my brain is so addled that I parsed it as “RIP, current threat looms” (“rest in peace, presently existing looms used for weaving threats”)
It’s really funny that in Paladin’s Faith they’re in a quest to save the world’s economy.
August 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM
It’s really funny that in Paladin’s Faith they’re in a quest to save the world’s economy.
I struggle with this a lot, and then the neurodivergence kicks in and I start gesturing in an animated but incomprehensible fashion.
A major part of revising any book is adjusting the level of subtlety
This is why I show my books to lots of beta readers - - there are always things that I think are obvious that nobody gets, and conversely things that I think are hinted at but actually are way too blatant
This is why I show my books to lots of beta readers - - there are always things that I think are obvious that nobody gets, and conversely things that I think are hinted at but actually are way too blatant
August 15, 2025 at 11:42 PM
I struggle with this a lot, and then the neurodivergence kicks in and I start gesturing in an animated but incomprehensible fashion.
No, I don’t monitor trends when I read or write.
#pretendpanel, looking forward to some heated answers to today's question...
August 15th: Do you monitor trends when deciding what to read and/or write? And if so, how/where do you get your info?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
August 15th: Do you monitor trends when deciding what to read and/or write? And if so, how/where do you get your info?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
August 15, 2025 at 11:39 PM
No, I don’t monitor trends when I read or write.
Reposted by Abby
I filled this out. It’s important we express ourselves while the decision is being made.
August 15, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I filled this out. It’s important we express ourselves while the decision is being made.
I’m so frustrated with [personal things].
August 15, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I’m so frustrated with [personal things].
Reposted by Abby
UChicago ebooks 75% off! Perfect time to get their (unnecessarily expensive, sorry!!) e-book of “Inventing the Renaissance”!
University of Chicago Press is having a 75% off sale on ebooks through 8/17/25. I just bought "Inventing the Renaissance" by @adapalmer.bsky.social, since I've enjoyed the bits she's posted here (& her con talks!). I'll go back later to see what else looks good.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/vi...
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/vi...
Subject catalog: 75% off e-book sale!''}
Subject catalog for 75% off e-book sale.
press.uchicago.edu
August 15, 2025 at 10:05 PM
UChicago ebooks 75% off! Perfect time to get their (unnecessarily expensive, sorry!!) e-book of “Inventing the Renaissance”!
Reposted by Abby
Signal boosting for a family friend. The goal is modest, so if you can spare a bit from the kitty for the kitty …
Donate to Help Snap Get Critical Health Testing, organized by Noel Prentice
My cat Snap is about 6 years old and one half of a bonded pair with his brother, S… Noel Prentice needs your support for Help Snap Get Critical Health Testing
www.gofundme.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Signal boosting for a family friend. The goal is modest, so if you can spare a bit from the kitty for the kitty …
Reposted by Abby
Reposted by Abby
TY to everyone who has commissioned me - or donated!! We have enough to get some tummy-friendly food for Mr Underfluff, and he’s doing much better! 😭🩷💕
I’ll be working on these this weekend after work. Still two slots available! :0
I’ll be working on these this weekend after work. Still two slots available! :0
Vet bills left about $0.30 in my account… so I’m opening 4 emergency sketch commissions! ☂️ This money will be used to cover bills, cat food, and gas until I get paid next.
These can be requested via Ko-fi:
ko-fi.com/c/6fa48a5720
#artsky #emergencycommissions #ocsky #dnd #originalcharacters
These can be requested via Ko-fi:
ko-fi.com/c/6fa48a5720
#artsky #emergencycommissions #ocsky #dnd #originalcharacters
August 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
TY to everyone who has commissioned me - or donated!! We have enough to get some tummy-friendly food for Mr Underfluff, and he’s doing much better! 😭🩷💕
I’ll be working on these this weekend after work. Still two slots available! :0
I’ll be working on these this weekend after work. Still two slots available! :0
Reposted by Abby
Listen, my thing is actually I am totally fine with you being a heretic. That's chill!!! But if you are gonna say Jesus died for glory and not to save people you need to at least admit you are a heretic. There would be more honour in it.
Ep 233 - Aura Farming on the Cross is available now
August 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Listen, my thing is actually I am totally fine with you being a heretic. That's chill!!! But if you are gonna say Jesus died for glory and not to save people you need to at least admit you are a heretic. There would be more honour in it.
Reposted by Abby
Hey artist! Quote one art to promote yourself!
August 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Hey artist! Quote one art to promote yourself!
Reposted by Abby
Just me in the comments of every social network lately.
August 15, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Just me in the comments of every social network lately.
If you need good news: five public school districts in Northern Virginia are committing to protecting their trans students in defiance of the Department of Education.
DEVELOPING: APS holds firm to transgender policy, defying Dept. of Education
www.arlnow.com/2025/08/15/d...
www.arlnow.com/2025/08/15/d...
DEVELOPING: APS holds firm to transgender policy, defying Dept. of Education | ARLnow.com
Defying demands from the U.S. Department of Education, Arlington Public Schools has announced plans to retain its current policy on transgender students’ access to facilities. In a statement to parents...
www.arlnow.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:17 PM
If you need good news: five public school districts in Northern Virginia are committing to protecting their trans students in defiance of the Department of Education.
Reposted by Abby
Today is Nonidi the 29th of Thermidor in the year 233.
Thermidor is the month of heat.
Today we celebrate cotton.#JacobinDay
More information on cotton
Thermidor is the month of heat.
Today we celebrate cotton.#JacobinDay
More information on cotton
August 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Today is Nonidi the 29th of Thermidor in the year 233.
Thermidor is the month of heat.
Today we celebrate cotton.#JacobinDay
More information on cotton
Thermidor is the month of heat.
Today we celebrate cotton.#JacobinDay
More information on cotton