Jasmine Shea Townsend
@authorjasmineshea.bsky.social
Writer of character-driven fantasy, sci-fi, magical realism, and literary fiction. 📚
I also run the page Black Girls Belong in Fantasy and Sci-Fi: bgbfs.bsky.social
I also run the page Black Girls Belong in Fantasy and Sci-Fi: bgbfs.bsky.social
Pinned
Welcome to my little corner of Bluesky! ☺️
Writing is my greatest passion.
My most recent publications include:
"Midnight in the Elder Woods" in Dream of Rust and Glass Vol. II (2024)
a.co/d/4DLlS0F
"Laments of a Time Witch" in Made of Rust and Glass Vol. II (2022)
a.co/d/0Si1Uis
Writing is my greatest passion.
My most recent publications include:
"Midnight in the Elder Woods" in Dream of Rust and Glass Vol. II (2024)
a.co/d/4DLlS0F
"Laments of a Time Witch" in Made of Rust and Glass Vol. II (2022)
a.co/d/0Si1Uis
I taught two George Saunders pieces ("Puppy" and "Sea Oak"), and now half my students are writing kind of like him.
It's cute and kind of funny.
It's cute and kind of funny.
February 10, 2025 at 10:20 PM
I taught two George Saunders pieces ("Puppy" and "Sea Oak"), and now half my students are writing kind of like him.
It's cute and kind of funny.
It's cute and kind of funny.
To pull myself out of this funk, I started writing down some ideas for magical girls.
Then I started making them on a doll maker, and oh my god I love them so much.
Left to right, their names are Indirah, Maylis, Jade, and Aleksandra. 🥹
Then I started making them on a doll maker, and oh my god I love them so much.
Left to right, their names are Indirah, Maylis, Jade, and Aleksandra. 🥹
January 31, 2025 at 10:03 PM
To pull myself out of this funk, I started writing down some ideas for magical girls.
Then I started making them on a doll maker, and oh my god I love them so much.
Left to right, their names are Indirah, Maylis, Jade, and Aleksandra. 🥹
Then I started making them on a doll maker, and oh my god I love them so much.
Left to right, their names are Indirah, Maylis, Jade, and Aleksandra. 🥹
Dr. Who was one of the best things about living on this Earth, until Steven Moffat left.
January 18, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Dr. Who was one of the best things about living on this Earth, until Steven Moffat left.
Translating my WIP into French -- one paragraph a week -- is a good language exercise and helps me rethink the material when I have writer's block. 🥰
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
January 17, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Translating my WIP into French -- one paragraph a week -- is a good language exercise and helps me rethink the material when I have writer's block. 🥰
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
I added "Jesus Shaves" by David Sedaris to my syllabus this semester -- I'm so excited. 🥹
It's been a while since I've added a new short piece.
And anyway, the students tend not to enjoy "Puppy" by George Saunders as much as the others.
Honestly? Fair 😂
It's been a while since I've added a new short piece.
And anyway, the students tend not to enjoy "Puppy" by George Saunders as much as the others.
Honestly? Fair 😂
January 16, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I added "Jesus Shaves" by David Sedaris to my syllabus this semester -- I'm so excited. 🥹
It's been a while since I've added a new short piece.
And anyway, the students tend not to enjoy "Puppy" by George Saunders as much as the others.
Honestly? Fair 😂
It's been a while since I've added a new short piece.
And anyway, the students tend not to enjoy "Puppy" by George Saunders as much as the others.
Honestly? Fair 😂
First office selfie of the semester!
My creative writing class is finally getting into the swing of things.
We had excellent discussions about "Wildwood" by Junot Diaz and "Model's Assistant" by Alissa Nutting
My creative writing class is finally getting into the swing of things.
We had excellent discussions about "Wildwood" by Junot Diaz and "Model's Assistant" by Alissa Nutting
January 16, 2025 at 7:27 PM
First office selfie of the semester!
My creative writing class is finally getting into the swing of things.
We had excellent discussions about "Wildwood" by Junot Diaz and "Model's Assistant" by Alissa Nutting
My creative writing class is finally getting into the swing of things.
We had excellent discussions about "Wildwood" by Junot Diaz and "Model's Assistant" by Alissa Nutting
I love the writing community, but sometimes, there are stinkers.
Please don't do this shiesty shit.
From now on, I will block people who do this.
#writingcommunity
#writersky
Please don't do this shiesty shit.
From now on, I will block people who do this.
#writingcommunity
#writersky
January 13, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I love the writing community, but sometimes, there are stinkers.
Please don't do this shiesty shit.
From now on, I will block people who do this.
#writingcommunity
#writersky
Please don't do this shiesty shit.
From now on, I will block people who do this.
#writingcommunity
#writersky
Omg what was I LITERALLY just talking about 😭
And the saddest part is: the question they used A.I. to answer was, "How can writing and storytelling create profound impacts on people?"
And the saddest part is: the question they used A.I. to answer was, "How can writing and storytelling create profound impacts on people?"
How about ynstead of pouringe a ton of moneye ynto A.I. we just funde public educacioun and use the bookes we alreadye have that it ys being trained upon?
January 13, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Omg what was I LITERALLY just talking about 😭
And the saddest part is: the question they used A.I. to answer was, "How can writing and storytelling create profound impacts on people?"
And the saddest part is: the question they used A.I. to answer was, "How can writing and storytelling create profound impacts on people?"
Students really do take it as a challenge when I say, "Do not use Al. You will receive a 0 and won't be able to make it up later."
I tell them, "I don't plug it into software. I just look at it with my eyeballs - it's that obvious."
And what do I get the next day?
Answers, verbatim, from ChatGPT.
I tell them, "I don't plug it into software. I just look at it with my eyeballs - it's that obvious."
And what do I get the next day?
Answers, verbatim, from ChatGPT.
January 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Students really do take it as a challenge when I say, "Do not use Al. You will receive a 0 and won't be able to make it up later."
I tell them, "I don't plug it into software. I just look at it with my eyeballs - it's that obvious."
And what do I get the next day?
Answers, verbatim, from ChatGPT.
I tell them, "I don't plug it into software. I just look at it with my eyeballs - it's that obvious."
And what do I get the next day?
Answers, verbatim, from ChatGPT.
Like, I thought this was common knowledge 💁🏾♀️
Ugh, you can't just add white men for the sake of it. If a character is a white man, it has to be relevant to the plot.
January 11, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Like, I thought this was common knowledge 💁🏾♀️
Every now and then, I think about this and get a little sad 🥲
I reeeally want to write a multi-national magical girl tournament.
I tried it once a fee years ago, but all the research on the various countries (13 total) overwhelmed me. And I got anxious about depicting everyone accurately and believably and... 😵💫 the research swallowed me whole.
I tried it once a fee years ago, but all the research on the various countries (13 total) overwhelmed me. And I got anxious about depicting everyone accurately and believably and... 😵💫 the research swallowed me whole.
January 10, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Every now and then, I think about this and get a little sad 🥲
Character and dialogue are my definite strengths.
This is followed closely by my use of imagery.
I have the likes of Josiah Bancroft, Junot Diaz, Octavia Butler, Terry Pratchett, George Saunders, Margaret Atwood, and Judith Ortiz-Cofer to thank for that. 💕
#sffchat
This is followed closely by my use of imagery.
I have the likes of Josiah Bancroft, Junot Diaz, Octavia Butler, Terry Pratchett, George Saunders, Margaret Atwood, and Judith Ortiz-Cofer to thank for that. 💕
#sffchat
#SFFChat Question 2 What are your craft strengths? Feel free to share something you're proud of!
January 10, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Character and dialogue are my definite strengths.
This is followed closely by my use of imagery.
I have the likes of Josiah Bancroft, Junot Diaz, Octavia Butler, Terry Pratchett, George Saunders, Margaret Atwood, and Judith Ortiz-Cofer to thank for that. 💕
#sffchat
This is followed closely by my use of imagery.
I have the likes of Josiah Bancroft, Junot Diaz, Octavia Butler, Terry Pratchett, George Saunders, Margaret Atwood, and Judith Ortiz-Cofer to thank for that. 💕
#sffchat
I'd like to describe settings better, and more often!
I can describe people and what they wear and what their dialect sounds like.
But they tend to talk in white rooms. 😅
#sffchat
I can describe people and what they wear and what their dialect sounds like.
But they tend to talk in white rooms. 😅
#sffchat
#SFFCHAT Question 1: What's an area of craft you'd like to improve on in 2025?
January 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I'd like to describe settings better, and more often!
I can describe people and what they wear and what their dialect sounds like.
But they tend to talk in white rooms. 😅
#sffchat
I can describe people and what they wear and what their dialect sounds like.
But they tend to talk in white rooms. 😅
#sffchat
Presently, I six worlds trapped in me.
5 are for novels I'm writing.
1 is for the DnD campaign I'm DMing. 🥹
5 are for novels I'm writing.
1 is for the DnD campaign I'm DMing. 🥹
January 8, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Presently, I six worlds trapped in me.
5 are for novels I'm writing.
1 is for the DnD campaign I'm DMing. 🥹
5 are for novels I'm writing.
1 is for the DnD campaign I'm DMing. 🥹
Reposted by Jasmine Shea Townsend
“They *can’t*” yes Democrats can they have always been able to they just don’t want to
January 7, 2025 at 8:21 PM
“They *can’t*” yes Democrats can they have always been able to they just don’t want to
Reposted by Jasmine Shea Townsend
It's true.
I unearthed my Old English notes from my glorious quarantine hyper-fixation and fell in love with it all over again. 🥹
I unearthed my Old English notes from my glorious quarantine hyper-fixation and fell in love with it all over again. 🥹
January 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
It's true.
I unearthed my Old English notes from my glorious quarantine hyper-fixation and fell in love with it all over again. 🥹
I unearthed my Old English notes from my glorious quarantine hyper-fixation and fell in love with it all over again. 🥹
One of my impossible dreams is to go back to grad school, but for the history of English.
I don't even want to teach it. Learning Old English would be purely self indulgent.
I would throw myself into that shit like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.
Alas~
I don't even want to teach it. Learning Old English would be purely self indulgent.
I would throw myself into that shit like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.
Alas~
a man looking out over the ocean from a pier
Alt: a man looking wistfully out at the ocean from a pier
media.tenor.com
January 8, 2025 at 12:11 AM
One of my impossible dreams is to go back to grad school, but for the history of English.
I don't even want to teach it. Learning Old English would be purely self indulgent.
I would throw myself into that shit like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.
Alas~
I don't even want to teach it. Learning Old English would be purely self indulgent.
I would throw myself into that shit like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.
Alas~
Writing question!
How does one handle 3rd-person narration for non-binary characters with multiple pronouns (like she/they)?
Follow-up question: Can anyone recommend any fiction pieces that do this? 🥹
#writingcommunity
How does one handle 3rd-person narration for non-binary characters with multiple pronouns (like she/they)?
Follow-up question: Can anyone recommend any fiction pieces that do this? 🥹
#writingcommunity
January 4, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Writing question!
How does one handle 3rd-person narration for non-binary characters with multiple pronouns (like she/they)?
Follow-up question: Can anyone recommend any fiction pieces that do this? 🥹
#writingcommunity
How does one handle 3rd-person narration for non-binary characters with multiple pronouns (like she/they)?
Follow-up question: Can anyone recommend any fiction pieces that do this? 🥹
#writingcommunity
Wouldn't it be nuts if my MS got published and I did my own French translation?
Le chapeau jaune de sorcier avait l'air ridicule sur Kani. Mais le régle du jour était que le premier gosse d'arriver au sommet pouvait être le sorcier, et Nessaea était nulle pour grimper aux arbres.
In my dreams 🥹
Le chapeau jaune de sorcier avait l'air ridicule sur Kani. Mais le régle du jour était que le premier gosse d'arriver au sommet pouvait être le sorcier, et Nessaea était nulle pour grimper aux arbres.
In my dreams 🥹
The yellow wizard hat looked stupid on Kani. But the rule today was that the first kid to make it to the top would be the wizard, and Nessaea was abysmal at climbing trees.
#januwrite 3
#januwrite 3
#Januwrite 3
What’s something you’re proud of writing *recently*? Let’s see what you’ve got, #WritingCommunity!
#Writers #Authors #Writesky
What’s something you’re proud of writing *recently*? Let’s see what you’ve got, #WritingCommunity!
#Writers #Authors #Writesky
January 4, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Wouldn't it be nuts if my MS got published and I did my own French translation?
Le chapeau jaune de sorcier avait l'air ridicule sur Kani. Mais le régle du jour était que le premier gosse d'arriver au sommet pouvait être le sorcier, et Nessaea était nulle pour grimper aux arbres.
In my dreams 🥹
Le chapeau jaune de sorcier avait l'air ridicule sur Kani. Mais le régle du jour était que le premier gosse d'arriver au sommet pouvait être le sorcier, et Nessaea était nulle pour grimper aux arbres.
In my dreams 🥹
The yellow wizard hat looked stupid on Kani. But the rule today was that the first kid to make it to the top would be the wizard, and Nessaea was abysmal at climbing trees.
#januwrite 3
#januwrite 3
#Januwrite 3
What’s something you’re proud of writing *recently*? Let’s see what you’ve got, #WritingCommunity!
#Writers #Authors #Writesky
What’s something you’re proud of writing *recently*? Let’s see what you’ve got, #WritingCommunity!
#Writers #Authors #Writesky
January 4, 2025 at 3:56 AM
The yellow wizard hat looked stupid on Kani. But the rule today was that the first kid to make it to the top would be the wizard, and Nessaea was abysmal at climbing trees.
#januwrite 3
#januwrite 3
I would very much like to break their hearts with the interpersonal relationships between my characters. 🥰
(And possibly dazzle them with a chromatic magic system~)
#januwrite 2
(And possibly dazzle them with a chromatic magic system~)
#januwrite 2
#Januwrite 2
Is it your richly-developed characters & their compelling dynamics, the immersive world you’re crafting, a gripping narrative, or other factors that will appeal to certain readers & keep them hooked?
#Writers #Authors #WritingCommunity #Writesky
Is it your richly-developed characters & their compelling dynamics, the immersive world you’re crafting, a gripping narrative, or other factors that will appeal to certain readers & keep them hooked?
#Writers #Authors #WritingCommunity #Writesky
January 3, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I would very much like to break their hearts with the interpersonal relationships between my characters. 🥰
(And possibly dazzle them with a chromatic magic system~)
#januwrite 2
(And possibly dazzle them with a chromatic magic system~)
#januwrite 2
Wrote 1,160 words today!
And the girls are fighting.
I've waited so long to write this scene. 🥹
And the girls are fighting.
I've waited so long to write this scene. 🥹
January 3, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Wrote 1,160 words today!
And the girls are fighting.
I've waited so long to write this scene. 🥹
And the girls are fighting.
I've waited so long to write this scene. 🥹
Virtually none of my protagonists are straight because, as a straight woman, I know what it's like and I'd never do that to my babies --
Kill their parents? Send them to war? Take away their eyesight? Yes.
Make them straight? No. They've gone through enough.
Kill their parents? Send them to war? Take away their eyesight? Yes.
Make them straight? No. They've gone through enough.
January 1, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Virtually none of my protagonists are straight because, as a straight woman, I know what it's like and I'd never do that to my babies --
Kill their parents? Send them to war? Take away their eyesight? Yes.
Make them straight? No. They've gone through enough.
Kill their parents? Send them to war? Take away their eyesight? Yes.
Make them straight? No. They've gone through enough.
Writer's block is so painful.
I'm trying to write as much as I can before the semester starts, before I no longer have the time to just sit and ruminate.
And I think the time crunch just makes it worse. 😔
I'm trying to write as much as I can before the semester starts, before I no longer have the time to just sit and ruminate.
And I think the time crunch just makes it worse. 😔
December 31, 2024 at 8:26 PM
Writer's block is so painful.
I'm trying to write as much as I can before the semester starts, before I no longer have the time to just sit and ruminate.
And I think the time crunch just makes it worse. 😔
I'm trying to write as much as I can before the semester starts, before I no longer have the time to just sit and ruminate.
And I think the time crunch just makes it worse. 😔
I wrote 2,400 words today! 🎊
December 28, 2024 at 8:42 PM
I wrote 2,400 words today! 🎊