Bruce Byfield
@byfield.bsky.social
Some time writer about free software and open source and would-be novelist. Companion to parrots, collector of First Nations art, and ergonomic keyboard advocate. Now actively querying my novel "The Bone Ransom," a post-colonial fantasy.
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Bruce Byfield
@byfield.bsky.social
· Jan 13
The key to research for a novel is not to become an expert. It's recognizing a few details that make you *sound* like you know what you're talking about. #writing
November 24, 2025 at 5:44 AM
The key to research for a novel is not to become an expert. It's recognizing a few details that make you *sound* like you know what you're talking about. #writing
Until I got a new phone last week, I'd forgot how many apps there were I never wanted or used yet couldn't delete, & how many annoying defaults there were like notification sounds, MS Office, gmail -- and now, AI. So much useless clutter.
November 24, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Until I got a new phone last week, I'd forgot how many apps there were I never wanted or used yet couldn't delete, & how many annoying defaults there were like notification sounds, MS Office, gmail -- and now, AI. So much useless clutter.
As a discovery writer, I know the climax, but not exactly how I'll get there Each finished chapter is an accomplishment, followed by the same challenge: what needs to happen next to bring the climax closer?
Meeting that challenge keeps me going.
#writing
Meeting that challenge keeps me going.
#writing
November 23, 2025 at 5:53 AM
As a discovery writer, I know the climax, but not exactly how I'll get there Each finished chapter is an accomplishment, followed by the same challenge: what needs to happen next to bring the climax closer?
Meeting that challenge keeps me going.
#writing
Meeting that challenge keeps me going.
#writing
The ethical and environmental issues aside, the main reason I have no interest in AI is that when I experiment I have no attachment whatsoever to the results. They don't feel like mine. #AI
November 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The ethical and environmental issues aside, the main reason I have no interest in AI is that when I experiment I have no attachment whatsoever to the results. They don't feel like mine. #AI
My next chapter title: "Wrought Irony"
November 23, 2025 at 4:54 AM
My next chapter title: "Wrought Irony"
I've experimented with AI so I can understand it. But if I ever used it for serious work, I'd never get anything done. I'd get bored and wander off. #AI
November 23, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I've experimented with AI so I can understand it. But if I ever used it for serious work, I'd never get anything done. I'd get bored and wander off. #AI
I always try to find at least one quirk in each major character, and often in secondary characters, too. #writing #characters
November 23, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I always try to find at least one quirk in each major character, and often in secondary characters, too. #writing #characters
In 2025, it is common for literary agents to state that they do not represent works created in any way with the help of AI.
This stance may be partly ethical, but also saves them wasting time. Like bad grammar, use of AI often accompanies poor writing overall. #A #querying #writing
This stance may be partly ethical, but also saves them wasting time. Like bad grammar, use of AI often accompanies poor writing overall. #A #querying #writing
November 22, 2025 at 2:11 AM
New chapter: "Welcoming Ways"
November 22, 2025 at 12:55 AM
New chapter: "Welcoming Ways"
Despite a month of personal distractions, I still managed to finish a chapter. Short of completing an entire novel, few things can be more satisfying
November 22, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Despite a month of personal distractions, I still managed to finish a chapter. Short of completing an entire novel, few things can be more satisfying
Done properly, a map can be the source of world-building. Just ask yourself: who would live there? How do they live? Which regions are in conflict? How does the map reflect historical changes? If a map doesn't generate plot elements, you're doing it wrong. #writing #fantasy_maps
November 18, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Done properly, a map can be the source of world-building. Just ask yourself: who would live there? How do they live? Which regions are in conflict? How does the map reflect historical changes? If a map doesn't generate plot elements, you're doing it wrong. #writing #fantasy_maps
I'll be blunt: when Grammarly advertises that "92% of professionals who use Grammarly say it has saved them time," my first response is "92% of professionals who use Grammarly need to learn more about grammar and style"
November 18, 2025 at 5:01 AM
I'll be blunt: when Grammarly advertises that "92% of professionals who use Grammarly say it has saved them time," my first response is "92% of professionals who use Grammarly need to learn more about grammar and style"
"Some died in ecstasy
Some died in poverty,
But they all died with their boots on
At the shouting edge of life."
- Oysterband
Some died in poverty,
But they all died with their boots on
At the shouting edge of life."
- Oysterband
November 18, 2025 at 4:53 AM
"Some died in ecstasy
Some died in poverty,
But they all died with their boots on
At the shouting edge of life."
- Oysterband
Some died in poverty,
But they all died with their boots on
At the shouting edge of life."
- Oysterband
Don't research just for the sake of accuracy. Research to add details to your story, and to discover plot elements, too.
November 17, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Don't research just for the sake of accuracy. Research to add details to your story, and to discover plot elements, too.
Sometimes, I can almost hear the click as another part of the story slides into place.
November 17, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Sometimes, I can almost hear the click as another part of the story slides into place.
Rage-watching a streaming series isn't just a vicious, slightly guilty pleasure. It can train you in the logic of story, and your own plotting can be better for it. #writing
November 16, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Rage-watching a streaming series isn't just a vicious, slightly guilty pleasure. It can train you in the logic of story, and your own plotting can be better for it. #writing
A scene with half a dozen speakers is a delicate balancing act. Each character needs to contribute often enough that they're remembered, but what they say can't be filler. Finally ge
November 15, 2025 at 5:17 AM
A scene with half a dozen speakers is a delicate balancing act. Each character needs to contribute often enough that they're remembered, but what they say can't be filler. Finally ge
Titles are difficult largely because writers don't have much practice coming up with them. If you use chapter titles, book titles become easier, but only slightly -- the reason being that chapter and book titles have different demands.
November 15, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Titles are difficult largely because writers don't have much practice coming up with them. If you use chapter titles, book titles become easier, but only slightly -- the reason being that chapter and book titles have different demands.