Cassandra Hartwell
@cassandrahartwell.bsky.social
Author. She. Currently editing an eco-fantasy adventure. Follow for progress updates and teasers....
Accessibility matters: use alt text!
Banner: a grey notebook embossed with the words Just write.
Profile pic: a painting of wilting flowers in a vase.
Accessibility matters: use alt text!
Banner: a grey notebook embossed with the words Just write.
Profile pic: a painting of wilting flowers in a vase.
The word "total" appears once in my novel, and I'm suspicious of the tone here. How to make her little sister sound like a teen without sounding like a 20th-21st century American teen? In any case, this is some of what I'm grappling with in revisions.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
October 24, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Cassandra Hartwell
If I put a reveal like this in a novel, it would be too cheesy to be believable. This timeline sucks.
Anyway, here's an alternative that I think *isn't* affiliated with the plagiarism machine that steals from writers.
2/2
Anyway, here's an alternative that I think *isn't* affiliated with the plagiarism machine that steals from writers.
2/2
NaNo 2.0
nano2.org
October 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
If I put a reveal like this in a novel, it would be too cheesy to be believable. This timeline sucks.
Anyway, here's an alternative that I think *isn't* affiliated with the plagiarism machine that steals from writers.
2/2
Anyway, here's an alternative that I think *isn't* affiliated with the plagiarism machine that steals from writers.
2/2
Reposted by Cassandra Hartwell
One reason I backed away from #NaNoWriMo in 2024 was because they accepted a sponsorship from a generative AI company.
Now there's a new thing called #NovelNovember! Looks nice, right?
But guess who's running that new event...
THE SAME GEN-AI COMPANY NANO PARTNERED WITH!
1/2
Now there's a new thing called #NovelNovember! Looks nice, right?
But guess who's running that new event...
THE SAME GEN-AI COMPANY NANO PARTNERED WITH!
1/2
October 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
One reason I backed away from #NaNoWriMo in 2024 was because they accepted a sponsorship from a generative AI company.
Now there's a new thing called #NovelNovember! Looks nice, right?
But guess who's running that new event...
THE SAME GEN-AI COMPANY NANO PARTNERED WITH!
1/2
Now there's a new thing called #NovelNovember! Looks nice, right?
But guess who's running that new event...
THE SAME GEN-AI COMPANY NANO PARTNERED WITH!
1/2
One reason I backed away from #NaNoWriMo in 2024 was because they accepted a sponsorship from a generative AI company.
Now there's a new thing called #NovelNovember! Looks nice, right?
But guess who's running that new event...
THE SAME GEN-AI COMPANY NANO PARTNERED WITH!
1/2
Now there's a new thing called #NovelNovember! Looks nice, right?
But guess who's running that new event...
THE SAME GEN-AI COMPANY NANO PARTNERED WITH!
1/2
October 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
One reason I backed away from #NaNoWriMo in 2024 was because they accepted a sponsorship from a generative AI company.
Now there's a new thing called #NovelNovember! Looks nice, right?
But guess who's running that new event...
THE SAME GEN-AI COMPANY NANO PARTNERED WITH!
1/2
Now there's a new thing called #NovelNovember! Looks nice, right?
But guess who's running that new event...
THE SAME GEN-AI COMPANY NANO PARTNERED WITH!
1/2
Earlier tonight, I attended a practical and inspiring workshop with Jennifer Haigh, hosted online by Grub Street. Her observations gave me some true "Eureka!" moments about my novel.
I think I might be able solve at least half of my "oh, no, this exposition is dreary and stupid" problems now.🎉
I think I might be able solve at least half of my "oh, no, this exposition is dreary and stupid" problems now.🎉
GrubStreet | Homepage
The nation's leading and largest center for creative writing for over 25 years, GrubStreet offers classes and events for writers from all stages and…
grubstreet.org
August 12, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Earlier tonight, I attended a practical and inspiring workshop with Jennifer Haigh, hosted online by Grub Street. Her observations gave me some true "Eureka!" moments about my novel.
I think I might be able solve at least half of my "oh, no, this exposition is dreary and stupid" problems now.🎉
I think I might be able solve at least half of my "oh, no, this exposition is dreary and stupid" problems now.🎉
June 27, 2025 at 2:09 PM
June 2, 2025 at 4:28 AM
May 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
A #WIPSnips from early in my novel:
She felt hot moisture pricking at the corners of her eyes, shameful tears. Still, she let them fall, for a little while. Past the tears would be a clearer mind.
And indeed, the sun was only just setting when her mind settled.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
She felt hot moisture pricking at the corners of her eyes, shameful tears. Still, she let them fall, for a little while. Past the tears would be a clearer mind.
And indeed, the sun was only just setting when her mind settled.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
April 27, 2025 at 9:19 PM
A partly familiar #WIPSnips:
The pipes twittered and fluttered, mimicking the songs of the ehtis. The drums thumped, a steady heartbeat for everyone to share. Nairlu started to move, trying to give herself over to the drums, trusting the drummers to carry her with the flow.
#writing #fantasy 💙📚🪐
The pipes twittered and fluttered, mimicking the songs of the ehtis. The drums thumped, a steady heartbeat for everyone to share. Nairlu started to move, trying to give herself over to the drums, trusting the drummers to carry her with the flow.
#writing #fantasy 💙📚🪐
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips!
The word for April 21st is "move"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The word for April 21st is "move"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
April 21, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This #WIPSnips is one of several song lyrics in my fantasy novel. "Ehti" is a species of bird.
A new day on the wing,
And so we sing.
Our voices greet the day.
Oh, the blue and grey.
Ehtis, bless us all,
And so we call:
Take all our fears away.
Oh, the blue and grey.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
A new day on the wing,
And so we sing.
Our voices greet the day.
Oh, the blue and grey.
Ehtis, bless us all,
And so we call:
Take all our fears away.
Oh, the blue and grey.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
April 16, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Today's #WIPSnip on "chill":
She returned to the hut where the others were already bundled into their sleeping rolls, clustering close to the fire and, reluctantly, to each other. As cold as the still night air was, the mood among them was even more chill.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
She returned to the hut where the others were already bundled into their sleeping rolls, clustering close to the fire and, reluctantly, to each other. As cold as the still night air was, the mood among them was even more chill.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips!
The #WIPSnips word for April 14 is "chill"
#WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
The #WIPSnips word for April 14 is "chill"
#WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
April 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
A #WIPSnips on "touch":
The memory of going hungry clung to him still, sometimes making his thoughts blur and his heart pound. But if he carried a bite of food, he could touch it, and the feel of even a small morsel against his fingertips soothed the prickle in his mind.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
The memory of going hungry clung to him still, sometimes making his thoughts blur and his heart pound. But if he carried a bite of food, he could touch it, and the feel of even a small morsel against his fingertips soothed the prickle in his mind.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
March 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A #WIPSnips using the word "idea":
“We move once darkness falls.” Traveling at night was not the best idea. It was easier to get lost or injured. But under the circumstances, it was better than getting caught by people who might already have orders to slit their throats.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
“We move once darkness falls.” Traveling at night was not the best idea. It was easier to get lost or injured. But under the circumstances, it was better than getting caught by people who might already have orders to slit their throats.
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
March 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
A #WIPSnips on the theme of "ego":
“I have worked under your instruction ever since we arrived and—”
“—and you think that makes you as much of an expert as me?”
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
“I have worked under your instruction ever since we arrived and—”
“—and you think that makes you as much of an expert as me?”
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐 🩷🧙♂️⚔️
The #WIPSnips word for March 19 is "ego"
I can see this being a good time for ✨vibes✨
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
I can see this being a good time for ✨vibes✨
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
March 20, 2025 at 2:50 AM
A #WIPSnips from my novel-in-progress:
---
All of the knowledge of the riavi was held in the minds of its people. To keep that knowledge alive was everything. It was connection. It was survival. It was joy.
“And what did you learn today?” she asked her little sister.
---
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐
---
All of the knowledge of the riavi was held in the minds of its people. To keep that knowledge alive was everything. It was connection. It was survival. It was joy.
“And what did you learn today?” she asked her little sister.
---
#writing #fantasy 📚💙🪐
March 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
#WIPSnips
She moved through the dancers to find a space that wasn’t too crowded, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and listened to the music. The pipes twittered and fluttered, mimicking the songs of the ehtis. The drums thumped, a steady heartbeat for everyone to share.
#writing #fantasy 💙📚🪐
She moved through the dancers to find a space that wasn’t too crowded, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and listened to the music. The pipes twittered and fluttered, mimicking the songs of the ehtis. The drums thumped, a steady heartbeat for everyone to share.
#writing #fantasy 💙📚🪐
March 11, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Today's #WIPSnips:
---
One year’s harvest withered, and the next year’s was planted late, after the farmers healed the soil. Riavi Lamavos had to ration food extremely carefully during that time, and those two years had left their mark on everyone in one way or another.
---
#writing #fantasy 💙📚🪐
---
One year’s harvest withered, and the next year’s was planted late, after the farmers healed the soil. Riavi Lamavos had to ration food extremely carefully during that time, and those two years had left their mark on everyone in one way or another.
---
#writing #fantasy 💙📚🪐
March 2, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Today's #WIPSnips excerpt from my novel-in-progress:
--
They ate every bit of the soup, scraping up the smallest traces from their bowls.
“I feel like I could sleep for a week,” declared Drenu.
“Well, you have until sunrise, which is a good ten hours away at this point.”
--
#writing #fantasy 💙📚🪐
--
They ate every bit of the soup, scraping up the smallest traces from their bowls.
“I feel like I could sleep for a week,” declared Drenu.
“Well, you have until sunrise, which is a good ten hours away at this point.”
--
#writing #fantasy 💙📚🪐
February 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Cassandra Hartwell
Okay, so at the request of the lovely @trance.bsky.social , I'm going to tell a story about what happens when a shitty person is "just joking", and then discovers there are consequences.
AKA That Time Kat Started An Antifascist Hallway Riot In The Third Grade.
Grab your beverage of choice.
AKA That Time Kat Started An Antifascist Hallway Riot In The Third Grade.
Grab your beverage of choice.
February 16, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Okay, so at the request of the lovely @trance.bsky.social , I'm going to tell a story about what happens when a shitty person is "just joking", and then discovers there are consequences.
AKA That Time Kat Started An Antifascist Hallway Riot In The Third Grade.
Grab your beverage of choice.
AKA That Time Kat Started An Antifascist Hallway Riot In The Third Grade.
Grab your beverage of choice.