D.L. Thomas
@dlthomasauthor.bsky.social
Author of The Forgotten Gate | Fantasy with a dark edge | An epic tale of war, rebellion, and the fate of kingdoms | Coming 2025
Writing dialogue for your character where she says "fucking hell", then I remember that the concept of hell doesn't exist in my fantasy world, so I have to brainstorm different exclamations that my character can make to retcon her language 🤦
November 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Writing dialogue for your character where she says "fucking hell", then I remember that the concept of hell doesn't exist in my fantasy world, so I have to brainstorm different exclamations that my character can make to retcon her language 🤦
Who else will just look at the page, trying to think of the simplest word that you use often but it's just not coming to you? Mine just now was currency. I had to type "THING" as a placeholder... it happens far too often 😂😂 The brain freeze is very real!!
November 27, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Who else will just look at the page, trying to think of the simplest word that you use often but it's just not coming to you? Mine just now was currency. I had to type "THING" as a placeholder... it happens far too often 😂😂 The brain freeze is very real!!
Just another day in the life of an author's Google search history 😂
October 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Just another day in the life of an author's Google search history 😂
Today's writing inspiration playlist
September 28, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Today's writing inspiration playlist
My WIP may be an epic fantasy, but it is heavily inspired by real history so I now find myself spending all my free time listening to @history-hit.bsky.social and @theresthistory.bsky.social to fire up my creativity
September 13, 2025 at 12:21 PM
My WIP may be an epic fantasy, but it is heavily inspired by real history so I now find myself spending all my free time listening to @history-hit.bsky.social and @theresthistory.bsky.social to fire up my creativity
I've got to remember that just because I know every character's motives and secrets doesn't mean that my other characters do as well. They can only see their corner of my world!
August 19, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I've got to remember that just because I know every character's motives and secrets doesn't mean that my other characters do as well. They can only see their corner of my world!
Just powered through three action-packed chapters. Now I've got to switch gears as my next two chapters are to be politically savvy.
This might take some rewrites until I'm in the correct headspace!
This might take some rewrites until I'm in the correct headspace!
August 15, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Just powered through three action-packed chapters. Now I've got to switch gears as my next two chapters are to be politically savvy.
This might take some rewrites until I'm in the correct headspace!
This might take some rewrites until I'm in the correct headspace!
My fmc: “Why would you write this chapter?!”
Me: “Character development.”
My fmc: “I’m developing trauma!”
Me: “Character development.”
My fmc: “I’m developing trauma!”
August 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
My fmc: “Why would you write this chapter?!”
Me: “Character development.”
My fmc: “I’m developing trauma!”
Me: “Character development.”
My fmc: “I’m developing trauma!”
Just finished a 5,500 word chapter followed immediately by a 2,400 word one. These could’ve been a single 8,000 word chapter.
Curious to hear from readers whether you prefer long chapters that keep the flow even if they’re hefty? Or shorter chapters, even if it breaks the momentum?
#fantasyauthor
Curious to hear from readers whether you prefer long chapters that keep the flow even if they’re hefty? Or shorter chapters, even if it breaks the momentum?
#fantasyauthor
June 10, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Just finished a 5,500 word chapter followed immediately by a 2,400 word one. These could’ve been a single 8,000 word chapter.
Curious to hear from readers whether you prefer long chapters that keep the flow even if they’re hefty? Or shorter chapters, even if it breaks the momentum?
#fantasyauthor
Curious to hear from readers whether you prefer long chapters that keep the flow even if they’re hefty? Or shorter chapters, even if it breaks the momentum?
#fantasyauthor
Writing a novel is basically spending half your time pulling faces in the mirror for different emotions, desperately trying to work out exactly how to describe it. Admit it authors, we've all done it! 😅✍️ #WritingLife #fantasyauthor #WriterProblems #WritersCommunity #WritingTips
June 4, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Writing a novel is basically spending half your time pulling faces in the mirror for different emotions, desperately trying to work out exactly how to describe it. Admit it authors, we've all done it! 😅✍️ #WritingLife #fantasyauthor #WriterProblems #WritersCommunity #WritingTips
Driving is one of the few times I get any peace to think so I come up with loads of story ideas for my book, but by the time I arrive half of them are gone 😟
#authorproblems #fantasyauthor
#authorproblems #fantasyauthor
May 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Driving is one of the few times I get any peace to think so I come up with loads of story ideas for my book, but by the time I arrive half of them are gone 😟
#authorproblems #fantasyauthor
#authorproblems #fantasyauthor
Getting some inspiration for my #medieval #fantasy #novel today... My notes app is full 😂
#fantasyauthor
#fantasyauthor
May 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Getting some inspiration for my #medieval #fantasy #novel today... My notes app is full 😂
#fantasyauthor
#fantasyauthor
If a chapter title in a medieval #fantasy novel was a #Shakespeare quote, would it pull you out of the world? Curious what others think.
#fantasyauthor #epicfantasy #fantasynovel #darkfantasy
#fantasyauthor #epicfantasy #fantasynovel #darkfantasy
May 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
If a chapter title in a medieval #fantasy novel was a #Shakespeare quote, would it pull you out of the world? Curious what others think.
#fantasyauthor #epicfantasy #fantasynovel #darkfantasy
#fantasyauthor #epicfantasy #fantasynovel #darkfantasy
Thought the second draft of my #manuscript would be shorter than the first. Instead, it's 12,000 words longer. Send help!
#fantasyauthor #fantasynovel #epicfantasy
#fantasyauthor #fantasynovel #epicfantasy
April 29, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Thought the second draft of my #manuscript would be shorter than the first. Instead, it's 12,000 words longer. Send help!
#fantasyauthor #fantasynovel #epicfantasy
#fantasyauthor #fantasynovel #epicfantasy
"A course of events has been set in motion. Something long delayed. A thousand years of stillness, now stirring once more."
Convincing you to read my upcoming novel with a quote.
A kingdom on the brink of war. Long forgotten secrets. Bloodlines waiting to be awakened.
#fantasynovel #epicfantasy
Convincing you to read my upcoming novel with a quote.
A kingdom on the brink of war. Long forgotten secrets. Bloodlines waiting to be awakened.
#fantasynovel #epicfantasy
April 8, 2025 at 7:44 AM
"A course of events has been set in motion. Something long delayed. A thousand years of stillness, now stirring once more."
Convincing you to read my upcoming novel with a quote.
A kingdom on the brink of war. Long forgotten secrets. Bloodlines waiting to be awakened.
#fantasynovel #epicfantasy
Convincing you to read my upcoming novel with a quote.
A kingdom on the brink of war. Long forgotten secrets. Bloodlines waiting to be awakened.
#fantasynovel #epicfantasy
Reason #14 why I’m self-publishing: Traditional publishers rarely consider books over 100,000 words unless you're already well-established. I’m just hitting that mark… and I’m only on Chapter 25 of 63.
This story demands the space to be told. So, I’m giving it that #epicfantasy #fantasyauthor
This story demands the space to be told. So, I’m giving it that #epicfantasy #fantasyauthor
February 22, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Reason #14 why I’m self-publishing: Traditional publishers rarely consider books over 100,000 words unless you're already well-established. I’m just hitting that mark… and I’m only on Chapter 25 of 63.
This story demands the space to be told. So, I’m giving it that #epicfantasy #fantasyauthor
This story demands the space to be told. So, I’m giving it that #epicfantasy #fantasyauthor
"The past is never truly lost. It lingers in the ruins, in forgotten names, in the blood of those who remain."
The mystery deepens in A Crown of War and Steel. #FantasyBooks #fantasyauthor #EpicFantasy
The mystery deepens in A Crown of War and Steel. #FantasyBooks #fantasyauthor #EpicFantasy
February 13, 2025 at 9:22 PM
"The past is never truly lost. It lingers in the ruins, in forgotten names, in the blood of those who remain."
The mystery deepens in A Crown of War and Steel. #FantasyBooks #fantasyauthor #EpicFantasy
The mystery deepens in A Crown of War and Steel. #FantasyBooks #fantasyauthor #EpicFantasy
“Why was this symbol carved into seemingly random buildings throughout Oxford? Someone had been here, marking these places with purpose, and she was going to find out why.”
The mystery of A Crown of Swords and Steel builds
#Mystery #HistoricalFiction #WIPsnips #epicfantasy #fantasyauthor
The mystery of A Crown of Swords and Steel builds
#Mystery #HistoricalFiction #WIPsnips #epicfantasy #fantasyauthor
February 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
“Why was this symbol carved into seemingly random buildings throughout Oxford? Someone had been here, marking these places with purpose, and she was going to find out why.”
The mystery of A Crown of Swords and Steel builds
#Mystery #HistoricalFiction #WIPsnips #epicfantasy #fantasyauthor
The mystery of A Crown of Swords and Steel builds
#Mystery #HistoricalFiction #WIPsnips #epicfantasy #fantasyauthor
Writing a fantasy novel is 10% inspiration, 90% staring at your notes wondering how medieval economies actually worked. #WriterProblems #Worldbuilding #fantasynovel #epicfantasy
February 9, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Writing a fantasy novel is 10% inspiration, 90% staring at your notes wondering how medieval economies actually worked. #WriterProblems #Worldbuilding #fantasynovel #epicfantasy
Rosalia Hawkins is the protagonist of 'The Forgotten Gate' . She’s a history student turned reluctant hero, navigating a dangerous new world. What’s your favourite type of protagonist? #WritingCommunity #fantasyauthor #epicfantasy #ukauthor
January 4, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Rosalia Hawkins is the protagonist of 'The Forgotten Gate' . She’s a history student turned reluctant hero, navigating a dangerous new world. What’s your favourite type of protagonist? #WritingCommunity #fantasyauthor #epicfantasy #ukauthor
Chapter 29 of #theforgottengate is underway! Writing a fierce battle scene. This book is testing my limits, but I love every moment. #WritingCommunity #DebutAuthor #fantasyauthor #epicfantasy
December 31, 2024 at 8:02 AM
Chapter 29 of #theforgottengate is underway! Writing a fierce battle scene. This book is testing my limits, but I love every moment. #WritingCommunity #DebutAuthor #fantasyauthor #epicfantasy
Just brought this flower to life using ai from a description in my #fantasy novel. I think it turned out quite pretty—what do you think? #FantasyArt #author #WritersLife
November 23, 2024 at 12:54 PM
Just brought this flower to life using ai from a description in my #fantasy novel. I think it turned out quite pretty—what do you think? #FantasyArt #author #WritersLife
The weird #Google searches you have to do as a #novelist are no joke. One minute I'm looking up women's fashion - the next I'm researching where Masters students live at New College, Oxford. The things we do for the sake of authenticity! #novelwriting #novelresearch
November 22, 2024 at 10:08 PM
The weird #Google searches you have to do as a #novelist are no joke. One minute I'm looking up women's fashion - the next I'm researching where Masters students live at New College, Oxford. The things we do for the sake of authenticity! #novelwriting #novelresearch
Just finished the draft of the prologue for The Forgotten Gate! It feels like a huge milestone on this journey, and I can't wait to dive deeper into the world. Thanks for joining me on this adventure! 📚💫 #fantasyWriter #Fantasy #TheForgottenGate #AuthorJourney
November 20, 2024 at 3:25 PM
Just finished the draft of the prologue for The Forgotten Gate! It feels like a huge milestone on this journey, and I can't wait to dive deeper into the world. Thanks for joining me on this adventure! 📚💫 #fantasyWriter #Fantasy #TheForgottenGate #AuthorJourney
There’s something magical about the cobblestone paths and ancient libraries of Oxford. This city isn’t just where the hero of my debut novel begins their journey, it’s where they unearth the secrets that connect our world to another realm!
Coming 2025
#FantasyAuthor #Author
Coming 2025
#FantasyAuthor #Author
November 20, 2024 at 2:12 PM
There’s something magical about the cobblestone paths and ancient libraries of Oxford. This city isn’t just where the hero of my debut novel begins their journey, it’s where they unearth the secrets that connect our world to another realm!
Coming 2025
#FantasyAuthor #Author
Coming 2025
#FantasyAuthor #Author