Diane Youngblood
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dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Diane Youngblood
@dmyoungblood.bsky.social
3.4K followers 1K following 3.8K posts
Indie adult fantasy author. Disabled. Knitter. Wife. Doggie mama. Desert dweller. Former accountant, data and BI analyst. She/her. INTP. LGBTQ+ ally
🚫 GenAI

https://linktr.ee/dmyoungblood
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dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 21 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Free Friday: I got nothin' for today. Happy Friday! 🎉

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Free Friday or comfort movies/tv shows Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 20 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Where do I find inspiration? E V E R Y W H E R E

It's annoying, actually, because I have way more story ideas than I could ever write about.

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Where do you find inspiration? Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 19 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

The writing itself is fairly easy-going for me but the authoring part is not. For example, marketing. I hate marketing and self-promotion. Which is why I don't do it. 🤣

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Parts of writing that challenge you Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 10:07 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 18 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Dee Connor, the MC of my Keeper trilogy, will always be one of my favorite characters, along with Kevin and Arddhu.

In my Oracle of Delphi series WIP, there are a handful of Pythiai I've liked more than others. But my fave is Chara, the dog.

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Favorite characters you've created Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 17 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

I have way too many hobbies - I've had to put some on the back burner lately: knitting, coloring, playing my lyre, and learning to draw.

Other hobbies include casual gaming (like Marvel Puzzle Quest), reading, and crafting (my #PythiaFeltDoll).

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Your hobbies Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 9:58 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 16 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

When I wrote my Keeper of the Sphere trilogy, I was definitely a pantser. But with the Oracle of Delphi series, there's just way too many historical facts to keep track of, so I've had to mostly do plotting.

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Are you a plotter, pantser, or plantser? Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 10:40 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 15 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Another unedited snippet from Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Here, the Sanctuary has just celebrated the renewal of the Athenian Pythais festival in 137 BCE. 11 Athenian girls served as Kanephoroi, or Basket-Bearers, in the procession.

#WritingCommunity
The eleven girls who had stayed at the House of the Pythia were well-behaved and respectful, and more than one expressed interest in becoming a Pythia. Antiope was then placed in the unfortunate position to explain to them why they could not. "But, if we come here to Delphi," Artemisia, daughter of Attalos of Athens, had said, brow furrowed, "marry and have children, we could be a Pythia someday." She'd blinked at the girl, who couldn't have been more than twelve years of age. "Surely there are temples in Athens at which you could be priestess. perhaps even High Priestess." Artemisia had smiled brilliantly then. "I'd much rather be a Pythia, like you." Later, she'd told High Priest Amymtas about it, and he'd smiled. "You just may see her in Delphi in a few years. What will you do then?" Antiope had shrugged. "I will worry about that if it happens." List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Saturday Snippet Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 9:59 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 14 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Posting my pets! The awesome Terror Twins: Bailey-Boo on the right, and Cara the Wee Hellbeastie on the left. 💙

#WritingCommunity
A tan Pomeranian behind a tri-color (black, white, tan) Pomeranian, both looking at the camera with interest. List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Free Friday or post your pets Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 10:05 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Reading Roller's Historical and Topographical Guide to the Geography of Strabo, I thought this was a great paragraph. Hilarious, even.

#WritingCommunity #HistoricalFiction
Continuing the theme, Strabo digressed to complain about authors who professed to be historians but knew no history, a problem still very much apparent today. The historians he cited were all ones who included mythology in their histories.
November 13, 2025 at 10:20 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 13 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

I am privileged to write in a dedicated home office, with my research books close at hand.

#WritingCommunity
An L-shaped wood desk has notes and books all over it. An areca palm tree is in front of a window on the right, and a ponytail palm is in front of the window on the left. In the middle is a (pathetic) pathos plant.
November 13, 2025 at 9:59 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 12 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Good writing advice: try different tools and processes and do what works for you

Bad writing advice: 🤐

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Good and bad writing advice Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 11 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Genres:

I write fantasy.

I read sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction; and a metric shit-ton of historical nonfiction.

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: What genres do you write and read? Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 10:04 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 10 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

I do not have a single favorite line I've written. Not one.

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Favorite line you've written Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 9 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

I have bookcases/shelves in every room of the house, not all are presentable for viewing. Here's part of my office bookcase, with only a few of the reference books for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP.

#WritingCommunity
Four shelves in a bookcase of books on ancient Greece, plus a new Chicago Manual of Style. List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Show off your bookshelf Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
You're using last year's prompts. Here are this year's:
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 8 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Another unedited snippet from Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. (Catchup: had a migraine yesterday)

#WritingCommunity
Now, Pythia Antiope and High Priest Amyntas discussed the latest spy reports, over a light meal in the dining room of the House of the Pythia. "Metellus has appointed a praetor and garrisoned a legion to keep order in the new Roman province of Macedon. He has also ordered his men to load wagons with the treasures of Pella—including spoils taken by Alexandros, son of Philippos, from the Battle of Granicus and precious works of art. The booty will be sent to Rome. " "Of course," Antiope spat. "Our treasures decorate the fine homes of Roman citizens." Amymtas nodded. "I fear it will only get worse, the more Rome is involved in the affairs of Hellas." He glanced at the scroll in his hands. "Which, from this report, is imminent." List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Saturday Snippet Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 7 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Ambient-type music, reading, and a beer or wine help me to relax. Also petting/snuggling my doggies, knitting, and playing certain video games.

Happy Friday! 🎉

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Free Friday or what helps you relax? Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 6 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

I can only list what works for me as writing tools: Scrivener for first drafts, Word for edits. Thesaurus for brain fog, One Note for research notes. External hard drive for copious backups of manuscripts.

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Helpful writing tools Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 9:49 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 5 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

🔹 Last read: The City of Sun and Stars by @stumbleine44.bsky.social (5⭐ by the way)
🔹Current read: Empire of Ashes by Nicholas Nicastro
🔹Next read: not sure; probably Tides of War by Steven Pressfield

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Last, current, and next reads Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Forgot the pic:
off white lining fabric and yellow crinkle fabric
November 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
I've posted some progress pics under the hashtag #PythiaFeltDoll but here's what she looks like so far:
An assembled felt doll with tan skin color and dark brown yarn hair. She wears an off-white loincloth.
November 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 3 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

I don't have a playlist for my Oracle of Delphi series WIP - or any WIP. I listen to ambient radio while I write.

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: WIP playlist Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 10:15 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 2 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

I started writing in grade school. I wrote a poem that my teacher loved. But I didn't start writing "for reals" until 2014, and I revised that book 6 times before publishing it in 2018. That was "Legacy: Book 1 of the Keeper of the Sphere."

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: When did you start writing? Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 10:14 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 1 of #FantasyIndiesNovember

Hi again, I'm Diane, and I'm still working on Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Historical fantasy covering roughly 2000 years of ancient Greek culture and events. I'm only 3 chapters away from starting Book 8.

Happy November! 🎉

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for November. Today's is: Introduce yourself & WIP Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 10:10 PM
dmyoungblood.bsky.social
Day 31 of #FantasyIndiesSpooktober

This month, I added 22K words to Book 7 of my Oracle of Delphi series WIP. Total WC for the series is now 703K.

I read 8 books, 1 was Indie (Queen of Thorns by @servantand.bsky.social big 5* from me)

Happy Halloween! 🎃

On to November! 🎉

#WritingCommunity
List of daily post prompts for indie fantasy authors for October. Today's is: HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Hosts: @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social and @lvrussell.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 10:07 PM